Pharmaceutical Services Research Articles

The requirement to obtain the consent of a legal guardian for the provision of reproductive health pharmacist services to minors under the pilot program

Emergency contraception in Poland is often referred to as the “morning-after pill”. Its legal status has changed many times. In Poland, it has only been available on prescription since 2017. Attempts have been made to change the legal status in 2024. A draft amendment to the Pharmaceutical Act was then submitted to Parliament. However, the bill was vetoed by the President of the Republic of Poland. In response to the veto, the Minister of Health issued a decree on a pilot programme in the field of pharmacists’ services related to reproductive health. In connection with this regulation, a question arose for pharmacists: whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the legal guardian of minors who want to use the programme. Therefore, the aim of the work was a legal-comparative and dogmatic-legal analysis of legal acts in the field of reproductive health. A review of the data shows that while the pharmacist carries out the activities indicated in the pilot programme for pharmacist services about reproductive health, health services are provided to patients. Therefore, in the case of minor patients under 16 years of age, or who are over 16 but under 18 years of age, the consent of their legal representatives is required. It should also be noted that the term “pharmacist service” used in the title is not defined in any way in the law (unlike the term “pharmaceutical service”) and does not constitute a definition that would allow the statement to be made that it is another unlisted activity that exempts the pharmacist from the obligation to obtain the consent of the legal guardian. It should therefore be assumed that this consent is necessary to provide the service. Keywords: emergency contraception, pharmacist service, pharmaceutical service, legislation, morning-after pill.

Influence of the Quality of Pharmacy Services and Non-Pharmacy on the Decision to Redeem the Prescription and Its Impact on Retreatment of General Outpatient at Pasar Minggu Hospital

The study examines the influence of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical service quality on prescription redemption decisions and subsequent re-treatment decisions among general outpatients at Pasar Minggu Regional Hospital. The hospital has faced challenges, including a decline in outpatient visits and filled prescriptions, affecting its revenue during the 2022-2023 period. Patient perceptions of the pharmacy services significantly impact their decision to return for further medical care. The research aims to assess both direct and indirect effects of service quality on prescription redemption and re-treatment decisions. The study employs a verification approach with a cross-sectional design, using accidental sampling to survey 342 general outpatients between October 2023 and February 2024. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using SEM PLS 3.0, encompassing both outer and inner model analyses through PLS Algorithm, Bootstrapping, and Blindfolding techniques. The findings reveal that the quality of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical services significantly influences the decision to redeem a prescription (P = 0.000). Moreover, non-pharmaceutical service quality and the decision to redeem a prescription significantly affect the decision to re-medicate (P = 0.002 and 0.000, respectively). However, pharmaceutical service quality alone does not positively impact repeat treatment (P = 0.041). Both service variables have a significant indirect effect on re-treatment decisions through the mediating role of prescription redemption (P = 0.000).

REVIEW: THE RELATIONSHIP OF DRUGS INFORMATION SERVICES TO CHRONIC PATIENT LOYALTY

Patient loyalty is one of the most important factors in drug therapy to achieve successful disease treatment. We conducted a literature review to examine the relationship between drug information services and chronic patient loyalty in pharmacies. The method used was a systematic examination of related studies and articles, using a qualitative approach. The first screening included 50 articles and excluded 9 articles, the second screening excluded 30 articles, and the final articles used in this review were 11 articles. The results showed that drug information services had a positive effect on patient loyalty through the mediation of patient satisfaction. The factors that influence drug information services include the type of drug information, competence of the pharmacist, interpersonal communication, and service time. The factors that influence patient loyalty include trust, commitment, customer value, and switching costs. Keywords: Drug information service, patient loyalty, patient satisfaction, service quality, pharmaceutical service quality, customer satisfaction.

Pharmacoeconomic and clinical impact of pharmaceutical service in the intensive care unit: a systematic review

Clinical pharmacy is a fast-growing discipline in Europe, ensuring optimisation and a guarantee of safety in therapeutic management. Within a hospital the intensive care unit (ICU) typically admits the most...

