Analysis of the queries received at the Drug Information Center of Paraguay: a contribution to the rational use of medicines

Abstract

Drug Information Centers (DIC) are operational units that provide scientifi c and technical information on drugs in an objective and timely manner, constituting an optimal strategy to meet certain information needs to promote their correct and safe use. This study describes the consultations received at the UNA’s Drug Information Center during 2015 -2019 through a cross-sectional descriptive observational study with retrospective information collection. All the consultation fi les entered into the center’ database during the study period were taken. In the studied period, 254 consultations were carried out, averaging 51 queries per year. Most of them were at the national level, and 13% involved patients. The main topics were those related to pharmaceutical regulatory issues (registration and availability of drugs in the country), followed by topics related to rational use, Pharmacovigilance. The analysis and characterization made it possible to know the information gaps regarding medicines and so, help the Center to provide objective, directed, and
quality information, fulfi lling the aim of promoting the rational use of drugs.