The Pharmacy The Pharmacy Technician 4ETechnician 4E

Chapter 12Chapter 12InformationInformation

Chapter OutlineChapter Outline

InformationInformation Common ReferencesCommon References Other ReferencesOther References The InternetThe Internet Technician ReferencesTechnician References

Drug InformationDrug Information

Thousands of new drug related information Thousands of new drug related information published yearly. published yearly.

Several new drugs added to the pharmacy shelves Several new drugs added to the pharmacy shelves yearly. yearly.

Difficult to keep abreast on all new information Difficult to keep abreast on all new information released. released.

Information resources called drug information are Information resources called drug information are needed.needed.

Type of ReferencesType of References Primary LiteraturePrimary Literature

Includes original research reports and found in Includes original research reports and found in scientific journals. scientific journals.

Provides direct access to the most current Provides direct access to the most current information.information.

E.g. E.g. The Journal of Pharmacy TechnologyThe Journal of Pharmacy Technology

Type of ReferencesType of References Secondary LiteratureSecondary Literature

Summarizes information contained in Summarizes information contained in professional and scientific journals. professional and scientific journals.

Similar to an index at the end of a book or Similar to an index at the end of a book or bibliography.bibliography.

Also called abstracting services, indexing or Also called abstracting services, indexing or bibliographic service.bibliographic service.

E.g.E.g. Drugdex Drugdex and and Index Medicus Index Medicus are abstracting are abstracting service that summarize information contained in service that summarize information contained in types of professionals and scientific journals. types of professionals and scientific journals.

Type of ReferencesType of References Tertiary LiteratureTertiary Literature

Includes textbooks, monographs, standard reference Includes textbooks, monographs, standard reference books and review articles.books and review articles.

The most commonly used references in the The most commonly used references in the pharmacy.pharmacy.

Easy and convenient.Easy and convenient. No single tertiary reference contains all the No single tertiary reference contains all the

information.information. References may be published one or more years after References may be published one or more years after

the original literature and may no longer be current. the original literature and may no longer be current.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Contains information onContains information on

Proper handling of a specific chemical.Proper handling of a specific chemical. Protective measures on handling a specific Protective measures on handling a specific

chemical.chemical. What to do incase of exposure of hazardous What to do incase of exposure of hazardous

chemicals.chemicals. The Occupational, Safety, Health Administration The Occupational, Safety, Health Administration

(OSHA).(OSHA). Mandates that all chemicals to have MSDS.Mandates that all chemicals to have MSDS.

References on Legal AspectsReferences on Legal Aspects

United States Pharmacopoeia Drug Information (USP United States Pharmacopoeia Drug Information (USP DI) Volume III DI) Volume III Approved Drug Products and Legal Requirements Approved Drug Products and Legal Requirements

contains the USP and NF drug standards, dispensing contains the USP and NF drug standards, dispensing requirements, and relevant state and federal legal requirements, and relevant state and federal legal requirements. requirements.

Pharmacy Law Digest of Facts and Comparisons Pharmacy Law Digest of Facts and Comparisons Provides information on controlled substance, Provides information on controlled substance,

pharmacy inspection, drug control, business laws, pharmacy inspection, drug control, business laws, and contains addresses of the boards of pharmacy.and contains addresses of the boards of pharmacy.

Common Drug ReferencesCommon Drug ReferencesU. S. Pharmacopeia (USP DI) and U. S. Pharmacopeia (USP DI) and

National Formulary (NF)National Formulary (NF)

Official legal standards for drugs in the U.S. Official legal standards for drugs in the U.S. Established by the Established by the United States Pharmacopeial United States Pharmacopeial

Convention (USP).Convention (USP). Both are revised every 5 years.Both are revised every 5 years. Printed in a combined edition with the Printed in a combined edition with the United States United States

PharmacopeiaPharmacopeia and the and the National Formulary(USP–NF).National Formulary(USP–NF).

Drug Facts and ComparisonsDrug Facts and Comparisons

The The most common drugmost common drug reference used in reference used in community pharmacy settings. community pharmacy settings.

Contains information about Contains information about prescription and OTC prescription and OTC products.products.

Presented in easy-to-use comparative tables. Presented in easy-to-use comparative tables. Used to Used to COMPARECOMPARE medications in the same medications in the same

therapeutic class. therapeutic class. A A loose-leaf editionloose-leaf edition provides the most up-to-date provides the most up-to-date

drug reference through monthly updates. drug reference through monthly updates. The drug information is also available online and The drug information is also available online and

with monthly and annual CDs through with monthly and annual CDs through Facts and Facts and Comparison 4.0.Comparison 4.0.

