Pharmacy Profession Research Articles

Pharmacy Compounding Regulation in the German Pharmaceutical Market. Part 1. Basic Regulatory Provisions (Review)

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. There is a need to move towards an appropriate system of quality assurance in pharmacy compounding. At the same time, the development of a Russian regulatory system for pharmacy compounding requires a broad understanding of international experience.AIM. This study aimed at analysing the basic principles of pharmacy compounding regulation in the Federal Republic of Germany in order to identify best practices and determine ways to improve the legal and regulatory framework for compounding pharmacies in the Russian Federation.DISCUSSION. According to German law, pharmacies may dispense compounded medicinal products on an oral request from a patient. The German regulatory framework provides a mechanism delineating medicinal products compounded by pharmacies and those manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. The geographical and quantitative restrictions combined with the neutral pricing policy for pharmacies facilitate the establishment of a highly effective pharmaceutical supply system. In practice, this system helps set uniform prices for medicinal products throughout Germany while preventing pharmacy chains from monopolising the pharmaceutical market. These regulations can be considered regulatory mechanisms operating at the regional (land) level. Moreover, it is of key importance that German legislation divides compounded medicinal products into stock and extemporaneous preparations.CONCLUSIONS. German pharmaceutical practice features a number of innovations that can be borrowed for Russian pharmaceutical practice. Russian pharmaceutical legislation may benefit from adopting the concept of a “request from an individual” for dispensing compounded medicinal products that do not contain prescription-only active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In order to improve the efficiency of the use of pharmaceutical-quality raw materials, including APIs, it is necessary to identify cases in which regular pharmacies can receive or purchase compounded medicinal products from compounding pharmacies and cases in which compounding pharmacies can purchase APIs from other compounding pharmacies. The authors recommend considering the possibility of defining the role, functions, and powers of self-regulating professional pharmacy organisations at various levels of governance in this social sphere of activity. Furthermore, the authors recommend creating a Russian mechanism to mitigate the risks of stock shortages and/or limited supply of medicinal products that would be similar to the German “standard authorisation” system and would encompass compounding pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, perception towards pharmacy practice regulations 2015 among community pharmacists in Mangalore

The Pharmacy Practice Regulations of 2015 were formulated to standardize and enhance pharmacy practices in India. Community pharmacy professionals globally are taking on expanded roles in patient care and health promotion. However, some lack awareness of recommended pharmaceutical care services in new regulations. This knowledge gap poses risks of medication errors and serious consequences, even patient fatalities. To address this, it's crucial to provide ongoing education, enhance communication, integrate technology, ensure regulatory compliance, and establish effective feedback mechanisms within pharmacies. These measures aim to improve knowledge, compliance, and, ultimately, patient safety. This study, conducted in Mangalore over a period of approximately 2.5 months, is a community-based cross-sectional study with a sample size of 100 participants. It included community pharmacists working in Mangalore. Knowledge of community pharmacists were analysed and it was found that out of 100 participants only 18% were aware, 60% were not aware and 22% were not sure about the PPR,2015. In this study, 42% of participants were not aware of the duties outlined in PPR,2015. Among the surveyed pharmacists, 55% believed that adhering to Pharmacy Practice Regulations was essential for improving patient healthcare. In contrast, 20% held the opinion that following these regulations was unnecessary, while 28% expressed uncertainty on the matter. Mandating minimum education level for working in community pharmacies should be implemented. Practicing pharmacists should be encouraged to update their knowledge by attending continuous education programmes. The morals and responsibilities of community pharmacists should be continuously reminded to the pharmacists.

