Study: Non-commercial sites contain best drug info January 16, 2003
Informational Web sites contain more quality information on medicines, including their correct uses and possible side effects, than commercial sites that sell drugs, according to a German study. The researchers examined more than 200 English-language sites containing information on St. John's wort, an herbal medicine taken for depression. Only 22% of the sites correctly listed depression as the drug's only use and the same percentage listed at least one possible drug interaction with St. John's wort. Only two Web sites listed all possible side effects of the drug. "Our results suggest that Internet users should prefer noncommercial sites that reference the information to scientific publications when searching for drug information," the researchers said. Because herbal remedies are so widely available, the researchers recommended consumers find as much complete and accurate information on the drug as possible (Stafford, Reuters Health, 1/15).
