Nonprescription Drugs Research Articles

Investigation of the Efficacy of Home-Based Oral Chloroquine Treatment among Under-Five Children with <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> Malaria in Some Parts of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Nigeria is currently a malaria endemic country with an estimated 76% of her population at risk of contracting malaria [1]. According to a study in Nigeria, the first line of action mothers took when their children under 5 years have malaria showed that over 50% of them used non-prescription drugs they have at home or bought from pharmacy stores. And 60% of the most commonly used drugs for malaria treatment were chloroquine [2]. Many recent studies have demonstrated re-emergence of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum, suggesting a possible role in future malaria control [3]. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of home-based oral chloroquine treatment among children under 5 years with Plasmodium falciparum malaria attending Jos University Teaching Hospital and OLA Hospital in Jos Metropolis. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of 93 malaria and non-malaria children. Malaria diagnosis was carried out using microscopical examination of Leishman’s stained thick and thin blood films, P. falciparum parasitemia was assessed by standard microscopy techniques and complete blood count was done using Beckman Coulter Analyzer. Results: The body temperature on admission was significantly lower (p ˚C ± 0.07˚C) than in the three malaria groups. The mean body temperature of chloroquine treated children with malaria was significantly lower (p Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia and degree of anemia in children under 5 years with Plasmodium falciparum in Jos Metropolis.

A study on use of over-the-counter drugs among 2nd year medical students - A cross-sectional study

Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) drug is a medicine that is available without a prescription, and hence also referred to as “nonprescription drug.” The sale of OTC medicines from pharmacies can help individual’s self-manage symptoms. However, some OTC medicines may be abused, with addiction and harms being increasingly recognized and found to be more common in undergraduate medical students. Aim and Objective: Objective of this study to analyze the use of OTC drugs among 2nd year medical students. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, and questionnaire based study was conducted among 2nd year medical students of Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences Belagavi. Details and purpose of the study were explained to students and informed consent was taken. Questionnaires consist of 25 questions related to use of OTC drugs, their knowledge and attitude toward OTC drugs. Questionnaires are then collected back from students on the spot after 15 min. All the data pooled and results are analyzed in descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 88 respondents were analyzed, 87.5% participants knew the definition of OTC and 69.5% use medication without prescription. All the students practiced self-medication however only 37.5% students agree with practice. Fever, cold, and headache are the most common condition for using OTC drugs. Analgesic, antipyretics, and antihistamines are the highest among OTC stocked at home. About 61.3% students have knowledge of Adverse Drug Reactions associated with OTC drugs. Conclusion: Use of OTC drugs is common form of health care having potential benefits and health hazards. Awareness should be created among students to restrict the use of self-medication and pharmacists toward sale of drugs without prescription.

Competency and Attitude of Pharmacists in the Management of Common Ailments Among Community Pharmacy in Adama Town, Adama, Ethiopia, 2021

Community pharmacists are one of the most accessible of all health workers in the community, who are playing a key role in the delivering the primary health care services. Traditionally pharmacists' role is mostly confined to dispensing medication and provides public health services rarely. The current role of community pharmacists should include dispensing medicines with a prescription or without a prescription, advice patients during dispensing of prescription and non-prescription drugs, deliver drug information to health professionals, patients and to the public, and promotes health programmes. This advancement in pharmacy service demands competent pharmacists. The objective of the study was to evaluate the competency and attitude of pharmacists in the management of common ailments among community pharmacies in Adama Town, Adama, Ethiopia, 2021. A cross sectional study was conducted on 44 pharmacists working at community pharmacies in Adama Town from April 30 to July 30, 2021. Data was collected by face-to-face interview. Data was cleared, categorized, compiled, and coded before analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics computed for the study variables and frequency distribution tables and figures was used to describe the findings. Majority of the study participants, 23 (52.3%), were males, the mean age of the participants is 33 years old. The study revealed that 26 (59.1%) were competent [mean > 0.7815, SD=0.27] while 40.9% were incompetent [mean < 0.7815]. Accordingly 50% of respondents had positive attitude (mean > 3.67) while the rest, 50% were negative attitudes. Lack of knowledge or clinical skills, lack of access to additional training programs and lack of time are the major reasons for incompetency. Majority of the community pharmacist are competent. But, 50% of the pharmacists had a negative attitude toward managements of common ailments. Reasons for incompetency such as inadequate knowledge, lack of access to training programs, inadequate time and the negative attitudes of pharmacists may be barriers for managements of common ailments. Town Health Bureaus should organize and provide in-service training and advocate managements of common ailments as one area in a continuous professional development program to pharmacists working in community pharmacies.

