The Drug Information Service at a University Hospital in Malaysia: Characteristics of Drug Inquiries

A retrospective review of the records of drug inquiries received by the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia Drug Information Unit (DIU) was undertaken to provide baseline data for future development of the service. The number of drug inquiries received from 1990 to 1995 ranged from 204–447 per year. The quantity and type of inquiries, and the individuals requesting drug-related information, remained relatively constant throughout the six-year period. The majority of inquiries were related directly to patient care, and came from doctors and pharmacists working at the hospital while external inquiries were minimal. Any future plan to promote and expand the service has to consider the expected increase in workload. The increasing dependence on computerized tertiary references when responding to inquiries may indicate the need to use pharmacists' time optimally. Such systems are expensive to maintain, however, especially in a developing country such as Malaysia, thus future funding may depend on the ability of the DIU to justify its service.