Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy最新文献

{"title":"Impact of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination on hematological parameters in patients maintained on clozapine: A retrospective study from Qatar","authors":"Dalia Albahari ,&nbsp;Oraib Abdallah ,&nbsp;Shatha Mahmud Ismail Alqam ,&nbsp;Mohammed Faisal Hamad Mohammed ,&nbsp;Mohamed Ali Siddig Ahmed ,&nbsp;Ovais Wadoo","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>COVID-19 vaccines are known to cause transient changes in white blood cell counts as part of the immune activation process. Clozapine, an antipsychotic agent primarily prescribed for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, possesses both immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory properties that may influence vaccine-related immune responses. The concurrent use of clozapine during COVID-19 vaccination has therefore raised concerns regarding potential hematological adverse effects. Despite increasing global research in this area, data from Arab populations remain scarce, highlighting the need for region-specific evidence. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of white blood cell and absolute neutrophil count abnormalities in patients receiving clozapine who were vaccinated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A retrospective study was conducted within Qatar's public mental health services. The study included patients on clozapine who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine between February 2020 and November 2022. Hematological parameters were assessed at three time points: pre-vaccination, shortly post-vaccination, and three months post-vaccination. Demographic, clinical, and vaccine-related factors were also examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 111 vaccinated patients, 74 had complete blood test data across the three time points. No cases of agranulocytosis or other serious hematological adverse effects were observed. Mild leukopenia occurred in 6.8–8.1 % of patients, and mild neutropenia in 5.4–6.8 %. These changes were transient and not associated with clozapine dosage, vaccine type, or other clinical variables.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>COVID-19 mRNA vaccines appear safe for individuals maintained on clozapine, with only minor, temporary changes in white blood cell counts. These findings support continued vaccination efforts in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100614"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144130991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical utility of the Arabic medication-related burden quality of life (MRB-QoL) tool in hospital-based medicines optimisation services: A mixed methods feasibility study","authors":"Sundos Q. Al-Ebrahim ,&nbsp;Ahmad El Ouweini ,&nbsp;Fatima Boura ,&nbsp;Heba M. Abu Tayyem ,&nbsp;Rami Diab ,&nbsp;Omar Adas ,&nbsp;Nemah Awwad ,&nbsp;Maisam Tobeh ,&nbsp;Fatima A.L. Salame ,&nbsp;Sara A.L. Jabi ,&nbsp;Ghattas Abu Dawoud ,&nbsp;Hamzah Alzubaidi ,&nbsp;Jeff Harrison ,&nbsp;Timothy F. Chen ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Mohammed","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Medication-Related Burden Quality of Life (MRB-QoL) Arabic version is a 31-item valid and reliable measure of medication burden on functioning and well-being in people with long-term conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate the feasibility of using the Arabic MRB-QoL tool in clinical pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in United Arab Emirates (UAE) hospitals.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This non-randomised, non-controlled, feasibility study was conducted in 4 UAE hospitals, utilising a mixed-methods approach. The clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic was evaluated, covering various aspects of feasibility, including acceptability, usability, benefits, facilitators, and barriers to its implementation in practice. The study comprised 3 stages: providing training for clinical pharmacists (CPs) and nurses, implementing the Arabic MRB-QoL tool, and the System Usability Scale (SUS) survey and semi-structured interviews with CPs. The usability and perceived benefits were evaluated using qualitative interviews and a Qualtrics survey. The perceived acceptability, barriers, and facilitators were explored through analysis of the interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten CPs implemented the Arabic MRB-QoL tool during routine medication reviews for 227 admitted patients. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified key themes that highlighted the acceptability, usability, benefits, as well as facilitators, and barriers the CPs faced in implementing the tool in their routine clinical practice. In addition, the SUS survey showed an average score of 82.2, indicating excellent usability of the tool in facilitating medicines optimisation services.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study confirmed the clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic in pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in UAE hospitals, highlighting preliminary evidence of its acceptability, usability, and benefits, as well as facilitators and barriers to implementation. By promoting patient-centred medicines optimisation, the Arabic MRB-QoL tool has the potential to help healthcare providers gain insights into patients' experiences with medicines and the key dimensions of medication burden patients encounter, optimise medicines regimens, and improve patients' quality of life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144261768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Streamlining one-dose package-handling process improves operational efficiency when dispensing drugs: A retrospective study","authors":"Takahiro Kato ,&nbsp;Miki Kato ,&nbsp;Kazuyo Nagashiba ,&nbsp;Masayuki Takeuchi ,&nbsp;Masafumi Onishi","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Japanese pharmacists aim to improve efficiency and communication by simplifying work processes and developing protocols. While assistants and robots have been shown to improve drug dispensing, reports on the efficiency of pharmacies with automated dispensing systems are limited. This study explores factors affecting pharmacist efficiency in dispensing.