Funcionários da saúde com relatos de dor de cabeça em hospital de médio porte no interior de São Paulo e automedicação com analgésicos

The aim was to detect the level of headache prevalence and awareness of the nursing team regarding self-medication for headache, 50 nursing professionals answered the questionnaire applied at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Avaré, the data obtained were analyzed by the Epi-Info® software. Self-medication with analgesics is something very common among health professionals. Nursing has a pharmacological knowledge base and for this reason has greater self-confidence to self-medicate. It was evidenced that 100% of people are aware of self-medication and are fully aware of its risks, although this knowledge does not prevent 78.9% of people who participated in the research from self-medicating with analgesics, the ease of access to drugs makes it easier for the individual to self-medicate to feel pain relief, which may be camouflaging a more serious disease, causing chronic dependence or collateral damage in their body by the use of analgesics with certain types of active principles. A relative percentage sought medical attention for headache although this did not prevent them from self-medicating with other non-prescription drugs.

Adölesanlarda Akademik Beklentilere İlişkin Stres ile Reçetesiz Ürün Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi: Analitik Kesitsel Çalışma

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the stress experienced by adolescents in relation to their academic expectations and the use of nonprescription products. Material and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional research design was employed. Simple randomization was utilized to select the participants who included 707 students from science, social science, vocational, and Anatolian high schools. The participants completed the Adolescent Information Form, Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: No significant statistical relationship was found in any of the subscales of the MSPSS and AESI (p>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed usage of red/green prescribed medication, nonprescription medication, and medication acquired from friends was high among those participants who were unable to talk about their problems to their families. Considering the relationship between environmental factors and adolescent's nonprescription medication usage; presence of friends using medication, vitamin supplements, and nonprescription medication product use was found to increase the risk of nonprescription medication usage among the participants. Furthermore, usage of nonprescription medication was high among those who attended science and Anatolian high schools. Conclusion: Approximately 10% of adolescents was consumed tea/coffee above the daily safe dose. The use of products in the immediate vicinity was increased the risk of vitamin supplement use. Test anxiety was increased the risk of usage of nonprescription medication. School type and grade level were effective for adolescents usage of nonprescription drugs, drugs acquired from friends and take vitamin supplements.

Stimulant Drugs of Abuse and Cardiac Arrhythmias.

Nonmedical use of prescription and nonprescription drugs is a worldwide epidemic, rapidly growing in magnitude with deaths because of overdose and chronic use. A vast majority of these drugs are stimulants that have various effects on the cardiovascular system including the cardiac rhythm. Drugs, like cocaine and methamphetamine, have measured effects on the conduction system and through several direct and indirect pathways, utilizing multiple second messenger systems, change the structural and electrical substrate of the heart, thereby promoting cardiac dysrhythmias. Substituted amphetamines and cocaine affect the expression and activation kinetics of multiple ion channels and calcium signaling proteins resulting in EKG changes, and atrial and ventricular brady and tachyarrhythmias. Preexisting conditions cause substrate changes in the heart, which decrease the threshold for such drug-induced cardiac arrhythmias. The treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in patients who take drugs of abuse may be specialized and will require an understanding of the unique underlying mechanisms and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. The use of primary or secondary prevention defibrillators in drug abusers with chronic systolic heart failure is both sensitive and controversial. This review provides a broad overview of cardiac arrhythmias associated with stimulant substance abuse and their management.

Inhaled antiseptics and inhaled antiviral non-prescription drugs in the prevention of ARVI, in particular COVID-19: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND. The article presents the results of a continuous, cross-sectional, non-interventional, multicenter retrospective epidemiological study, which included cases of 3443 participants. Questionnaires and rapid test for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were used to collect data.&#x0D; OBJECTIVE. To determine the relationship between the systematic use of additional drugs for the prevention of COVID-19, including inhaled antiseptics and inhaled antiviral drugs, separately and in combination with other drugs, and the risk of developing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).&#x0D; RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. 396 participants (11.8 %) took inhaled antiseptics in any period since March 2020, and 410 participants (12.2 %) took inhaled antivirals. A statistically significant protective relationship between episode of COVID-19 when taking inhaled antiseptics and inhaled antiviral drugs (risk ratio 0.901; 95 % confidence interval 0.856-0.948) was determined.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS. The use of inhaled antiseptics and inhaled antiviral drugs as additional methods of prevention of COVID-19 has shown a statistically significant effect not only on reducing the risk of COVID-19, but different combinations of inhaled antiseptics or inhaled antiviral drugs with other drug groups as additional methods of preventing COVID-19 had a statistically significant protective relationship with the episode of the disease, with the severity of COVID-19 and with the need for hospitalization.