Martindale, The Complete Drug Martindale, The Complete Drug ReferenceReference

Formerly, Formerly, Martindale, The Extra Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia.Pharmacopoeia.

Contains Contains internationalinternational drug drug monographs with monographs with drug names, manufacturers, country of origin, drug names, manufacturers, country of origin, active constituents, and licensed indications.active constituents, and licensed indications.

Use to research foreign drugs.Use to research foreign drugs.

AHFS The American Hospital AHFS The American Hospital Formulary ServiceFormulary Service

Accepted as the source of comparative, Accepted as the source of comparative, unbiased, and evidence-based drug unbiased, and evidence-based drug information. information.

Groups drugs by therapeutic use.Groups drugs by therapeutic use. Updated electronically and in an annual Updated electronically and in an annual

print update. print update. Used when investigating off-label Used when investigating off-label

medication indications.medication indications. PDA and Desktop formats are available.PDA and Desktop formats are available.

Handbook on Injectable DrugsHandbook on Injectable Drugs

Collection of monographs on Collection of monographs on commercially available parenteral commercially available parenteral drugs. drugs.

Includes information on preparation, Includes information on preparation, storage, administration, storage, administration, compatibility, and stability of compatibility, and stability of injectable drugs.injectable drugs.

Available through ASHP in print and Available through ASHP in print and CD formats.CD formats.

Red Book: Pharmacy’s Red Book: Pharmacy’s Fundamental ReferenceFundamental Reference

A guide to accurate product information andA guide to accurate product information and pricesprices onon prescription drugs, OTC items, and reimbursable medical prescription drugs, OTC items, and reimbursable medical supplies. supplies.

Provides theProvides the latest pricing information, nationally-latest pricing information, nationally-recognized AWP’s and suggested retail prices for OTC recognized AWP’s and suggested retail prices for OTC products.products.

ContainsContains NDC numbersNDC numbers for all FDA-approved drugsfor all FDA-approved drugs, , buying buying groups andgroups and billing standards, directories for manufacturers, billing standards, directories for manufacturers, wholesalers and third party administrators.wholesalers and third party administrators.

Guide to herbal medicines, common lab values, drug Guide to herbal medicines, common lab values, drug interaction information and product listings for patients interaction information and product listings for patients with special needs.with special needs.

American Drug IndexAmerican Drug Index

Published by Published by Facts and ComparisonsFacts and Comparisons Provides quick access to a comprehensive list of drugs Provides quick access to a comprehensive list of drugs

and drug products. and drug products. Drug names are cross-referenced with monographs Drug names are cross-referenced with monographs

providing generic pronunciations, manufacturer, providing generic pronunciations, manufacturer, strength, composition, package size, dosage forms, strength, composition, package size, dosage forms, uses, and common abbreviations. uses, and common abbreviations.

Used to find trade and generic names.Used to find trade and generic names.

Drug ReferencesDrug References

The Merck IndexThe Merck Index Encyclopedia of chemical substanceEncyclopedia of chemical substance data including stability data including stability

and other properties.and other properties. Use Use The Merck IndexThe Merck Index when information on chemical when information on chemical

attributes of drugs is needed.attributes of drugs is needed. Printed edition includes a companion CD.Printed edition includes a companion CD.The Merck ManualThe Merck Manual Contains information on the signs and symptoms of Contains information on the signs and symptoms of

diseases, drug reactions, medical emergencies, clinical diseases, drug reactions, medical emergencies, clinical procedures, and more.procedures, and more.

The Physician’s Desk ReferenceThe Physician’s Desk Reference

Information similar to the pharmaceutical Information similar to the pharmaceutical manufacturer's drug package inserts since manufacturer's drug package inserts since manufacturers prepare the essential drug information manufacturers prepare the essential drug information found in the PDR.found in the PDR.

Contains: Contains: Drug usage information and warnings, drug Drug usage information and warnings, drug

interactions, and full size color photos of drugs. interactions, and full size color photos of drugs. PDR electronic library & CD (requires membership).PDR electronic library & CD (requires membership).

The USP Pharmacist’s The USP Pharmacist’s PharmacopeiaPharmacopeia

Comprehensive information for pharmacy,Comprehensive information for pharmacy, veterinary, veterinary, and other health care professionals on compounding, and other health care professionals on compounding, packaging, labeling, and storage of pharmaceutical packaging, labeling, and storage of pharmaceutical preparations. preparations.

Published bi-annually with five interim supplement.Published bi-annually with five interim supplement. Available on the USP website or in PDF downloads. Available on the USP website or in PDF downloads. Use USP to prepare for regulatory surveys and to Use USP to prepare for regulatory surveys and to

comply with standards of practice regarding comply with standards of practice regarding compounding sterile and non-sterile preparations.compounding sterile and non-sterile preparations.

