Designed as a pocket drug reference for clinicians in the US, this book fills a market niche currently taken in New Zealand by MIMS New Ethicals. It’s worth looking at, if only to see just how good a pocket drug reference can be. For starters, there are no advertisements. This could be a problem for those readers who find titillation in the semi-clad, nubile/virile forms usually used to appeal to the psychological needs of the reader, in order to sell products for obesity or erectile dysfunction.

The book is well referenced; contains good information on clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, dose, and side effects; and also advises on the correct pronunciation of drug names (invaluable for one-upping colleagues on ward rounds). An excellent feature is that drug interactions are also scored on a three-point severity scale, with a description of the nature of the interaction. It even includes some off-label indications as well as the registered indication.

As a pocket guide, the binding should be able to survive the rigours of the ward round and hospital cafeteria. Although the cover does wipe clean, and internal pages suffered minimal staining when exposed to vegemite, the binding did not survive a 10-metre throw down a corridor (at moderate velocity). In the opinion of the reviewer, it is unlikely to survive a year in a registrar’s pocket. However, free hand-held software is provided, so although the book may perish, the information will live on in the hand-held device.

Although cost information is provided, the prices are US prices and information on PHARMAC subsidisation is not provided. The US categorisation of risk in pregnancy is provided, rather than the Australian. Otherwise, I enjoyed ward testing this book and found it to be a useful drug reference.