Pharmacy Network Research Articles

The Role of Pharmacists in Minimizing the Risk Inherent in Unbundled Telehealth Services: A 12-Month Retrospective Case Study

Pharmacists have often been viewed as the last line of defence against prescription errors in traditional care models. Although a large number of chronic care patients are using telehealth services to increase their access to continuous care, researchers have yet to investigate prescription safety in such settings in Australia. The absence of this literature is particularly concerning in the context of the Australian Government’s admission in a 2024 report that the national health system has not adequately addressed the World Health Organization’s ‘Medication without harm’ objective. One of the report’s key findings was that knowledge on digital direct-to-consumer services is insufficient. A defining feature of some of these services is their unbundling of the pharmacy component, which logically increases the risk for prescription errors. This study analyzed the frequency of which the Cloud pharmacy network intercepted prescription errors in an unbundled digital sexual dysfunction service for men. Investigators found that Cloud pharmacists were responsible for intercepting 22 (5.31%) the 414 prescribing errors observed in the Pilot Australia service in 2023, including 12 (8.05%) of the 149 prescription errors for premature ejaculation (PE) patients and 10 (3.77%) of the 265 errors for erectile dysfunction (ED) patients. Seven of the errors intercepted by Cloud pharmacists were of high or medium severity, including four drug contraindications, two cases of inadequate patient history reviews, and one case of inadequate counselling. This study also appears to be the first to provide digital prescribing error rate data in an Australian sexual healthcare setting, observing an error rate of 0.86% from 30,649 ED prescriptions, 1.13% from the 13,154 PE prescriptions, and a total prescription error rate of 0.95% (414 out of 43,792 prescriptions). These findings demonstrate the vital role of pharmacists in intercepting prescribing errors in unbundled telehealth services. Possible implications of these findings include the allocation of additional resources across the pharmacy sector and the establishment of regulatory safety standards for unbundled telehealth services.

Establishing a biologics and biosimilars committee/network: assessing educational requirements of pharmacy and other healthcare professionals

Abstract Introduction Successful professional networking involves shared, mutually beneficial interactions between individuals and/or individuals and groups1. Biologics and biosimilar medicines prescribing is rapidly evolving with an increasing number of clinical indications in healthcare2,3. Despite their importance, the absence of a structured national network dedicated to these complex therapies has left a gap in professional education and resource sharing among pharmacists. Recognising the necessity for a cohesive support system, this work explores the learning and professional needs of pharmacists regarding biologics and biosimilars and the potential development of a national pharmacy network to address these gaps. Aim The survey aimed to explore the educational needs and preference for a network and/or committee for pharmacy and other healthcare professionals focused on biologics and biosimilars medicines. Methods An electronic survey was developed and deployed for pharmacy and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of biologics and biosimilars via email cascade and social media, 12th February - 6th March 2023. The survey explored the preferred structure of the proposed group; formal committee and/or informal network, what the group would deliver, and any educational needs for members. The survey included questions about the respondent’s roles, sectors of work, regions and their clinical area(s). The open text responses were themed. The NHS health Research Authority tool was used to identify this project as service improvement and development, therefore did not require ethical approval. Results The responses received were from 46 pharmacists, 1 pharmacy technician, 15 doctors and nurses and 4 participants whose roles were unknown, working across multiple sectors; hospital, community, industry, and academia with representation from the devolved nations (n=3) and internationally (n=1). Most respondents expressed a need for a dedicated network and committee n=52 (79%), n=10 (15%) formal network, and n=4 (6%) informal committee. Common themes in response to what the group should deliver and educational needs included; harmonisation of approaches to guidelines and policies, pathway design, reduction in unwarranted variation (68%); platform to share new ideas, knowledge and peer advice (44%); strategy and leadership in service delivery and promotion of best practice and cost training, horizon scanning (29%); working collaboratively to produce multi-centre research projects (24%); to create a structured training programme for health care professionals (9%). Discussion/Conclusion The survey results highlight a gap in the current educational and professional support systems for PP’s concerning biologics and biosimilar medicines. The identified learning needs point to a strong demand for a structured network that can provide targeted education, share best practices and facilitate professional networking. The expertise within the group can also create formal eLearning programmes for healthcare professionals. This work serves as a foundational step towards the development this network, highlighting the critical areas of focus and the collective interest of the pharmacy community in bridging these gaps. The network should also facilitate communication and collaboration across different sectors, fostering a more cohesive and informed pharmacy community. Such an innovative network would not only enhance individual competency but also contribute to the overall advancement of pharmaceutical care in this specialised area.

