Foreign Drug Information Retrieval

Health science library service often includes identifying drugs manufactured, prescribed, or dispensed in other countries. Discussion of complexities in drug nomenclature, establishing equivalency, and differing standards adopted by reference sources may encourage more effective information provision. Statistical data gathered from a drug information center's experience with identification requests can indicate relevant sources. An analysis of such data, collected over a 40-month time period and involving over 550 foreign drug information questions, may contribute practical knowledge to individuals responsible for collection development, reference service, or bibliographic instruction. Guidelines for print and online search strategies are included, applicable in answering both domestic and foreign drug information questions.