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Abstract

The drug information center (DIC) at the Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH), Pokhara, Nepal, was started in November 2003. The DIC provides objective, unbiased information on drugs and therapeutics to health care professionals in the teaching hospital and outside. The DIC is also involved in activities beyond the provision of drug information.

The DIC maintains a close liaison with the hospital drug and therapeutics committee and various clinical departments. Postgraduate students are trained in the activities of the DIC. The DIC runs a pharmacovigilance center and a medication counseling center.

The resources of the DIC are used for teaching undergraduate medical students and undergraduate pharmacy students of Pokhara University. The DIC is also involved in the Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) program of hospital pharmacists. The DIC publishes a quarterly drug information and pharmacovigilance bulletin. The DIC supports research by members and clinicians and encourages student research. The members liaise with other DICs and organizations.

Keywords

Drug information center Education Medication counseling Pharmacovigilance Research

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The Drug Information Center at the Manipal Teaching Hospital—Going beyond Drug Information

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