Colleges Of Pharmacy Research Articles

Impact of combined plant extracts on long COVID: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Long COVID have posed a global health burden since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined plant extract (CPE) formulation, containing Citrus aurantifolia, Tiliacora triandra, Cannabis sativa, Alpinia galanga, and Piper nigrum, in participants with long COVID. A newly developed long COVID symptom questionnaire was used to evaluate outcomes. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Thailand. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a CPE supplement (4,500mg/day) or a placebo for 7 days. Primary outcomes were changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the total symptom score (ranging from 0 to 57 points). Secondary outcomes included full recovery/improvement of long COVID symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and adverse events. A total of 66 participants were enrolled, with 33 in each group. The CPE supplement did not significantly reduce CRP levels, with a median difference (MD) (95% CI) of -0.05 (-0.49, 0.39) mg/L compared to placebo. However, the CPE group showed a reduction in the total symptom score [MD (95% CI) of -4.00 (-7.58, -0.42)], and a reduction in overall moderate to severe symptoms [RR (95% CI) of 0.57 (0.35, 0.91)], moderate to severe fatigue [RR (95% CI) of 0.25 (0.08, 0.81)], and moderate to severe post-exertional malaise (PEM) [RR (95% CI) of 0.35 (0.16, 0.78)]. Changes in HRQOL scores did not differ significantly between groups. Adverse events were mostly mild and resolved by the end of the follow-up period. Our study suggests potential benefits of the CPE in alleviating moderate to severe long COVID symptoms, particularly fatigue and PEM, with an acceptable safety profile. However, larger-scale trials are necessary to validate these findings, and assessing the reliability of the long COVID symptom questionnaire is essential before its application in future studies.

The Value of Parental Karyotyping in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Lies in Individual Risk Assessments

Background and Objectives: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a multifactorial condition, encompassing genetic, anatomical, immunological, endocrine, as well as infectious and environmental factors; however, the etiology remains elusive in a substantial number of cases. Genetic factors linked to RPL include parental karyotype abnormalities (e.g., translocations, inversions, copy number variants), an increase in sperm aneuploidy, fetal microchimerism, severe skewing of X chromosome inactivation, and various gene polymorphisms. Our study aims to explore the value of routine conventional parental karyotyping in couples with RPL. Materials and Methods: A total of 213 couples (426 individuals) with a history of RPL were enrolled in this retrospective study. The peripheral blood samples included in this study were referred to the Human Genomics Laboratory of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Craiova, Romania, for conventional cytogenetic analysis between January 2013 and December 2023, by the Outpatient Medical Genetics Clinic of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Craiova. Chromosome analysis was performed using standard protocols and karyotypes were reported according to ISCN. Results: Out of 426 patients provided with conventional G-banded chromosome analysis, 410 had a normal karyotype (96.2%) and 16 had chromosome abnormalities (3.8%). The most common chromosomal abnormalities were reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations, with chromosomes 8, 11, 14, and 21 being most frequently involved. A single numerical anomaly was detected (47,XYY). One or multiple chromosomal polymorphisms were identified in 104 subjects (24.4%). In addition, we conducted a stratified analysis of the unselected group and detected chromosome abnormalities in only four cases (0.94%). Conclusions: Our results are consistent with recommendations for paternal karyotyping after an individual risk assessment in instances such as a previous live birth with congenital anomalies and/or the detection of unbalanced chromosomes or a translocation in product of conception or chorionic villi/amniotic fluid samples. In the absence of a positive history, blindly karyotyping couples may prove too expensive and labor intensive, while providing no information on fertility status or live birth rates.