Analysis of The Level of Patient Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Services In Xyz Regional Hospital Bandung Indonesia

Abstract Hospitals are health facilities that provide various services, one of which is pharmaceutical services. Pharmaceutical services are an activity organized to maintain and improve the health of patients. Patient satisfaction is an important indicator in achieving conformity with expectations in health services in hospitals. The level of patient satisfaction can be seen from good service. The purpose of this study is to determine and evaluate the level of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services at the XYZ regional hospital in Bandung, West Java. In this study, the application used in SPSS to process data with the methods used, namely the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method and the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI). This method is used to identify the level of importance of each service attribute and the priority of improvements that must be made by a hospital to determine the level of patient satisfaction. IPA analysis shows that the point included in quadrant I (high importance and low satisfaction) is R6, namely complete available drugs but in reality, the drugs are not available so this statement is considered important by patients because it has facts that are not yet appropriate and need to further improve their performance so that the service is more satisfying. Meanwhile, based on the results of the CSI analysis, it is known that the overall value of the respondent's satisfaction level for all attributes is 83.9%. So based on the satisfaction index patients are satisfied with pharmaceutical services at the XYZ Bandung Regional Hospital. Keyword: Patient Satisfaction, IPA, CSI, Hospital

HEALTH EXAMINATION AND EDUCATION ON THE USE OF CHOLESTEROL, URIC ACID, AND BLOOD SUGAR MEDICINE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF SUNGAI BAWANG VILLAGE, MUARA BADAK DISTRICT, KUTAI KARTANEGARA

Degenerative diseases that many people suffer from, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and chronic kidney failure, have increased. In demographic data referring to the 2018 Riskesdas, for example, strokes increased to 10,9% from the previous 7%, and diabetes mellitus increased from 6.9% to 8.5% in 2018. Hypertension experienced the highest increase among diseases, from 25.8% to 34.1%. Management of degenerative diseases is through implementing community service activities carried out by lectures from the Study Program of Pharmacy undergraduate at STIKES Dirgahayu Samarinda to implement the tridharma obligations of higher education. The activity was held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Lamin Adat Sungai Bawang Village, Muara Badak District, Kutai Kartanegara. This activity aimed to conduct health checks for the community, from children to adults, and health education, especially controlling non-communicable diseases. The method used was education, free examination, and treatment for the community which consists of laboratory examinations, health consultations, pharmaceutical services, and health education, as well as evaluation when the activites have been completed. Based on the activities that have been carried out, it was known that one hundred and five residents came for an examination, then from screening for blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid tests, forty-seven people exceeded normal parameters, while ninety-eight received drug therapy.

Whether medicine supply is really meeting primary health care needs: a mixed-methods study in Shandong Province, China

BackgroundWith the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, and the diversified needs for primary health care (PHC) medicines, it is necessary to rethink the functional role of the supply of PHC medicines. This study aims to evaluate the supply of PHC medicines and the status of meeting PHC medicine needs.MethodsThe mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate the supply of PHC medicines in Shandong Province. In the quantitative study, survey questionnaires were distributed to county hospitals, township hospitals, and patients, and a prescription review was performed in township hospitals. In the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the pharmacy managers, physicians, and patients in county hospitals, township hospitals, and village clinics. A senior pharmacist from a tertiary hospital who has rich experience on the indications for medicine use, accompanied us on a visit to inspect the PHC pharmacies to survey medicine equipment with a professional perspective.ResultsQuantitative analysis revealed that 211 county hospitals and 1,581 township hospitals participated in the survey, revealing the median annual frequency of medicine shortages of 5.0 times for county hospitals and 2.0 times for township hospitals. Of the 6,323 patient medication surveys, after excluding 152 patients not involved in medication use, 945 (15.3%) indicated medicine shortages, with half of these attributable to institutions lacking required medicines (52.8%). On average, the prescription qualified rate of 37 township hospitals was 72.2%. Four final themes emerged during the qualitative data analysis: (1) Supply of PHC medicines; (2) Solutions to the shortage of off-list medicines; (3) Appropriateness of PHC medicines list; (4) Pharmacist workforce development and pharmacy services.ConclusionsThe discrepancy between patients’ need for PHC medicine and present medicine supply is noteworthy. It is suggested that governments should optimize the existing lists to adequately meet patient medicine needs and prioritize medicines for chronic diseases, which is also particularly important for developing countries. Integrated health care may be a novel strategy to establish unified medicines list and achieve uniform pharmaceutical services in PHC.

