The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7159 p171-175
4 August 2001

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Society News summary

Society acquires leading drug interactions database

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has acquired all the rights to Dr Ivan Stockley’s internationally known publications on drug interactions. Dr Stockley has also agreed to act as a consultant to the Society to aid the continued development of his drug interaction database.

Dr Stockley’s ‘Drug interactions’ is the world’s most detailed and extensive international reference book on adverse drug reactions. In its English language version it is already published by the Society’s Pharmaceutical Press publishing arm. Now in its fifth edition, the book began life in May 1971 as a series of articles in The Pharmaceutical Journal.

The acquisition follows the announcement last December of a collaboration agreement between the Society and Dr Stockley (PJ, 23/30 December 2000, p906). Under the terms of that agreement Dr Stockley has worked with the Society’s editorial team to develop his drug interactions database. The Pharmaceutical Press has also undertaken marketing and distribution of the publications in printed and electronic formats.

Commenting on the new agreement, Dr Stockley said: “The collaborative working arrangements have proved extremely valuable. The Society’s editorial experts have helped me to refine and develop my work and I think that together we can ensure that my publications will continue to provide first class drug interaction information. The Society has also been able to take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities which are now emerging, and the achievements of the last few months have now given me the confidence to pass on all of my drug interaction products to the Society knowing that they will be in very good hands.”

The Society’s Treasurer, David Allen, commented that the acquisition of Dr Stockley’s products was in the long term interests of the Society and its membership. He said that, through its Resource Management Committee, the Council had given careful attention to the proposals for acquiring Dr Stockley’s products. It had been clear that ownership would bring control of invaluable resources that were of enormous benefit to the Society’s members when dealing with the assessment and management of drug interaction problems that arise during dispensing.

In addition, said Mr Allen, the further development of Dr Stockley’s publications was expected to achieve a financial contribution of considerable benefit to the Society’s well-being. “We rely heavily on the publications programme to fund the Society’s many professional activities and I am pleased we have been able to take advantage of such an excellent opportunity to add to it.”

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