First DataBank releases new version of Drug Information Framework

By Editor on Mar 19, 2001

The framework, which is available in both COM and Java versions, is designed to enhance functionality and allow developers to integrate the company's National Drug Data File Plus into multiple environments, including the Internet, client/server, desktop and handheld wireless.

In addition, the new version 1.1 framework is designed to decrease the effort required for upgrades to future Framework versions. New features of the updated version include, drug imprint search functionality and a new Drug-Drug Interaction Module (DDIM) security level 9, which includes drug interactions involving alternative therapy agents, such as herbs and nutritional supplements.

"The Drug Information Framework fills a pressing need for today's healthcare information providers faster time to market," said James Wilson, Executive Vice President and COO of First DataBank. "Everybody's scrambling to get there first, while operating under near-impossible constraints such as 'Internet time,' inadequate budgets and people shortages. It's a pressure-cooker situation."

First DataBank's new framework is designed to be compatible with a variety of development environments and can be incorporated into healthcare applications and Internet Web sites. The framework is also designed to offer developers a choice of deployment technologies and access points, including platforms, operating systems, development tools and ODBC, or JDBC, compliant relational databases.

"Access to healthcare information has been largely restricted in the past to those who had a professional need for it, and could afford to tap into it," said Joseph Hirschmann, President of First DataBank. "Now, thanks to both technology and consumer demand, we're seeing a real paradigm shift open access to anyone with even a minimal set of tools. Our open Drug Information Framework is contributing to that shift by making information access possible for broader audiences from professional healthcare providers to patients and their families surfing the Web."