High Times for U.S. Employees: Human Resource Management Considerations in Addressing Marijuana Legalization in U.S. Organizations

Recent changes in state laws have legalized marijuana use for their state citizens. Originally by 2016, twenty-six states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had legalized marijuana for medical use (State Medical Marijuana Laws, 2016). In the 2020 elections eighteen states, two U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia legalized recreational use of cannabis. We now have thirty-six states, four U.S. territories, and D.C. who have legalized medical use of the drug use (State Medical Marijuana Laws, 2021). This however creates some major issues for Human Resource professionals due to the fact that federal law still considers marijuana use illegal. This creates a confusing situation for organizations and especially Human Resource professionals who must create and enforce policies on the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs within the work environment. The purpose of this research is to determine if medical marijuana should be protected in the workplace and under what conditions. Based on the literature three research questions were posed and three hypotheses were tested based on analyzing data from a survey questionnaire that was completed by 57 working adults. Results indicate that they support the use of medical marijuana as a viable medical treatment and companies should recognize and support this medical remedy. Results indicate employees should be protected in their use of marijuana under the FMLA. Results also indicate marijuana should also be considered for long-term and permanent illnesses under the ADA. Implications are employees see marijuana in a positive light, as a viable medical treatment, and expect human resource management to support policies that allow for use of marijuana.

A STUDY ON PERCEPTION AND USAGE OF ONLINE PHARMACY

The internet has emerge as an popular way to buy product and offerings. searching for medicines online aren't any exception. An online pharmacy is an internet-primarily based totally trafficker that sells drugs and consists of every valid and illegitimate pharmacies. modern instances square degree witnessing a surge in E- commerce, collectively with online looking, and this consists of the sale of prescription and nonprescription drugs likewise. This article concentrates at the utilization and notion of customer closer to the internet pharmacy. After survey is completed the end result conclude that people are still information deficit in regards to e-pharmacy however as lockdown become certainly one of the principle reason that a few people get aware of such service. As in line with pointers their still want development in the sector as still people don’t feel reliable to buy medication online so there is need to be greater commercials related to e- pharmacy.

Mechanism of dasabuvir inhibition of acetaminophen glucuronidation.

Acetaminophen (APAP) (paracetamol) is a widely used non-prescription drug for pain relief and antipyretic effects. The clearance of APAP is mainly through phase-2 biotransformation catalysed by UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGT). Dasabuvir is an anti-hepatitis C drug reported to inhibit several UGT isoforms. The study evaluated the in-vitro inhibitory capacity of dasabuvir versus APAP glucuronidation. Procedures included human liver microsomal incubations with APAP and isoform-selective probe substrates. Dasabuvir inhibited APAP metabolism by a reversible, mixed-type (competitive and non-competitive) partial inhibition, with an inhibition constant Ki = 3.4 µM. The index constant 'a' was 6.7, indicating the relative contribution of competitive and non-competitive inhibition. The enzyme-inhibitor complex was still able to catalyse the reaction by 12% of the control capacity. Dasabuvir produced strong partial inhibition effect of UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 and relatively complete inhibition of UGT1A6. Consistent with previous reports, dasabuvir inhibits the activity of 3 UGT isoforms associated with APAP metabolism. In-vitro to in-vivo scaling by 2 different approaches showed identical results, predicting an increased AUC of APAP by a factor of 1.3-fold with coadministration of dasabuvir. Until the findings are confirmed in clinical drug interaction studies, APAP dosage should not exceed 3 g per day in dasabuvir-treated patients to avoid potentially hepatotoxic APAP exposures.

