Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Pharmacy technicians: Expanding role with uniform expectations, education and limits in scope of practice

. Sandra Benavides; . Kerry Anne Rambaran

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 135-137

Abstract

Onset of action of atypical and typical antipsychotics in the treatment of acute psychosis

. Seyed Ghafur Mousavi; . Hamze Rostami; . Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi; . Atefeh Saeidi Boroujeni; . Behzad Mahaki

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 138-144

Abstract

Objective: Antipsychotic medications are the frontline treatment for the most psychotic disorders. The aim of this study is to compare the onset of action of the first and second generation ... Read More

Medication reconciliation and prescribing reviews by pharmacy technicians in a geriatric ward

. Thomas Croft Buck; . Louise Smed Gronkjaer; . Marie-Louise Duckert; . Jens-Ulrik Rosholm; . Lise Aagaard

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 145-150

Abstract

Objective: Incomplete medication histories obtained on hospital admission are responsible for more than 25% of prescribing errors. This study aimed to evaluate whether pharmacy technicians ... Read More Objective: Incomplete medication histories obtained on hospital admission are responsible for more than 25% of prescribing errors. This study aimed to evaluate whether pharmacy technicians can assist hospital physicians’ in obtaining medication histories by performing medication reconciliation and prescribing reviews. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether the interventions made by pharmacy technicians could reduce the time spent by the nurses on administration of medications to the patients.Methods: This observational study was conducted over a 7 week period in the geriatric ward at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Two pharmacy technicians conducted medication reconciliation and prescribing reviews at the time of patients’ admission to the ward. The reviews were conducted according to standard operating procedures developed by a clinical pharmacist and approved by the Head of the Geriatric Department.Findings: In total, 629 discrepancies were detected during the conducted medication reconciliations, in average 3 for each patient. About 45% of the prescribing discrepancies were accepted and corrected by the physicians. “Medication omission” was the most frequently detected discrepancy (46% of total). During the prescribing reviews, a total of 860 prescription errors were detected, approximately one per medication review. Almost all of the detected prescription errors were later accepted and/or corrected by the physicians. “Dosage and time interval errors” were the most frequently detected error (48% of total). The time used by nurses for administration of medicines was reduced in the study period.Conclusion: This study suggests that pharmacy technicians can contribute to a substantial reduction in medication discrepancies in acutely admitted patients by performing medication reconciliation and focused medication reviews. Further randomized, controlled studies including a larger number of patients are required to elucidate whether these observations are of significance and of importance for securing patient safety.

Social risk factors and outcome analysis of poisoning in an Iranian referral medical center: A toxico-epidemiological approach

. Ali Mohammad Sabzghabaee; . Marzieh Soleimani; . Ziba Farajzadegan; . Sarah Hosseinpoor; . Seyyed Mohammad Mahdy Mirhossein; . Nastaran Eizadi-Mood

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 151-155

Abstract

Objective: Suicide is the second major reason of death in the age range of 15‑24 and is the eighth reason for overall death of adults. Because of high accessibility of people ... Read More

Comparative study for the efficacy, safety and quality of life in patients of chronic myeloid leukemia treated with Imatinib or Hydroxyurea

. Parveen Jain; . V. N. R. Das; . Alok Ranjan; . Rahul Chaudhary; . Krishna Pandey

