Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs; 12th Edition

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Spring 2001 by Kirschenbaum, Harold L

LLOYD V. ALLEN JR., ROSEMARY R. BERARDI, EDWARD DeSIMONE II, ET AL., EDITORS. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs; 12th Edition. Williston VT: APhA Publication Sales, 2000. xx 1088 pp., 106 figs., 287 tbls., $120.00 (Hard cover).

This book is the newest edition of a well-established text. Although there are numerous similarities to previous editions, there are many differences as well. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to self care, which includes a brief description of the drug approval process, nonprescription drug labeling, and marketing issues that have helped fuel the tremendous growth in nonprescription product use. Chapter 2 provides an overview of patient assessment, appropriate communication techniques, and special considerations before providing pharmaceutical care to high-risk patients or other types of special groups such as pediatric and geriatric patients. Chapter 3 is the first of almost 40 chapters dealing with the management of specific disorders with nonprescription products. The remaining chapters deal with herbal remedies, homeopathic products, and home medical equipment such as home monitoring devices.

Although the chapters dealing with specific disorders appear to be somewhat similar to previous editions, in the current text the material is reviewed from the perspective of the medical condition (e.g., diabetes mellitus) rather than the product (eg., insulin). This change makes the text more in-tune with the provision of pharmaceutical care. In response to this change in perspective, each chapter places an enhanced emphasis on the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and potential complications from the disorder before describing appropriate nonprescription therapy. The chapters offer additional new features that should be beneficial to pharmacists and pharmacy students. For example, chapters include treatment algorithms that outline the major steps in selecting therapy; patient assessment Q and A sections that point out problem-solving techniques required for patient triage; patient education sections that highlight key items that should be discussed with patients; and a section that describes facts that would confirm successful self treatment.

There are, however, some facets of this text that might be troublesome for some. Although the greater emphasis on the disease state may help pharmacists and students better understand the role of nonprescription therapy, one must remember that this is not a pathophysiology text - and as such does not provide fine detail nor is it well referenced. In addition, although many nonprescription products are described in the text and in tabular format, the long-standing approach of this text to list the active and inactive ingredients of virtually all products has been curtailed. The editors have included one section that does not deal with medications - i.e., "Home Medical Equipment" - but a description of other nonpharmacologic therapies such as canes, walkers and bandages, is lacking.

Overall, the new chapter algorithms, boxed inserts, greater use of headings, and, of course, greater emphasis on the patient rather than the product are significant improvements over previous editions. The Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs should become part of the library for every pharmacist who practices ambulatory care and a reference source for every student enrolled in a self-care/nonprescription product course or participating in a practice experience.

Harold L. Kirschenbaum Long Island University