The opinion of pharmacists about the pharmaceutical category of herbal medicines. Survey of pharmacy retail employees

Abstract. The category of herbal medicines is represented in the domestic pharmaceutical market in the form of two main groups of pharmacy product assortment – herbal medicinal preparations (HMP) and dietary supplements (DS). They often have similarities in terms of composition, dosage form, and scope of application. Hence, attitude of professional specialists that influence consumer demand and choice, to these groups of pharmacy products is important to be considered. Aim. The purpose of the study is to assess the level of knowledge, prevailing ideas, differences in the perception of HMP and DS among pharmacists working in pharmacy retail. Materials and methods. The survey of pharmacists was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire using the Google forms electronic resource. 162 specialists with at least 1 year of experience in the pharmacy sector participated in the study. The study was conducted on the basis of the “Evalar Pharmacy” pharmacy network, specializing in the sale of herbal medicines. Results. The majority of the surveyed specialists noted urological (54.0%) and neurological diseases (52.1%) as therapeutic areas where herbal medicines have real clinical value. The leading role of retail pharmacists in the choice of products by consumers was noted by 40.1% of respondents. The possibility of replacing HMP with DS in 38.0% of cases is completely denied by them, in 50.0% and 12,0% it is allowed if desired by the patient himself or in any case respectively. 59.3% of specialists point out the difference in the regulatory status of HMP and DS to consumers in their practice. In the majority of cases, they need reliable information about clinical trials on efficacy (73.6%), as well as the quality and safety of products (52.1%). Conclusions. The results of the survey show that pharmaceutical specialists are well aware of the scope, advantages and disadvantages of the phytopreparation category, see differences in HMP and DS, but in their professional activities they are more guided by the opinion of consumers.

Revolutionizing Pharmacy Benefit Management: Cost-Reduction through Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in Healthcare

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third party companies that function as intermediaries between insurance providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. PBMs create formularies, negotiate rebates (discounts paid by a drug manufacturer to a PBM) with manufacturers, process claims, create pharmacy networks, review drug utilization, and occasionally manage mail-order specialty pharmacies. [1] Pharmacy benefit management (PBM) is important for keeping prescription drug costs under control. But the problem is that drug prices keep going up, which makes things tough for the healthcare industry. In this article, we look at how fancy technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis can help PBM find new ways to save money. By using advanced technology to study a large amount of information, PBMs can find patterns and make educated guesses about how to best use medications. Artificial intelligence makes this even more advanced by helping to quickly find and stop fraud, personalize medication plans, and predict costs more accurately. Remember this: AI and data analytics are being used to make pharmacy benefit programs work better. This helps save money and makes things better for patients. We look at how machine learning models can predict patient adherence, how natural language processing (NLP) can improve medication reviews, and how blockchain technology can keep supply chains transparent and secure. Real-world examples show how these technologies are already making a difference, such as cutting down on administrative work, reducing drug waste, and getting the most out of drug utilization. As more healthcare systems start using these advanced tools, it’s becoming clear that continual innovation and the inclusion of AI and data-driven methods are essential. This article highlights the importance of staying updated with the ever-changing ways of controlling prescription drug expenses by using new technology. For pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) focused on offering the best value and working effectively despite increasing healthcare costs, adopting these advancements is not just a good choice, it's necessary.

Complexity of patient encounters within a clinically integrated community pharmacy network Medicaid payer program

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists frequently care for patients with complex medical and social needs; however, specific evidence on pharmacist perceptions of what makes a patient encounter complex has not been clearly characterized. There is a need to better understand specific factors that contribute to patient encounter complexity and demonstrate how pharmacists in community settings care for these individuals. ObjectivesThe objectives of this programmatic case study were to: (1) elucidate factors that contributed to patient encounter complexity as a part of a Medicaid Managed Care Organization comprehensive medication management payer program in community pharmacies and (2) curate a series of patient case vignettes that provide evidence of pharmacists care for patients with complex medical and social needs within community pharmacies. MethodsThis qualitative programmatic case study utilized data from semistructured interviews with community pharmacists who provided comprehensive medication management services to Medicaid patients in Pennsylvania. Pharmacists described their most complex patient encounter. Interviews were transcribed and independently coded by 2 investigators. The coded texts were grouped into categories, and a cross-case inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify complexity factors. ResultsThirty pharmacists provided 48 patient case vignettes and 3 complexity factors emerged: (1) care coordination, (2) behavioral health support, and (3) social determinants of health. Representative patient case vignettes were selected to illustrate these factors. ConclusionPharmacists, who participated in a community pharmacy Medicaid Managed Care Organization payer program, provided care to patients with complex health needs. In addition to medication-related problems, specific factors that increased pharmacist perception of encounter complexity were care coordination with other health care providers, behavioral health support, and addressing social determinants of health.

