Nepal

USP has been working in Nepal since 1993 to facilitate the creation and implementation of the Drug Information Network of Nepal (DINoN). Five drug information centers (DICs) were established originally which serve as a reliable source of objective drug information. Each center disseminates independent drug information to its unique constituency and acts as a referral point to the other members.

Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health—functions as the coordinating point for the network; serves government administrators and the general public
Institute of Medicine (IOM) at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital—serves medical and pharmacy students and health care professionals
Nepal Chemists and Druggists Association (NCDA)—a professional group that serves wholesalers, pharmacists, and retail drug sellers
Resource Centre for Primary Health Care (RECPHEC)—a local non-governmental organization that serves consumers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and primary health care workers
Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC)—quasi-governmental body that reviews and approves proposals for medical and health research

Four additional groups have joined since DINoN was formed:

The United Hands to Nepal (UHN)—provides drug and poison information to health care professionals and consumers
British Nepal Medical Trust (BNMT)—provides unbiased drug information to area health care professionals
Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH)—provides unbiased drug information to health care professionals in the Pokhara area and operates a Patient Consultation Unit
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS)—provides unbiased drug information to health care professionals in the Dharan area

Some centers offer seminars and conferences on topics of interest for health care professionals and the general population. Seminars have covered subjects like rational pharmaceutical management, drug Information for clinical decision-making, antimicrobial resistance, and improving drug retailer practices. In addition, DINoN now operates its own Web site (www.dinon.org), which enhances its ability to disseminate current, accurate drug information throughout the country.

Local adaptation of the USP DI database has been completed using Standard Generalized Mark-up Language (SGML), which allows for easy electronic adaptation and creation of additional products, such as formularies, essential drug lists, drug bulletins, and information sheets.

For more information or a list of DINoN Centers, click here.