Results from a global pharmacy leadership needs assessment: Opportunities to advance pharmacy leadership

Background: Leadership skills in the pharmacy profession are essential for career development and advancement. Pharmacy education is often not focused on developing these leadership skills. This study determines the exact pharmacist leadership traits needed across the globe. Methods: A three-part leadership needs assessment was developed by three International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) global leads for leadership development. Pharmacy management leaders within FIP headquarters vetted the survey for external validity, and their feedback was incorporated. In January 2021, the survey was disseminated to around 3000 FIP members using Qualtrics. The survey took approximately 15 minutes to complete 28 questions. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were used for the data. Results: A total of 239 participants (~8%) completed the survey. On average, participants felt that innovation/entrepreneurship, negotiating, strategic context, conflict management, and vision were among the top five leadership competencies that they would like more training in. When stratified by work setting, pharmacists in academia ranked conflict management, in inpatient hospitals ranked change management, and in community/retail settings ranked prioritisation as the top leadership competency need. Conclusion: Pharmacists in different work settings and different parts of the world have a need for different leadership skills which should be carefully considered when providing leadership training.

Ohio pharmacy personnel’s burnout and wellbeing: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundWhile burnout is a well-known phenomenon among physicians and nurses, burnout among pharmacists and pharmacy personnel is understudied and less recognized. ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this study were to describe and compare Ohio pharmacy personnel’s self-reports of burnout and wellbeing prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA one-time online survey was completed by over 13,000 health care professionals in Ohio in July and August 2021. This brief report describes a subanalysis of the 1452 participating pharmacy professionals licensed by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. ResultsMost survey respondents identified as White (90.84%) and female (70.04%), including pharmacists (59.16%) and pharmacy technicians (38.15%). Findings demonstrated a 360.55% increase in feeling emotionally drained “every day” during the pandemic. Participants felt emotionally drained more frequently; cared less about what happened to patients; felt less accomplished; felt down, depressed, or hopeless more frequently; had more thoughts of suicide; and were more concerned about their substance use during the pandemic than prior to it. ConclusionPharmacy personnel are experiencing some dimensions of burnout and poor wellbeing more frequently. These issues were present prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and now require even swifter attention as outcomes have worsened. Increased awareness of burnout among pharmacy personnel is required. Additionally, policy and organizational interventions are recommended to improve pharmacy personnel wellbeing.

Women of Color in the Health Professions: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

Women of color (WoC) in the health professions encounter challenges in advancement to higher positions, disparities in wages, discrimination, lack of expectation to achieve leadership positions, and absence of extensive support networks. Articles in the literature have addressed race and/or gender in the context of professional development. However, applying an intersectional lens or framework to better understand the contextual issues of professional development for WoC remains to be addressed. Thus, this scoping review aimed to (i) identify health professions literature that addresses disparities affecting WoC, and (ii) describe strategies and approaches to support WoC in the health professions. Methods: The literature searches were conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed and MEDLINE (Ovid); and Google and Google Scholar were used to "hand search" further articles including gray literature. Three independent reviewers reviewed and screened articles for inclusion in accordance with a guide. Search included articles on pharmacy or healthcare professions, published in English, and which met three content criteria: racial disparities/inequities, professional development/career advancement, and women or gender disparities Results: A total of 31 articles were included-medicine (17), nursing (1), pharmacy (7), other (4), and multiple health professions (2). Key findings included underrepresentation of women and minority groups, inequities in professional advancement and leadership positions for WoC, and greater dissatisfaction and attrition among minority and women professionals. Conclusion: WoC face unique and distinct challenges and barriers in their professional careers resulting from the intersectionality of not only race and gender, but also lived experiences and opportunities. Strategies to improve diversity and representation should include an intersectional framework or lens and be critically evaluated.

Provider Experience With the Use of Ketamine for Refractory Status Epilepticus.

