This is the Vancouver style for referencing, used at the Univerity of Portsmouth within the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and the Radiography departments.
This guide is modelled on Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers (2nd edition). You may wish to consult this source directly for additional information or examples.
Includes whole books, book chapters, republished books, translated books, and entries in reference books such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias.
Books with author(s)
Print book with a single author
Reference
Author Initials. Title of book. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Pagination.
Jenkins PF. Making sense of the chest x-ray: a hands-on guide. New York: Oxford University Press; 2005. 194 p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies (1 p93) is due to ...
or
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies 1 (p93) is due to ...
Print book with multiple authors
Reference
Author Initials, Author 2 Initials, Author 3, Initials, Author 4 Initials, Author 5 Initials. [List ALL authors]. Title. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Pagination.
Florence AT, Attwood D. Physicochemical principles of pharmacy: in manufacture, formulation and clinical use. 6th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; c2016. 665 p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
The physicochemical principles (3 p27) refer to ...
or
The physicochemical principles 3 (p27) refer to ...
Examples of ebooks can be found in collections such as ebook Central and Medicines Complete.
Referencing ebooks and other sources retrieved from the [Internet] can feel confusing at first. If you think of an ebook as being the same as a printed book, but with some additional pieces of information added, you will quickly be able to differentiate between the two.
The example below shows how to reference a printed book, and the additional text in bold within the reference shows the extra information required when you are referencing the same title as an ebook:
Lefebvre P. Molecular and genetic maps of the nuclear genome [Internet]. Durham (NC): Duke University, Department of Biology; 2002 [modified 2002 Dec 11; cited 2003 Sep 5]. Available from: https://biology.duke.edu/.chlamy_genome/nuclear_maps.html
Ebook with a single author
Reference
Author Initials. Title [type of medium]. Nth Edition [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: publisher; date [note of any update/revision date; cited date]. Available from: URL/DOI
Melia KM. Health care ethics: lessons from intensive care [Internet]. London: Sage; 2004 [cited 2008 Apr 23]. Available from: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/portsmouth/Doc?id=10080927
Page C. Pharmacology [Internet]. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier; 2019 [cited 2021 Jun 21]. Available from: https://www.vlebooks.com/Vleweb/Product/Index/1173877?page=0
Ebook with a single author and a DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
You will sometimes find that an ebook will have a DOI (Digital object identifier), rather than a URL. These are intended to give a persistent link to an ebook. An internet search for this number prefixed with http://dx.doi.org/ should call up a link to the ebook.
Reference
Author Initials. Title [type of medium]. Nth Edition [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: publisher; date [note of any update/revision date; cited date]. Available from: URL/DOI
Ettinger S. Nutritional pathophysiology of obesity and its comorbidities: a case-study approach [Internet]. Amsterdam: Academic Press; 2017 [cited 2019 Aug 20]. 334 p. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128030134 doi: 10.1016/C2014-0-04074-9
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Barrett (2 p3) talks about the physiology of ...
or
Barrett 2 (p3) talks about the physiology of ...
Ebook with multiple authors
Reference
Author AA. [List ALL]. Title [Internet]. Nth Edition [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Number of pages. Available from: URL doi: (if available)
Barrett KE, Barman SM, Boitano S, Brooks HL. Ganong’s review of medical physiology [Internet]. 25th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2012 [cited 2019 Aug 7]. Available from: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/book.aspx?bookid=1587
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Barrett (2 p3) talks about the physiology of ...
or
Barrett 2 (p3) talks about the physiology of ...
Books with organisations as authors
An organisation such as a university, society, association, corporation, or governmental body may be an author.
When using an organisation as an author, omit "The" preceding the organisational name. For example, The American Cancer Society becomes American Cancer Society.
Reference
Organisation as author. Title of book. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition].Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication. Pagination.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors 2017 (The Orange Guide). 10th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2017. 840 p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies (1 p93) is due to ...
or
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies 1 (p93) is due to ...
Reference
Organisation as author. Title of book [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition].Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL/doi: (if available)
Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary [Internet]. 81st ed. London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press; 2019 [updated 2021 Jul 13; cited 2021 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www.medicinescomplete.com/#/content/bnf/PHP107738
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies (1 p93) is due to ...
or
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies 1 (p93) is due to ...
