Practice School Report on
Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Submitted to
Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati
In the partial fulfillment of the Degree in Bachelor of Pharmacy
Submitted by
Mr. Mayur Prakashgir Giri
Under the guidance of
[Link] Kshirsagar Sir
Asst Prof
************************************************************************
Mup's College of Pharmacy Degaon
Risod. M. S. 444506
2024-25
1
Declaration
We are hereby declare that, the Practice School report entitled “Drug Information
Centre (DIC)’’ carried out in Mpu's College of Pharmacy, Degaon for consideration in
partial fulfillment for the award of degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) from
Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, under the guidance of Mr [Link]
Kshirsagar Sir
Date:
Place:Degaon
Name of the Students Signature
1. Mayur Prakashgir Giri ___________________
2
Certificate
This is to certify that, Mayur Prakashgir Giri the students of B. Pharmacy VIIth
Semester have completed their Practice School project entitled “Drug Information
Centre (DIC)” for the academic year 2024-25 in Mup's College of Pharmacy, Degaon
for consideration in partial fulfillment for the award of degree of Bachelor of
Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) from Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, under
my supervision.
All students took proper efforts and showed sincerity in completion of the project
up to my expectation.
Name of the Students
1. Mayur Prakashgir Giri
Date: Name & Sign of the Guide
[Link] Kshirsagar Sir
3
Certificate
This is to certify that, Mayur Prakashgir Giri the students of B. Pharmacy VIIth
Semester have completed their Practice School project entitled “Drug Information
Centre (DIC)” for the academic year 2024-25 in Mup's College of Pharmacy, Degaon
for consideration in partial fulfillment for the award of degree of Bachelor of
Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) from Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati,
under the supervision of [Link] Kshirsagar Sir
The report was found worthy and ready for submission.
[Link] Prakashgir Giri
Date:- [Link] Kshirsagar Sir
(Principal)
4
ACKNOWLEDGEMEANT
We would take the opportunity to thank "The Almighty God" And
"Parents" for providingme with such wonderful life and making us of reaching
this position. We would like to acknowledge the ever helping, highly eminent and
sincerely respectable principle of MUP's college of pharmacy Asst.
[Link] Kshirsagar Sir who gave us the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic "Drug Information Centre" also helped me in
doing a lot of Research and I came to know about so many new things we are
really thankful to them. We would like to heartly and sincerely acknowledge the
efforts of my highly esteemed and respectable guide Asst. Prof. Mr. [Link]
Kshirsagar Sir for their valuable guidance, constant appreciate, inspiration,
regular motivation, encouragement and indeed ample interest in the project which
enabled we to complete our project.
Place :- Degaon Mr. Mayur prakashgir giri
Date:-
5
Content
[Link] Content Page No
1. Introduction
2. History of Drug information center
3. Objective
4. Responsibilities Of Drug information center
5. Classification Of Drug information center
6. Working of Drug information center
7. Types of Queries asked to Drug information center
8. Procedure for asking a queries
9. Sample Query Format
10. Selection procedure for pharmacist in Drug information center
11. Drug information center
list in India
12. Drug information center
List In Maharashtra
13. Detail About DIC of Maharashtra Pharmacy Council
14. Detail About DIC In AIIMS Nagpur
15. Conclusion of Drug information center
16. Reference
6
Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Aim:- The main purpose in running DIC is to promote rational
drug therapy by providing unbiased, current, and accurate
information
Introduction
The drug information centre (DIC) at the Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH), Pokhara,
Nepal, was started in November 2003. The DIC provides objective, unbiased
information on drugs and therapeutics to health care professionals in the teaching
hospital and outside. The DIC is also involved in activities beyond the provision of
drug information.[1]
The DIC maintains a close liaison with the hospital drug and therapeutics committee
and various clinical departments. Postgraduate students are trained in the activities of
the DIC. The DIC runs a pharmacovigilance centre and a medication counselling
centre.
The resources of the DIC are used for teaching undergraduate medical students and
undergraduate pharmacy students of Pokhara University. The DIC is also involved in
the Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) program of hospital pharmacists. The DIC
publishes a quarterly drug information and pharmacovigilance bulletin. The DIC
supports research by members and clinicians and encourages student research. The
members liaise with other DICs and organizations.
