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Various types of pharmacy publications and references have different characteristics. These can typically be broken into categories based on the following criteria:

• pharmacy literature which is based on how far removed it is from the original research (primary, secondary, and tertiary); and
• material based on format (books, articles, websites, etc.).

This article provides an overview of these types of resources along with some commonly used references. The mention of any particular reference is not intended as an official endorsement, but simply recognition of its common use.

Legal Aspects

Pharmacies should be aware of any requirements made of them with respect reference materials, both to avoid any citations for noncompliance and in order to provide an appropriate level of assurance that they are providing proper medication therapy.

On the federal level, there are currently no specified requirements for pharmaceutical references. The federal government has opted to leave these requirements up to each state.

States, as would be expected have a wide variety of requirements, depending on which state you are in, and what kind of practice setting you are in (community, institutional, mail order, etc.). To let's look at the reference requirements for Pennsylvania and California in order to get an idea of what states require.

Pennsylvania Chapter 27 State Board of Pharmacy:

An adequate reference library which meets the following standards:

(i) Enables a pharmacy to prepare and dispense prescriptions properly, consistent with its scope of practice.

(ii) Includes reference sources appropriate to the type of pharmacy practice at that particular location. A pharmacy shall include in the pharmacy’s library current material regarding the technical, clinical and professional aspects of practice with emphasis in the area in which the pharmacy specializes.

(iii) Enables the pharmacist to compound medications in a safe and effective manner consistent with accepted standards of pharmacy practice.

(iv) Lists the possible drug interactions and possible adverse effects of medications dispensed by the pharmacy.

(v) Lists the therapeutic equivalents for medications.

(vi) Lists the therapeutic usage and dosages of medications dispensed by the pharmacy.

(vii) Provides guidelines for the counseling of patients.

(viii) A pharmacy that specializes in nuclear or parenteral prescriptions may limit the library it maintains under subparagraph (ii) relating to the pharmacy’s own specialization.

(ix) Maintains the latest editions including current supplements of each of its reference sources.

California 2013 Lawbook for Pharmacy

1751.8. Sterile Injectable Compounding Reference Materials.

In any pharmacy engaged in compounding sterile injectable drug products, there shall be current and appropriate reference materials regarding the compounding of sterile injectable products located in or immediately available to the pharmacy.

Whichever state(s) your pharmacy is practicing, make sure your pharmacy is in compliance.

Pharmacy literature

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Primary

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Secondary

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Tertiary

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Common references

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Printed references

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Online references

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Smart phone and tablet applications

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See also

Pharmacology

References

1. Types of Medical Literature, Mercer University Atlanta Swilley LibGuides: Updates to Colleges of Pharmacy and Health Professions Resources, http://mercer.libguides.com/content.php?pid=81289&sid=802112
2. CHAPTER 27. STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY, The Pennsylvania Code, http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter27/chap27toc.html
3. 2013 Lawbook for Pharmacy, California Board of Pharmacy, http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/lawbook.pdf