UTILIZATION OF DRUG INFORMATION SERVICES IN SELECTED TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Drug information services are the activities geared toward the provision of fact-based recommendation to aid specific medication use practices. This prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated utilization of Drug information centers in selected tertiary hospitals in Enugu State Nigeria, identified gaps and generated data for intervention. The sample size was calculated using the Taro Yamani method of sample size determination. A cross-validated, self-completion questionnaire was administered to a sample of 153 pharmacists in three tertiary hospitals and a response rate of 95% was obtained. The data collected was presented using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the percentage utilization of the Drug Information Centres by prescribers or Physicians (29.7%) is low. The Emdex (87.80%) was shown to be the most availability drug information reference. The conclusion drawn from the study was that the most useful drug information reference materials to the DICs in Enugu State were not readily available and the DICs were not being fully utilized by the Prescribers. The study recommended the filling of the gap in provision of useful, unbiased reference materials and creating more awareness of their existence to health-care professionals.