Biosimilars: What pharmacists should know and a survey

Biosimilars are biologic products that are highly similar to existing reference biologics and provide cost-effective treatment alternatives. As more biologic patents expire, biosimilars are becoming increasingly important in healthcare, requiring healthcare professionals to have a solid understanding of their development, regulatory pathways, and clinical implications. Despite their potential benefits, biosimilars face barriers such as limited awareness, concerns about safety and efficacy, and complex regulatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program designed to address these challenges and enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge and confidence in biosimilar use. Methods: The Howard University College of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the FDA, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), and Biologics & Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium (BBCIC), conducted a symposium on biosimilars. The program, funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer, included two primary sessions featuring expert presentations and workshops. Feedback was collected from 114 participants using post-program surveys to assess learning outcomes, program relevance, and its impact on practice. Participants included pharmacists (44.74%), students (44.74%), and other healthcare professionals (10.52%) from various states, with a strong representation from Maryland and Washington, D.C. Results: The program received highly positive feedback, with 86.96% rating the applicability of the program to their practice as "Excellent" and 13.04% as "Good." In terms of knowledge enhancement, 89.13% rated the program as "Excellent," and 10.87% as "Good." Overall, 84.78% rated the program as "Excellent" and 13.04% as "Good," with only 2.17% being "Neutral." No participants rated the program negatively. The program was effective in meeting specific educational objectives, with 89-93% of respondents marking “Strongly Agree” for understanding key biosimilar concepts, such as recognizing their role in practice and understanding development pathways. The objective on using biosimilars in practice received slightly lower ratings, with 73.91% “Strongly Agree” and 19.57% “Agree.” Conclusion: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of structured educational programs in enhancing healthcare professionals’ understanding and confidence in the use of biosimilars. The overwhelmingly positive reception underscores the need for continued education, particularly as more biosimilars enter the market. Future programs should focus on addressing remaining barriers, such as provider hesitancy and practical implementation strategies, to ensure that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to integrate biosimilars into clinical practice. This will ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes, increased adoption of cost-effective therapies, and a more sustainable healthcare system

EXPERIENCE OF IMPLEMENTING THE DISTANCE E-COURSE “STATISTICAL METHODS IN PHARMACY” IN THE MATHEMATICAL TRAINING OF FUTURE PHARMACEUTICAL SPECIALISTS

The article is dedicated to the issue of distance and online learning in higher pharmaceutical education. In the paper, the main principles and characteristic features of the concept of distance learning are outlined, the main advantages and disadvantages of using distance and e-learning in pharmaceutical and medical higher education are discussed. Considerable attention is paid to the use of distance learning technology in the process of math training for students pursuing higher education in the field of pharmacy. In addition to technical means and the structural-methodological component of the distance course development process, special attention is given to psycho-pedagogical aspects, which includes a focus on increasing the motivation of this group of education seekers to master disciplines related to exact sciences. It is demonstrated, using the example of the developed by the authors distance course “Statistical Methods in Pharmacy”, implemented with the LMS Moodle, that a successful combination of methodological approaches and innovative teaching methods, aimed at implementing a competency-based approach in education, along with modern information technology providing online access to educational content, including tools for feedback support, practical skills development, and automated self-assessment, ensures the effectiveness of achieving educational goals by learners and the formation of professional competencies defined by the educational program. The course was tested, certified, and implemented in the fundamental training of future pharmaceutical professionals at the National University of Pharmacy. It is concluded, that the implementation of distance learning technology in the practice of Ukrainian higher pharmaceutical and medical education is necessary not only due to the current conditions that make it impossible to organize full-fledged offline education but also because of the efficiency of these technologies, primarily for organizing independent students’ work, that ensures the development of learners’ autonomy, contributes to the development of information culture, general digital competence, and a range of soft skills, including communication, interaction, collaboration in a digital environment, and the rational use of study time.