Data-driven inventory control for large product portfolios: A practical application of prescriptive analytics

Motivated by the real-world inventory management problem of a large network of pharmacies, this paper proposes and studies a practically relevant Prescriptive Analytics approach for data-driven dynamic inventory control of large portfolios of interrelated products. We extend existing research on weighted Sample Average Approximation by integrating a ‘global learning’ model that effectively exploits cross-learning opportunities within the product portfolio. The results of an extensive numerical evaluation on real-world data suggest that our approach outperforms relevant benchmarks—in particular, models that rely on ‘local learning’ strategies where weight functions are trained separately for each product. The numerical results also allow us to derive important practical and structural insights regarding the value of contextual information in our global learning framework.

Emergency contraception access in Fijian community pharmacies: A descriptive study

ObjectiveTo assess pharmacists’ knowledge regarding emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), their attitudes towards women obtaining ECPs, and ECP counselling and dispensing practices. MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics was distributed via pharmacy emails and networks to recruit registered pharmacists working in community-based pharmacies. ResultsThere were 22 valid respondents, predominantly female pharmacists (68%), with an average of 7.5 years of registration. All pharmacists knew the correct time frame after unprotected sex for ECPs to be effective, and 73% knew how ECPs worked, but only 50% knew that there were no contraindications. Most pharmacists (86%) knew that ECPs should be available to all women and girls, but only 59% thought that a married woman should not have to get permission from her husband to buy ECPs. Information or education for clients on the correct use of ECPs was mainly provided by pharmacists (59%), mostly through verbal communication (96%). Only 5% of pharmacists had used the emergency contraception methods wheels. ConclusionsThere were gaps in pharmacists’ knowledge regarding ECPs. Biases, judgemental attitudes, and suboptimal practices existed. Implications for public healthTargeted education and training for pharmacists is needed to improve access to ECPs in Fiji.

Parcours de soins rénové, e-santé et maillage officinal : une réponse complexe à la pénurie de médecins

The number of doctors in France today is far too low to meet the growing demand for patient care. An ageing population, a growing number of chronic pathologies and inequalities in access to care across the country are just some of the issues to be considered. By optimizing the care pathway, and promoting interdisciplinarity; by integrating digital health developments, such as shared medical records, new digital tools and telehealth; and by relying on the territorial network of pharmacies, banking on the dispensing pharmacist as a local public health player, France is seeking to make its healthcare system more efficient in the regions, thereby making up for the shortage of doctors.

Consensus recommendations for use of long-acting antiretroviral medications in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1: Endorsed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network, European AIDS Clinical Society, and Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

Five long-acting (LA) antiretrovirals (ARVs) are currently available in a limited number of countries worldwide for HIV-1 prevention or treatment-cabotegravir, rilpivirine, lenacapavir, ibalizumab, and dapivirine. Implementing use of LA ARVs into routine clinical practice requires significant changes to the current framework of HIV-1 prevention, treatment, and service provision. Given the novelty, complexity, and interdisciplinary requirements needed to safely and optimally utilize LA ARVs, consensus recommendations on the use of LA ARVs will assist clinicians in optimizing use of these agents. The purpose of these recommendations is to provide guidance for the clinical use of LA ARVs for HIV-1 treatment and prevention. In addition, future areas of research are also identified and discussed.

Consensus recommendations for use of long-acting antiretroviral medications in the treatment and prevention ofHIV-1: Endorsed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network, European AIDS Clinical Society, and Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists: An executive summary.

Five long-acting (LA) antiretrovirals (ARVs) are currently available in a limited number of countries worldwide for HIV-1 prevention or treatment - cabotegravir, rilpivirine, lenacapavir, ibalizumab, and dapivirine. Implementing use of LA ARVs in routine clinical practice requires significant changes to the current framework of HIV-1 prevention, treatment, and service provision. Given the novelty, complexity, and interdisciplinary requirements of safe and optimal use of LA ARVs, consensus recommendations on the use of LA ARVs will assist clinicians in optimizing use of these agents. The purpose of these recommendations is to provide guidance for the clinical use of LA ARVs for HIV-1 treatment and prevention. In addition, future areas of research are identified and discussed.

