Attractive Drug Information Services In Northern India

In 2006, the Drug Information centre of the Karnataka state Pharmacy council and WHO India initiated a program to enhance the range of drug information centers in northern India. Five canters were selected according to predefined criteria and expected outcomes. These five centers were located in Goa, Assam, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chhatisgarh. Two participants from each centre were sent for training in Bangalore and each site was provided with initial funding. The new drug information centers can act as a source of drug information for both the public and health professionals.

India has population of more than one billion and a wide range of economic, social, health and occupational problems. There is no organized drug information service to provide unbiased drug information to update doctors and paramedical professionals. As a consequence, unnecessary prescribing is common and implementations of essential drugs programs have been limited.

Karnataka State Pharmacy Council established a new drug information centre in 1997 to broadcast unbiased information to medical and paramedical professionals.

KSPC and WHO India identified a need to establish more drug information centers in northern India. This was to complement current services which are located in south India.