Nick Milovanovic Parsons E106 11/13/13 Whats Useful for a Pharmacy Major?

Here at Purdue, I am currently in the College of Pharmacy studying Pharmaceutical Sciences. There are many libraries and other resources around campus, and at times you need to know what resource center or library is going to be most useful. For my major, the most useful library on campus lies next to the PUSH Center in the Pharmacy building. Plainly enough, the name of the library is the Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences Library, with the exact address of Heine Pharmacy Building Room 272; 575 Stadium Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Within the library itself, there are multiple iTap computers with newly upgraded wireless Internet. Also, there are hundreds of shelves that contain physical copies of medical journals, clinical trials of new pharmaceuticals, and anything else needed for chemical or biological purposes. As you walk in, to the left is a group of study tables for students to utilize. In the corner, there are conference rooms for groups who are studying together. On the second floor, there is a balcony that overlooks the first floor with a few tables for people to study at as well. There are also a few librarians at your access to ask questions about locations of journals. For all pre-medical and pre-pharmacy majors, this is the library in which helps the most in times of need. In regards to which databases or journals are most used within the practice and education of Pharmacy lies in five major databases:

PubMed, or Medline: This database is by far the most prestigious and respected database that concentrates in disease-state management, as well as therapeutics. Other topics have very select coverage, such as communal pharmaceutical practice pharmaceutical education. The database itself is fairly user friendly. Starting off with a search bar, one in which you may search under more advanced guidelines; one can also click on the quick start guide to learn how to navigate the site more effectively. The site also gives more resources and databases that are alike, and on the very bottom lists major topics in medicine. International Pharmaceutical Abstracts: This database contains hundreds of journals that relate to pharmaceutical education, practice, and information about the profession in general. This site is much more straightforward. All you are given is a search bar and some specifications below it to help narrow the search, but that is about it. The site is very plain, but still retrieves very credible and helpful information. Access Science: Even though this database is very broad and withholds an enormous amount of journals and articles about all topics of science, it still comes in great use when you do not have a specific pharmacy related question. It also includes biographies, weekly updates, and news on developing research. The website is very diverse in what types of media that they use in order to aid the users of the site. Of course there is a search bar, but underneath the bar are hundreds of topics and categories to help narrow down your search. Below that are videos on commonly asked questions and instructional videos. AHFS Drug Information: This database covers anything that has to do with any specific drug known and available in the United States. This is useful for pharmacists

and medical students who are learning which medicine is the best choice for the illness or condition of the patient. The sites itself is fairly plain, with a search bar and below are boxes that contain different databases and articles, that are current and being debated on. This database is good for finding questions about specific drugs, and also the statuses of clinical trials and medical studies. Reaxys (Beilstein/Gmelin): Reaxys incorporates three separate databases: Beilstein (organic chemistry); Gmelin (inorganic chemistry); Chemical Patents. The positive side for having all of these databases wrapped up into one is because they collectively provide the experimental reactions and observations and the chemical/physical properties for about ten million compounds, and about 22 million reactions. Ranging back from journals that were kept in the year 1771, there are over 3800 pieces of work that complete this database. How to Evaluate a New Drug in General Practice, written by Bradley, C., is one of the most useful e-journal that a pharmacist or a practicing physician can use. This journal is extremely useful because it evaluates if bringing in a new prescription drug will benefit patients, or if it will just be a waste of time. This is the key to advancing in medicine, but it is still necessary to tread lightly on the introduction of new pharmaceuticals. The journal addresses both sides of the argument, making it unbiased and very reliable. This is the guideline used to introducing new drugs. If it werent for this journal, there might be extreme ethical and moral problems when bringing in a new drug.

Works Cited Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences Library. Purdue University Libraries, 2013. Web. 20 Nov 2013. Databases. Purdue University Libraries, 2013. Web. 20 Nov 2013.