7
History of DIC
The history of drug information centres (DICs) reflects the evolution of pharmacology
and healthcare needs over the decades. Here’s a brief overview of their development:
Early Beginnings (1960s-1970s)
● Emergence of Pharmacovigilance: The need for systematic collection and
analysis of drug-related information became apparent in the 1960s,
particularly after incidents like the thalidomide tragedy, which highlighted the
risks associated with pharmaceuticals.
● Establishment of Initial Centers: The first drug information centers were
established in academic medical centers and hospitals to address the need for
reliable drug information, particularly to assist healthcare professionals in
making informed decisions.
Expansion and Formalization (1980s-1990s)
● Growth of Centers: By the 1980s, DICs began to proliferate in the United
States and other countries, supported by professional organizations such as
the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
● Standardization: During this period, DICs started to standardize their
operations, developing protocols for information retrieval and consultation
services.
Integration with Technology (2000s)
● Advent of Digital Resources: The rise of the internet and digital databases
revolutionized access to drug information. DICs began to utilize electronic
databases and online resources, improving the speed and accuracy of
information dissemination.
● Focus on Patient Safety: Increased awareness of medication errors and
adverse drug reactions led to a greater emphasis on patient safety and the
role of DICs in promoting safe medication practices.
8
Modern Era (2010s-Present)
● Diverse Services: Today, DICs offer a range of services, including clinical
consultations, educational programs, and toxicology support. They play a
critical role in addressing complex medication-related inquiries.
● Collaboration and Research: Many DICs are now involved in research and
collaboration with regulatory agencies, contributing to drug safety and
efficacy studies.
● Global Expansion: The model of DICs has been adopted in various countries,
adapting to local healthcare needs and regulations.[2]
9
Objective
The objective of a Drug Information Center (DIC) is to provide accurate, reliable, and
evidence-based information regarding medications to healthcare professionals, patients, and
the public. Key goals include:
1. Support Clinical Decision-Making: Assist healthcare providers in making
informed decisions about medication therapy by offering evidence-based drug
information.
2. Enhance Patient Safety: Promote safe and effective use of medications, helping to
minimize adverse drug reactions and medication errors.
3. Education and Training: Provide education to healthcare professionals,
pharmacists, and patients about drug therapy, pharmacology, and the appropriate use
of medications.
4. Research and Data Collection: Conduct research and gather data on drug
utilization, effectiveness, and safety to inform practices and policies.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that drug information provided aligns with current
regulations and guidelines, maintaining ethical standards in drug use.
6. Public Health Promotion: Contribute to public health initiatives by disseminating
information on drug safety, drug interactions, and medication adherence.
By fulfilling these objectives, a DIC plays a crucial role in optimizing therapeutic outcomes
and improving overall healthcare qualits [3]
10
Responsibilities of DIC
Drug Information Centers (DICs) play a crucial role in promoting safe and effective
medication use. Their responsibilities can be broadly categorized into several key
areas:
1. Information Dissemination
● Responding to Inquiries: DICs provide evidence-based responses to inquiries
from healthcare professionals, patients, and the public regarding medication
use, side effects, interactions, and therapeutic alternatives.
● Database Management: They maintain and update databases that contain
drug information, ensuring that staff have access to current and accurate data.
[Link] traning
● Healthcare Provider Training: DICs often conduct educational sessions and
workshops for healthcare professionals, focusing on pharmacotherapy, new
drugs, and safe prescribing practices.
● Patient Education: They may develop educational materials for patients to
enhance understanding of their medications, including instructions on proper
use, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence.
3. Research and Evidence Evaluation
● Conducting Research: DICs may engage in research projects to evaluate
medication effectiveness, safety, and public health impacts.
● Literature Review: They analyze and summarize clinical studies and
guidelines to provide the most current information to stakeholders.
4. Clinical Support
● Medication Management: DICs assist healthcare providers in managing
complex medication regimens, especially for patients with multiple
comorbidities.
● Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: They may support therapeutic drug
monitoring programs to optimize dosing and minimize adverse effects.
11
5. Safety Monitoring
● Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting: DICs collect and analyze data on adverse
drug reactions, contributing to pharmacovigilance efforts and helping identify
safety signals.
● Drug Utilization Review: They conduct reviews of medication use patterns
within healthcare settings to identify potential issues related to safety and
efficacy.
6. Policy Development and Implementation
● Guideline Formulation: DICs often help in developing clinical guidelines and
protocols for medication use within healthcare institutions.
