Assessing healthcare professionals' access to medicines information

Abstract

Background: Drug Information sources available in Malta include the British National Formulary (BNF), the Maltese Medicines Handbook and the Malta Medicines Authority (MMA) database.(1) Each of these sources has limitations, highlighting the need for an integrated information system that provides readily accessible information on medicinal products available on the Maltese market for healthcare professionals Method: The MMA database was downloaded from the MMA website and the duplicates were removed. Using Microsoft Excel, each item was assigned a random number electronically and a sample was generated. The first 800 items were selected from the 4065 items and assessed with respect to the availability of information in the BNF. The BNF 85 edition (2023, 85 edition) was used. The last step included an expert consultation to discuss data integration and digital frameworks regarding medicine information. Results: Out of the 800 items, 679 items (85%) were found in the BNF, whilst 121 items (15%) were not found in the BNF. The 121 items that were listed in the MMA database but were not found in the BNF were further analysed according to the therapeutic class. Drugs acting on the Cardiovascular System were the most frequent drugs not found in the BNF (27 drugs), while drugs acting on the Respiratory (14 drugs) and the Central Nervous System (12 drugs) followed. The 679 medicinal products that were in the MMA database and were found in the BNF were further analysed according to the strength and formulation of the product. 10 items were found with the API only, 11 items were found with the API and strength only, 65 items were found with the API and formulation only and the remaining items amounting to 593 items were found with the API, strength and formulation. The consultation indicated that a multidisciplinary team of at least three experts would be required: a software developer to build the system, an AI/machine-learning specialist to maintain data relevance, and a pharmaceutical expert to validate the information. Conclusion: This study highlights gaps between the MMA database and BNF listings. Such discrepancies may affect healthcare professionals’ access to complete and locally relevant medicines information. The findings support further research into healthcare professionals’ expectations, as well as the development of proposals for an online medicines information system that leverages the use of artificial intelligence. Established digital frameworks, such as medicXKG( 2), demonstrate how regulatory and clinical data can be effectively integrated.