A 3D-Printed, High-Fidelity Pelvis Training Model: Cookbook Instructions and First Experience

Background: Since laparoscopic surgery became the gold standard for colorectal procedures, specific skills are required to achieve good outcomes. The best way to acquire basic and advanced skills and reach the learning curve plateau is by using dedicated simulators: box-trainers, video-trainers and virtual reality simulators. Laparoscopic skills training outside the operating room is cost-beneficial, faster and safer, and does not harm the patient. When compared to box-trainers, virtual reality simulators and cadaver models have no additional benefits. Several laparoscopic trainers available on the market as well as homemade box and video-trainers, most of them using plastic boxes and standard webcams, were described in the literature. The majority of them involve training on a flat surface without any anatomical environment. In addition to their demonstrated benefits, box-trainers which add anatomic details can improve the training quality and skills development of surgeons. Methods: We created a 3D-printed anatomic pelvi-trainer which offers a real-size narrow pelvic space environment for training. The model was created starting with a CT-scan performed on a female pelvis from the Anatomy Museum (Cluj-Napoca University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania), using Invesalius 3 software (Centro de Tecnologia da informação Renato Archer CTI, InVesalius open-source software, Campinas, Brazil) for segmentation, Fusion 360 with Netfabb software (Autodesk software company, Fusion 360 with Netfabb, San Francisco, CA, USA) for 3D modeling and a FDM technology 3D printer (Stratasys 3D printing company, Fortus 380mc 3D printer, Minneapolis, MN, USA). In addition, a metal mold for casting silicone valves was made for camera and endoscopic instruments ports. The trainer was tested and compared using a laparoscopic camera, a standard full HD webcam and “V-Box” (INTECH—Innovative Training Technologies, Milano, Italia), a dedicated hard paper box. The pelvi-trainer was tested by 33 surgeons with different qualifications and expertise. Results: We made a complete box-trainer with a versatile 3D-printed pelvi-trainer inside, designed for a wide range of basic and advanced laparoscopic skills training in the narrow pelvic space. We assessed the feedback of 33 surgeons regarding their experience using the anatomic 3D-printed pelvi-trainer for laparoscopic surgery training in the narrow pelvic space. Each surgeon tested the pelvi-trainer in three different setups: using a laparoscopic camera, using a webcam connected to a laptop and a “V-BOX” hard paper box. In the experiments that were performed, each participant completed a questionnaire regarding his/her experience using the pelvi-trainer. The results were positive, validating the device as a valid tool for training. Conclusions: We validated the anatomic pelvi-trainer designed by our team as a valuable alternative for basic and advanced laparoscopic surgery training outside the operating room for pelvic organs procedures, proving that it supports a much faster learning curve for colorectal procedures without harming the patients.

Key themes of community-oriented primary care projects from a longitudinal, rural interprofessional health professions curriculum (1997–2023)

BackgroundThe Community Oriented Primary Care Project Model (COPC) has been well studied globally as well as in the United States as a way to provide both community-centered primary care and to engage in community based research. Rural trainees through the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Rural Medical Education Program (RMED) and Rural Pharmacy Education Program (RPHARM) students through the University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy have participated in a COPC project as a capstone to a four month longitudinal, immersive community-based experience in a rural primary care setting. The purpose of this study was to assess the type of projects implemented through a rural health professions curriculum over a 30 year project period. .MethodsA research team reviewed projects on 30 elements; including topic and demographics. Patterns in COPC topics and rurality of the location in which the COPC project were also examined by using 2021 U.S. Census Bureau population data and Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Code.ResultsCOPC projects were categorized into 31 main topic areas with mental health being the most prevalent topic area covered by projects (n = 67, 15.7%) followed by 43 (10.1%) projects that focused on nutrition/exercise, and 41 (9.6%) focused on substance use (presented as a separate category from mental health in this analysis).ConclusionsFor three decades, COPC themes reflect priority health issues in rural communities while providing a scholarly activity for health profession student trainees Past projects have also been implemented in highly rural areas where research is not often conducted. The COPC research process can be easily replicated in other trainee models such as to fulfill ACGME requirements of scholarly activity and can provide a template for trainees of this model to implement community-engaged research in the future.

