Utilization of drug information systems by medical representatives in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry

For full utilization of a drug information database system by users, education and support activities are indispensable. Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd's PMS Administration Department has facilitated familiarization of users with its in-house database systems and improved their utilization through an in-house training campaign, analysis of information retrieved (log files), feedback on the results, on-screen information services on the updated databases, contributions to in-house publications, and so forth. Through these activities to facilitate familiarization with and utilization of the database, medical representatives (MRs) accessing databases increased from 44% to 80% over four years, This report presents activities to improve the utilization of Daiichi Pharmaceutical's databases by MRs and some examples.