McKenna's Pharmacology, 2e

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P A R T 1  Introduction to nursing pharmacology

Therapeutic Guidelines provides a wide range of drug information in a series of systematic guides, such as antibiotics and gastrointestinal pharmacology. These guidelines draw upon a range of evaluated literature and research. McKenna’s Drug Handbook for Nursing and Mid- wifery has drug monographs organised alphabetically and includes care implications and important teaching points specifically relevant to nursing and midwifery practice. Numerous other drug handbooks are also on the market and readily available for nurses and midwives to use. Journals Various journals can be used to obtain drug informa- tion. For example, the Medical Letter is a monthly review of new drugs, drug classes and specific treat- ment protocols. Many clinical nursing and midwifery journals offer information on new drugs, drug errors and care implications. Australian Prescriber is a useful source of easily interpreted pharmacology information and is freely available online. Internet information Many individuals now use the Internet as a source of medical information and advice. Nurses and midwives need to become familiar with what is available on the Internet and what people may be referencing, and have skills in critiquing the credibility of these sources. ■■ Drugs are chemicals that are introduced into the body to bring about some sort of change. ■■ Drugs can come from many sources: plants, animals, inorganic elements and synthetic preparations. ■■ The TGA regulates the development and marketing of drugs to ensure safety and efficacy in Australia. ■■ Preclinical trials involve testing of potential drugs on laboratory animals to determine their therapeutic and adverse effects. ■■ Phase I studies test potential drugs on healthy human subjects. ■■ Phase II studies test potential drugs on individuals who have the disease the drugs are designed to treat. ■■ Phase III studies test drugs in the clinical setting to determine any unanticipated effects or lack of effectiveness. ■■ TGA pregnancy categories indicate the potential or actual teratogenic effects of a drug. ■■ Generic drugs are sold under their chemical names, not brand names; they may be cheaper but are not necessarily as safe as brand-name drugs. CHAPTER SUMMARY

■■ Orphan drugs are chemicals that have been discovered to have some therapeutic effect but that are not financially advantageous to develop into drugs. ■■ OTC drugs are available without prescription for the self-treatment of various complaints. ■■ Information about drugs can be obtained from a variety of sources, including the drug label, reference books, journals and Internet sites. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you to study more effectively. Take a PrepU Practice Quiz to find out how you measure up!

ONLINE RESOURCES

An extensive range of additional resources to enhance teaching and learning and to facilitate understanding of this chapter may be found online at the text’s accompanying website, located on thePoint at http://thepoint.lww.com. These include Watch and Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles, review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes.

WEB LINKS

Healthcare providers and students may want to consult the following Internet sources: www.anztpa.org Home page of the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Product Agency (ANZTPA). www.australianprescriber.com Australian Prescriber home page. www.medsafe.govt.nz Home page of MEDSAFE New Zealand. www.nps.org.au Home page of MedicineWise, National Prescribing Service. www.tga.gov.au Home page of the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Barton, J. H. & Emanuel, E. J. (2005). The patient-based pharmaceutical development process: rationale, problems and potential reforms. JAMA, 294, 2075–2082. Cardinale, V. (1998). Consumers looking for more answers, clearer directions. Drug Topics Supplement, 142 (11), 23a. Davies, C. A. (2004). Keeping advertisers honest—An overview of the regulation of the advertising of medicines and medical devices in Australia. Australian Prescriber, 27 , 124–127. Dempsey, J., Hillege, S. & Hill, R. (2014). Fundamentals of Nursing and Midwifery: A Person-centred Approach to Care (2nd Australian and New Zealand edn). Sydney: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. BIBLIOGRAPHY