- Email: [email protected]
Drug information software
C OMP U TER S
Drug Information Softvvare by Renato Cataldo, Jr.
Q: What type of software is available for patient drug infonnation requests, and what hardware do you need?
Please send your questions about computers to American Pharmacy/ Computer, 2215 Constitution Ave. , NW, Washington, DC 20037.
AMERICAN PHARMACY
A: Most pharmacy system vendors do not provide drug monographs as part of their software. One alternative is to store preprinted drug information leaflets and have them available when patients need additional information about their medications. Storing and updating patient monographs can be a tedious and time-consuming process. It would be difficult for most pharmacies to store and maintain monographs for the top 300 drugs. When the information is available in cOlnputer format, however, hundreds of monographs can be stored on disk and printed as necessary. There are two software products that directly address the need to provide drug information for patients. The American Society of Hospital Pharmacists developed software called MedTeach and the United States Pharmacopeia developed software called USP Diskette Leaflet. Both products function as electronic books and are updated regularly. The Inonographs are stored on your con1puter hard disk by the software
program and the drug information is accessed by generic or brand name. The programs' menus are simple to learn and can access information quickly. The printouts are relatively concise and give the patient the necessary information without going into too much detail. Both products have some unique features , and it is recommended that you try them before making ·any decisions. (Some companies will give you a demonstration of their product, or you may be able to try out software at user groups, seminars, or state association meetings). To run the MedTeach or USP Diskette Leaflet prograIns you will need an IBM compatible microcomputer and a printer. The basic requirements are 640K RAM (randOln-access memory) and two megabytes of hard disk space. You can use an IBM XT (8088) microcomputer or better. Both products are a database of monographs that can be called up and printed at any time. Therefore, a good hard disk is recommended. The printer is just as important as the microcomputer. The monographs should look as professional as possible. If a laser printer is not available, then an inkjet or bubble-jet printer can do the job at a reasonable cost. Try using your company letterhead for the n10nographs. This works well and gives your organization recognition for providing this service.
The problem most pharmacists have is running this type of program on the same computer as their pharmacy system. Some system vendors allow you to switch from the prescription processing functions to other programs of your choice. Always check with your system vendor before installing new software. I usually recommend that you set up a "free standing" microcomputer with a printer for printing drug monographs. A generic AT con1patible Inicrocomputer and printer can be purchased for less than $1,400. The additional benefit to this type of set-up is that your technicians can be quickly trained to print out the information as requested by the patient. So information requests do not have to interrupt your prescription processing. Products such as MedTeach and USP Diskette Leaflet can add to the clinical or consulting services you provide. Often, the drug information is very important to family men1bers who do not understand the therapy. Many hospital, community, and consulting pharmacy services have used these programs to provide their patients with upto-date drug information. The programs are easy to learn and the ,benefits outweigh the costs. Renato Cataldo, Jr., PharmD, is director of microcomputer applicatiOns, St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
October 1991/710
Vol. NS31 , No. 10
Drug Information Softvvare by Renato Cataldo, Jr.
Q: What type of software is available for patient drug infonnation requests, and what hardware do you need?
Please send your questions about computers to American Pharmacy/ Computer, 2215 Constitution Ave. , NW, Washington, DC 20037.
AMERICAN PHARMACY
A: Most pharmacy system vendors do not provide drug monographs as part of their software. One alternative is to store preprinted drug information leaflets and have them available when patients need additional information about their medications. Storing and updating patient monographs can be a tedious and time-consuming process. It would be difficult for most pharmacies to store and maintain monographs for the top 300 drugs. When the information is available in cOlnputer format, however, hundreds of monographs can be stored on disk and printed as necessary. There are two software products that directly address the need to provide drug information for patients. The American Society of Hospital Pharmacists developed software called MedTeach and the United States Pharmacopeia developed software called USP Diskette Leaflet. Both products function as electronic books and are updated regularly. The Inonographs are stored on your con1puter hard disk by the software
program and the drug information is accessed by generic or brand name. The programs' menus are simple to learn and can access information quickly. The printouts are relatively concise and give the patient the necessary information without going into too much detail. Both products have some unique features , and it is recommended that you try them before making ·any decisions. (Some companies will give you a demonstration of their product, or you may be able to try out software at user groups, seminars, or state association meetings). To run the MedTeach or USP Diskette Leaflet prograIns you will need an IBM compatible microcomputer and a printer. The basic requirements are 640K RAM (randOln-access memory) and two megabytes of hard disk space. You can use an IBM XT (8088) microcomputer or better. Both products are a database of monographs that can be called up and printed at any time. Therefore, a good hard disk is recommended. The printer is just as important as the microcomputer. The monographs should look as professional as possible. If a laser printer is not available, then an inkjet or bubble-jet printer can do the job at a reasonable cost. Try using your company letterhead for the n10nographs. This works well and gives your organization recognition for providing this service.
The problem most pharmacists have is running this type of program on the same computer as their pharmacy system. Some system vendors allow you to switch from the prescription processing functions to other programs of your choice. Always check with your system vendor before installing new software. I usually recommend that you set up a "free standing" microcomputer with a printer for printing drug monographs. A generic AT con1patible Inicrocomputer and printer can be purchased for less than $1,400. The additional benefit to this type of set-up is that your technicians can be quickly trained to print out the information as requested by the patient. So information requests do not have to interrupt your prescription processing. Products such as MedTeach and USP Diskette Leaflet can add to the clinical or consulting services you provide. Often, the drug information is very important to family men1bers who do not understand the therapy. Many hospital, community, and consulting pharmacy services have used these programs to provide their patients with upto-date drug information. The programs are easy to learn and the ,benefits outweigh the costs. Renato Cataldo, Jr., PharmD, is director of microcomputer applicatiOns, St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
October 1991/710
Vol. NS31 , No. 10