The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7443 p323
17 March 2007

Invaluable reference source on statistics

‘Basic statistics and pharmaceutical applications’ (2nd edition), by James E. De Muth. Pp 732. Price $89.95. Florida: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 2006. ISBN 0 8493 3799 2

The primary purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to statistics for undergraduate and graduate students of pharmacy, as well as to be a reference guide for those working in various pharmacy settings, including the pharmaceutical industry. The second edition not only updates its predecessor but also includes an expanded section, most of which is related to biostatistics. Within an attractive and durable hard cover, there are 24 chapters of well-written and extremely comprehensible statistical text supported by clearly labelled graphs and diagrams. There is also a wide range of worked examples, including many of a pharmaceutical nature and the problem-solving sections are a useful supplement.

My main reservation is that, in spite of the author’s claim to have avoided “heavy duty” mathematics, there is frequent inclusion of complex mathematical formulae and potentially confusing symbols — features that may deter the absolute beginner. I would, however, unreservedly recommend this otherwise excellent book as an invaluable and reasonably priced reference source for pharmacists and other health care professionals. It will also provide a useful course of study for those who have already previously mastered a simpler and shorter introduction to statistics, and who wish to further their knowledge and understanding of the subject.


Frank Leach
(a retired pharmacist who was previously director of the North Western Medicines Information Service and taught statistical and critical evaluation skills for many years)