OPTIMIZATION BASED ON SATISFACTION WITH THE USE OF THE NATURAL MEDICINE INFORMATION SYSTEM (SI-OBAL) IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SERVICES AT SEMARANG HEALTH CENTER

Introduction. Public Health Efforts have been regulated in the Minister of Health Regulation on Health Centers, which is an activity carried out by health workers to maintain and improve health and to prevent disease aiming at families, groups and communities. In the context of these health efforts, activities are necessary for the utilization of natural medicines, by facilitating access to reliable information for the treatment of minor illnesses by health workers to be conveyed to the community. One of the works in the form of an application that helps pharmaceutical workers to obtain information on natural medicine quickly and precisely is called SI-OBAL (Sistem Informasi Bahan Alam/Natural Material Information System) web-based which can be used by pharmaceutical workers. The purpose of this research is to determine whether user satisfaction for optimal utilization of SI-OBAL in traditional medicine services at health centers in Semarang. Method. The method used was a prospective survey method with qualitative data measured by number and percentage. The population used was all pharmacy vocational staff working at the health center in Semarang. The method used to measure satisfaction is McLean and DeLone six parameters. Result & Analysis. The results of the research indicate that from the aspect of satisfaction measured, the results are 89.55% of pharmacy vocational staff are satisfied and very satisfied with having accessed SI-OBAL. Discussion. The optimization of health efforts in the community has significantly improved with the implementation of SI-OBAL in Traditional Medicine Services at the Semarang Health Center. This improvement indicates that the system effectively supports their pharmaceutical services, particularly in providing independent care using traditional medicine.

Mapping of Pharmacies in Bandar Lampung Municipality: Nearest Neighbor Analysis and Overlay Approach

Background: Pharmacies should improve people's quality of life by providing pharmaceutical services. In this case, the distribution and accessibility of pharmacy facilities play an essential role.Objectives: This research aims to provide an overview of the distribution of pharmacies in Bandar Lampung municipality and analyze their distribution and accessibility.Methods: Non-experimental research with descriptive methods was conducted using spatial analysis. All population pharmacies in Bandar Lampung were selected as a sample, and their location was pointed using the Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS). Arc-Gis software was used for data analysis. A nearest-neighbor analysis was conducted to get a distribution pattern, and the pharmacies' density was calculated to obtain accessibility data. The overlapping approach was carried out to determine factors related to pharmacy distribution patterns.Results: Bandar Lampung municipality has 268 pharmacies spread across 20 districts. This research shows that the average density of pharmacies per 10,000 residents is 2.26. The highest pharmacy accessibility is in Sukarame, with a ratio of 4.07, and the lowest is in Bumi Waras, with a ratio of 0.62. The distribution of pharmacies is a clustered pattern (T value 0.55) and centralizes on collector roads, residential urban land use, and health facilities.Conclusion: The distribution of pharmacies is odd. They are distributed in a cluster pattern.

Tingkat Kepuasan Pasien terhadap Pelayanan Kefarmasian di Apotek Medika Usada

Patient satisfaction measures patients’ emotional responses towards pharmacists’ services. It is based on tangible aspects like the pharmacy’s appearance, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. It is influenced by the fulfilment of patient expectations, the availability and completeness of medications, and the staff’s friendliness. This research uses descriptive research from 20 May to 4 June 2024. The satisfaction of prescription services is measured using a validated questionnaire. The sample used consists of 96 respondents who meet the inclusion criteria. The data obtained from the questionnaire results were then calculated to determine the percentage of patient satisfaction, which can subsequently be categorized as satisfied or dissatisfied based on the established percentages. The result indicates that patient satisfaction based on reliability is 74.21%, categorized as satisfied. Responsiveness is 74.58%, and it is categorized as satisfied. Assurance is 73.85%, categorized as satisfied. Empathy is 75.15%, categorized as satisfied, and Tangibles is 74.11%, categorized as satisfied. From the five dimensions, an average score of 74.38% was obtained, categorized as satisfied according to the percentage range of 61-80%, which indicates a satisfied rating. Based on the data analysis and discussion above regarding the patient satisfaction questionnaire related to pharmaceutical services at Medika Usada Pharmacy, it can be concluded that patients feel satisfied with the services provided.