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>77Daily reports from our hospital pharmacy (December 1, 2020–November 30, 2021) were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the mean duration of drug dispensing. Multiple regression analyses identified factors affecting dispensing time. Strategies to address these factors were implemented, and outcomes were evaluated using data from December 1, 2021–November 30, 2022.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Univariate analysis identified that the prescription/pharmacist ratio, number of one-dose package (ODP) prescriptions, and powdered drugs significantly influenced dispensing time. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the prescription/pharmacist ratio (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), ODP prescriptions (p &lt; 0.001), and powdered drugs (<em>p</em> = 0.02) were key factors. A higher number of ODP prescriptions generally increased dispensing time. After implementing a new strategy for checking ODP, mean dispensing time decreased from 20.0 ± 4.0 to 18.5 ± 3.6 min (p &lt; 0.001), and the percentage of tasks completed in under 20 min increased from 56.3 % to 73.6 % (p &lt; 0.001). Dispensing times were reduced without changing staffing levels by reallocating tasks.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Optimizing the ODP verification workflow enhances dispensing efficiency without increasing pharmacist workload, highlighting the importance of prioritizing ODP prescriptions and implementing support tools for final checks, while further multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings across diverse settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100635"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementing six sigma management to shorten the time of taking medicine from intelligent medicine cabinet in inpatient ward","authors":"Dan Zhao,&nbsp;Jie Wang,&nbsp;Mengting Sun,&nbsp;Tao Wu,&nbsp;Yingxin Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Medication errors and delays in drug dispensing are persistent challenges in traditional pharmacy systems. Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) were introduced at the study hospital in July 2022 to improve medication safety and efficiency. However, the initial implementation phase revealed several issues, including prolonged medication retrieval times, suboptimal cabinet layout, system interface limitations, and inconsistent user operations. These challenges highlighted the need for further system optimization using a structured improvement approach.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to implement an inpatient pharmacy management system based on Six Sigma methodology and compare its effectiveness with TPS in terms of medication convenience and error reduction.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Starting in July 2022, an intelligent pharmacy management model was implemented in inpatient wards, centered around ADCs and guided by the Six Sigma methodology. Comprehensive improvements were made to address issues such as baseline medication management inefficiencies and delays in retrieving medications for temporary orders. The study compared various metrics, including the time required for retrieving medications for temporary orders, medication administration time, medication error rates before after one month of implementing the intelligent system and nurses' satisfaction with the intelligent system.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared with the pre-implementation phase, the intelligent system significantly reduced the time required for nurses to retrieve medications and execute orders (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The rates of medication retrieval and administration errors also decreased (P &lt; 0.05). A majority of nurses (86.96 %) reported that the intelligent system improved work efficiency, 92.40 % found it easier to retrieve medications during emergencies, and 97.82 % expressed high satisfaction with the system.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The application of an intelligent inpatient pharmacy management system based on the Six Sigma methodology effectively reduced the time nurses needed to retrieve medications, enhanced overall nurse satisfaction, lowered error rates caused by human factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100631"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of clinical pharmacist video-based education on self-care and glycemic control in Sudanese adults with type 2 diabetes: A pre-post interventional study","authors":"Safaa Badi ,&nbsp;Sara Zainelabdein Suliman ,&nbsp;Rayan Almahdi ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Aldomah ,&nbsp;Habab Khalid Elkheir ,&nbsp;Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Mohamed H. Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diabetes affects various body systems, increasing the risk of complications.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study assessed the impact of clinical pharmacist-associated education on diabetes self-care practices and glycemic control in Sudanese individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).</div></div><div><h3>Design and methods</h3><div>This quasi-experimental study with no control group recruited 110 adults with T2DM from a diabetes clinic over 12 months using simple random sampling. We collected data through interviews and calls. Participants received 12 educational videos covering diabetes management. The intervention was video-based and delivered over 5 months. We analyzed data using SPSS version 28.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of participants was 56.2 ± 10.3 years. Self-care practices significantly improved over time. