Development and evaluation of a Drug Information Bulletin

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to issue a bulletin which provides information on new medicines released on the Maltese market and on changes in Summary of Product Characteristics specific to the local scenario. Method: Lists of new medicinal products and locally available medicines that had undergone variation were compiled. In order to avoid bias, information was further obtained from regulatory authorities. A concise article was written on each drug, reviewed by a panel of experts and then published in the bulletin. A questionnaire was developed, validated and distributed with the bulletin. Five hundred printed copies of the bulletin were self-administered to pharmacists from all areas of practice and to around 200 pharmacy students via electronic mail. Key findings: The respondents agreed that the bulletin was: up to date, clear and concise (93%, n1=439; 92%, n2=426), user friendly (94%, n1=443; n2=430) and useful (98%, n1=458; 97%, n2=448). There were 97% (n1=455) and 96% (n2=440) of the respondents following the first and second issues, respectively, that stated that the information present in the bulletin was new to them. In fact, 90% (n1=421) of respondents after the first issue and 94% (n2=432) in the second issue agreed that the bulletin helped them to keep informed. Conclusion: Both issues of the bulletin provided an accessible means to deliver unbiased information about the introduction of recent medicinal products and variations on the local market. The bulletin was positively received by both pharmacists and pharmacy students.