Academic detailing as a possible source of drug information in the context of Nepal: A short review

The source of unbiased drug information is an integral part of evidence based practice. The status of evidence based practice in Nepal is very poor. One of the major factors associated with it, is the limited availability of new literature, and poor documentation and dissemination of the little available information. Academic detailing is an educational outreach program in which a trained health professional visits clinicians in their offices to provide evidence based information. So, there is a huge scope for academic detailing as a means to disseminate the available information in the context of Nepal. Research done worldwide has already shown improvement in the clinicians' knowledge, their attitude and practice, improvement in their prescribing patterns and an increase in their adherence to clinical guidelines, following academic detailing. In Nepal, there are many topics which can be selected for academic detailing. Topics covering the information regarding newer drugs, diarrhoea treatment guidelines, the rational use of antimicrobials, the rationality of fixed dose combinations, nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and specialized devices for the administration of drugs, will be more relevant. Lack of local health statistics, lack of awareness about evidence based practice, challenges from pharmaceutical representatives and a lack of financing capability may be the major limitations for academic detailing in Nepal.