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels decreased by 16.7 mg/dL at 6 months (<em>p</em> = 0.009) and 41.9 mg/dL at 12 months (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Two-hour postprandial glucose levels dropped by 18.7 mg/dL at 6 months (<em>p</em> = 0.006) and 61.8 mg/dL at 12 months (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). HbA1c levels decreased by 1 % at6 months (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) and 1.9 % at 12 months (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). The effect size (Cohen's d) was increased from 0.26 at 6 months to 0.74 at 12 months. Similarly, it was increased for 2hrsPPG from 0.2 at 6 months to 0.74 at 12 months. For HbA1c, it was increased from 0.62 at 6 months to 1.25 at 12 months, indicating clinically meaningful improvement in long-term glycemic control following the pharmacist intervention. LDL decreased by 9.2 mg/dL at 12 months (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), and HDL increased by 5.5 mg/dL at 12 months (<em>p</em> = 0.002). Changes in BUN and serum creatinine were insignificant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Clinical pharmacist education improved diabetes self-care practices and metabolic outcomes, including glycemic control and lipid profiles, demonstrating its role in achieving therapeutic goals for patients with T2DM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100617"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A qualitative exploration of community pharmacist views on providing a mental health and well-being intervention for long-term condition patients","authors":"Patrick Cabasag ,&nbsp;Kebede Beyene ,&nbsp;Frederick Sundram ,&nbsp;Amy Hai Yan Chan ,&nbsp;Holly Wilson ,&nbsp;Jeff Harrison","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Subthreshold depression and anxiety are common, affecting up to 24 % of people over their lifetime and are often associated with long-term conditions. Community pharmacists, who often have an established relationship with people who have long-term conditions, are well placed to identify and address subthreshold depression and anxiety and reduce the risk of progression to clinical mental health disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured individual qualitative interviews were conducted with community pharmacists to explore their perspectives on a pharmacy service for long-term condition patients with subthreshold depression and anxiety. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed in intelligent verbatim and analysed using a General Inductive Approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eleven purposively selected community pharmacists from diverse backgrounds were interviewed. Four main themes were identified, each with several subthemes. These related to existing support mechanisms for delivering long-term condition and mental health services in community pharmacies, pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes toward service delivery, barriers and facilitators to service implementation, and the design and implementation of a service.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This is the first study to explore community pharmacists' perspectives on a pharmacy intervention for long-term condition patients with subthreshold depression and anxiety. Overall, community pharmacists expressed positive attitudes toward delivering an intervention for people with long-term conditions and subthreshold depression and anxiety. Future work would involve taking a co-design approach to developing and evaluating such an intervention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multidisciplinary perspective on a pharmacist-led vaccination clinic in a regional cancer care setting: A qualitative study","authors":"Kristoffer Johnstone ,&nbsp;Joyce Cooper ,&nbsp;John Smithson ,&nbsp;Beverley Glass","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Immunosuppression in patients with cancer increases susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases, with suboptimal vaccination rates attributed to complex treatment schedules, timing of vaccination and uncertainty in relation to vaccination effectiveness. While pharmacists are routinely vaccinating patients in the community, high-risk cohorts, such as oncology patients, often lack access to dedicated vaccine services in hospital outpatient settings. Pharmacist-led vaccination clinics offer a promising solution to overcome existing barriers by integrating accessible, trusted healthcare professionals into patients' treatment location, to improve uptake through timely, co-located, and coordinated care. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals regarding the implementation of a pharmacist-led vaccine clinic in an outpatient oncology unit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists, nurses, and doctors from a single site regional referral hospital. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, deductively and inductively coded and thematically analysed, with emerging themes mapped to the constructs of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory: relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, observability and trialability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nineteen interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals, including seven pharmacists, six nurses and six doctors. Factors identified for successful implementation of a pharmacist-led vaccination clinic included patient-centred models, improved convenience and reduced complexity for patients, and compatibility with pharmacists' existing knowledge and role in outpatient units. Barriers were found to be work overload for pharmacists, reduced interaction with general practitioners, and lack of understanding of pharmacists' vaccination training.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Healthcare professionals expressed strong support for a pharmacist-led vaccine clinic in an outpatient oncology unit, recognising the potential to improve vaccination rates. Future research should however focus on assessing patient acceptance of such a service and the impact of such a clinic on vaccination rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100633"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the barriers and facilitators to effective communication with people with age-related hearing loss in community pharmacy settings","authors":"Shanice Thomas ,&nbsp;Jane Griffiths ,&nbsp;Gabrielle Saunders ,&nbsp;Denham Phipps ,&nbsp;Chris Todd ,&nbsp;Penny Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As populations age, there is a growing number of people who are affected by age-related hearing loss, who are living with chronic health conditions, treated using multiple medicines. Community pharmacy plays an important role in ensuring safe and effective medicine use.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study explored the barriers and facilitators to effective communication with people with age-related hearing loss in the community pharmacy setting.