Perceptions, Expectations, Reality, and Public Confidence Regarding the Role of Pharmacists in Pharmacy Services in Bandung

Background: The shifting from the old paradigm to the new paradigm with the philosophy of pharmaceutical care demands pharmacists to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical services. However, this role has not been optimally fulfilled, especially in the community setting.Objectives: This study aimed to identify the perceptions and expectations, the gap between expectations and reality, and public confidence as well as to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic factors and the perceptions, expectations, and public confidence in Bandung City regarding the role of pharmacists in pharmaceutical services.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated survey instrument with 440 respondents in Bandung, West Java, from March to April 2023. The survey data were analyzed descriptively and through inferential statistics.Results: The analysis showed that 58.41% of the community had a positive perception, 56.82% had high expectations, the average gap between expectations and reality was 14.04%, and more than 51.36% had a high level of public confidence in pharmacists. Sociodemographic factors influencing perceptions were age and the highest level of education (p = 0.005; p = 0.003), factors influencing public confidence were age, the highest level of education, residence address according to ID card (KTP), and occupation (p < 0.001; p = 0.034; p = 0.001; p = 0.001), and the factor influencing expectations was the residence address according to ID card (KTP) (p = 0.043). A correlation was found between the dimensions of perceptions, expectations, and public confidence.Conclusion: Most participants held a positive perception, had high expectations, and shown high confidence in the pharmacist's position, despite the existence of a disparity between expectations and the actual provision of pharmacy services. The elements of perception, expectations, and confidence are interrelated.

Projected Customer Growth Rate of Hospital Pharmacy Installation in Blitar from 2021 to 2023

Quality of pharmaceutical services can be measured by the performance of the Blitar General Hospital Pharmacy Installation which focuses on customer growth rates. This study aims to determine the growth rate of outpatient and inpatient customers of the Blitar General Hospital Pharmacy Installation from 2021 to 2023. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document studies, which were then analyzed using a qualitative approach. The results showed that the total customer growth rate increased over time; in 2021, there were 12,786 customers; in 2022, there were 44,833 customers; while in 2023, there were 58,850 customers

The Relationship of Quality of Pharmacy Services to Satisfaction Regular Outpatient Patients in the Hospital Pharmacy Installation Dr. Moewardi Surakarta with SWOT Analysis

Pharmaceutical services cannot be separated from patient satisfaction where patient satisfaction is the "result" of the provision of health services, this can be understood as one of the objectives to improve the standard of pharmaceutical services and patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services. the purpose of this study was to find out the correlation of pharmaceutical services with the level of satisfaction of regular outpatients at the Pharmaceutical Installation of Dr. Moewardi Surakarta Hospital with Swot analysis.. Data analysis was carried out by calculating pharmaceutical service indicators adjusted to the standard, then questionnaire data was tested for validity and reliability and analyzed bivariate then the results were analyzed by SWOT analysis to determine the grand strategy matrix, dispensing time, non-recombinant drugs 49.92 minutes, concocted drugs 19.04 minutes, completeness of PIO 72.5%, no incidence of medication error 100%. Respondents' perceptions of pharmaceutical service satisfaction are satisfied, and there is a relationship between the five dimensions of pharmaceutical services and outpatient satisfaction at the pharmaceutical installation of Dr. Moewardi Surakarta Hospital, the grand matrix of swot analysis strategies is in quadrant 1 so that Dr. Moewradi Hospital uses the S-O (Strenght- Opportunity) strategy

Research on government regulation methods for the spatial layout of retail pharmacies: practice in Shanghai, China

BackgroundIn China, retail pharmacies are critical sources for obtaining medications and play a vital role in residents’ daily access to drugs and treatment of common illnesses. Effectively guiding the placement of these pharmacies in areas of need through government regulation is crucial for enhancing medication access. In this study, we used population and retail pharmacy spatial distribution data from Shanghai to design guidance and supplementary methods for optimizing the spatial layout of retail pharmacies and medical insurance designated pharmacies based on regional characteristics.MethodsPopulation distribution, road traffic network, administrative division and retail pharmacy data from Shanghai in 2018 were collected from relevant government departments. ArcGIS 10.3 was used to map the retail pharmacies and population distribution. Based on the spatial distribution of population and the service standards of pharmacies, service circles with insufficient pharmacies were identified, and supplementary methods for retail pharmacies and medical insurance designated pharmacies were developed.ResultsIn 2018, Shanghai had 3009 retail pharmacies, each serving an average of 6412 residents. The city was divided into 2188 basic pharmaceutical service circles, each within a 15-minute walking distance. The results indicated that there were 1387 service circles without any pharmacies, 151 of which had populations exceeding 5000. Additionally, 356 service circles had pharmacies but lacked medical insurance designated ones. After supplementation, 841 retail pharmacies were planned to be added in residential areas. Compared with before, the coverage area and population served of the pharmacies increased significantly.ConclusionsThis study mapped the spatial distribution of population and retail pharmacies in Shanghai, and designed government guidance and supplementary methods for optimizing the layout of retail pharmacies. The findings offer valuable insights for government agencies in low- and middle-income countries to improve the spatial distribution of retail pharmacies.