● Formulary Management: They may assist in evaluating and managing drug
formularies, ensuring that medications available are both effective and safe.
7. Collaboration and Networking
● Interdisciplinary Collaboration: DICs work closely with pharmacists,
physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to promote a
multidisciplinary approach to medication management.
● Engagement with Regulatory Bodies: They may interact with governmental
and regulatory agencies regarding drug safety and efficacy, contributing to
broader public health initiatives.
8. Technology and Innovation
● Utilizing Information Technology: DICs often leverage technology to
enhance information retrieval and dissemination, employing electronic
jndatabases and decision-support tools.
● Staying Updated on Innovations: They keep abreast of advancements in
pharmacotherapy, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences to provide the
latest information to stakeholders.[3]
12
13
Classification of DIC
It can be mainly classified into three types it includes:
[Link] based DIC
Some of the major activities performed by hospital-based DIC include receiving and
answering the in-house call by the requestor, involved in formulary decision making
and providing service education, participating in drug use evaluation, publishing
newsletter, reporting ADR, assist in investigational drug activity, and Pharmacy and
Therapeutic Committee
[Link] based DIC
DICs in the industry have access about all the detailed knowledge accumulated from
the time of drug which was first developed, information about published literature,
the knowledge of unpublished documentation, records of usage in unusual
circumstances, and very important access to the relevant experts. Any user can
communicate the company through phone calls at any peak hours; telephone
recording machine is cleared every hour and the medical information staff can be
contacted for any further information if required
[Link]-based DIC
Community-based DIC aims to change patient behaviour through drug therapy,
improving patient adherence, thereby ultimately leads to quality health care. For any
further information about health, patients can actively seek consumer health
information in response to their need. Using mobile technology through social media
sites, patients are allowed to create their own content and share
information about health on the internet[1]
14
Working Of DIC [4]
15
Types Of queries asked to DIC
The types of queries asked to a Drug Information Center (DIC) can vary widely
depending on the needs of healthcare professionals, patients, or institutions. These
queries often involve specific drug-related issues that require evidence-based,
reliable information. Below are the common types of queries that are typically
addressed by DICs:
1. Drug Identification Queries
Example: “What is this pill with an imprint 'M 357'?”
Details: Queries related to identifying unknown medications based on physical
characteristics such as color, shape, size, and imprints.
2. Drug Dosage and Administration Queries
Example: “What is the appropriate dose of warfarin for an elderly patient with
kidney impairment?”
Details: Questions concerning the correct dosing regimen of medications based on
patient-specific factors such as age, weight, renal or hepatic function, and other
comorbidities.
Routes of Administration: Queries related to how a drug should be administered
(oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, etc.).
3. Drug Interactions Queries
Example: “Can a patient on clopidogrel take omeprazole?”
Details: Queries about the potential interactions between two or more drugs, how
these interactions may affect patient safety or therapeutic efficacy, and how to
manage or avoid such interactions.
4. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) Queries
Example: “What are the common side effects of amiodarone?”
Details: Queries regarding potential or reported side effects, adverse reactions, or
toxicity associated with specific medications. These may also include guidance on
16
how to manage or prevent adverse effects.5. Drug Compatibility and Stability
Queries
Example: “Can ceftriaxone be administered with parenteral nutrition?”
Details: Queries related to the physical and chemical compatibility of drugs when
mixed in IV fluids or administered through the same line. These questions also
involve the stability of drugs under different conditions (e.g., temperature, light).
6. Drug Use in Special Populations Queries
Pediatric: “What is the safe dose of ibuprofen for a 4-year-old child?”
Geriatric: “What adjustments should be made for a geriatric patient on digoxin
with decreased renal function?”
Pregnancy/Lactation: “Is it safe for a pregnant woman to use fluoxetine?”
Details: Queries focused on drug use in specific populations like children, the
elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and patients with comorbidities (renal
or liver impairment )
7. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) Queries
Example: “What is the therapeutic range for vancomycin, and how should dosing
be adjusted based on trough levels?”
Details: Queries regarding the monitoring of drug levels to ensure they remain
within the therapeutic range, prevent toxicity, or optimize efficacy. These
questions are common for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows (e.g., warfarin,
vancomycin, phenytoin).
8. Drug Formulation and Compounding Queries
Example: “Can you provide a formula for preparing a liquid form of lisinopril
for a pediatric patient?”