Current State of Community Pharmacist-Physician Collaboration — A Cross-sectional Survey Among Pharmacists in Poland

A patient-centered partnership between different healthcare professionals is critical to improving the quality of health services. While the cooperation of physicians, nurses, midwives, and paramedics is well documented, more and more attention is paid to the role of pharmacists in interdisciplinary care. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacist’s perception of the current state of community pharmacist-physician collaborative working as well as to identify barriers to the implementation of the community pharmacist-physician collaborative working model in Poland. This cross-sectional survey was carried out between October and December 2022 among community pharmacists in Poland. A total number of 1327 pharmacists from one of the largest franchise chain pharmacy networks in Poland were invited to take part in this study. The study questionnaire included 23 questions on the current state of pharmacist-physician collaborative working, the scope of cooperation, barriers to cooperation, and educational and organizational needs. Completed questionnaires were received from 635 pharmacists (response rate of 47.9%). Formal correction of the prescription (91.3%) was the most common cause of pharmacist-physician collaborative working. Moreover, 62.7% of pharmacists indicated that modification of ordered drugs was the reason for pharmacist-physician collaborative working. Only 3.3% of community pharmacists indicated that they collaborate with physicians during the drug review. Lack of IT systems enabling pharmacist-physician collaborative working (67.6%) and lack of recommendations on pharmacist-physician collaborative working (57.3%) were the most common barriers to collaboration with the physician. Pharmacists declare their readiness to cooperate with physicians, but there is a need to strengthen trust between both groups.

The work of pharmacy institutions in the USSR in the first period of the Great Patriotic War

This article presents an analysis of the state of the pharmacy business in the USSR during the Great Patriotic War in the peri­od 1941–1942, characterized by difficulties in supplying the army and the civilian population with medicines, the loss of a huge number of pharmacy institutions and warehouses at the beginning of the war. As a result, the supply of a number of medicines for the front and rear was completely stopped. The features of the work of pharmacists in military hospitals, civilian institutions in the country and in Len­ingrad are considered separately. The wide use of medicinal plants to fill the shortage of raw materials in the manufacture of medicines is shown. The measures taken made it possible to minimize the shortcomings in the provision of medicines and dressings and made it pos­sible for the pharmacy network to withstand the war.

“The end of the era of antibiotics” — myth or reality: what the past COVID-19 pandemic has shown

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the sale of antimicrobials (AMPs) in the pharmacy network and their purchases by healthcare facilities of the Russian Federation have significantly increased. Microbiological monitoring conducted at the City Clinical Hospital No. 67 named after L.A. Vorokhobov of the Moscow Health Department in 2020–2021 revealed an urgent problem: gram-negative bacteria, which are dominated by multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, are now mainly isolated from patients with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Pharmacoeconomic studies have shown that the cost of one course of targeted antibiotic therapy for HAIs can increase by 6–12 times compared with a similar course of therapy in the absence of nosocomial MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens.
 AIM: To increase the effectiveness of preventive measures aimed at preventing the spread of hospital-acquired pathogen strains in the intensive care unit (ICU) using effective bacteriophages against MDR strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii, which were selected in accordance with an individualized algorithm.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included two groups, totaling 20 patients, who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation in the ICU of City Clinical Hospital No. 67 named after L.A. Vorokhobov of the Moscow Health Department in 2022. The second group received 20 mL of bacteriophages via an intragastric tube for five consecutive days. The concept of a personalized approach to phage therapy for various forms of HAIs caused by nosocomial MDR pathogens in patients of a multidisciplinary hospital has been proposed and tested.
 RESULTS: With this medical technology, the effectiveness of phage therapy for various nosological forms of HAIs caused by nosocomial MDR and XDR strains increased by 30%, and the effectiveness of the initial antibiotic therapy regimen was ≥70%. The economic effect of the combination of antibiotic therapy and phage therapy (booster therapy) amounted to more than 3 million rubles compared with the use of AMP alone for treating patients with HAIs caused by nosocomial MDR/XDR strains.
 CONCLUSIONS: Booster therapy as a variant of IIB therapy reduces the cost of treatment of AMPs of various forms of HAIs by ≥2.5 times compared with AMPs alone.

