Overview
Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of medical and pharmaceutical information for professionals and students, offers Facts and Comparisons, a drug reference tool. It is available in various formats: as a loose-leaf, on CD-ROM, and now as a browser-based electronic version. The reviewer tested the electronic version of Facts and Comparisons. Version 4.0 also offers an integrated packet of all reference tools available in the print and CD-ROM versions. The Web version comes with about ten drug reference tools, including the Form Checker Formulary Management tool and Black Box warnings. The Cancer Chemotherapy Manual— which provides detailed information on ordering and administering chemotherapy, safe handling, and chemotherapy regimens—is an add-on product. Off Label drug facts is also an add-on.
Searching in version 4.0
Both simple and advanced search functions cover all integrated reference tools contained in Facts and Comparisons 4.0. Drug Facts and Comparisons is a comprehensive drug information compendium covering more than 20,000 prescription drugs and over 6,000 over-the-counter drugs. Users can perform a search on generic or trade name drugs and conditions. Search results are returned in a hierarchical order, making it easy to understand which monograph contains what information. A simple search on Lisinopril displays results by monograph and by subsections in the reference.
I could refine my search from the suggested matched terms. The “new word wheel” functionality is very useful (Figure 1). I just typed the first few letters of the drug name, and the word wheel assisted me in picking the correct term. I find this feature very handy, especially when dealing with obscure drug names or terminology.
Figure 1.
Word wheel
Results for Lisinopril also offer complete prescribing information specific to the route of administration (Figure 2). For example, when I clicked on the Monograph link, I saw that Lisinopril is offered via oral route.
Figure 2.
Suggested matched terms
One thing may be a little troubling to a novice searcher. When I clicked on the Oral route of Lisinopril, I retrieved detailed product information (Figure 3) and could have retrieved the same information if I had just clicked on “All Hits!” This can be confusing to a novice searcher.
Figure 3.
Clicking the Oral route for Lisinopril
I also did like the cross-reference feature. From the main results, I could select related monographs— like Med Facts Patient, Drug Interaction Facts, A to Z Drug Facts—to obtain comparative prescribing information, indication, treatment guidelines, dosage, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, information on clinical trials, precautions and warnings, drug interactions, patient information, and much more.
Alternative view feature (View All) lets users sort documents in a database by the monograph name and then by the section of the document in which the drug information is found. This provides a seamless transition for information providers who are used to the print versions of Facts and Comparisons.
Med Facts handouts provide information in English and Spanish and are designed for patient education, counseling, and drug therapy management. The information is in a very easy-to-read format with small paragraphs or bulleted lists. It also provides information on orphan drugs and discontinued products when available.
The Drug Identifier tool allows users to identify drugs by imprint, generic or trade names, labeler or manufacturer, color, shape, or National Drug Codes. It also links to other documents from drug facts, A to Z Drug Facts, Med Facts Patient, and so on.
I particularly liked the Drug Interaction Facts (Figure 4). It allows users to access comprehensive information on drug-drug and drug-food interactions in a quick reference format. Information is compiled from primary biomedical literature and over 1,200 interaction monographs. It is also critically evaluated to check the appropriateness of methods and procedures. All interactions are indexed with their significance rating under both generic and brand names drugs. The significance rating and severity information are explained in the help section. Documentation of each interaction and a brief review and assessment of the cited studies is also provided. Citations are linked to PubMed. This is particularly useful for carrying out further research. It is not required to first search in the drug monographs to understand the drug interactions. The Interactions Checker lets users search for potential drug interactions from the main page of the database. Users can also include more than one search term. It also offers further possibilities of refining a search once users click on the Go button. This is probably the most useful feature of the database: providing drug interaction information in a very comprehensive manner.
Figure 4.
Interactions Checker
The Review of Natural Products provides detailed information on natural products. This information about natural and herbal products is based on scientific research.
The Help section explains the technical information in an easy-to-read and understand format. The home page offers a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help users determine if the product is right for them. In addition to general system-related technical questions, it also covers some very useful product-related questions like “How would I cite information obtained through F&C 4.0?” The answer provides examples:
Minoxidil. Drug Facts and Comparisons. Drug Facts and Comparisons 4.0 [online]. 2005. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Accessed August 8, 2005.
Kava. Review of Natural Products. Drug Facts and Comparisons 4.0 [online]. 2005. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Accessed August 8, 2005.
Pricing and updates
Academic libraries can purchase a license for a specific school or department. For example, a license can be purchased through the school of nursing. That way all students and faculty affiliated with the school of nursing can access the database. Libraries can also arrange for a restricted access only for authorized students and staff. Off-campus access can also be arranged. At last check for my very small library, the license price for version 4.0 ran somewhere around $2,000.00 for the nursing school. Version 4.0 is accessible via the Web and is updated daily. Updated information is also available on the main screen under the “Toolbox.”
Weakness
The PDA version is not complete in that it does not cover all the reference tools, and this could have an impact on academic library decision making. Another weakness is its lack of coverage on international drugs. A search for Listril and lisinopril did not yield any hits in version 4.0. I have not thoroughly tested other comparable tools, but DRUGDEX covers Martindale Complete Drug Reference.
Conclusion
Overall, version 4.0 offers many good features. For nursing students and especially those who are in clinical practice, this product is a welcome addition to their resources. It is a well-organized, fast, and easy-to-navigate tool. It provides comprehensive information from all integrated drug reference tools that the company offers. The provided information is not limited to only Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs. Drugs in the investigational stages are also covered. Information seems to be backed up by documentation, discussion, and comparable tables.
When it comes to purchasing an electronic product, user preferences and budget situation play an important role in any library's decision. The Web version of Facts and Comparisons is a pricy product, but, with all the features and fast, reliable current drug information, it is a strong candidate for academic library purchase.