Empowering Pharmacy Graduates to Diagnose and Prescribe

This commentary underscores the diagnosis and prescribing skills essential to the pharmacists' role on the healthcare team. It advocates for the integration of these skills into pharmacy curricula and emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration among pharmacy educators and the academy to address the omission of diagnosis and prescribing from key frameworks and standards, including the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), the Curricular Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Draft Accreditation Standards 2025. The commentary draws on a case study of one college of pharmacy's integration of diagnosis and prescribing skills into its PharmD curriculum, in a state where pharmacists were granted full diagnostic and prescriptive authority. The integration was achieved through faculty-led modifications to the PPCP and COEPA, making diagnosis and prescribing an explicit part of the curriculum. The commentary concludes with a call to action for educational organizations to recognize and include these aspects in educational outcomes, accreditation standards, and practice frameworks. By doing so, the future of pharmacy education can be reshaped to improve patient care and advance the profession forward.

DẠY HỌC XÁC SUẤT - THỐNG KÊ GẮN VỚI THỰC TIỄN NGHỀ NGHIỆP CHO SINH VIÊN TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC Y DƯỢC THÁI BÌNH

Based on the teaching process in the direction of developing learners’ capability and research results on the Theory of Realistic Mathematics Education, the paper proposes an educational process for using research results in Medicine and Pharmacy to design content for teaching probability and statistics at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, including 5 steps: (1) Finding “realistic situations” from the field of medicine and pharmacy that are suitable for students; (2) Organizing activities for learners to perform learning tasks; (3) Formalizing; (4) Applying; (5) Assessing and Self-assessing. The pedagogical experiment with the content "The law of Total probability" was conducted with the Preventive Healthcare major students at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the academic year 2023 - 2024. The results showed that the proposed measure improves interest in learning and links probability and statistics knowledge with professional practice.

Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in skills-based pharmacy courses

Background: Skills-based courses in pharmacy curricula are uniquely poised to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) as part of practical training for practice readiness. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how pharmacy curricula currently use or plan to use AI within skills-based courses. Methods: Invitations to complete an anonymous Qualtrics® XM survey were e-mailed to faculty members of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, requiring identification as a skills-based faculty coordinator for participation. The survey remained open for two months with biweekly reminders. It assessed current and potential AI utilisation within curricula and administrative functions. Data was analysed categorically based on responses. Results: Of the 98 pharmacy skills-based faculty coordinator survey responses submitted, only 18% reported currently utilising AI within courses, most commonly through gamification. Additionally, 15% reported using AI for administrative course tasks. About 60% reported considering AI implementation, usually within the next two years. The most common reasons for not yet implementing AI included a lack of familiarity with AI and its unclear role in pharmacy education. Conclusion: The reported AI integration in skills-based pharmacy courses and administrative functions is currently low. Although interest seems high, there are barriers to implementing AI, including faculty understanding of the technology and the purpose of its integration into pharmacy education.

Incorporation of Diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism (DEIA) principles into the pharmacy classroom: An exploratory review

IntroductionThe objective is to gather evidence on ways to integrate DEIA into the didactic and experiential pharmacy classroom based on AACP's 2021–2024 Strategic Plan Objective 3.3.1. to “compile and publish resources related to best practices in inclusive pedagogy, creating inclusive classrooms, navigating difficult conversations, and promoting equitable campus climates for use by schools and colleges of pharmacy.”.3 MethodsAn exploratory review was conducted to identify literature using journals, including Academic Medicine, the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE), AACP poster abstracts from 2018 and onward, Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning (CPTL), JAMA Surgery, Journal of Dental Education (JDE), and Minority Nurse Magazine. Keywords used were “DEIA,” “DEIA in classrooms,” “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “microaggression,” “disabilities,” “pharmacy education,” “health equity,” “discrimination,” “unconscious bias,” “cultural humility,” and “cultural competence.” Excluded were literature focused on DEIA in “curriculum,” “recruitment,” and other topics unrelated to integrating DEIA in the classroom. Poster abstract authors were contacted directly to get a copy of the poster so that more information could be gathered from the poster. ResultsSixteen publications were identified (14 peer-reviewed manuscripts and two poster abstracts). Of those, two explored the utilization of technology to make lesson plans more inclusive; seven discussed ways for students to address implicit biases, microaggressions, and navigating difficult conversations; five focused on accommodating students with disabilities; one discussed developing better pronunciation of students' names; and one discussed a method to improve student's self-awareness and awareness of other cultures. ConclusionAlthough evidence was found on integrating DEIA into the didactic and experiential settings, the amount of evidence found is limited, warranting further research.

