Abstract
Many consultations in family practice end with a prescription for medication. The average market life of a new drug is only five years. Keeping up to date on therapeutic advances is an essential CME activity. Family physicians usually hear about new drugs from the pharmaceutical representatives. Before one changes well-established habits of practice it is necessary to evaluate non-commercial sources of data. A good understanding of the implications of clinical trials is required. The availability and accuracy of other sources of information are discussed.
Keywords: physicians' practice pattern, prescription drugs, drug utilization
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