Drug Benefits and Risks. International Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology

This book is an impressive reference source detailing the scientific basis and practice of drug therapy. As such, the aims are to provide the best possible evidence-based information on pharmacological issues as well as being a practical and useful guide to pharmacotherapy. Its ultimate goal, as stated, is to give expert guidance on patient treatment. Another interesting aspect of the book is that it aims to be an easily accessible teaching aid for third-world countries.

These are laudable aims and the question is whether the book has achieved what was originally intended. On the last point above, authors of individual chapters include those from non-Western countries and advice was sought from experts in developing countries about the type of information that was important to them. It is also claimed that the publishers have tried to keep the price low, allowing as many people as possible to have access to the book. In view of the price (£95), however, one has to say that – perhaps not surprisingly – the principle objective of a publisher to make as much money as possible has prevailed. What should be made use of, however, is the offer of free copies available for emerging countries through the National Centres of the World Health Organization Programme for International Drug Monitoring.

Generally, the book is written in a style that can indeed be accessed by students and doctors whose mother language is not English. It includes three sections. Section I on general principles details aspects of pharmacoepidemiology and drug evaluation, pharmacoeconomics, drug regulation and sources of drug information. Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are discussed as well as drug therapy in paediatric and geriatric patient populations. Section II provides an overview of the therapeutic armamentarium and gives information about drug groups such as cardiovascular and renal drugs, antimicrobial agents and vitamins. Section III is an evidence-based approach to the treatment of specific health problems. For this section the authors searched the Cochrane Library and include, for example, information on the care and support for people with HIV infection and on emergency medicine.

In general, I can recommend this book to those who work in the area of herbal medicine and nutritional supplements. Indeed, anyone researching the subject should be aware of the basic principles outlined in this book. For all those with an interest in other areas of complementary and alternative medicine it may only be of peripheral interest.