Exploration of pharmacist comfort with harm reduction behaviors: Cross-sectional latent class analysis

BackgroundPharmacists are positioned to play important roles in implementing evidence-based prevention and harm reduction approaches for opioid misuse and related health care outcomes such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. More research is needed to understand how best to facilitate harm reduction practices among pharmacists. ObjectivesThis hypothesis-generating study investigated (1) whether subgroups (latent classes) were observable among pharmacists based on self-reported comfort with specific harm reduction behaviors, (2) whether having reported expertise in key content areas was associated with any latent classes that might be identified, and (3) whether comfort and training were associated with actually having dispensed syringes for likely nonprescription drug use. MethodsThis was a statewide census of community managing pharmacists in Arizona conducted from December 2018 to May 2019. Participants reported their degree of comfort with 10 harm reduction behaviors, their expertise (e.g., recent continuing pharmacy education or specialization) in selected content areas, and their syringe dispensing behavior. Additional sociodemographic information was also collected. Subgroups related to harm reduction were computed using latent class analysis, and associations between study variables were assessed using the Fisher's exact tests. ResultsData suggested the existence of 4 latent, comfort-based harm reduction classes: high comfort, moderate comfort, and clinical comfort, and opioid prevention only. Reported expertise in pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was likely associated with harm reduction class. However, class membership was not associated with reporting having dispensed nonprescription syringes, although the single comfort item for syringe dispensing, by itself, was associated therewith. ConclusionComfort with harm reduction likely clusters, so pharmacists may be broadly comfortable with topics or methods of harm reduction; however, comfort with a specific harm reduction pharmacy practice may be a better predictor of engaging in that behavior than harm reduction comfort class. In contrast, strategies to improve comfort, such as intervention development, might successfully be informed by pharmacists’ latent class.

Time Costs and Out-of-Pocket Costs in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C in a Publicly Funded Health System

ObjectivesChronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection affects more than 70 million people worldwide and imposes considerable health and economic burdens on patients and society. This study estimated 2 understudied components of the economic burden, patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and time costs, in patients with CHC in a tertiary hospital clinic setting and a community clinic setting. MethodsThis was a multicenter, cross-sectional study with hospital-based (n = 174) and community-based (n = 101) cohorts. We used a standardized instrument to collect healthcare resource use, time, and OOP costs. OOP costs included patient-borne costs for medical services, nonprescription drugs, and nonmedical expenses related to healthcare visits. Patient and caregiver time costs were estimated using an hourly wage value derived from patient-reported employment income and, where missing, derived from the Canadian census. Sensitivity analysis explored alternative methods of valuing time. Costs were reported in 2020 Canadian dollars. ResultsThe mean 3-month OOP cost was $55 (95% confidence interval [CI] $21-$89) and $299 (95% CI $170-$427) for the community and hospital cohorts, respectively. The mean 3-month patient time cost was $743 (95% CI $485-$1002) (community) and $465 (95% CI $248-$682) (hospital). The mean 3-month caregiver time cost was $31 (95% CI $0-$63) (community) and $277 (95% CI $174-$380) (hospital). Patients with decompensated cirrhosis bore the highest costs. ConclusionsOOP costs and patient and caregiver time costs represent a considerable economic burden to patient with CHC, equivalent to 14% and 21% of the reported total 3-month income for the hospital-based and community-based cohorts, respectively.

Pilot study of dietary supplement consumption by kindergarten and elementary school children

Summary Introduction: The use of dietary supplements has been increasing globally, especially among children. A lot of parents are influenced by advertising. In addition, in Poland a trend to self-medication has been observed. Parents often do not distinguish dietary supplements, medicinal products and non-prescription drugs. These are the most common reasons for the increase in sales of dietary supplements in Poland. Until a few years ago, many products containing vitamins and minerals intended for children were sold as medicines. Today, a product with the same formulation is sold as a dietary supplement. However, a few studies have been conducted to assess the use of dietary supplements among Polish children. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the use of dietary supplements provided by parents and the study of the awareness of the risks associated with supplements intake among preschool and elementary school students. Methods: The study was conducted by questionnaire method among 316 parents/legal guardians of children attending elementary schools and preschools in three provinces. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 88.3% mothers and 11.7% fathers. The age of the respondents was as follows: 64.5% aged 31–40, 18.3% aged 41–45, 9.5% aged 26–30, 7.2% above 46 years and only 0.3% younger than 25. About 80% of parents administered their children with dietary supplements in specific situations. Vitamin and mineral supplements were predominant. A statistical analysis showed the effect of the education level as well as having many children on the administration of dietary supplements. Conclusion: The questionnaire shows that the vast majority of parents/legal guardians administer their children with dietary supplements. There is a need to educate parents/legal guardians about the use of supplements and the risks involved.

Patient experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa: the Hidradenitis Patient Experience survey.