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 156-161

Abstract

Objective: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematopoietic disorder caused by acquired genetic defect in pluripotent stem cells characterized by acquisition of the philadelphia ... Read More Objective: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematopoietic disorder caused by acquired genetic defect in pluripotent stem cells characterized by acquisition of the philadelphia chromosome. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety and quality of life (QoL) in CML patients treated with imatinib or hydroxyurea.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 40 patients with pathologically confirmed CML in an in‑patient department of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre (tertiary care cancer hospital) in India. Patients were divided into two groups (group A: Imatinib consuming patients and group B: Hydroxyurea consuming patients). Complete blood count was done every month to assess the efficacy and safety/toxicity profile of these drugs. The results were analyzed 12 months after completion of treatment. QoL was assessed by The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire core 30. Hematological response was analyzed using kaplan‑meier survival analysis. Chi‑square test was applied to assess the association of two regimens with complete hematological response, hematological and non‑hematological toxicity. White blood cell (WBC) was noted each month in every patient of each group and analyzed by generalized linear mode (repeated measures) analysis of variance (ANOVA). Independent t‑test was used to compare changes in QoL between treatment groups.Findings: At the end of treatment, significant improvement (P = 0.001) in hematological response was observed in the group A (95%) compared to group B (30%). WBC count analyzed at each month of treatment by ANOVA achieved better results for patients treated with imatinib (P = 0.0001). The hematological toxicity was higher in imatinib group while non‑hematological toxicity was higher in the hydroxyurea group; however only little toxicities such as nausea and constipation were statistically significant. QoL assessment of patients related to functional scale showed significantly better results in group A (P = 0.046).Conclusion: The study showed that imatinib has better profile compared to hydroxyurea, with siginificant statistical differences in terms of efficacy, non‑hematological toxicity and QoL in CML patients. Even with such better efficacy and safety profile, pharmacoeconomic evaluation needs to be done to justify and support the use of imatinib for CML patients in India.

Cost analysis of childhood asthma in Iran: A cost evaluation based on referral center data for asthma and allergies

. Mohammad Ali Rezvanfar; . Abbas Kebriaeezadeh; . Mostafa Moein; . Shekoufeh Nikfar; . Zahra Gharibnaseri; . Akbar Abdollahi-Asl

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 162-168

Abstract

Objective: Asthma as the most common chronic disease in childhood reduces the quality of life of children and their families. We aimed to estimate the cost of managing childhood asthma ... Read More Objective: Asthma as the most common chronic disease in childhood reduces the quality of life of children and their families. We aimed to estimate the cost of managing childhood asthma in Iran and to examine its variability depending on asthma severity.Methods: The cost of asthma was estimated by building a cost assessment model regarding the factors that influence the cost of asthma in children including age and sex distribution, prevalence of disease severity, level of resource utilization depending on disease severity (3 groups of controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled were defined). The model was comprised of both medical (cost of medication, physician visit and respiratory tests) and non-medical (transportation and hoteling) costs. Furthermore, the average family income in each category was figured and the share of asthma managing costs from the average income was calculated in different groups.Findings: According to model, the total cost of childhood asthma in Iran was around 516.5 million dollars. Moreover, direct medical cost represented 49% of the total costs, among which 66% accounting for medication cost. Direct non-medical costs were estimated 51% with the majority (93%) expended on transportation. In addition, the mean annual cost per child was approximately 466 dollars. In addition, the results indicate the vast majority of patients (46%) are categorized in the uncontrolled group.Conclusion: The cost of childhood asthma in Iran is extremely high comparing to the average income of Iranian families in all categories of asthma severity. Considering the high amount of transportation cost, the accessibility of asthma treatment does not appear to be acceptable. The major source of costs is found to be related to medicine expenditure. Since it has been proven that using medicine does not necessarily result in a well-controlled disease status, alternative approaches should be considered in asthma management.

Fixed drug eruption due to clarithromycin

. Santoshi Balkrishna Malkarnekar; . Naveen L

Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2013, Pages 169-171

Abstract

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an unusual adverse effect of any drug, especially antibiotics like clarithromycin. Herein we report a case of clarithromycin induced FDE in a 30‑year‑old ... Read More

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Volume & Issue: Volume 2, Issue 4, October 2013

Pharmacy technicians: Expanding role with uniform expectations, education and limits in scope of practice

Abstract

Onset of action of atypical and typical antipsychotics in the treatment of acute psychosis

Abstract

Medication reconciliation and prescribing reviews by pharmacy technicians in a geriatric ward

Abstract

Social risk factors and outcome analysis of poisoning in an Iranian referral medical center: A toxico-epidemiological approach

Abstract

Comparative study for the efficacy, safety and quality of life in patients of chronic myeloid leukemia treated with Imatinib or Hydroxyurea

Abstract

Cost analysis of childhood asthma in Iran: A cost evaluation based on referral center data for asthma and allergies

Abstract

Fixed drug eruption due to clarithromycin

Abstract