Drug information
December 2007
Print resources
The standard resource for information about prescription drugs and prescribing advice is the British National Formulary which is co-published by the BMA. This is a quarterly publication, the latest issue being shelved at Q Ref 17. Previous editions are kept in the basement store at B463.
Pharmacological books are held at QV 4. Pharmacopoeias are kept in the Quick Reference collection:
Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Martindale: the extra pharmacopoeia. 33rd ed. Pharmaceutical P. 2002
BMA location: Quick Ref 17
Medicines Commission. British pharmacopoeia 1998. HMSO, 1998
BMA location: Quick Ref 17
Web resources
The library factsheet on medical gateways gives other sources of drug information.
British National Formulary
Free web access is available
http://bnf.org
Electronic Medicines Compendium
Based upon the ABPI's data sheets. Registration is required for the EMC
http://www.medicines.org.uk/
Merck Manual
Covers almost all disorders, describing symptoms and signs, etiology and epidemiology, prognosis and prophylaxis and treatment. Common clinical procedures and laboratory tests are included, and current therapy supplemented with a separate section on clinical pharmacology.http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/home.jsp
Other organisations and libraries
British Pharmacological Society
16 Angel Gate
City Road
London
EC1V 2SG
tel: 020 7417 0432
http://www.bps.ac.uk/index.jsp
Professional association for UK pharmacologists
Centre for Medicines Research
Novellus Court
61 South Street
EPSOM
Surrey
KT18 7PX
tel: 01372 846100
fax. 01372 846101
email: cmr@cmr.org
http://www.cmr.org/
Aims to provide to address technical, medical, economic, regulatory and policy issues in discovery and safe use of drugs. Includes details of research, publications and research reports.
MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers
1 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW8 5NQ
tel: 020 7273 0000
fax: 020 7273 0353
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/
Information about the medicines regulation process in the UK, including news about initiatives in Europe and internationally.
Prescription Pricing Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN
tel: 0191 232 5371
fax: 0191 232 2480
http://www.ppa.org.uk/index.htm
Prices NHS prescriptions dispensed in England and records prescription details on the largest database of its kind in Europe
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Library
1 Lambeth High Street
London
SE1 7JN
tel: 020 7735 9141
fax: 020 7735 7629
email: enquiries@rpsqb.org.uk
http://www.rpsgb.org.uk
Specialises in pharmacology and produces the BNFquarterly. There are useful links at the RPS web site.