Better understanding of the experience of people living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is essential to identify gaps in current patient care and inform healthcare decision-making. To describe the patient experience of individuals with HS, including their path to diagnosis, symptom control, treatments, healthcare utilization, patient needs and impact on quality of life. The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patient Experience survey was created, extensively reviewed and disseminated through engaging HS-related patient organizations, physician groups and social media groups. In total, 537 respondents completed the survey; the mean age was 38 years (range 14-73 years) and 95% (510 of 537) were female. The mean number of treatment types per respondent was 15, and included antibacterial soaps (93.3%; 431 of 462), avoidance of tight clothing (90.9%; 419 of 462), use of oral antibiotics (79.7%; 368 of 462), nonprescription drugs (79.7%; 368 of 462) and topical antibiotics (77.1%; 356 of 262). Pain was poorly controlled in 46% of respondents (184 of 401). HS had a negative impact on the ability to work and attend school for 81% of respondents (337 of 415), with 59% (245 of 415) missing at least 2 days of work a month and 16% (66 of 415) missing > 11 days of work. The mean number of misdiagnoses per respondent was three and the median time to diagnosis was 10 years. Individuals with HS experience a delay in diagnosis and have suboptimal control of the disease. We propose 11 recommendations to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for individuals living with HS.

An Evaluation of Hepatitis C Screening in Infants and Children Born to Seropositive Mothers in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Background: The primary route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children is vertical transmission, from mother to fetus in utero. There is a lack of data on the prevalence of pediatric HCV acquired through vertical transmission in Saint John, New Brunswick. Furthermore, what risk factors may be associated with an increased likelihood for a child born to an HCV-seropositive mother should be known to direct screening practices.Methods: A retrospective chart review of the active charts from the local HCV clinic, the Centre for Research, Education & Clinical Care of At-Risk Populations (RECAP), identified HCV-seropositive women who had children at-risk of HCV through vertical transmission. Sociodemographic information and various risk factors were collected, including maternal HCV genotype, non-prescription drug use subcategorized into intravenous drug use and snorting, transfusion history, involvement in opiate substitution therapy, postal code as a proxy for socioeconomic status, and issues of custodianship within the family. A 2 x 2 chi-square analysis was conducted to assess the frequency of HCV screening for children by the presence or absence of familial custodianship issues.Results: In total, data from 62 HCV-seropositive women and 123 infants and children at-risk for HCV were included in this study. HCV status at the time of pregnancy revealed 18 (14.6%) with a positive HCV screen, 14 (11.4%) with a positive viral load, and 91 (74.0%) with unknown status. A total of 30 children (24.4%) had HCV screening performed, of which three (10.0%) were HCV-antibody positive and had a detectable viral load. Results of the chi-square analysis indicated that issues of custodianship had no significant influence on child screening rates.Conclusion: Overall, this study highlighted the inconsistent screening practices of children at-risk for HCV through vertical transmission, as well as the need for improvement in chart documentation and follow-up. Clinicians and researchers should focus their efforts toward proactively identifying children at-risk for HCV through vertical transmission. This could involve screening during pregnancy and subsequent follow-up, or at other points of contact with the healthcare system, such as parental involvement with opioid substitution therapy or well-child visits. Implementation of a targeted screening program could be considered in urban centers similar to the one in this study to connect at-risk populations with essential medical and community services.

Comparison of a Self-Care Therapeutics Course Taught in the P1 vs the P2 Year

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare student learning outcomes, behaviors, and attitudes in a non-prescription drug and self-care therapeutics course taught in the second professional (P2) year vs the first professional (P1) year at one pharmacy school. Methods: Mean performance of students by class year on case consultations and exam scores was compared. Focus groups with student volunteers and course teaching assistants (TAs) and one-on-one interviews with a subset of instructors were conducted by an outside educational evaluation specialist to capture perceptions of student learning behaviors and attitudes. Results: There was no difference in performance on graded case consultations (mean difference = 0.16, P = .74, 95% CI [−0.77 to 1.09]), mid-term examinations (mean difference = 0.53, P = .62, 95% CI [−1.59 to 2.65]), or final examinations (mean difference = 0.73, P = .57, 95% CI [−1.83 to 3.30]) between P1 and P2 students. P1 students reported being more consistent in completing pre-class readings and in feeling less distracted by other courses than did P2 students. Students, TAs, and instructors consistently spoke about advantages of the course in the P1 year (e.g., less stress and greater eagerness to learn and apply skills at work) and disadvantages in the P2 year (e.g., distraction from concurrent P2 integrated pharmacotherapeutics course and tension between real-world experience and constraints of grading rubric). Conclusion: P1 students, despite one year earlier in their curriculum, performed equally well as P2 students. All stakeholders agree that the advantages of teaching a self-care course on students’ learning behaviors and attitudes in the P1 year outweigh disadvantages.

