Ceska a Slovenska Farmacie最新文献

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a serious clinical and social issue. The questionnaire-based study was performed to assess the management of VVC in Lviv, Ukraine. Totally 408 women were enrolled in the survey. The lifetime prevalence of VVC was high (72.6 %). 35.8 % of women had VVC during the last year with the predominance of 1 episode (72.6 %). The most common symptoms were vaginal itching and cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, affecting 89.7 % and 71.7 % of women with VVC, respectively. Stress (57.2 %) was the main self-reported factor associated with the VVC, followed by antibiotic therapy (49.7 %). Only 51.0 % of women with VVC sought a doctor's help, 35.2 % of women reported about self-treatment. The management of VVC included usage of medicines and nonmedicinal interventions. Oral antifungals and vaginal medicines prevailed (86.2 % and 80.7 % of woman with VVC used them, respectively). The management of VVC was associated with inappropriate interventions, such as the treatment of an asymptomatic sexual partner (22.8 %), vaginal douching (11.0 %), taking oral antifungals with only local effectiveness for gastrointestinal fungal infections (natamycin and nystatin, 15.2 % vs 14.8 % respectively), using of vaginal drugs with none antifungal activity (5.1 %), and incorrect duration of the treatment (29.1 %). Rural residence (p = 0.000) and the absence of higher education (p = 0.001) significantly contribute to the inappropriate management of VVC. The management of VVC is often associated with self-treatment and different inappropriate interventions. Educational programs are required to improve the management of VVC. Pharmacists may significantly contribute to raising patients' awareness and improving the management of VVC, especially in rural areas.

Background: Electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions) are a key element of the digital transformation of Ukraine's healthcare system. However, their implementation and usage levels vary significantly depending on the physician's specialty, years of experience, and the type of locality. This study is relevant due to the need for empirical analysis of these differences to improve the e-prescription system and enhance its overall efficiency.

Objective: To assess the impact of e-prescriptions on the workflow of physicians from various specialties and to identify patterns associated with location, professional experience, and medical specialization.

Methods: The study is based on an online survey of 86 physicians from public and municipal healthcare institutions conducted between April 2024 and April 2025. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests for associations, and calculation of means with 95 % confidence intervals were used for data analysis.

Results: General practitioners and family physicians were more likely to use e-prescriptions, particularly in remote form (82,1 % vs. 26,7 % among specialists; χ² = 23,4; p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the prescription of antibiotics (χ² = 0,74; p = 0,389) compared to other medications. The highest-rated statement among respondents was "the e-prescription is useful in my work" (mean 4,39 ± 0,78), although 17 % of physicians reported that the procedure takes more than 6 minutes to complete.

Conclusion: A total of 82,1 % of general practitioners and family physicians use the remote e-prescription functionality. Despite the high overall evaluation of the e-prescription system (mean score 4,39 ± 0,78), 17 % of physicians reported spending over 6 minutes on its issuance, indicating the need for further technical optimization and user support.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a highly valued bioactive substance with extensive use in dermatology and cosmetics. Its main effects are strong antioxidant capacity, collagen synthesis boosting, depigmentation effect and improvement of the skin barrier. Due to these properties, it is a popular ingredient in preparations intended for the prevention of aging and correction of photodamage. Despite its biological efficacy, topical use of vitamin C represents a technological challenge due to its low stability and limited ability to penetrate the skin. The work summarizes the key factors influencing its efficacy - including concentration, pH, formulation and additional stabilizing substances - and presents approaches to improve stability and absorption, including the use of derivatives, excipients or technological processes. The result is a comprehensive overview of the conditions under which effective and safe topical action of vitamin C in cosmetic preparations can be achieved.

Preparing oral powders for filling of hard capsules is one of the basic activities in pharmacies. One of the key operations that affects the resulting homogeneity of the substances in the mixture is the mixing process. Until recently, most pharmacies have used only a porcelain mortar and pestle for the mixing process, where the homogeneity of the resulting mixture is highly dependent on the experience and thoroughness of the preparing pharmacist or pharmacy assistant. In recent years, compact mixing devices that can be used in the pharmacy environment have become more widely employed. One of them is the FagronLab™ InvoMatic three-dimensional mixer. This paper evaluates the efficacy of the mixing process for a model substance using this device with three commonly available fillers. Mixing cycles were tested with different mixing speed and the same mixing time, which was set at 10 minutes. The results were compared to manual or ceramic-bead mixing. The material of the mixing vessel was also evaluated. Crystalline sodium chloride (NaCl) was chosen as the model substance, which was crushed into a fine powder before the mixing process. The individual NaCl contents in the capsules were determined using potentiometric argentometric titration with a 0.01 M silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. With one exception, the device provided a sufficiently homogeneous mixture for the preparation of oral powders, when the RSD1 value was not greater than 5. Capsules met the content uniformity test according to Czech Pharmacopoeia 2023, article 2.9.40 Uniformity of dosage units. Acceptance value (AV) was less than 15.

