how to write a drug information paper

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Chapter 16:  Introduction to Drug Literature

McKenzie C. Ferguson; Erin M. Timpe Behnen

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Disclaimer: These citations have been automatically generated based on the information we have and it may not be 100% accurate. Please consult the latest official manual style if you have any questions regarding the format accuracy.

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Chapter objectives, key terminology, introduction, systematic approach to drug information requests.

• QUALITY OF MEDICAL LITERATURE
• TYPES OF LITERATURE
• INFORMATION CYCLE
• DRUG LITERATURE ON THE INTERNET
• SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
• REVIEW QUESTIONS
• ONLINE RESOURCES
• Full Chapter
• Supplementary Content

Describe the systematic approach to searching for drug information

Explain the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary literature

Discuss strengths and weaknesses of primary, secondary, and tertiary literature

Describe common and reputable sources of medical literature

Identify and appraise clinical practice guidelines

Utilize common bibliographic databases to locate evidence

Discuss ways to identify the quality of information found on the Internet

Boolean operators

Clinical practice guidelines

Cost-benefit analyses

Cost-effective analyses

Cost-minimization analyses

Cost-utility analyses

Focused search

Meta-analysis

Nonsystematic review

Peer review process

Pharmacoeconomic studies

Pharmacoepidemiology

Prescribing information

Primary literature

Secondary literature

Systematic review

Tertiary literature

New drug information is published every day and this enormous amount of accumulated information creates a need for efficiency when searching for information. The provision of drug information is a fundamental responsibility of every practicing pharmacist, and the knowledge and skills to access it effectively and efficiently are essential. The need for efficiency when searching for drug literature is imperative. An organized, logical, and focused approach to the request will enable the clinicians to spend less time searching and more time evaluating the quality of information. This is what ultimately leads to improvements in patient care and patient-oriented outcomes. 1 This involves providing comprehensive, accurate information in a timely manner so as to provide high quality patient care.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the foundation for providing high quality medical and pharmaceutical care. Finding appropriate evidence is a critical step in implementing evidence-based practices. This chapter will outline the systematic approach to searching for drug literature, further discuss the importance of efficiency in searching, and how to identify high quality evidence. The different types of drug literature will be reviewed, including examples of each and methods for evaluation of the material and advantages and disadvantages of each type. How to properly select a resource for a specific clinical question will also be addressed. Lastly, a discussion of using the Internet for drug information is included.

A systematic approach is needed to efficiently search drug information for requests received (see Figure 16-1 ). 2–4 This approach includes: obtaining appropriate background information about the requestor and the request, determining and categorizing the question, developing a search strategy, evaluating the information found, formulating a response, and providing appropriate follow-up and documentation.

FIGURE 16-1

Systematic Approach to Responding to a Drug Information Request. 2–4

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*1.  Introduction to the Monograph Assignment

Objective for Chapters 1-3.  Students will understand the guidelines for the monograph assignment and how the various small, week 1 assignments contribute to this major assignment.

As you have already learned, the monograph assignment is one of this course’s two major assignments. You will submit a written drug monograph and present the monograph information orally.

Instructor grading assignment:

• Dr. Podany will grade the content of your written monograph (45 points) and your oral monograph presentation (50 points).
• Dr. Schmidt will grade the in-text citations and reference list in your written monograph (5 points).

Monograph Assignment (MA) guidelines

The “ Monograph Assignment Preparation ” guidelines are available in a couple of locations:

• in the next chapter  

Canvas –> “PHPR 562” –> “Course Documents”–> “Monograph Assignment” folder

The guidelines document includes all the due dates, formatting requirements, suggested sections, etc.

Steps Toward Completion of Monograph Assignment

1) Select and claim a topic today ( MA1 assignment) by following steps a-h below .  You may want to do this now.

•  Go to  Canvas and open the materials for this course.
• Scroll down to the “Week 1” materials
• Click on the “ MA1 assignment. “
• Review the drugs listed in the table on the MA1 assignment page.
• Click the “Edit” button.
• Type your name in the second column directly across from the drug you wish to use as the topic for your monograph assignment.  If the drug you would like to use as your topic doesn’t appear in the list,  type the generic name of the drug (first column) and your name (second column) in the “student entered drugs” section under the other drugs with the same first letter.