Pharmaceutical Activities, Services, Medicines, and Products at Community Pharmacies in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications for the Future.

Introduction Community pharmacies are highly accessible and provide access to several services to patients and community members. Recently, several developments have been made in Saudi Arabia to enhance the roles and contributions of community pharmacists to the healthcare system, including expanding their scope of practice. This study aims to evaluate the current pharmaceutical activities, medicines, products, and services offered by community pharmacies. Methods This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based descriptive study. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section comprised the demographic characteristics of the participants. The second section explored the types of pharmaceuticals and products sold by community pharmacies, while the third section explored the current professional services and activities offered bypharmacies. This study was conducted among community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Results Overall, 109/115 community pharmacies participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 94.78%. Most participants (97.25%) were men, and 42.20% were 31-40 years old. All pharmacies (100%) dispensed prescriptions and provided over-the-counter medicines, self-care therapeutics, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. However, only a few pharmacies had controlled and narcotic medicine services (5.50%) and supplied vaccines (3.67%). Almost all pharmacies provided access to herbal products (97.25%), self-diagnostic test/home-test kits (97.25%), first-aid kits (95.41%), and medical equipment and devices and their accessories (89.91%). All pharmacies (100%) sold health-related products, including oral, skin, and hair care products. All pharmacists (100%) provided medication counseling. However, e-prescription services (Wasfaty) were provided in only 55.96% of the pharmacies. Most pharmacists provided health education and promotion (95.41%), management of minor ailments (88.99%), and patient training on the use of medical devices (92.66%). Other pharmaceutical activities included travel health advice (52.29%) and smoking cessation (31.19%). However, patient care services, including vaccination services (0.92%), patient assessment and monitoring services (0.92%), and point-of-care (POC) testing (0.92%), were limited. Additional services included online shopping (66.97%), home delivery of medicines (54.13%), and instant/live chat communication with pharmacies (70.64%). Conclusion Community pharmacies play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's healthcare system. These include providing access to medicines, medical equipment, and various products related to health and wellness. Community pharmacies provide public health services. However, their clinical services are limited. Consequently, a holistic strategy involving all stakeholders is required to further enhance the role of community pharmacists and better utilize their skills and training to provide preventive healthcare services and optimize medication therapy in primary care settings.

Embracing telepharmacy: Unveiling Malaysians' perceptions and knowledge through online survey.

The expansion of information technologies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has notably increased the use of remote services, including telehealth. Telepharmacy, a subset of telehealth, offers remote pharmaceutical care services, benefiting patients by providing advice and consultations without the need for physical pharmacy visits. This study aimed to assess public perceptions and awareness of telepharmacy in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from Nov 2022 to May 2023, involving 387 Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. Data collection utilised Google Forms distributed via social medias, covering demographics, technological readiness, awareness, perceptions, and willingness related to telepharmacy. The study demonstrated high digital readiness among respondents, owning smartphones and being adept in utilising various digital features. However, there was a lack of awareness regarding the concept of telepharmacy. Despite predominantly positive perceptions of its potential, only 48.1% of respondents showed willingness to utilise telepharmacy services. While respondents exhibited readiness for digital engagement, there was a notable deficit in understanding telepharmacy. Though perceptions were positive, willingness to embrace telepharmacy was moderate. Addressing the knowledge gap through targeted education initiatives might enhance acceptance. Future research should focus on integrating telepharmacy into healthcare systems considering public preferences, thereby evaluating its actual implementation and outcomes among diverse demographics.

Cultivating Student Competencies and Practical Exploration in the Pharmaceutical Service Teaching Model

With the increasing demand for healthcare and the rapid development of the pharmaceutical service field, pharmaceutical education faces new challenges and opportunities. Traditional pharmaceutical service te aching models can no longer fully meet the requirements of modern pharmaceutical talent cultivation, necessitating the integration of modern educational technologies and innovative teaching methods. This paper first provides an overview of the existing pharmaceutical service teaching models and then explores the cultivation of student competencies within this model, including systematic knowledge and skills development, formation of clinical decision-making abilities, enhancement of communication and collaboration skills, and education on professional ethics and regulatory compliance. Finally, this paper proposes innovative practices in the pharmaceutical service teaching model, such as innovations in practice bases and internship projects, the application of virtual reality and simulation technologies, and the development of interdisciplinary teaching projects, aiming to provide new ideas and methods for pharmaceutical education.

