Major sources of recurrent and nonrecurrent variation in the number of drug inquiries are examined and discussed. Inquiries concerning drugs for treatment of diseases with seasonal patterns tend to increase greatly during months when these diseases are most prevalent. The incidences of other inquiries reflect of end-of-year activity or seasonal staffing changes in hospitals and clinics. Corresponding drug inquiry volume changes are predictable. Other changes in volume are predictable sequelae of episodic events. Strategies are suggested for anticipating and coping with major deviations in the number of inquiries received.
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