Below are links to journals, guidelines and formularies that:
- provide trusted, high quality and useful information on drugs and therapeutics, and
- are financially and intellectually independent of the pharmaceutical industry.
World Health Organization
Model List of Essential Medicines
The World Health Organization launched a new easy-to-access, digital version of its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) on February 27, 2020.
The WHO list was last revised by a group of experts in 2019 and was published in print or PDF formats. The list includes information about available dose forms and strengths; specifications as to who should take a medicine; what conditions a medicine can treat and how it should be taken, as well as details about the clinical evidence supporting recommendations being made.
The new electronic version brings the list to smartphones and computer screens in a comprehensive, freely accessible, online database. So, instead of flicking through pages of information, users can search by simply clicking on the name of a medicine, for example, or a health issue. They can also make their own customised lists by exporting the list – in full or in part – into an Excel or Word version. The electronic EML is the latest step in WHO’s effort to harness digital technologies to drive improvements in global public health, and advance progress towards universal health coverage.
Australia
Australian Medicines Handbook
Australian Medicines Handbook is an evidence-based peer-reviewed independent medicines reference used widely in the Australian healthcare sector.
The company, AMH Pty Ltd, publishes books and electronic reference resources aimed at improving the quality use of medicines in Australia.
The publications are concise and easy to use for busy practitioners, but contain the key information required for safe and effective choice and use of medicines.
Further information is available at https://shop.amh.net.au/
Australian Prescriber
Australian Prescriber is Australia’s national peer-reviewed journal of drugs and therapeutics. Since 1975 it has provided health professionals with informative articles and brief reviews of new drugs. The journal is independently edited and accepts no advertising.
The electronic version of Australian Prescriber is open-access and is read around the world. It can be found at https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber. Some articles can also be accessed via podcasts that are available from the website.
Therapeutic Guidelines
Therapeutic Guidelines are recognised internationally as a leading source of accurate, independent and practical treatment advice for a wide range of clinical conditions. They are intended specifically to meet the needs of busy health professionals who want reliable, practical and user-friendly therapeutic information. They include explicit instructions for therapy. The publisher, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, is completely self supporting financially through revenue from sales so the publications are not open access.
All texts are available electronically as eTG complete and most topics are also available in print format. Further information can be found at https://www.tg.org.au/.
Ca
nada
Therapeutics Letter
The Therapeutics Letter is published by the Therapeutics Initiative – an independent organisation, separate from government, pharmaceutical industry and other vested interest groups.
TheTherapeutics Letter is a bi-monthly publication targeting identified problematic therapeutic issues (brief, simple, practical messages). The process involves a literature review and development of the message by different working groups of the Therapeutics Initiative. English and Spanish versions can be accessed at https://www.ti.ubc.ca/therapeutics-letter/.
New Zea
land
Prescriber Update
Prescriber Update is a publication of Medsafe, which is the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. Prescriber Update is written for healthcare professionals to provide information on safety concerns with medicines and medical devices.
Issues of Prescriber Update can be accessed at http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles.asp.
Uni
ted Kingdom
British National Formulary
The British National Formulary (BNF) is a United Kingdom pharmaceutical reference book that contains a wide spectrum of information and advice on prescribing and pharmacology, along with specific facts and details about many medicines available in the UK.
It is used by pharmacists and doctors and other prescribing healthcare professionals as a reference for correct dosage, indication, interactions and side effects of drugs.
It is jointly authored by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and is jointly published by the BMJ Group and the Pharmaceutical Press.
A new edition of the BNF book is published twice-yearly, in March and September.
The BNF is available as a book, a website, and mobile applications. The book is available for purchase. NHS workers and healthcare professionals in the HINARI group of developing nations are entitled to free access. For more information visit the BNF website, https://www.bnf.org/.
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin provides rigorous and independent evaluations of, and practical advice on, individual treatments and the overall management of disease for doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. The journal’s aim is to provide informed and unbiased information on medical conditions, medicines and other treatments to enable readers to make informed choices and ensure patients get the best care.
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin is wholly independent of the pharmaceutical industry, Government and regulatory authorities and is also free of advertising and other forms of commercial sponsorship.
The editors can be contacted at dtb@bmjgroup.com. Issues of Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin can be accessed at www.dtb.org.uk/
Veterinary Prescriber
Veterinary Prescriber is an independent reference and learning resource on veterinary medicines. It publishes evidence-based, peer-reviewed and practical information in the form of e-learning modules and product guides. It aims to help veterinary professionals in the UK stay up to date, make rational treatment choices, and save time. The publication is supported by subscription and so is not open access. More information is available at https://www.veterinaryprescriber.org/. A sister website focused on non-prescription medicines is available at https://cpd.veterinaryprescriber.org/.
Unite
d States of America
Worst Pills Best Pills
Worst Pills, Best Pills is a project of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group. As an independent, nonprofit organisation, it takes no corporate or government contributions and accepts no advertising.
Worst Pills, Best Pills provides an expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. It is available on a subscription basis. However, a free subscription is available for people located in certain countries. Go to www.worstpills.org for further information and to find out more about eligibility for a free subscription.