Pharmacy最新文献

Introduction: As the pharmaceutical advertising landscape evolves with digital advancements, this study examines public awareness and perceptions of medication advertisements in Saudi Arabia. It focuses on the effects of regulatory frameworks and evaluates how they influence public understanding and attitudes toward these advertisements.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey in Saudi Arabia in December 2023. The survey was distributed on social media platforms and reached a diverse sample of 440 participants. It covered public perception and attitudes toward drug advertisements, knowledge of regulatory laws, and preferences regarding advertising mediums.

Results: Out of the 440 participants in the study, who were primarily employees with bachelor's degrees, there was a clear awareness of drug advertisements. The average age of the group was 33 years, and a significant portion (71.1%) held a bachelor's degree, with 51.1% being employed. The findings revealed that 25.5% of participants frequently noticed drug ads, while 22.7% saw them very often. Although many found the ads informative, there were significant concerns about unrealistic expectations and the risk of overmedication; 89.8% believed the ads set unrealistic expectations about the effectiveness of medications. Additionally, 60.7% thought that celebrity endorsements might mislead the audience, and 91.1% felt that ads should provide more detailed information about potential risks and side effects. Regarding preferred advertising platforms, mobile apps and websites were favored (47%), followed closely by social media (46.4%). A striking 93.2% of participants believed that drug ads on social media should be subject to stricter regulations, and 96.4% wanted more proactive monitoring of online advertising. Many also reported using other sources, such as medical review sites, to verify medication information.

Conclusions: Pharmaceutical advertising in Saudi Arabia must balance ethical transparency with educational value. The influence of digital platforms underscores the necessity for stricter regulation and accurate information dissemination. A collaborative approach is essential to align advertising practices with public health interests and regulatory standards.

Background: This study aims to compare resource utilization and staff satisfaction between the point-of-care (POC) activated system and the traditional intravenous piggyback (PB) system in hospital pharmacy settings.

Methods: Employing a pre-post quasi-experimental design from November 2019 to April 2020, the study assessed resource requirements for both the POC activated system and the traditional PB system. Additionally, a staff satisfaction survey was conducted, focusing on staff experiences related to the pharmacy preparation process and the subsequent activation of the system by nurses.

Results: The POC activated system required significantly fewer full-time equivalents (FTEs) per month compared to the PB system (0.36 ± 0.05 vs. 1.56 ± 0.07; p < 0.0001). Using POC in automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) reduced medication administration time and returns (6.41% vs. 1.75%; p < 0.0001). The staff satisfaction survey revealed greater satisfaction with the POC activated system. A subsequent analysis showed the POC activated system had a low expiration rate of 0.1% and a cost of 39 Saudi riyal, while the traditional system had higher expiration rates and cost of 46,260 SR.

Conclusions: The POC activated system reduced FTEs, decreased returned medications, and enhanced staff satisfaction compared to the PB system.

Pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception (HC) is supported by a majority of pharmacists and pharmacy students; however, few studies have evaluated perceptions of non-community pharmacists, or differences in geographic areas. The primary objective of this study is to assess differences between community and non-community pharmacists in perceptions of pharmacist-prescribing HC in Georgia, a state that does not currently permit this practice. Secondary objectives include assessment of community pharmacist interest in prescribing HC, and differences in perceptions between pharmacists in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. A survey was emailed in early 2022 to 2592 Georgia pharmacists, with Likert questions assessing interest, perceptions, comfort, and perceived barriers regarding pharmacist-prescribed HC. Chi square testing identified differences between groups. The completed survey response rate was 11.8%. Regardless of practice site, a majority agreed that pharmacists are well trained to prescribe HC (community 61.8% vs. non-community 68.1%, p = 0.25) and provision of HC services is within pharmacists' scope (community 73.6% vs. non-community 74.2%, p = 0.90). Overall, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan community pharmacist perceptions were similar; however, more metropolitan pharmacists believed pharmacists are well trained to prescribe HC (66.7% vs. 48.7%, p = 0.049) and that it is within their scope of practice (78.1% vs. 61.5%, p = 0.045). In summary, the majority of pharmacists, regardless of practice type, believe that pharmacists are prepared to prescribe HC and that it is a part of pharmacists' professional scope of practice.

