The PDR is commonly thought to be a complete drug reference. While the strength of the PDR is that it includes complete FDA approved prescribing information for the drugs inside, the weakness is that the drugs it includes is not comprehensive. The publisher depends on drug manufacturers to provide the information that is included in each edition. For this reason, new drugs almost always are included; however, older drugs that are beyond their patent life may not be included.
Further, the PDR only includes FDA approved information. As any Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or Pharmacist knows, off label drug use is common. If a medical professional is looking for a printed drug reference that is truly comprehensive, look for Drug Facts and Comparisons or AHFS Drug Information. If one is looking for a handbook, consider Lexi-Comp Drug Information, AHFS Essentials, or Drug Facts and Comparisons Pocket Edition.