Analysis of drug information queries received by the pharmacy in a large psychiatric hospital.

Drug information queries were analysed over a representative period of 10 weeks in a 1,300 bed psychiatric hospital. A total of 90 queries were answered; 30 of these related to psychiatric drugs but 60 were concerned with general medical conditions. Half the number of questions came from doctors who, in presenting a diagnosis, were asking for information on the most appropriate therapy available. Queries from nurses formed the bulk of the remainder. The results of the survey disprove the misconception that pharmacy practice in a psychiatric hospital is highly specialized.