Legal Responsibilities of Telepharmacy In Sales of Prescription Drugs In Indonesia

The role of medication in healthcare services is crucial, but inappropriate use can endanger human health. Prescription drugs, including controlled substances, narcotics, and psychotropics, can only be dispensed by pharmacists based on a doctor's prescription at pharmaceutical service facilities in accordance with legal regulations to prevent misuse or abuse, which pose high health risks and can even be fatal. While the development of telepharmacy provides convenience for consumers in obtaining medications, it also introduces risks when prescription drugs are obtained without a doctor's prescription. This study aims to analyze the legal responsibilities of telepharmacy in the sale of prescription drugs and to understand the role of pharmacists in maintaining pharmaceutical standards within telepharmacy. Method: literature review sourced from Google Scholar. The Legal responsibility in Indonesian telepharmacy is governed by Government Regulations No. 71/2019 and No. 5/2021, Minister of Health Regulation No. 14/2021, Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/4829/2021, and BPOM Regulation No. 8/2020. Telepharmacy involves pharmacists, pharmacies, and electronic system operators, requiring adherence to service standards, data protection, and collaboration with conventional pharmacies. Therefore, regulations governing the pharmacy profession need to be updated to ensure telepharmacy services are safe and compliant with standards

Outcome research on esophagectomy analyzed using nationwide databases in Japan: evidences generated from real-world data.

Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is a highly invasive gastrointestinal surgical procedure. The National Clinical Database (NCD) of Japan, initiated in 2011, has compiled real-world data on esophagectomy, one of nine major gastroenterological surgeries. This review examines outcomes after esophagectomy analyzed using the Japanese big databases. Certification systems by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (JSGS) and the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) have shown that institutional certification has a greater impact on short-term surgical outcomes than surgeon certification. Minimally invasive esophagectomy has emerged as a viable alternative to open esophagectomy, although careful patient selection is crucial, especially for elderly patients with advanced tumors. The NCD has significantly contributed to the assessment and enhancement of surgical quality and short-term outcomes, while studies based on Comprehensive Registry of Esophageal Cancer in Japan (CRECJ) have provided data on patient characteristics, treatments, and long-term outcomes. The JES has conducted various questionnaire-based retrospective clinical reviews in collaboration with authorized institutions certified by JES. The Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database provides administrative claims data including itemized prices for surgical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and other inpatient services. Analyzing these nationwide databases can offer precise insights into surgical quality for esophageal cancer, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.

Assessment of practice and perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding the contribution of inappropriate pharmaceutical compounding to adverse drug events (ADEs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

IntroductionPharmaceutical compounding, a practice of tailoring medications to individual patient needs, is integral to healthcare but poses potential risks, including adverse drug events (ADEs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Understanding healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceptions on these issues is crucial for enhancing patient safety.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the practice and perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding the contribution of inappropriate pharmaceutical compounding to ADEs and AMR at Pawi General Hospital in the Metekel Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region.MethodsA crossectional study design was employed, involving a self-administered questionnaire distributed to healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physicians, and nurses. STATA version 17 was used for analysis. Descriptive Analysis was used to summarize demographic characteristics of participants. The normality of the data was tested using a Shapiro wilk test. The mean standard deviations (SD) and percentages (%) of the variables were calculated.ResultsThe study was conducted among 120 healthcare professionals actively involved in patient care and pharmaceutical services within the hospital. The result of the study indicates varying levels of practice among healthcare professionals. The perceptions on the contribution of inappropriate compounding to ADEs and AMR differ across disciplines. The majority (75.83%) of the respondents deemed compounded medications in patient care as very important. A significant majority (61.67%) of respondents expressed being very concerned about the contribution of inappropriately compounded medication to AMR and ADEs.ConclusionsThis study indicated the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of inappropriate pharmaceutical compounding risks. The development of standardized training programs, regular updates on best practices, and collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals is essential for promoting patient safety, minimizing adverse events, and contributing to effective antimicrobial stewardship.