The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p505
5 October 2002

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Most comprehensive text on non-prescription medicines

'Handbook of non-prescription drugs: an interactive approach to self care' (13th edition), by Rosemary R. Berardi, Edward M. DeSimone, Gail D. Newton, Michael A. Oszko, Nicholas G. Popovich, Carol J. Rollins, Leslie A. Shimp and Karen J. Tietze. Pp xviii+1190. Price $135. Washington: American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002. ISBN 1 58212 037 4

The 13th edition of this handbook remains an incredibly useful resource; it is undoubtedly the most comprehensive text available on non-prescription medicines and the treatment of minor ailments. An interactive approach between a pharmacist and a self-treating patient is adopted throughout the book. This approach requires pharmacists to draw upon their knowledge of diseases and goals of treatment and to assess the aetiology of a complaint. It requires the pharmacist to concentrate on the patient and not upon the medicine.

The chapters, which are arranged according to body systems, begin with a discussion of the clinical disease and move on to discuss non-prescription products, non-drug measures and appropriate preventive methods. The section on self-care concludes with a useful discussion of selected herbal and homoeopathic products. There is also a separate chapter on herbal remedies. The evidence base for the use of recommended products is also included with references to clinical studies. The treatment sections are followed by a discussion of questions to ask and the rationale for them. Each chapter concludes with a synopsis of key counselling points and an explanation of how to evaluate therapeutic outcomes.

The 13th edition contains a useful chapter on prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This text is a valuable resource for undergraduates and practising pharmacists and would be particularly helpful for preregistration trainees.

Claire Anderson