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen pharmacy users with self-reported age-related hearing loss in the United Kingdom (UK). Eight community pharmacists took part across two focus groups and one interview<em>.</em> Using a deductive-inductive approach to framework analysis, three overarching themes were generated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>‘Navigating the environment’ highlights barriers related to pharmacists reportedly high workloads and time pressures, also reflected in pharmacy user's accounts. Background noise reduced the confidentiality and effectiveness of communication. Participants had differing views on the extent to which hearing aids could overcome these challenges. ‘Debating the need to communicate and to disclose hearing loss’ reflects barriers relating to pharmacy users' tendency to not disclose their needs, in relation to their personal feelings (embarrassment), perceptions of, and limited contact with, community pharmacy services. Yet, pharmacists emphasised a need to know about hearing loss to adapt communication effectively. Participants reported similar and distinct perspectives regarding ‘coping strategies and solutions to communicate effectively’.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Participants identified a need to improve pharmacists' capacity to implement communication adaptations for people with hearing loss, for which pharmacists suggested digital interventions, and to visibly recognise sensory needs, to promote disclosure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100573"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143937790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of patient perception and administration technique of vaginal tablets at a tertiary care women's hospital","authors":"Nirmal Raj Marasine ,&nbsp;Garima Kunwar ,&nbsp;Manisha Chaudhary ,&nbsp;Anjana Adhikari ,&nbsp;Sabina Sankhi","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Vaginal tablets offer an effective and patient-friendly route for both localized and systemic therapies, bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism and minimizing gastrointestinal side effects. However, in low-resource settings like Nepal, their optimal use is often hindered by patient's perception and administration techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess patient perception and administration technique of vaginal tablets at a tertiary women's hospital in Nepal.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2024 among 117 women of reproductive age visiting a tertiary care women's hospital in Kathmandu. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a validated 8-item perception questionnaire and an 8-item administration technique checklist. Bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with patients' perceptions and administration techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>More than half (56.4 %) of the patient's demonstrated adequate administration techniques (scores ≥6), yet a striking 76.1 % exhibited suboptimal perceptions towards vaginal tablet use. Factors such as being unmarried, having lower educational attainment (illiterate or school level education), being unemployed or a housemaker, residing in rural areas, and lacking prior experience were significantly associated with poorer perceptions. Notably, younger age, prior use and counseling by pharmacists were positively linked to better administration techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite adequate administration practices among most women, suboptimal perceptions persist, influenced by demographic and experiential factors. Tailored, provider-led educational interventions focusing on counseling and user-friendly instructions are essential to enhance patient understanding, comfort, and adherence, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes and empowering women in their reproductive health decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100632"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144588038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A mixed-methods study investigating the potential and challenges of generic substitution of controlled substances in community pharmacies","authors":"I.M. Keller ,&nbsp;J.M. Alexa ,&nbsp;M.W. Meier ,&nbsp;S.S. Allemann","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Using generics became an established practice. Studies about dispensing practices of generic controlled substances are scarce.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We investigated dispensing practices of generic controlled substances compared to non-controlled substances, challenges community pharmacists face when substituting them, and how they can be better supported.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods approach was employed. We descriptively analyzed prescribing and dispensing rates of originals and generics of controlled and non-controlled substances. Ten community pharmacists were interviewed to investigate challenges and support options.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven hundred eight prescriptions were included in the data analysis. Physicians prescribed 54 % (167/307) of originals for controlled substances and 50 % (202/401) of originals for non-controlled substances (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). A total of 37 % (62/167) of prescriptions for original controlled substances were substituted with generics in community pharmacies in contrast to 74 % (149/202) of prescriptions for original non-controlled substances (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Challenges mentioned by the interviewees included gaining trust in the context of generic controlled substance use, meeting patients' needs, and legal regulations. They named support measures, such as patient education by physicians, and reduction of the administrative workload.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The analysis revealed a significantly lower substitution rate for controlled substances compared to non-controlled substances in pharmacies. Yet, physicians showed similar prescribing rates of originals and generics. The findings support the need to strengthen the collaboration between healthcare providers, and to improve education as well as awareness to ensure adequate patient care when substituting generic controlled substances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100622"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}