In reply: The publications reviewed in Stockigt’s article1 are compendia of product information (PI). Their currency therefore relies on manufacturers keeping the PI up to date. A short scan quickly shows that the PI of some brands has apparently not needed amending for more than 5 years. Examples include certain brands of digoxin (last updated in 2000), roxithromycin (2000), levamisole (1999), levocabastine (1998), pindolol (1993) and ergometrine (1991).

Many monthly changes to PI may be made, but, as stated in my editorial,2 it is not always clear whether these changes are substantial amendments or minor variations. To assess whether PI reflects current practice would require Stockigt’s research to be replicated with other drug classes.

As PI is brand-specific, the amount of comparative information it contains is limited. This is where information sources independent of the pharmaceutical industry, such as the Australian medicines handbook (http://www.amh.net.au/), Therapeutic guidelines (http://www.tg.com.au/), and the National Prescribing Service (http://www.nps.org.au/) can assist.