While the need to measure burnout, stress and mental health among pharmacy students has been emphasized in the literature, there is limited information on which validated scales should be used. The objective of this scoping review was to identify published studies that used validated scales for burnout, stress and mental health among pharmacy students to provide recommendations for implementation at schools/colleges of pharmacy. Thirty-two out of 153 articles published in the United States from 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2022 were included and categorized into studies measuring stress (20), burnout (4) and depression/anxiety (8). The most common validated scales used to assess stress and burnout among pharmacy students were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, respectively. For mental health, anxiety was most commonly investigated using a variety of scales such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; the Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-item was used to measure depression in two studies. Validity, ease of use, cost and generalizability are important considerations for selecting a scale. The PSS has been studied extensively in pharmacy students and has been correlated with other well-being domains. Studies that measured burnout and mental health (specifically, depression and anxiety) have less published evidence among pharmacy students.

Pharmacists, essential healthcare providers, face significant challenges in professional satisfaction and well-being. This study investigates the factors influencing pharmacists' professional satisfaction, mainly focusing on workload, organizational support, job autonomy, work-life balance, and resilience against burnout. Data were collected from relevant online forums on Facebook and Reddit using a netnographic methodology. The data were anonymized and thematically coded to identify key themes from 23 conversation threads, primarily involving or concerning Romanian pharmacists. The analysis revealed several critical issues: widespread dissatisfaction with salaries, challenges in professional recognition, and the demanding nature of university education. Additional themes included economic and financial insights, global trends and technological impacts, personal experiences and satisfaction, professional growth and education, regulatory and market environment, and workplace dynamics. Findings indicate these factors significantly impact pharmacists' job satisfaction and overall well-being. The study concludes that addressing these issues through targeted interventions, such as policy reforms, educational updates, and enhanced organizational support, can improve the professional lives of pharmacists, thereby enhancing their contributions to healthcare outcomes.

To enhance the digital competencies of pharmacy students, the Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy at Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf developed and evaluated a theoretical module on digital health and data analysis. This innovative module integrated a continuous glucose-monitoring (CGM) wearable device into teaching, providing students with in-depth practical experience and a 2.5 h seminar on digital health and CGM systems. Students' knowledge of CGM and self-assessment of their CGM competencies were assessed in a pre-post manner. Additionally, students' satisfaction with the module and their perceptions of the future integration of digital health training and the role of wearables in pharmacy practice were also assessed after the module. A total of 39 final-year pharmacy students completed the module conducted in June 2024 as part of the clinical pharmacy seminar. In total, 32 students completed the pre- and post-knowledge tests and self-assessment questionnaires. Both the knowledge and the students' self-assessment of CGM-related skills after the module increased significantly (p < 0.05). Students expanded their knowledge regarding digital health solutions, in particular the CGM systems, and increased their self-reported competence in CGM-related skills. With this module, an important foundation was laid, as this is the first theoretical module including the essentials of CGM digital health tools for pharmacy students in Germany.

Medication adherence is important for the appropriate drug-based treatment in patients with chronic diseases, especially those with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate medication adherence among patients with CVDs using subjective and objective measurements. We enrolled outpatients who visited Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital from June to December 2022. As a subjective measurement, we used a self-reported questionnaire developed by Ueno et al., which consists of 12 questionnaire items grouped into the following four domains: medication compliance (subjective compliance), collaboration with health care providers (collaboration), willingness to access and use information about medication (willingness), and acceptance to take medication and how taking medication fits a patient's lifestyle (acceptance). The pill counting method was used as an objective measurement to calculate the medication adherence rate; Poor Adherence was defined as a medication adherence rate of <100%. Ninety-four patients were analyzed. No statistically significant differences were observed between the patients in the Good and Poor Adherence groups classified by pill counting, an objective indicator; in the subjective evaluation index Ueno scale scores of subjective compliance, collaboration, willingness, and acceptance domains; and in the total score. A multivariate analysis revealed that obesity (odds ratio, 3.527; 95% confidence interval, 1.387-9.423; p = 0.008) was an independent factor associated with Poor Adherence. In conclusion, we found a discrepancy between subjective and objective measurements for the evaluation of medication adherence. Furthermore, obesity was an independent factor associated with poor medication adherence assessed by the pill counting method; thus, patients with CVD and obesity require a careful follow-up.