EBook with more than one organisation as an author
Reference
Organisation 1; Organisation 2. Title of book [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition].Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL/doi: (if available)
American Academy of Pain Medicine; American Pain Society. The use of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain: a consensus statement [Internet]. Glenview (IL): American Academy of Pain Medicine; c1997 [cited 2006 Nov 1]. 4 p. Available from: http://www.painmed.org/productpub/statements/pdfs/opioids.pdf
Books with no authors
If no person or organization can be found as the author but editors or translators are present, begin the reference with the names of the editors or translators. Follow the same rules as used for author names, but end the list of names with a comma and the specific role, that is, editor or translator. For example:
Morrison CP, Court FG, editors.
Walser E, translator.
However, if no editors or translators are present, follow the rules below.
Reference
Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher; Date of publication. Pagination.
Handbook of geriatric drug therapy. Springhouse (PA): Springhouse; c2000. 1000 p.
HIV/AIDs resources: a nationwide directory. 10th ed. Longmont (CO): Guides for Living; c2004. 792 p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies (1 p93) is due to ...
or
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies 1 (p93) is due to ...
If no person or organization can be identified as the author and no editors or translators are given, begin the reference with the title of the book. Do not use anonymous.
Reference
Title of book [Internet]. Place of publication: Publisher; date [note of any update/revision date; cited date]. Available from: URL/DOI
Temporary Medicare-approved drug discount card: beneficiaries' awareness and use of information resources [Internet]. Washington: Department of Health and Human Services (US), Office of Inspector General; 2005 Oct [cited 2006 Nov 3]. 42 p. Available from: http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-05-04-00200.pdf
Making a difference: state injury and violence prevention programs [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association; c2006 [cited 2006 Nov 3]. 120 p. Available from: http://www.stipda.org/associations/5805/files/MakingADifference2006.pdf
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies (1 p93) is due to ...
or
Lis-Balchin suggests the lack of clinical studies 1 (p93) is due to ...
Books with editor(s)
Referencing a whole edited book is uncommon. You are more likely to be referencing individual chapters as you need to recognise the contributor whose work you are using. Even an introduction may be treated as a chapter. It is fine to have several chapters from one single edited book in your bibliography all recognized as separate entities. See also Chapter in an edited book.
Reference
Author Initials, editor. Title of book. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: Publisher; year of publication. Pagination.
Preston, CL, editor. Stockley's drug interactions: a source book of interactions, their mechanisms, clinical importance and management. 11th ed. London (UK): Pharmaceutical Press; 2016. 1827 p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Interactions of drugs with other drugs (2 p3) are ...
or
Interactions of drugs with other drugs 2 (p3) are ...
Print book with multiple editors
Reference
Author Initials, Author Initials, editors. Title. Edition [if not first]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication. Pagination.
Nuttal D, Rutt-Howard J, editors. The textbook of non-medical prescribing. 3rd ed. New Jersey (USA): Wiley Blackwell; 2020. 336p.
Sinharay R, Furmedge D, editors. Clinical Medicine. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2019. 474p.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
The principles of clinical medicine (2 p3) are ...
or
The principles of clinical medicine 2 (p3) are ...
Reference
Author AA, editor. Title of book [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition].Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL/doi: (if available)
Preston CL, editor. Stockley's Drug Interactions [Internet]. 12th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2019 [modified 2021 May 19; cited 2021 Jun 30]. Available from: https://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/stockley/current/
Adameova A, editor. General pharmacology for pharmacists: principles and applications [Internet]. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2013 [cited 2021 Jun 16]. Available from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3022269
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
The principles of general pharmacology look at (4 p187) ...
or
The principles of general pharmacology look at 4 (p187) ...
Ebook with multiple editors
Reference
Author AA, Author BB, Author CC, editors. Title of book [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition].Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL/doi: (if available)
Aulton ME, Taylor K, editors. Aulton's Pharmaceutics: the design and manufacture of medicines [Internet]. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier; 2018 [cited 2021 Jun 16]. Available from: https://elsevierelibrary.co.uk/pdfreader/aultons-pharmaceutics-ebook
Qureshi Z, Rodrigues M, editors. The Unofficial Guide to Radiology : Chest, Abdominal, Orthopaedic X Rays, plus CTs, MRIs and Other Important Modalities [Internet]. Edinburgh: Qureshi Enterprises; 2014 [cited 2021 Jun 28]. Available from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5060843
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
When manufacturing medicines (4 p301) ...
or
When manufacturing medicines 4 (p301)
Chapter in an edited book
The author of the chapter you are referencing is always given at the start of the reference.
Use this format for a chapter in an edited book, where the contents page shows that the chapters have been written by several different people. This format can also apply to a chapter written by the editor(s), or an introduction.
