The Evolving Role of United States Industry-Based Drug Information Departments

Abstract

The role of United States drug company-based drug information departments has dramatically changed over the past two decades. The emergence of heavily prescribed and heavily promoted drugs and the use of direct-to-consumer advertising have dramatically stimulated drug inquires. Restrictions in the amount of time available to both physicians and pharmacists to provide drug information, and decreased use of retail pharmacists, in general, create unmet needs that drug information departments are often asked to fulfill. Company-sponsored Web sites, by providing basic drug information to healthcare professionals and consumers, may be reducing the volume of more common inquiries while increasing the proportion of more sophisticated inquiries. Increasing pressures are exerted on drug information departments to provide rapid responses. These factors appear to contribute to increased volume and complexity of drug inquiries received by pharmaceutical firms. Additional changes are described that may be anticipated, based on emerging trends.