Usefulness of Drug Information Websites Accessed by Cell Phone Using Two-dimensional Matrix Barcodes

Abstract

Giving patients access to drug information can play an important role in pharmacotherapy.This study was on provision of drug information via an internet-based system accessed by cell phone using the quick response (QR) codes printed on drug packaging such as PTP sheets and powder formulation packages.By providing drug information in a timely manner,the system should be useful in promoting proper drug use by patients.In the study,we performed a questionnaire survey to determine the usefulness of drug information websites accessed using QR codes.The subjects were first- and second-year,and the fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students at the University of Shizuoka,outpatients treated with amlodipine,and families of pediatric patients treated with antibiotics at Jikei University Daisan Hospital,who accessed drug information websites for information on amlodipine and cefcapene.When asked whether the information websites for amlodipine and cefcapene were easy to view,use,and understand,more than 80% of the students and patients responded positively,saying“Yes”or“Yes,to some extent”.Regarding usefulness,convenience,ease of use,and speed,nearly all subjects gave positive evaluations.To the question“Would you like to access similar websites for other drugs besides amlodipne and cefcapene?”,more than 90% of all subjects responded positively.The present results therefore verify that access to websites in this system is a useful and fast means of gaining drug information,not only for patients,but also students with pharmaceutical knowledge.