A Same-Day Standard for Responding to Drug Information Requests by a Pharmaceutical Company *

Abstract

A system is described that provides the necessary support for a pharmaceutical company drug information department to provide timely responses to drug information requests by healthcare professionals. This system uses a same-day standard for providing responses to most drug information requests. This system is based in part on the development of a pervasive departmental culture developed by establishing written performance standards and in part on the development of facilitating materials and procedures. The physical components of the system utilize several easy-to-implement features that can be adapted to a variety of drug company settings where rapid communication of information is valued as an important drug information department goal.