[Information about drugs from physicians and pharmacists]

Abstract

Good quality information is essential for those who prescribe, deliver or use medications. This information should meet quality criteria: it should be evidence based, practice oriented, easy to find and topical. Pharmacists and physicians receive information from different sources and of valable quality. Initiatives should be taken to improve the quality. The authorities should stimulate these initiatives, and make sure that the information is evidence based. Medical schools and pharmacy schools should educate the students in these matters, and play a role in the continuing medical education thereabout. Opinion leaders should be aware of their responsibility. Existing initiatives should be expanded, and should be coordinated. Finally, there is the ethical obligation for health professionals to remain informed. One wonders in how far incentives (or even coercive measures) are necessary. There is a task there for the "Orders" of physicians and pharmacists, and the scientific and professional bodies.