Reference
Author AA, Author BB. Title of chapter. Title of chapter. In: Editor AA, Editor BB, editors. Title of book. Nth ed[omit if 1st ed.]. Place of publication: Publisher; Date. Pagination.
Ward-Platt MP. Neonates. In: Walker R, Whittlesea C, editors. Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2012. p. 121-131.
McHugh K. Image enhancement. In: Cox WAS, Hayre CM, editors. General radiography: principles & practices. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2020. p. 33-59.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
early neonatal mortality (5 p302) is discussed ...
or
early neonatal mortality 5 (p302) is discussed ...
Reference
Author AA, Author BB. Title of chapter. In: Editor AA, Editor BB, editors. Title of the book [Internet]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited date YYYY Mon DD]. p. number. Page or chapter number/s. Available from: URL doi: (if available)
Example with a chapter number given
Greer D. Dyspepsia, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease. In: Whittlesea C, Hodson K, editors. Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics [Internet]. 6th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2019 [cited 2021 Jun 18]. Chapter 9. Available from: https://elsevierelibrary.co.uk/product/clinical-pharmacy-therapeutics-ebook
Example with page numbers given
Thakur SS, Harendra SP, Schwable CH, Yong G, Defang O. Solubilization of poorly soluble drugs: CyclodextrinBased formulations. In: Ouyang D, Smith SC, editors. Computational pharmaceutics: Application of molecular modeling in drug delivery [Internet]. New York: John Wiley; 2015 [cited 2021 Jun 29]. p. 58-85. Available from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/reader.action?docID=4036415
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Greer (8 p164) discusses dyspepsia ...
or
Greer 8 (p164) discusses dyspepsia ...
Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias
Examples of dictionary or encyclopaedia entries are found in collections such as Credo Reference.
Reference
Editor Initials, editor [if any]. Title of reference book. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Vol. No.[if any] Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Title of entry; Pagination.
Law J, Martin EA, editors. Oxford concise medical dictionary. 10th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2020. 874
British Pharmacopoeia 2008 Volume I. London: Stationery Office; 2007. Allopurinol; p. 89-91.
When giving pagination shorten wherever possible - do not repeat page numbers unless they are suffixed by a letter: pages 125-127 should be given as 125-7 but 125A-127A would remain as 125A-127A
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Jones states that "Empty gelatin capsules are designed to have a moisture content between 13 and 16%".(8 p304 )
or
Jones states that "Empty gelatin capsules are designed to have a moisture content between 13 and 16%".8 (p304)
Reference
Editor Initials, editor [if any].Title of reference book [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Title of entry; [note of any update/revision date; cited date YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL
Mosby. Mosby’s Medical Dictionary [Internet]. 8th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby; 2017. Kanamycin sulfate; [cited 2021 Jul 02]. Available from: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1239147&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Merriam-Webster medical dictionary [Internet]. Springfield (MA): Merriam-Webster Incorporated; c2015. Concussion; [cited 2016 May 16]. Available from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/ medical/concussion
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Jones states that "Empty gelatin capsules are designed to have a moisture content between 13 and 16%".(8 p304 )
or
Jones states that "Empty gelatin capsules are designed to have a moisture content between 13 and 16%".8 (p304)
Multi Volume works
Many medical texts are published in more than one volume because the number of pages is too large to be contained in one physical volume. If a book is published in multiple volumes, and if each volume has a separate title, the volumes may be cited individually.
Reference
Authors/editors [if any]. Book title. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Volume number, Volume title [if any]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication. Title of entry [if any]; Pagination.
British pharmacopoeia. Vol. 1. London: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; 2018. Disodium hydrogen phosphate; p. 833-4.
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
Disodium hydrogen phosphate (1 p93) can be used ...
or
Disodium hydrogen phosphate 1 (p93) can be used ...
Reference
Authors/editors [if any]. Book title [Internet]. Nth ed [not needed if 1st edition]. Volume number, Volume title [if any]. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication [note of any update/revision date; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Title of entry [if any]; Pagination. Available from:
Pazhayattil AB, Sayeed-Desta N, Fredro-Kumbaradzi E, Collins J. Solid oral dose process validation [Internet]. Volume 1, The basics. Toronto, Canada: Springer; 2018 [cited 2021 Jul 02]. Available from: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-02472-7
In-text Citation/Reference List
Remember this will be a running number at the first use of a reference. If the reference is re-used then repeat the number allocated.
Keep your style constant, either parenthesis (number) throughout, or superscript number. Do not change between the two. If your department recommends a particular style then use that.
The solid oral dose process (1 p93) is used when ...
or
The solid oral dose process 1 (p93) is used when ...