GPT-Driven Radiology Report Generation with Fine-Tuned Llama 3.

The integration of deep learning into radiology has the potential to enhance diagnostic processes, yet its acceptance in clinical practice remains limited due to various challenges. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a fine-tuned large language model (LLM), based on Llama 3-8B, to automate the generation of accurate and concise conclusions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) radiology reports, thereby assisting radiologists and improving reporting efficiency. A dataset comprising 15,000 radiology reports was collected from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova's Imaging Center, covering a diverse range of MRI and CT examinations made by four experienced radiologists. The Llama 3-8B model was fine-tuned using transfer-learning techniques, incorporating parameter quantization to 4-bit precision and low-rank adaptation (LoRA) with a rank of 16 to optimize computational efficiency on consumer-grade GPUs. The model was trained over five epochs using an NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU, with intermediary checkpoints saved for monitoring. Performance was evaluated quantitatively using Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers Score (BERTScore), Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation (ROUGE), Bilingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU), and Metric for Evaluation of Translation with Explicit Ordering (METEOR) metrics on a held-out test set. Additionally, a qualitative assessment was conducted, involving 13 independent radiologists who participated in a Turing-like test and provided ratings for the AI-generated conclusions. The fine-tuned model demonstrated strong quantitative performance, achieving a BERTScore F1 of 0.8054, a ROUGE-1 F1 of 0.4998, a ROUGE-L F1 of 0.4628, and a METEOR score of 0.4282. In the human evaluation, the artificial intelligence (AI)-generated conclusions were preferred over human-written ones in approximately 21.8% of cases, indicating that the model's outputs were competitive with those of experienced radiologists. The average rating of the AI-generated conclusions was 3.65 out of 5, reflecting a generally favorable assessment. Notably, the model maintained its consistency across various types of reports and demonstrated the ability to generalize to unseen data. The fine-tuned Llama 3-8B model effectively generates accurate and coherent conclusions for MRI and CT radiology reports. By automating the conclusion-writing process, this approach can assist radiologists in reducing their workload and enhancing report consistency, potentially addressing some barriers to the adoption of deep learning in clinical practice. The positive evaluations from independent radiologists underscore the model's potential utility. While the model demonstrated strong performance, limitations such as dataset bias, limited sample diversity, a lack of clinical judgment, and the need for large computational resources require further refinement and real-world validation. Future work should explore the integration of such models into clinical workflows, address ethical and legal considerations, and extend this approach to generate complete radiology reports.

One-Year Visual and Refractive Outcomes of SmartPulse® Technology in Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopic and Astigmatic Patients.

Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and predictability of Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TPRK) using the SmartPulse® technology excimer laser for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, assessing visual and refractive outcomes over a one-year follow-up period. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients who underwent TPRK at the Ophthalmology Department-"Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timisoara (Romania), between January 2019 and June 2023. The procedure was performed using the SmartPulse® Technology of the SmartSurfACE AMARIS 750S excimer laser (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, Kleinostheim, Germany). Preoperative assessments included visual acuity, refraction, and corneal measurements, with postoperative evaluations conducted for up to 12 months. Results: This study included 92 eyes from 46 patients (mean age 29.02 years, 63% male). At 12 months post-op, 100% achieved UDVA 20/25 or better, with an efficacy index of 1.01. Refractive accuracy was 96% within ±0.50 D of the target and astigmatism ≤ 0.50 D in 99% of eyes. The safety index was 1.01. Corneal haze occurred in 8.70% of eyes and was effectively managed with dexamethasone drops. Conclusions: TPRK with the SmartPulse® technology excimer laser demonstrated high efficacy and safety in correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism, achieving stable visual outcomes over one year. The procedure also showed excellent predictability with a low incidence of complications, supporting its use as a reliable refractive surgery option.