Details: Queries about how to prepare special drug formulations, such as
converting solid dosage forms into liquid preparations or making compounde
17
Procedure for asking a queries
When asking queries to a Drug Information Center (DIC), it is important to follow
a structured procedure to ensure that the request is clear, complete, and can be
addressed efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly ask queries
to a DIC:
1. Identify Yourself and Provide Contact Information
- Introduce yourself by providing your name, profession (e.g., pharmacist,
physician, nurse), and the institution or clinic where you work.
- Include contact details such as phone number or email, so the DIC can
respond or ask for additional clarification if needed.
2. Clearly State the Query
- Begin by clearly describing your query in a concise and specific manner.
Provide context to ensure the DIC understands exactly what you're asking.
- Example: "I need to know the recommended dosing of levetiracetam for a
patient with end-stage renal disease on dialysis."
3. Provide Relevant Background Information
- Include any patient-specific or situation-specific information relevant to the
query, such as:
- Age, weight, gender
- Renal or hepatic function
- Current medications and dosage
- Medical conditions or comorbidities
- Pregnancy or lactation status
- This ensures the DIC can provide tailored advice based on the clinical context.
18
- Example: "The patient is a 65-year-old male with chronic kidney disease (GFR
<15 mL/min), currently on metformin and lisinopril."
4. Indicate the Urgency of the Query
- Specify if the query is urgent or non-urgent to help the DIC prioritize their
response. If it's time-sensitive, mention when you need the information.
- Example: "I need this information within the next 24 hours as the patient is
scheduled for surgery tomorrow."
5. Specify the Type of Response Needed
- Indicate whether you are looking for a quick response, detailed literature or
evidence, or specific recommendations.
- Example: "Please provide recommendations based on current clinical guidelines
or any recent studies."
6. Request Documentation, if Necessary
- Ask for supporting documentation, such as clinical studies, guidelines, or drug
monographs, if needed.
- Example: "Could you provide references or articles on the interaction between
warfarin and cranberry juice?"
If the information provided requires further clarification, follow up with additional
questions or request a more detailed explanation.[6]
19
- Sample query format
- Name and Profession: Dr. John Smith, Cardiologist
- Institution: General Hospital
- Contact Information: [Link]@[Link]
- Query: "What is the recommended dosing adjustment for digoxin in an elderly
patient with renal impairment?"
- Patient Background: "75-year-old male, GFR 30 mL/min, current medications
include aspirin and metoprolol."
- Urgency: "Please provide the information by the end of the day as I need to adjust
the patient's medication during the next consultation."
- Type of Response Needed: "I would appreciate evidence-based
recommendations or references to relevant clinical guidelines."
20
Selection procedure for pharmacist in
DIC
The selection procedure for a pharmacist in a Drug Information Center (DIC)
generally involves a combination of educational qualifications, experience, and
specific skills related to drug information management. Here’s a typical process:
1. Educational Qualifications
- Minimum Requirement: A Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy ([Link]).
- Preferred Qualification: A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) or Master of Pharmacy
([Link]) with a specialization in areas like pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, or drug
information services.
- Licensure: The candidate must be a registered pharmacist with the appropriate national
or state licensing body.
2. Relevant Experience
- Candidates are typically expected to have experience in clinical settings, hospital
pharmacies, or drug information services.
- Experience in handling drug-related queries, providing information on drug
interactions, adverse effects, and therapeutic use is highly valued.
3. Knowledge and Skills Assessment
- Drug Information Knowledge: Candidates are evaluated on their knowledge of
pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and evidence-
based medicine.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as
pharmacists in DICs must interact with healthcare professionals and provide clear,
accurate information.
- Analytical Skills:Ability to evaluate and interpret scientific data and research papers.
21
- Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with drug information databases like Micromedex,
Lexicomp, or UpToDate, and literature searching skills (e.g., PubMed).
4. Examinations/Interviews
- Written Test/MCQs :Some organizations may conduct written tests to assess
clinical knowledge and problem-solving skills related to drug information.
- Interviews: This may include technical interviews focusing on pharmacology and
drug interactions, along with a personal interview to assess communication skills and the
ability to work in a team.
5. Certifications (Optional)
- Additional certifications in clinical pharmacy or drug information may be preferred,
such as certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) or Medication Therapy Management
(MTM).
