In reply: It is encouraging that Donohoo, on behalf of MIMS, supports initiatives to more regularly update product information (PI). My review1 demonstrates that necessity. The material published by MIMS is apparently not under their direct editorial control; it depends on PI from the pharmaceutical industry, vetted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Revision of PI by drug sponsors has major inertia.2
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- 2 Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.
- 1. Stockigt JR. Barriers in the quest for quality drug information: salutary lessons from TGA-approved sources for thyroid-related medications. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 76-79. <MJA full text>
- 2. Dowden JS. Product information past perfect [editorial]. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 51-52. <MJA full text>
- 3. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Initial discussion paper: improving access to prescription medicines information. Apr 2005. http://www.tga.gov.au/consult/2005/accesspmi.pdf (access Mar 2007).