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TOH’s hefty Parenteral Drug Therapy Manual is sold to hospitals around the world, so patients far and wide can receive excellent pharmaceutical care. Drug Information Pharmacist Anne Massicotte demonstrated its weight.

When Linda McCabe, Nurse Educator at the Civic Campus Birthing Unit, has a pressing clinical question about IV drugs or is just mulling over a possibility, she contacts TOH’s Drug Information Centre, knowing the pharmacists will respond quickly.

“We have to be very cautious with drugs when working with our pregnant women and their vulnerable babies,” said McCabe. “The pharmacists are always ready to discuss over the phone if more clarity is needed. They’ve added obstetrical information to the Parenteral Drug Therapy Manual, to ensure our safe administration of IV drugs.”

The Pharmacy Department’s Drug Information Centre provides up-to-date information on drug therapies not only to TOH staff, but also to many community pharmacies and hospitals (which pay for the service) in Eastern Ontario and across Canada, including Qikiqtani General Hospital in Nunavut. The centre also sends a pharmacist to Iqaluit every three months to educate staff at Qikiqtani General Hospital and help with policy development.

Among their long list of services, the drug-information pharmacists have organized an annual educational conference for community and hospital pharmacists for the past 30 years, and they supervise pharmacy students and residents.

“They helped me sharpen my research skills so I can better serve patients and colleagues,” said Pharmacy Resident Paul Moyer.

“I highly recommend this essential service to every health-care provider who has to navigate the complex world of pharmaceuticals,” added McCabe.

Celebrate the Drug Information Centre during Pharmacy Awareness Week, March 23 to 29.

By the numbers:

• 12,000 questions answered by Drug Information Centre each year
• 1,250 copies of TOH Parenteral Drug Therapy Manual sold around the world each year

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