If your country has many sources of drug information, does it need a bulletin? Health workers are usually busy people, so your bulletin has to compete for their time and attention. If your bulletin offers them something different they are more likely to read it. For example, if the only other drug information available comes from pharmaceutical companies then you can offer information which is not designed to increase drug use or sales.

Consider what health workers in your country do if they want to find out something about a drug. Do they have access to:

1. Library services:

• books and journals
• computerised databases

2. Drug information services, including drug information centres

3. Industry information:

• product data sheets
• company medical departments

4. The Internet

5. Informal sources of drug information, such as advice from hospital specialists and other knowledgeable colleagues.