Our Partners
Drug Information Group Services
Overview
The Drug Information Group (DIG) is a fully integrated medical communication group situated within an academic medical center. The provision of drug information services is our primary focus. In addition, we have multiple contractual agreements in which we are involved in the design and implementation of educational programs and the development and maintenance of communication services. Our work provides support and enhances the business, promotional, marketing, and sales opportunities for our clients. By partnering with the College of Pharmacy, our clients establish strong credibility with healthcare professionals and are able to attract key decision-makers to their programs. As Clinical Faculty at the College, the staff is extremely capable of translating complex pharmaceutical content into strategies that deliver the client’s message. Currently, the DIG collaborates with a number of clients including:
- Alaris Products
- Baxter Healthcare
- Cardinal Health
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
- MC-21
- RPh-on-the-Go
- Walgreens Health Initiatives
- WebMD
Drug Information
Requests
- Respond to drug information phone inquiries from healthcare professionals and consumers
- Serve as the corporate drug information center for over 300 Cardinal Healthcare-managed hospital pharmacies across the United States
Medication evaluations
- Author single drug and drug class reviews
- Current clients include the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Walgreens Health Initiatives, and MC-21
- Formats of the reviews tailored to the individual needs of the client
Evidence-based treatment algorithms
- Design disease-specific treatment algorithms based on clinical practice guidelines and published medical evidence
- The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services currently utilizes this service
Education
Accreditation provider
- Serve as the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) contact for the College of Pharmacy
- Partner with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and nursing continuing education providers
Continuing education
- Provide ACPE-approved continuing education programs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that focus on specific areas including medication errors, new drugs, disease state management, and patient safety
- Develop continuing education programs for other healthcare providers including physicians, nurses, and case managers
- Develop the content for on-line programs for Baxter Healthcare, RPh-on-the-Go, and the Foundation for Continuing Professional Development
- Design and deliver live accredited seminars (national and regional)
- Create clinical case study formats for improved adult learning outcomes
- Speakers board (identify and screen potential candidates for speakers boards, review guidelines for conflicts of interest)
Communications
Presentations
- Preparation of slide kits; full service PowerPoint slide presentations with speakers notes
- Rapid creation, production, and distribution
Software database development
- Alaris Products – input, update, and maintain drug information for medication Smart-Pumps
- WebMD - provide current medication information for patients
Formulary support
- Development of clinical information for formulary kits for new drugs
- Research and development of dossiers using Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) format
Sales training
- Development and execution of on-site preceptorships at the University of Illinois Medical Center
- Provide “real-time” experiences with physicians and other healthcare providers in specific areas of interest to clients
- Programs have been conducted for Merck, Baxter Healthcare, Novartis, Hospira, and PharMedium
Promotional materials
- Create, design, produce, and distribute patient education materials, brochures, and newsletters
Web writing
- Develop content for healthcare related websites including WebMD