To the Editor: We agree with Smith and colleagues1 that it is important to raise awareness among health professionals — and consumers — about recently revised dosing recommendations for colchicine. Software decision-support tools have an important role in ensuring safe prescribing of such drugs. However, we have questions about whether this software uses information that is up-to-date with current evidence, particularly in relation to colchicine.
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- 1. Smith MWH, Roberts DM, Ritson SM, Day RO. Death and morbidity from supratherapeutic dosing of colchicine [letter]. Med J Aust 2011; 194: 612-613. <MJA full text>
- 2. National Prescribing Service. Colchicine for acute gout: updated information about dosing and drug interactions. NPS RADAR 2010; 14 May. http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/2010/may_2010/brief_item_colchicine (accessed Aug 2011).
- 3. Australian medicines handbook: AMH July 2010 edition. Adelaide: AMH, 2010.
- 4. Dowden JS. Product information past perfect [editorial]. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 51-52. <MJA full text>
- 5. Sweidan M, Williamson M, Reeve JF, et al. Evaluation of features to support safety and quality in general practice clinical software. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2011; 11: 27.
- 6. Reeve J, Sweidan M. Setting a standard for electronic prescribing systems [editorial]. Aust Prescr 2011; 34: 2-4.
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