Many countries are experiencing an increased use of unregulated benzodiazepines in combination with opioids and other drugs, which contributes to drug-related harm. This descriptive review identifies and synthesises the outcomes of studies co-prescribing benzodiazepines and opioids. A systematic review was undertaken in Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Embase, and the Cochrane databases covering publications from 1 January 1991 to 18 November 2021. Inclusion criteria were peer reviewed, English language studies of adults prescribed opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and a concurrent benzodiazepine, and reporting outcome data. Of the 4370 titles screened, 18 papers were included. The main outcomes identified covered all-cause mortality (ACM) (n = 5); overdose death (n = 3); retention in treatment (n = 7); and hospitalisation/emergency department encounters (n = 2). Other outcomes included QTc interval, cognitive function, illicit drug use, and mental health. The prescription of benzodiazepines alongside OAT increased the ACM by 75-90%, while evidence on overdose death was less robust but indicative of increased risk (40-334%). There was an indicative positive effect on treatment retention, with increased retention in those prescribed a benzodiazepine with OAT compared to those not prescribed or taking non-prescribed benzodiazepines. In conclusion, methodologically robust epidemiological studies found increased ACM and overdose death but possibly improved retention. However confounders (e.g., psychiatric comorbidity) exist, so a trial is recommended.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a complex condition to manage. Patients with a greater understanding and knowledge of their condition might achieve better glycemic control than others. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist-led diabetes education on the knowledge and attitude of individuals with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study which was conducted at a diabetes clinic in Khartoum, Sudan. The study population was adult individuals with T2DM who attended the diabetes clinic. The estimated sample size was 182 participants. The participants were selected randomly by a simple random sampling method. The knowledge and attitudes of the participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study after 12 months. The intervention was carried out through educational materials about diabetes and medications for its treatment.

Results: The majority of the participants were females. The mean age was 54.5 (±10) years. Most participants had a family history of diabetes (69.2%). The mean knowledge score after the intervention was increased by 1.4 (±0.1) from baseline, p value (<0.001), while the mean attitude score was increased by 1.7 (±0.2) from baseline, p value (<0.001). At baseline, 14.8% of the participants had a high level of knowledge and 18.7% had a negative attitude, while after intervention for 12 months, 28.5% of them had a high level of knowledge and 16.8% had a negative attitude (p values < 0.001, 0.032, respectively).

Conclusions: The knowledge of and attitudes towards diabetes differed significantly as a result of the educational program provided by the clinical pharmacist.

Self-medication without a medical or dental prescription is an action that leads to a significant problems associated with the overuse of medication in Brazil. The inappropriate use of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) leads to problems related to microbial agent resistance and gastrointestinal complications. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the patterns of antibiotic and NSAIDs consumption among the adult population of Brazil. The questionnaire was answered by 400 people residing in Brazil who had access to the link in the year 2023. The findings showed that approximately 89.5% of the volunteers had used NSAIDs, and 32.2% had used antibiotics whether or not these medications had been prescribed by doctors or dentists. It was noted that a large proportion of the adverse effects reported by the volunteers involved symptoms related to gastrointestinal complaints. There was a high prevalence of NSAIDs consumption in the studied population, which is consistent with the high frequency of risk of adverse reactions caused by these drugs, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. In relation to antibiotics, it was observed that the non-prescription consumption of these medications by the population was considered high, reaching one-third of the total number of volunteers who consumed such medications.