Constructing a measure for self-perceived open organizational culture in a university hospital pharmacy.

An open organizational culture in the workplace represents an environment where information, ideas, and feedback are freely exchanged among all members, regardless of position or rank. Currently, there are no valid survey instruments to measure this culture within a healthcare context. To address this gap, we developed a survey instrument to measure self-perceived open organizational culture at a university pharmacy using a test re-test study design. Data were collected during classroom training on basic mediation skills study. Participants completed the same questionnaire before (test phase) and after the training (validation phase). The questionnaire included statements assessing open organizational culture. The data were analyzed using standardized psychometric methods, including correlations, Exploratory Factor Analysis (structural validity), and construct validity by correlating the open organizational culture scores with the Interpersonal Communication Inventory. In the test phase, 191 participants (161 females, 84%; response rate = 39.7%) contributed to the initial construction of the self-perceived open organizational culture survey instrument. In the validation phase, 81 of the original respondents completed the questionnaire again. Three latent factors were identified, retaining 22 of the 37 items: "enabling systems" (7 items), "open behavior" (8 items), and "trusting and supporting coworkers" (7 items). High correlations were found among the three factors (r > 0.6), and between these factors and the Interpersonal Communication Inventory (r > 0.35). Cronbach's alphas were all above 0.85, indicating good internal consistency. During the validation phase, the factors demonstrated high internal consistency, test/re-test correlations, and agreement. This study presents a 22-item survey instrument for measuring individual differences in self-perceived open organizational culture within a university hospital pharmacy. The instrument demonstrates internal consistency and construct validity. Further validation of its psychometric properties and testing in other healthcare departments are recommended.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS' TRAINING LEVEL IN THE ELECTIVE DISCIPLINE "QUALITY SYSTEMS IN PHARMACY"

The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly developing and implementing new innovative approaches and legal regulation of the quality management system of medicinal products, which includes a set of methods, processes and resources that are necessary for quality management. Therefore, the study by students of the specialty 226 "Pharmacy, industrial pharmacy" of the elective discipline "Quality systems in pharmacy" is an important area of professional training of a qualified specialist who will master the methodology of quality management, normative-legislative and organizational-economic aspects of quality control of medicinal products at pharmaceutical enterprises. Training of domestic students in the field of drug technology is an important direction of pharmaceutical education today. The main tasks of studying the elective discipline "Quality Systems in Pharmacy" are: formation of students of higher education in general knowledge about the quality indicators of medicinal products according to the stage of their life cycle by fulfilling the requirements of proper pharmaceutical practices and developing documentation in accordance with their requirements; formation of practical skills; raising the level of general and scientific development of students of higher education, forming their outlook and perspective as modern qualified specialists in the field of pharmacy. The purpose of the work was to study the assessment of the level of training of domestic students in the elective discipline "Quality Systems in Pharmacy". Materials and methods. We used an empirical research method (questionnaire). Questionnaire was a key research method, as it allows to get answers from the student audience regarding the organization of the educational process. A survey was conducted to assess the level of preparation of domestic students of the 5th year of the Faculty of Pharmacy who completed the study of the selective discipline "Quality Systems in Pharmacy". 50 full-time students and 2 distance learning students took part in the survey. Out of all the respondents, only one studies on budget forms of education. Research results. According to the curriculum, the elective discipline "Quality Systems in Pharmacy" at the Faculty of Pharmacy of IFNMU is studied in the V course in the IX semester, at the stage when students have already acquired basic knowledge of pharmaceutical disciplines. The discipline is chosen by already formed specialists who possess a large stock of theoretical knowledge and practical skills and are motivated to study a new subject, so it remains for the teacher to systematize information for the proper conduct of the discipline study course. 3 ECTS credits are provided for the study of the discipline in the curriculum. The discipline includes 20 hours of lectures, 30 hours of practical classes, 40 hours of independent student work and ends with a module. Lecture and practical material taught at the level of modern scientific and practical data with the aim of forming students' program results. We conducted an analysis of problems in the organization of the educational process for students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University during full-time education. The success of implementing the selective discipline "Quality Systems in Pharmacy" and ensuring a high level of training depends primarily on the quality of the work of scientific and pedagogical workers.

Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude of Pharm.D. Students on Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Report

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is a strategy to optimize antimicrobials and prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Pharm.D. students are future Clinical pharmacists who play a key role in promoting rational use and implementing AMS programs. Only a few studies about their knowledge, awareness and attitude regarding AMS exist. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the middle of December 2023, among Pharm.D. students of different academic years from three Pharmacy colleges and Pharm.D. graduates in South India. The survey was conducted online using a validated questionnaire and Pharm.D. students audited the results under the guidance of an Infectious disease specialist. The survey comprised 17 questions covering demographic information, AMS knowledge, attitude and awareness questionnaires. This study included a total of 190 respondents. However, only 32.11% reported having participated in any AMS activity during their period of pharmacy education. Pharm.D. students have a positive attitude (72.48%) and optimal awareness (65.13%) but they lack sufficient knowledge (45.19%) towards AMS, specifically regarding surgical prophylaxis and antibiotic allergy testing. It serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers and stakeholders involved in shaping the curricula of Pharm.D. programs to enhance the training and preparedness of students in AMS practices. In the future, AMS education programs should target not only clinicians but also Pharm.D. students and interns.

Evaluation of TikTok social media posts on side effect information for popular weight loss medications

AbstractIntroductionThe prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in America, contributing to various health risks. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) receptor agonists have bloomed in popularity due to their efficacy and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for weight loss, igniting popularity on social media. This study focuses on the role of TikTok™ (ByteDance, Haidian, Beijing, China), a popular social media platform, in disseminating understandable and actionable information about the side effects of weight loss medications.MethodsThe study analyzed the top 50 TikTok videos for each of the following hashtags: #ozempicsideeffects, #semaglutidesideeffects, #mounjarosideeffects, and #wegovysideeffects. Videos were evaluated based on their understandability and actionability using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for audio‐visual (AV) products. PEMAT‐AV scores and popularity of videos were compared between hashtags utilizing one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). An alpha of 0.05 was used, with Bonferroni correction.ResultsA total of 165 videos were reviewed for PEMAT‐AV understandability and actionability scores. The total visibility of the videos reached over 19.4 million views. A majority of the videos were personal experiences (89%), with only 5% being health care education videos. The average understandability and actionability scores for all videos were 43% and 20%, respectfully. The data presented a difference between searched hashtags for both evaluation scores, p‐values of <0.001 and 0.093, respectively.ConclusionTikTok videos covering weight loss medication side effects have poor understandability and actionability scores. This study highlights the opportunity for more educational videos produced by health care professionals on TikTok, and a potential need for health care organizations and/or colleges of pharmacy to provide education to health care providers on how to create quality content for medication education on social media‐based platforms. Further research is needed to evaluate the credibility of content.

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pharmacy students’ acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in South India

Purpose: To assess South Indian pharmacy students' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding adherence to COVID-19 immunization guidelines. Methods: A six-month prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among KMCH College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore pharmacy students. The 39 validated questions on knowledge, attitudes, practices, and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine were used to grade replies using 3-point and 5- point Likert scales. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0, was used to analyze the data. Results: The survey was completed by a total of 271 pharmacy students. A majority (59 %) of students possessed adequate knowledge (p = 0.0003), and 92 % were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The majority of respondents have implemented COVID-19-appropriate practices. Majority of information sources (52 %) were from healthcare providers. Conclusion: Pharmacy students in South India have a fair knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination. More effort is required to improve awareness on this subject.

