Pharmacology is a basic science that plays a significant role in the daily decision making of physicians. One must consider side effects, drug-drug interactions and probable iatrogenic causes of new conditions. This knowledge is best conserved by frequent review and should be maintained in the current age of continuous medical education and professional development. How best would it be for the practicing doctor to maintain this knowledge?
I do not think all doctors have specialised knowledge in this regard. Some must be depending on the tutoring of the medical representives.
Thank you for bringing forth this important question.
Thanks Subir. One worry is that if updated knowledge is given by pharmaceutical representatives, it becomes almost impossible to challenge findings as the study authors are not readily available to busy clinicians. One unfortunate effect of having large enterprise with vested interest eg. a pharmaceutical company is that it takes an even larger, funded organization to provide oversight. Despite the potential of the internet to level the playing field with open research, much scientific data and research seems hidden behind monetary barriers.
Perhaps a website where one can clearly see where the state of knowledge lies, a sort of wikipedia of drugs for doctors with a rigorous assessment of the veracity of claims, would be of use.
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