Diagnosing category management in a pharmacy retail chain

The object of this study is the growing interest of the target audience in the introduction of category management tools to the business processes of pharmacy retail. In pharmaceutical practice, the methodical toolkit for the study of the category management system is not sufficiently widely presented. That is why, using the theoretical and methodological basis and conceptual principles of product category management, the evaluation methodology of the MARS Category Management Profile was devised. The purpose of the work is to introduce new approaches to the formation and management of the pharmacy assortment based on the concept of category management and to determine ways to increase the level of efficiency of its work. As a result of the research, the quantitative value of the existing and optimal result of category management in the network of pharmacies was determined. The calculations show that in the current state the goal orientation is 36 points, and in the optimal state this characteristic will be equal to 27 points, while the analysis orientation is 21 and 28 points, respectively. It has been established that categorical management is focused precisely on the analysis and adherence to research tools, and not on the uncontrolled achievement of the goal. The proposed organizational model of functional interaction of specialists in pharmacy retail could ensure the implementation of principles and the performance of complex tasks facing the category manager. The described components of the MARS category management profile will be used in practice to improve approaches to planning, information and analytical support, and control over the main management processes of the enterprise under study. This could avoid disagreements between management and medical specialists

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THYMUS SERPYLLUM L. AND THYMUS MARSCHALLIANUS WILLD. ESSENTIAL OILS BY GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH MASS SPECTROMETRY DETECTION

Introduction. Plant essential oils are natural sources of the different compounds, the action of which in the macroorganism is determined by their chemical composition, depending on environmental factors, including plant species. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition of essential oils, obtained from the aerial parts of Thymus serpyllum L. and Thymus marschallianus Willd. (Lamiaceae). Material and methods. The plant raw materials of Thymus marschallianus were collected in the flowering phase in the Saratov region in June, the plant raw materials of Thymus serpyllum were purchased in the pharmacy network. The essential oils were obtained by Ginsberg’s steam hydrodistillation method. Analysis of their chemical composition was performed by gas-liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. Results. The main components of both types of the essential oils were represented by thymol and its isomers, their mass fraction in the essential oil of T. marschallianus is 38.4, in the essential oil of T. serpyllum is 44%. The comparative analysis was carried out using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney criterion. Statistically significant differences with 95% probability were established for tricyclic sesquiterpene alkenes, the total content of which in the essential oil of T. marschallianus is 4.73%, in the essential oil of T. serpyllum – 3.59%. Conclusion. According to their chemical composition the essential oils of the mentioned plant species belong to phenolic chemotype and are similar in the major compounds.

Minimization of preventable drug waste through use of a vial combination calculator tool.

This project aimed to determine whether a supportive calculator that automates the vial selection process might offer a practical and efficient method of reducing pharmaceutical expenditures through minimizing preventable drug waste in outpatient pharmacy settings. Drug waste is a substantial target of cost-saving efforts in the areas of oncology and autoimmune therapy, which involve use of a vast number of high-cost medications packaged in single-dose vials of varying strength. To facilitate selection of the optimal combination of medication vials and thereby minimize preventable drug waste, a Microsoft Excel-based calculator was developed for use by staff of a large oncology pharmacy network. Twenty-three high-cost chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody medications were identified as initial targets for the drug waste prevention initiative. After dissemination and implementation of the calculator and provision of monthly pharmacy staff education, the dollar value of preventable drug waste and the number of suboptimal vial combination selections were reduced by 51% ($412,300) and 54% (315 selections), respectively, in fiscal year 2022 and further reduced by 46% ($183,400) and 27% (71 selections), respectively, in fiscal year 2023. After implementation of an automated vial selection tool, preventable drug waste and the quantity of suboptimal vial combination selections were markedly reduced across 11 outpatient compounding pharmacies.

Analysis of Promotion Strategy in Increasing Sales at PT Cipta Giri Sentosa

This research aims to analyze appropriate promotional tactics to increase sales at PT Cipta Giri Sentosa. This research is descriptive research with qualitative methods. The analysis technique used is SWOT Analysis. The subjects of this research are marketing managers who take care of the promotion department and several workers who play a role in promotional activities. Primary data collection used interview and observation techniques, while secondary data was obtained from documentation studies. what will happen is that research shows that management skills that can be applied to increase sales are Quadrant 1, the quadrant is in a profitable situation for the company because it carries out promotions using various events or exhibitions that can be participated in, partnership opportunities using pharmacy networks, advertising through social media. opportunities and the power of media, as a result PT Cipta Giri Sentosa can take advantage of existing opportunities and maximize its strengths. The strategy that must be implemented in this condition is to support aggressive growth policies (Growth Oriented Strategy). Proactive growth tactics can start by providing the best service to meet customer needs.