Contemporary pharmacy in the Czech Republic is substantially feminized profession. This article describes the process of feminization since permission for women to study pharmacy in 1900 till 2000, based on data analysis, in three aspects - number of graduates from Czech universities, number of women working in pharmacies and number of women among pharmacy owners / managers. Women predominate among graduates since after the World War II, as pharmacy workers since 1950s and pharmacy managers since 1980΄s. At the end of the analyzed period of time, women constituted as many as 80 % of graduates and pharmacy workers and 70% of pharmacy managers / owners.

Diarrhea is a common symptom that is suitable for self-treatment in a significant proportion of patients. The aim of this article was to summarize current knowledge and therapeutic options regarding the management of diarrhea in the context of self-treatment, with emphasis on the active role of the pharmacist or pharmaceutical assistant. To maximize the effect, the most appropriate therapeutic alternative should be recommended to the patient depending on the characteristics of the diarrhea and taking into account the patient's specificities and preferences, while focusing on the appropriate dosage, frequency and route of administration of the product. Over-the-counter medicines should be preferred over other categories of products and rehydration, and appropriate diet should not be forgotten. To minimize risks, attention should be paid to warning symptoms for which self-treatment is not recommended without consulting a physician and, in the context of therapeutic alternatives, to their possible contraindications, drug interactions and possible errors in their use or storage.

In practice, it is quite common to encounter patients who come to the pharmacy because of problems associated with chronic venous disease. They complain, for example, of a feeling of heavy legs, tingling, pain or swelling of the lower limbs. Chronic venous disease is often underestimated, even though it can significantly reduce the quality of life and bring other complications. It is therefore important to start treatment as early as possible, as early-stage therapy tends to be more effective and cost-effective compared to more advanced conditions. Considering that the severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the degree of venous system impairment, it is advisable for even patients with mild problems to consult their condition with a doctor. Conservative treatment consists of three complementary components - compression therapy, lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy. In addition to the conservative approach, there are also surgical methods that are the only ones able to remove the cause of the disease. However, their disadvantage is the relatively frequent recurrence. The aim of this article is to familiarize readers with the issue of chronic venous disease and present tools with which we can help patients at the pharmacy. These primarily include selecting appropriate compression aid, adjusting lifestyle habits, and recommending over-the-counter medication.

With the rising prevalence of allergic diseases also rises a demand for safe and effective options for self-medication. The main aim of this article is focused on various types of self-medication using over-the counter preparations and distinguishing the warning signals. Over-the-countermedications contain antihistaminics for local or systemic application and glucocorticoids for local application. Self-medications suitable for short-term management of less severe accute symptoms of allergies.

Breastfeeding is the optimal method of infant nutrition in early life, supporting physical health, reinforcing maternal-infant bonding, and offering economic and ecological benefits. The aim of this article is a narrative review of available professional information sources utilized by pharmacists, paediatricians, and other healthcare providers in breastfeeding pharmacotherapy decision-making. These include primary evidence (e.g., case reports, clinical lactation studies, adverse drug events reporting systems), secondary systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and tertiary sources comprising authoritative monographs (e.g., Hale's Medications & Mothers' Milk), clinical guidelines, or fact-based databases (e.g., LactMed, e-lactancia). Other information is received from regulatory documents (summary of product characteristics), websites for health care professionals, and drug information services (e.g., InfantRisk Center, Specialist Pharmacy Service). Access to such information sources enable individualized assessment of infant exposure while providing detailed data on drug transfer into breast milk, milk-to-plasma concentration ratios, and other pharmacokinetic properties, health condition of infant and mother as well as mother´s willingness to breastfeed. Critical appraisal of these sources with focus on current and evidence-based information are together with a multidisciplinary approach essential to ensure safe and effective treatment for breastfeeding women.

Gastrointestinal adverse effects are common in patients with cancer and can be exacerbated by the disease itself. These adverse effects lead to decreased quality of life and may result in discontinuation of therapy and worsening of treatment outcomes. In extreme cases, adverse effects may even result in patient death. Oncology therapy has undergone significant changes in recent decades, introducing a range of new treatments. Unfortunately, these advancements have also brought about a previously unseen spectrum of adverse effects. The first separate part of this article was devoted to diarrhoea, constipation, mucositis and anorexia. This second part discusses nausea, vomiting, and immune-related gastrointestinal adverse events of anticancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy and discusses the appropriate management of these complications.