Leading Across Health Professions: Reflections on Opportunities and Challenges

Pharmacy leaders are well equipped to serve as academic leaders overseeing additional health profession programs and/or faculty. Organizing multiple health professions programs under one umbrella offers a number of opportunities, such as efficiencies in financial and human resources, expanded and more diverse leadership talent which offers advantages in succession planning, organizational effectiveness in its operations, expanded opportunities for interprofessional education and collaborations in research and scholarship, greater visibility as a partner for establishing pipeline agreements and clinical partners affiliations, and personal professional development and growth for those in senior leadership positions. However, pharmacy academic leaders with oversight over multiple health professions programs and faculty also face challenges in understanding the professional identities and culture of their faculty, complexities of equity of workload across numerous departments, mistrust from departments other than pharmacy, and their own increased workload and possible burnout. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy has recently established a new Multi-Professional Health Care Administrative Leaders Connect Community, which should be further promoted to increase membership. Programming to allow additional networking, sharing of best practices, mentorship and professional development of leaders who oversee, or aspire to oversee, multiple health professions programs can be beneficial. Further research can describe different models of organizing multiple health professions programs and identify best practices for successful organizational and operational structures.

A Survey Analysis of Motivations and Perceived Consequences of Work Hours Among Pharmacy Students.

To determine pharmacy students' weekly work hours during PharmD semesters, the primary reasons for working or not working, and how work hours impact their pharmacy education experience. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among P1 - P4 students enrolled in PharmD programs at three colleges of pharmacy between January and February 2024. The 22-item anonymous survey queried about student characteristics, current and ideal paid work hours, primary reasons for working, and perceived consequences of work hours on pharmacy education. A total of 622 pharmacy students participated in this survey (61% response rate). Community pharmacies (39%, n=242) and inpatient hospital pharmacies (29%, n=179) were the most common work settings for participants. Mean reported student work hours per week were statistically higher than ideal hours (12.3 vs. 10.8). Most students were comfortable with their weekly work hours (63%, n=307). Academic commitment was the main reason for students working fewer than ideal hours (76%, n=65) while financial necessity was the primary reason for students working more than their ideal hours (86%, n=82). Reduced study time (90%, n=84), increased stress and fatigue (72%, n=67), and limited extracurricular involvement (59%, n=55) were consequences of working beyond ideal work hours. Most students are comfortable with their average 12-hour/week work hours. Financial necessity is a primary reason for students working more than their ideal hours, and excess work hours may contribute to reduced student engagement in pharmacy education. Faculty can use this information in their discussions with students balancing work and academic commitments.

Healthcare students attitudes opinions perceptions and perceived obstacles regarding ChatGPT in Saudi Arabia: a survey‑based cross‑sectional study

With growing technology, it’s easier for students to accomplish their assignments with little or no effort. This study assesses attitudes, opinions, perceptions, and perceived obstacles regarding ChatGPT among healthcare students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study among healthcare students was conducted from the beginning of January to April 2024 using social media, platforms through a prevalidated series of questionnaires. This study included students from the College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). A total of 354 students included in the study. The data was analyzed using a statistical package for social science (SPSS). Among the healthcare students 39.8% (n = 141) of them were between 23 and 24 years old and most of them were male 68.4% (n = 242). The majority of the healthcare students 91.2% (n = 323) were familiar with the term “ChatGPT, while 75.1% (n = 266) of them were comfortable to some extent in using ChatGPT in their academic activity. Although 22% (n = 78) of healthcare students stated they had used ChatGPT in their academics 29.5% of them perceived that ChatGPT is used in information gathering. In addition, 66.7% of them showed positive attitudes towards ChatGPT. While 61.3% of the healthcare students perceived that ChatGPT may increase productivity and 84.7% of them revealed that it has a positive impact on education. The mean perceptions score of ChatGPT was significantly higher among females (22.64 ± 6.36) comparing male students (21.71 ± 4.66) (t = 1.551; p = 0.001). Similarly, the mean perception score of ChatGPT was higher among pharmacy (22.99 ± 5.48) compared to other healthcare students (F = 4.941; p = 0.008). The current findings concluded that most of the healthcare students are familiar with ChatGPT and show positive perceptions, and perceived that ChatGPT may increase productivity and have a positive impact on education. Therefore, we recommend future studies concentrate on enhancing the ethical and successful application of AI tools and ChatGPT in the academic setting is pivotal.