Drug Information Center

General Information

The mission of the Houston Methodist Hospital Drug Information Center (DIC) is to provide clinical, research and educational support for optimizing drug therapy for patients and promoting wellness. Services from the Center are available to healthcare professionals and members of Houston Methodist.


 Primary Functions

  • Answering patient-specific and general inquiries regarding all aspects of medication use
  • Providing accurate, current, and unbiased drug information in the support of rational drug therapy
  • Responses are provided by phone, mail, or e-mail
  • Available to healthcare professionals and patients of Houston Methodist

 

Availability

  • Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Direct telephone number: 713-441-4190
  • Non-emergency weekend and evening requests may be left on voice mail
  • Urgent inquiries, after hours and on weekends, may be made to the pharmacy clinical specialist on call at 713-768-0719

 

Resources

  • Current pharmacy and medical textbooks
  • Specialty references
  • Computer database
  • Medical and pharmacy journals

 

DIC Staff

Staffed by clinical pharmacists trained in drug information, pharmacy residents, and students.


 DIC Staff Functions

  • Answering drug related questions from healthcare professionals and patients of Houston Methodist
  • Preparing the agenda and clinical background information for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meetings
  • Developing criteria for medication use evaluations; helping conduct these evaluations and preparing recommendations to the medical staff based on the results of the evaluations
  • Assisting in conducting research and evaluating outcomes of medication usage