The Internet is upstaging the supplemental information patients receive when they fill a prescription, according to three studies cited by the American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists (ASHS). ASHS is looking at how consumers receive their health and medical information to identify how pharmacists can be better medication-related resources. A top
concern is how the Web is filling many of the informational voids.
An online survey of 1,000 Internet users found that 76% of respondents use the Web to search for health information and almost half of them surf for specific information about
their prescription medications. Another survey of 1,000 adults found the materials that typically accompany prescription medication do not give enough information about drug
interactions, according to 30% of respondents.
(ASHS, Lisa Tulis, 202/973-3629)