📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Background: Medicine information services (MIS) provide evidence-based drug information to healthcare providers and patients, supporting rational prescribing and patient safety. In Nigeria, the availability and quality of formal MIS in teaching hospital pharmacies is an underexplored area. This study evaluated the medicine information service operations at the pharmacy department of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Methods: A mixed-method study incorporating direct observation, structured interviews with pharmacy staff (n = 40), and analysis of MIS query logs over a three-month period was conducted. Service structure, query volume, response time, information resources used, and user satisfaction were assessed. Results: An average of 12 drug information queries per week were received and documented. Queries were most frequently from interns and medical officers (48%), followed by nurses (27%). Response time was satisfactory in 74 percent of cases. Key resources used included Micromedex, BNF, and national treatment guidelines. Service awareness among ward staff was low (36%). Conclusion: MIS at this facility is functional but underutilised due to limited awareness. Expanding outreach to all ward staff and investing in updated digital drug information resources are important priorities. Keywords: medicine information services, hospital pharmacy, drug information, Ile-Ife, pharmaceutical care
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