Keep in mind that it is usually easier to write a monograph about a single drug preparation (e.g. codeine) rather than a multi-drug preparation (e.g. acetaminophen with codeine).

• Click the “Save” button.
• Check the list to be sure your name appears next to the drug you wish to claim.  If students try to claim the same drug simultaneously, one claimant’s name may be lost.  If you have problems contact Cindy ([email protected], 402-650-5056)
• After you confirm that your name is present in the edited and saved list, enter the name of the drug you have chosen in MA1 assignment part b.  (This is a safeguard in case a student deletes the entire table by mistake.  This may seem unlikely, but something similar did happen a couple years ago.)

2). Prepare to cite your sources using AMA 11th style.

• You will learn the basics of AMA 11th cstyle later this week when you read chapter 3.
• Also later this week, you will learn an approach to simplifying in-text citation and bibliography production when you work on the MA3 assignment and tutorial.   The tutorial will show you how to use Zotero, a freely available citation management program, to format in-text citations and reference lists.  You do not have to use Zotero to format the in-text citations and references in your final written monograph assignment, but most students find it easier to do so.  You will write longer papers during the course of your education.  Zotero will be even more useful then.

3) You will select three resources to use as sources of the information that you will later summarize in your monograph.

a.  A monograph from one of the standard, online, drug information resources listed below:

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Martindale’s: The Complete Drug Reference

  Later this week, you will complete the MA2 assignment and tutorial which will help you find the needed citation information.  

b.  An online package insert (online PPI) from Daily Med.

A portion of the MA3/Zotero tutorial that you will complete later this week will help you find the needed citation information.

c.  A journal article

Again, a portion of the MA3/Zotero tutorial that you will complete later this week will help you find the needed citation information.

4). Write a one-page summary of the most vital information concerning your drug.  Keep track of the sources used as the basis for each statement.   Follow assignment guidelines and review the  correctly formatted sample assignment.  It’s worth emphasizing a couple aspects of the format here:

• The monograph text should not be more than 1 page in length.  (font size 11 or higher, single-spaced).  You may find confining your monograph to one page to be the most difficult aspect of the assignment.
• The reference list may be on a second page.  In fact, if your reference list does not extend onto a second page, you are probably short-changing the coverage of your drug.
• Drug name (generic and trade names),
• Chemical structure,
• Physicochemical properties,
• Biopharmaceutical properties,
• Pharmacokinetics,
• Pharmacological properties,
• Other drugs in same class
• Therapeutic use(s)
• Important drug-drug interactions
• Adverse effects (Most frequent or important AEs only)
• Precautions and/or contraindications
• Doses, Dosage forms and routes of administration
• Patient Counseling

You may not have enough space to include all of these sections.  Also, to save space, you may wish to combine two sections that flow together logically.

5). Either insert AMA 11th style in-text citations , with or without using Zotero.

6). Add your AMA 11th style bibliography, with or without using Zotero.

7).  You may ask Cindy (Dr. Schmidt) to check your in-text citations and bibliography if you get the document to Cindy on or before Thursday, October 27th at midnight.

8).  Submit your written drug monograph through Canvas before midnight on Friday, October 28th.

9).   Submit 5 multiple choice questions concerning your monograph drug through Canvas before  midnight, Friday October 28th.  Dr. Podany will use some of your questions on the quiz given the week following your oral presentation .

10). Present your findings in a 15 minute presentation.  Presentations will begin on Monday, Oct 31.  An announcement will be posted in Canvas when the schedule of oral presentations is available.

You will get tips on preparing your presentation later this week when you listen to Dr. Podany’ “Scientific Presentation Skills” video ( included in chapter 8) .

Questions, Problems, Text Errors?

Before you leave, …

• Do you have any questions or do you feel that clarification of some aspect of the materials would be helpful?
• Have you noticed any errors or problems with course materials that you’d like to report?
• Do you have any other comments?

If so, you can submit questions, comments, corrections, and concerns anonymously — or with your e-mail (your choice) — through this online form .  Alternatively, you’re always welcome to contact Cindy Schmidt directly 402-650-5056, [email protected], or by making an appointment to meet with Cindy via Zoom.

Answers to questions or requests for clarification that are submitted anonymously will be answered in Canvas on the “Discussions” page for this course.

Introduction to Drug Information Copyright © by Cynthia M. Schmidt is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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