6. Training and Internship
Some DICs may require the candidate to undergo training or internship programs before
taking on full responsibilities, especially if they are new to drug information services.
This process can vary slightly depending on the country, institution, and the type of Drug
Information Center (e.g., hospital-based, academic, or community).[7]
22
DIC list in india
Here’s a list of some Drug Information Centers (DICs) in India, established to
provide accurate drug-related information to healthcare professionals and the
general public. Many are part of universities, hospitals, or professional
organizations:
1. National Drug Information Centre (NDIC)
- Location: Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad
- Role: Provides drug safety information and updates; runs the Pharmacovigilance
Programme of India (PvPI).
[Link] India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Drug Information Centre
- Location: AIIMS, New Delhi
- Role: Provides comprehensive drug information services
for healthcare providers.
3. Drug Information Center, Pharmacy College (JSS Academy of Higher
Education & Research)
- Location: Mysore, Karnataka
- Role: Offers drug information services and supports healthcare professionals in
decision-making.
4. Drug Information Center, Kasturba Medical College
- Location: Manipal, Karnataka
- Role: Aims to provide updated and evidence-based drug information to doctors
and patients.
5. Drug Information Center, Government General Hospital
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
23
- Role: Provides evidence-based drug information to doctors, pharmacists, and
patients.
6. Drug Information Center, Christian Medical College (CMC)
- Location: Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Role: Offers drug consultation and information to healthcare professionals.
7. Drug Information Center, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences
- Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
- Role: A part of the pharmacovigilance program providing drug safety and
information services.
8. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)
Drug Information Center
- Location: Mohali, Punjab
- Role: Provides drug information, research, and healthcare support.
9. King George’s Medical University Drug Information Center
- Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Role: Supports healthcare providers by offering
accurate drug-related information.
10. Drug Information Center, KLE University College of Pharmacy
- Location: Belgaum, Karnatak
- Role: Provides accurate and evidence-based drug information to the public and
healthcare professionals.
These centers are part of the broader network of drug safety and pharmacovigilance
efforts in India to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines[8]
24
DIC list in maharashtra
Here is a list of some Drug Information Centers (DICs) in Maharashtra:
1. Bombay College of Pharmacy Drug Information Center
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Role: Provides drug-related information and counseling to healthcare
professionals and the public, particularly focusing on rational drug use.
2. Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital Drug Information Center
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Role: Offers comprehensive drug information services to healthcare providers,
students, and patients, assisting in clinical decision-making.
3. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Drug Information
Center
- Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Role: Provides evidence-based drug information and promotes safe and
effective use of medicines among healthcare professionals and patients.
4. Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Poona College of Pharmacy Drug
Information Center
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra
- Role: Offers drug information services and supports pharmacovigilance
activities to healthcare professionals and the community.
5. Grant Medical College & Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals Drug Information
Center
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
25
- Role: Provides accurate and updated drug information to medical
professionals, assisting in therapeutic decision-making.
6. Sinhgad College of Pharmacy Drug Information Center
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra
- Role: Assists healthcare professionals and the public with drug-related queries
and promotes rational drug use.
7. Dr. DY Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research Drug
Information Center
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra
- Role: Provides drug information services and supports the dissemination of
updated knowledge on pharmacotherapy.
These centers are integral to supporting healthcare professionals with accurate drug
information and promoting patient safety in Maharashtra.[9]
26
Detail about DIC of maharashtra pharmacy
council
Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council’s Drug Information Center is steadfast to stand
out in helping the Healthcare providers be in pace with escalating needs of our
profession. The council’s DIC caters to wide strata of people, from Healthcare
profession to patients. The contentment that flows in working towards our vision,
changing the outlook of pharmacists’ from being product to patient oriented cannot
be expressed in words.
The journey started in September 2003, with the belief that ‘Information is the Best
Prescription’. Since then DIC has been providing in-depth, unbiased crucial drug
information to practicing physicians, pharmacists and patients in India. DIC
responds to queries received from Doctors, Pharmacists & patients or consumers
through Email, phone or during personal visit, using the Micromedex database &
other resources.
However, the concept of DIC has flourished in allied directions. MSPC’s DIC
services not only provide drug information, but also identify & address other unmet
needs of the Health Care Professionals & patients.