LEVEL OF PATIENT SATISFACTION TOWARDS PHARMACY SERVICES IN KIMIA FARMA TALANGSARI PHARMACY

Pharmacy is one of the health service place that has product and service activities that are highly dependent on patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction can be used as a benchmark for companies to develop their business in the future. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services at Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember. The type of this research was qualitative descriptive using cross sectional study. The population were patients who came to buy prescription or non-prescription drugs at the Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember in June 2020 with a total samples of 100 patients. The result showed that patient satisfaction to the services at Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember were quiet satisfied in reliability dimensions (60%) and tangible dimensions (55%) also in responsiveness dimensions (48%) and less satisfied in empathy dimensions (54%) and assurance dimensions (41%). It can be concluded that the level of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services at Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember were Keywords: level of satisfaction, quality of service

LEVEL OF PATIENT SATISFACTION TOWARDS PHARMACY SERVICES IN KIMIA FARMA TALANGSARI PHARMACY

Pharmacy is one of the health service place that has product and service activities that are highly dependent on patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction can be used as a benchmark for companies to develop their business in the future. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services at Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember. The type of this research was qualitative descriptive using cross sectional study. The population were patients who came to buy prescription or non-prescription drugs at the Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember in June 2020 with a total samples of 100 patients. The result showed that patient satisfaction to the services at Kimia Farma Pharmacy Talangsari Jember were quiet satisfied in reliability dimensions (60%) and tangible dimensions (55%) also in responsiveness dimensions (48%) and less satisfied in empathy dimensions (54%) and assurance dimensions (41%). It can be concluded that the level of patient satisfaction

Systemic Medical and Procedural Therapies for Mucosal Lichen Planus: Update and Review of Challenges and Successes

Context: Mucosal lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory debilitating condition that commonly affects the oral mucosa, but other sites such as the genital and ocular mucosae, esophagus and ear canal may also be involved, with risk of scarring and functional compromise. Spontaneous remission is rare and the condition tends to be recalcitrant to therapy, which makes management challenging. Topical therapies are often ineffective in severe cases and official treatment guidelines including systemic agents and procedural interventions are currently not available. Methods: We performed a literature review on current systemic therapies for mucosal lichen planus using PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases, with 74 publications identified including retrospective and prospective studies, case reports, and clinical trials. Therapies reviewed included biologics, immunosuppressive therapies, immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin A derivatives, devices and interventional therapies, and non-prescription drugs. Results: Reported treatments were classified into the following categories: biologics, anti-metabolic immunosuppressives, direct anti-T cell agents, other immunodulatory agents, antibiotics, retinoids, and procedure based interventions. Most studies on mucosal lichen planus are descriptive in nature and demonstrate low levels of evidence. Randomized controlled trials are lacking, which makes it difficult to directly compare different grading scales and outcome. Conclusions: The authors suggest clinical criteria for initiation of therapy in mucosal lichen planus, such as severe disease, lack of response to topical therapy, mucous membranes involvement and involvement of organs at risk of non-function. The authors also propose a stepwise treatment algorithm based on data from this review and their personal experience in an academic tertiary referral center.

Self-medication habits during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Self-medication is a common practice worldwide. During COVID-19 pandemic, the constant fear of going outside and to use health services may have had an impact in the number of visits to Community Pharmacies. This research aimed to study self-medication habits of the Portuguese population during the current pandemic, more specifically, to understand which non-prescription drugs and food supplements were taken and the situations that conduced to the use of self-medication. Methods An online structured survey was conducted, with data obtained anonymously and included 170 participants (≥18 years). Data were processed using SPSS v26. Results Participants in this study were mainly female (81.2%), with a mean age of 38.01 ± 1.16 years old and most (84.7%) over 12 years of schooling. Answers allowed to verify that the current pandemic didn’t affect that much the frequency of visits to Pharmacy and the situations where people used self-medication were mainly minor, such as headaches (54.1%) and muscle pains (26.5%). The medications used more often were analgesics (60.0%) and anti-inflammatory (40.0%). However, many people indicated that they didńt seek for more information about medicines (49.4%) and/or supplements (7.6%) used during this period. In general, people visited the Pharmacy with a similar frequency and purpose as the previous year. Conclusions Despite all the changes, the current pandemic has not negatively affected the practice of self-medication. The role of Pharmacy professionals in the rational use of the drugs, particularly those used in self medicated situations is essential, especially when the population shows low health literacy regarding the use of medicines.