FDA Electronic Orange BookFDA Electronic Orange Book

Common name for the FDA’s Approved Drug Products Common name for the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations. with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations.

Determines the therapeutic equivalence of a brand Determines the therapeutic equivalence of a brand and generic drugs. and generic drugs.

Code A drugs Code A drugs documented as equivalents.documented as equivalents. Code B drugsCode B drugs documented as nonequivalent. documented as nonequivalent.

Other ReferencesOther References Professional Practice JournalsProfessional Practice Journals - - Official Official

publications reflecting standards of practice.publications reflecting standards of practice. Today’s TechnicianToday’s Technician American PharmacistAmerican Pharmacist American Journal Health-System American Journal Health-System

PharmacistsPharmacists Journal of American Pharmacist’s Journal of American Pharmacist’s

AssociationAssociation

Trade JournalsTrade Journals Published commercially for pharmacist and contain Published commercially for pharmacist and contain

advertising materials.advertising materials.

American DruggistAmerican Druggist Pharmacy TimesPharmacy Times US PharmacistUS Pharmacist Community PharmacistCommunity Pharmacist

NewslettersNewsletters

Published rapidly and frequently.Published rapidly and frequently. Useful source of current information. Useful source of current information.

The Medical Letter The Medical Letter The Pink sheetThe Pink sheet

TextbooksTextbooks

Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self CareApproach to Self Care

Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeuticsof Therapeutics

Remington, The Science and Practice of PharmacyRemington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy

Indexes of Primary LiteratureIndexes of Primary Literature

Primary literature accessed by printed indexes, Primary literature accessed by printed indexes, abstracts, CD and online database searching. abstracts, CD and online database searching.

Index Index Data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval Data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval

operations on a database table.operations on a database table. Index servicesIndex services

MicromedexMicromedex - - full-text databasesfull-text databases covering drug covering drug information, toxicology, and critical care. information, toxicology, and critical care.

Clinical Pharmacology OnlineClinical Pharmacology Online - - full-text database full-text database covering drug information extensively.covering drug information extensively.

Personal Digital Assistance (PDA’s)Personal Digital Assistance (PDA’s) Hand held computers.Hand held computers. 1996 - original Palm Pilot™ introduced. 1996 - original Palm Pilot™ introduced. Downloads information from the Internet. Downloads information from the Internet. Provides drug information to patients and Provides drug information to patients and

health care professionals.health care professionals. Touch screen data entry, memory card/slot for Touch screen data entry, memory card/slot for

data storage, wired or wireless connectivity.data storage, wired or wireless connectivity. Mobile phones, media players, and web Mobile phones, media players, and web

browsers capability. browsers capability. Online Pharmacy software available from Online Pharmacy software available from

variety of sources.variety of sources.

The InternetThe Internet World’s largest network contains sources of World’s largest network contains sources of

information called the information called the World Wide Web (www).World Wide Web (www). Contains worldwide networks via phone lines, using a Contains worldwide networks via phone lines, using a

common language. common language. ModemModem - A piece of hardware that enables a - A piece of hardware that enables a

computer to communicate through telephone lines.computer to communicate through telephone lines. BBrowser rowser - - a software program that allow users to a software program that allow users to

view Web sites.view Web sites. Internet Service Provider (ISP)Internet Service Provider (ISP) – – A company that A company that

provides access to the Internet. provides access to the Internet. URL (Uniform Resource Locator)URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – Web address.– Web address. Search engineSearch engine - Software that searches the web for - Software that searches the web for

information related to criteria entered by the user. information related to criteria entered by the user.

Technician ReferencesTechnician ReferencesPharmacy Technician Organizations Pharmacy Technician Organizations

and Publicationsand Publications

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians American Association of Pharmacy Technicians National Pharmacy Technician Association National Pharmacy Technician Association Pharmacy Technician’s Letter Pharmacy Technician’s Letter Journal of Pharmacy Technology Journal of Pharmacy Technology Today’s TechnicianToday’s Technician

Terms to RememberTerms to Remember

1. 1. Abstracting services Abstracting services 2. Browser2. Browser3. Digital subscriber line3. Digital subscriber line4. HIPAA4. HIPAA5. Internet service provider5. Internet service provider6. Modem6. Modem7. Off-label indication7. Off-label indication8. “Orange book”8. “Orange book”

9. PDA 9. PDA 10. Primary literature10. Primary literature11. Search engine11. Search engine12. Secondary literature12. Secondary literature13. Tertiary literature13. Tertiary literature14. Trade journals14. Trade journals15. Uniform resource 15. Uniform resource

locator (URL)locator (URL)16. World wide web16. World wide web