Drug Information Pharmacist

Drug Information Pharmacist

The list of FDA approved medications continues to grow, and medical breakthroughs show us new types of drug treatments on a daily basis. The pharmaceutical field experiences advancements at an exponential level, and while a PharmD and a residency are necessary steps to becoming a pharmacist, it’s also important to maintain a solid and meticulous knowledge base of the growing industry.

But the world of pharmaceuticals is aware that to demand the most current expertise of all recently approved drug therapies, as well as those in the works, and to treat patients at the same time is a lot to juggle. That’s why more and more clinics are staffing a resident expert in all drug related information, and here is where the drug information pharmacist enters the picture.

 What is a Drug Information Pharmacist?

The drug information (DI) pharmacist is dedicated to specific tasks, and those tasks include analyzing medication resources and assessing any concerns, including safety issues, shortages, and prescription alternatives. They relay this knowledge to the doctor and pharmacist, and they educate the staff regarding any new intelligence or safety procedures.

The DI pharmacist is the sole resource for any drug related questions and concerns. The ultimate goal of the DI pharmacist is to reduce errors by evaluating previous adverse reactions, interpreting current literature regarding safety practices, and referring to statistics to assist pharmacists with safely and effectively prescribing medications. They may even communicate to the staff via email campaigns or clinical newsletters, and they may distribute applicable literature regarding medication updates or concerns.

 Education Requirements

Typically, the drug information pharmacist must complete the PharmD requirements and a residency or formal training in a DI setting. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) (link: http://www.ashp.org/default.aspx) offers accredited residencies in drug information, and as the field continues to grow, more opportunities for residencies, fellowships, and continuing education will begin to emerge.

 What’s in Store?

The pharmaceutical industry is expanding in ways we never thought imaginable. It is focused on meeting the needs of patients, and patients are calling for better means of prevention, for financially sound methods of drug therapy, more options, and a solid understanding of what goes into their bodies. But as the need for more pharmaceutical pathways for optimal health arises, so does the demand for safer measures, and clinics are realizing the necessity of staffing a resident medication expert.

Drug information pharmacists play an integral part in improving patient safety and reducing the amount of adverse reactions. The role requires less patient interaction but more responsibility for remaining up-to-date on all medication materials and being able to communicate this with all members of the pharmacy staff. The position requires meticulous dedication to research, education, and organization. If this position sounds intriguing to you, remain alert for more job openings or residencies in the future.

Sources:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530769

http://www.pppmag.com/article/1229/November_2012/The_Rolea_of_the_Drug_Information_Specialist/