Streamlining the Information Retrieval Process in the Drug Information Department
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Drug Informarion Journal, Vol. 35, pp. 921-933, 2001 Printed in the USA. All rights reserved.
STREAMLINING THE INFORMATION RETRIEVAL PROCESS IN THE DRUG INFORMATION DEPARTMENT CHARLESF. CURRAN,PHD Director
MARLENEM. BUXTON,PHARMD Drug Information Associate Professional Affairs, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri
Ways are suggested for enhancing the systematic retrieval and dissemination of new drug information in the drug information department. Internet sites are listed that are especially useful in obtaining drug, drug industry, and regulatory news. The development of intelligent agents for facilitating Internet retrieval is reviewed and the role of these new tools in coping with the enormous future growth of the Internet is discussed. Key Words: Drug information; Internet; Intelligent agents; Ontology
INTRODUCTION DRUG INFORMATION DEPARTMENTS must keep abreast of newly-published clinical literature while coping with rapid changes in the competitive and regulatory environments. Internet sources that provide timely information to facilitate this awareness are flourishing. The volume and variety of new information are daunting. Diverse Internet sources of information conspire to increase the speed at which new information is becoming available. No single source or channel of new information stands out as the best, the most comprehensive, or the most timely; many sources must be consulted to keep current. Sections below provide suggestions for enhancing timely acquisition and circulation of important new information to drug informa-
tion department professionals. Intelligent agents, newly-evolving tools that proactively assist in this process, are also described and reviewed. Intelligent agents have the potential to cause a fundamental shift in the way in which drug information is obtained in the future.
THE VALUE OF NEW INFORMATION IN A DRUG INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
The drug information department must be able to convey accurate and credible information to outside inquirers, retain a competitive edge by providing good service, and serve as the authoritative and definitive information resource concerning the best clinical uses of the company’s products. Rapid acquisition and dissemination of new drug information facilitate early evaluation and use. Drug information professionals appreciReprint address: Charles F. Curran, PhD, Forest Pharate receiving late-breaking drug news soon maceuticals, Inc., 13600 Shoreline Drive, St. Louis, after it becomes public, or when possible, MO 63045. 92 IUNIVERSITY LIBRARY on March 31, 2015 Downloaded from dij.sagepub.com at MCGILL
Charles F. Curran and Marlene M. Buxton
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slightly before. Early sharing and discussion of news within the department provides sufficient lead time for preparation of definitive, well thought out responses. Otherwise, an outside caller who requests a response to latebreaking news or important new study results may blindside the drug information professional who may be unable to verify even the accuracy of this information. An opti
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