Medical Treatment Assistance with an Interactive Drug Information System

Summary

Drug information for decision support in drug therapy is available in many books, lists and fact data banks more or less completely. However, an immediate access via these media is not possible. The SMA tries to close the gap. At the moment, the system gives information on brands and generics and their composition, on ingredients and ingredient groups including all brands and generics containing them as well as on interactions between drugs of an actual prescription. The system indicates interactions which are dependent on the route and use including the corresponding appropriate dosage. The effects and the mechanism are explained, alternative drugs are listed and recommendations are given. It is possible to substitute the drugs of the prescription for others and to check again for interactions. The access to information about indications, contraindications, side effects and dosages of drugs has already been realized conceptionally. At the moment, this part of the data bank is in the process of being established.

The SMA proves to be an important means in decision-making and quality improvement of therapy by drugs.