How our pharmacy network is developing research opportunities for the profession

How our pharmacy network is developing research opportunities for the profession

Удосконалення диференційної діагностики гострих пероральних та інгаляційних отруєнь сполуками талію, патогістологія та стратегія лікування (на основі групових випадків)

Analysis of literature data and own research showed an increase in the number of criminal and accidental acute poisonings with Tl compounds (Tl+) in all countries, in particular in Ukraine, which, including, is due to the availability of Tl+ on the Internet. Most often, these are group cases, often with fatal consequences or subsequent disability of patients, which is due to delayed diagnosis and late appointment of antidote therapy. It must be taken into account that in the conditions of war in Ukraine, the potential risk of using Tl+ for terrorist purposes is increased. Aim. Based on the analysis of the daily dynamics of the development of clinical manifestations, chemical-toxicological, biochemical, electroneuromyographic indicators and pathohistological data, improve the differential diagnosis of the main clinical syndromes in patients with acute oral and inhalation Tl+ compounds poisoning. Materials and Methods. A scientific analysis of literature data was carried out using reference databases of scientific libraries and own research on the daily increase of clinical, especially neurological symptoms specific for Tl+ poisoning against the background of gastrointestinal disorders. Clinical, laboratory, electroneuromyographic, toxicoanalytical and pathogistological research methods were used. Results. The daily sequence of the occurence and development of the main specific symptoms of acute Tl+ poisoning with low and high doses has been determined, which makes it possible to suspect poisoning in the first days and conduct a toxicological examination in a timely manner and prescribe antidote and detoxification therapy: in the first 2 days, the victims, against the background of gastrointestinal pathology, develop painful paresthesias not so much in the limbs, but in the oral cavity in case of oral poisoning and along the course of the upper respiratory tract, along with burning pains behind the sternum and a hoarse voice - in case of inhalation poisoning; on the 3rd-4th day before the appearance of alopecia, permanent paresthesias of the hair part of the head appear with the simultaneous appearance of focal pigmentation of the skin and darkening of the hair roots; in the first days of intoxication, intense burning symmetrical pains and paresthesias appear not only in the extremities, especially in the area of the feet, calf muscles, muscles of the inner surface of the thighs, shoulder girdle, chest, but also especially the scrotum in men and mammary glands in women. A comparison of clinical-toxicological and pathohistological indicators proved multi-organ damage to the body in case of poisoning with high doses of Tl+. Conclusions. The high toxicity of Tl+ compounds, the growth of criminal incidents, the potential risk of their use as terrorist purposes in the conditions of the war in Ukraine, determine the need for special control over the circulation of Tl+, blocking sites on the Internet that advertise the sale of highly toxic chemicals. The problem of ensuring the availability of a specific Ferrocin antidote in the pharmacy network, as well as the creation of an antidote reserve to eliminate the consequences of emergency situations, requires attention. Keywords: Tl compounds, acute criminal poisoning, sequence of symptoms, pathogistology.

EVALUATION OF THE RESISTANCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI REGARDING PLANT EXTRACTS ON MODELS OF PLANKTONIC CELLS AND BIOFILM

The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was assessed using two ecological models: planktonic cells and biofilms. As herbal preparations, 8 official medicinal plants with pronounced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, purchased in the pharmacy network, produced by ZAO Krasnogorskleksredstva and collected in North Ossetia-Alania, were used. Antibiofilm activity was determined in common garlic (Allium sativum) and common thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Used pomace from the green mass of plants, alcohol tinctures.
 The severity of the antibacterial activity of the tested preparations was determined by the standardized Kerby-Bauer method. To create an artificial biofilm, the method of isolated biofilm and the method of culturing static biofilms in liquid were used; to assess the relative growth rates, staining with gen-cyan violet was carried out.
 The conducted studies (pomace from the green mass of plants) in relation to the culture of Staphylococcus aureus revealed either the absence of a zone of growth inhibition (Pinus sylvestris, Thuja occidentalis) or the presence of a low sensitivity of planktonic cells to the tested preparations. When using the dry mass of pharmaceutical preparations (alcohol tinctures), antibacterial activity against planktonic Staphylococcus aureus cells was detected in extracts of garlic and common thyme (high), coltsfoot and eucalyptus rod (sufficient). Escherichia coli strains were resistant to almost all tested drugs (no growth retardation or low sensitivity). Antibiofilm activity was manifested only at the growth stage (stable adhesion) when using extracts of garlic and common thyme in relation to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.