The foremost area is educating the pharmacist & keeping them abreast with latest
news. This vital milestone is achieved through Council’s publications viz. Drug
Information Bulletin (Quarterly issue). It includes news on latest happenings, new
drug approved, query of the quarter, among the other things. Inclusion of a
crossword is a new initiative to involve the readers & make them aware about a
number of new things by just touching on to it. Our first crossword published in
March, 2012 issue has received a good response. Besides this, ready reference
books, to keep our knowledge updated, for the purpose of Pharmaceutical care, like
Dugs Harmful in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding, Drug Interactions Manual, Drugs to
be used with caution in liver & kidney impairment (injury), WHO Model list of
Essential Medicines for Children & Guide to Patient Counseling – Manual are also
published by the DIC.
MSPC’s DIC focuses on creating an essential place of pharmacist in healthcare
system, which is possible only when pharmacists provide professional services to
physicians and patients at large and thus prove their active role in patient care. One
27
of the fundamental roles of a licensed pharmacist is patient education, commonly
referred to as counseling. Communicating with patients is an important way to avoid
medication errors and help them understand the intended effects as well as the side
effects of their medicines. MSPC's DIC is involved in training the community
pharmacist on various aspects of drug, its usage and patient care through refresher
and patient counseling courses.[10]
Website :- [Link]
28
Detail about DIC in AIIMS Nagpur
The Drug Information Centre (DIC) is in the Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, Nagpur. The primary
goal of DIC is to assist healthcare professionals, patients, and the public in accessing evidence-based
drug information. Vision:
To emerge as a "Regional Centre of Excellence" for drug information services.
Mission:
By providing comprehensive and evidence-based information, we are committed to promoting safe and
effective medication use, enhancing healthcare decision-making, and empowering individuals to make
informed choices about their health.
Objectives:
● To provide an organized database of specialized information on therapeutics to meet the drug
information needs of practitioners within or outside of the
Institution.
● To promote patient care through rational drug therapy and safe use of medicines.
● To publish the news bulletin quarterly, to educate the faculty and other staff about new
medications recently approved, guidelines and policy updates.
● To participate as a resource faculty for in-service training programme.
Time:
In its initial phase operation, DIC caters to queries from healthcare professionals and subsequently, queries
from the community will also be entertained. The DIC will be functional on all working between 9 AM to 5 PM,
except on Saturdays, where it will be functional between 9 AM -1 PM.
Procedure:
The healthcare professionals can fill the drug information request form (Download it from the Institutional
website) and the filled form can be sent as a hardcopy, or digital (Scanned) copy can be sent to this email ID-
pharmacaiims@[Link]. In the case of an emergency, the health care professionals can contact the in charge
of the centre telephonically. The information on the query requested will be provided in the drug inquiry
response form with supporting evidence also.
Resources:The following resources will be utilised for the resolution of a query and relevant references will be
quoted in the report form.
Resources available/referred by DIC
● Pharmaceutical Databases: Lexicomp, DrugBank, RxList, Daily Med, Access medicine.
29
● Medical Literature Databases: PubMed, Ermed, Delnet, DOAJ, Ovid, BMJ Access, Cochrane
database.
● Textbooks.
● Clinical guidelines: Medscape, UpToDate.
● Pharmacopoeias, Drug formularies.
● Other online resources: Google scholar, research gate, Biblimed, WebMD, [Link]
Other activities planned for DIC: Training of health care workers on the rational use and drug
information retrieval by using above resources[11]
30
Conclusion of the drug information center
In summary, the Drug Information Center plays a vital role in promoting safe and
effective medication use through the provision of accurate, evidence-based
information. By serving healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers, the DIC
enhances therapeutic outcomes, supports clinical decision-making, and fosters
patient education. The center's contributions to drug safety monitoring, adverse
event reporting, and formulary management are indispensable in the evolving
landscape of healthcare.
Looking forward, the DIC must continue to adapt to emerging trends, such as the
integration of technology in healthcare, the increasing complexity of drug therapies,
and the growing demand for personalized medicine. Strengthening collaboration
with healthcare providers, educational institutions, and regulatory bodies will further
enhance the DIC’s impact on public health. Ultimately, the commitment to
providing comprehensive drug information will remain crucial in navigating the
challenges of modern medicine.
31
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4. Amerson AB, Wallingford DM: Twenty years' experience with drug information centers.
Am J Hosp Pharm 1983; 40:1173–1178.
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