December 2014

From the Desk of the Managing Editor

Reflecting back on 2014, as Managing Editor of MIMS, we have managed to keep our team of pharmacists, scientists, doctors and nurses who produce MIMS extremely busy. It has made me pause to consider whether 2014 was just a very busy year in the medicines information business or whether the number of medical products in the market will keep growing at a rapid pace – and I think the latter.

A couple of years ago we would make, on average, around 100 changes to the medicines database every month. Over the past 18 months, we now make anywhere from 180 to 240 changes in a month. Obviously not all of them are new innovator products, but none the less, it is still important for our clients, the healthcare prescribers, dispensers and administrators of medicines in this country, to have the latest, most current information to support them in their work. Reflecting back over the year, I cannot see this trend reversing, so MIMS will continue to focus on keeping our information up to date.

One of the interesting side effects of this burgeoning list of medicines is trying to keep the size of the MIMS Abbreviated (the MIMS small book) within our size guidelines. We are fortunate that all our digital products have no problems accommodating an increasing database – the same cannot be said for print. Over the year we have tried various things to keep the book within our prescribed guidelines for size. However, we have had to admit defeat and accept that from 2015 onwards, the MIMS Abbreviated will be creeping up in size. Still portable but now even better exercise to carry around!

A small thing, but it is an interesting indication that healthcare is constantly in a state of evolution, and as such we will continue to evolve to meet new needs and support the healthcare community that rely on our products. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

MIMS Australia
Level 2, 1 Chandos Street
St Leonards NSW 2065
Phone: 1800 800 629
info@mims.com.au
www.mims.com.au