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) treated with anesthetic agents can be associated with complications including respiratory depression and hypotension. Ketamine is an emerging RSE treatment, but optimal dosing and timing are unknown. We studied provider attitudes and practices regarding the use of ketamine for RSE. A literature review informed the creation of the survey, developed by professionals in epilepsy, pharmacy, and neurocritical care. The survey was distributed to members of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring and Research Consortium, Neurocritical Care Society, American Academy of Neurology Synapse community, American Epilepsy Society, and the Canadian League Against Epilepsy. Descriptive statistics were calculated. There were 109 respondents. First-line agents for RSE were midazolam (53%), propofol (42%), pentobarbital (2%), and ketamine (1%). Reasons for ketamine use included failure of midazolam/propofol to control seizures (81%) or hypotension on another anesthetic (35%). Perceived contraindications included hypertension (37%), elevated intracranial pressure (24%), and heart failure (18%). Perceived benefits included decreased use of vasopressors (53%) and more rapid RSE control when used adjunctively (49%). Routine ketamine users often treated more than 10 RSE cases per year, worked as intensivists or at academic institutions. Of the respondents, 59% found ketamine useful for RSE and 94% were interested in learning more about its use. Although most participants found ketamine helpful for RSE, it is mainly used as a second-line agent adjunctively with midazolam or propofol. Perceived ketamine benefits included decreased need for hemodynamic support and more rapid seizure control when used in conjunction with other anesthetics. Perceived contraindications centered on cardiac and intracranial pressure concerns.

Preceptors' perceptions of an entrustable professional activities-based community introductory pharmacy practice experience curriculum

IntroductionIn 2021, the Southeastern Pharmacy Experiential Education Consortium implemented Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) into the community introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) curriculum at five colleges/schools of pharmacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate community IPPE preceptors' perceptions regarding the newly implemented EPA-based community IPPE curriculum and corresponding preceptor training. MethodsCommunity IPPE preceptors who precepted first-year student pharmacists in the EPA-based curriculum during the 2021 and 2022 community IPPE cycles were invited to complete a voluntary electronic survey. The survey collected preceptor feedback regarding the required EPA tasks, assessment tool, and preceptor development module. ResultsEighty-eight preceptors began the survey, and approximately half completed the entire survey. Greater than 92% of preceptors surveyed agreed or strongly agreed EPA domain tasks were developed at an appropriate level for a student to complete by the end of the community IPPE, and ≥ 94% agreed or strongly agreed tasks prepared a community IPPE student for the community advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Overall, most preceptors agreed or strongly agreed that the assessment tool was easy to navigate and effective at evaluating students' performance. All preceptors who viewed the recorded preceptor development module found it helpful to their understanding of the new assessment tool. ConclusionsPreceptors' feedback supports the use of an EPA-based community IPPE curriculum to assess student performance and prepare students for community APPEs. Preceptor involvement is valuable in the evaluation of a revised experiential curricula to assure IPPE expectations are appropriate and align with contemporary pharmacy practice.

Pathway to success: exploring students’ perspectives on career aspirations in pharmacy

Embarking on a career in pharmacy is a dynamic and engaging journey, making it imperative to delve deeper into students' viewpoints. This study holds paramount significance as it seeks to unravel the students' perspectives on choosing pharmacy as a career. Understanding these viewpoints becomes pivotal for academic institutions, guiding them to navigate and align seamlessly with the ever-evolving landscape of pharmacy careers. The objectives of this study include to explore students’ attitudes towards pharmacy as their future career aspiration and to determining the relation between students’ academic performance and their attitudes towards pharmacy as their future career aspiration. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected through Google Forms from ninety Diploma in Pharmacy students of Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Kampus Bertam. Employing a convenient sampling, data tabulation and statistical analysis were executed using SPSS. Results from this study indicate that pharmacy students generally express a high level of pride (88.9%) in their field of study and a strong commitment (88.9%) to the values of the pharmacy profession. Additionally, a significant portion sees being a pharmacist as an integral part of their identity (74.5%). A majority agreed that pharmacy is an ideal lifelong career (76.7%) and expressed contentment with their choice to study pharmacy (68.9%). While a notable percentage would still choose pharmacy if given the chance again (53.4%), there is a consensus (81.1%) that a career in pharmacy is desirable. Importantly, the overall score of 4.07 suggests a general agreement with the positive statements about studying pharmacy. In conclusion, this study illuminates the positive inclinations and affirmations that students hold regarding pharmacy as a career choice. The findings not only contribute valuable insights into the attitudes and perspectives of pharmacy students but also underscore a predominantly optimistic outlook on their chosen profession.

Developing a quality framework for community pharmacy: a systematic review of international literature

ObjectiveTo identify the defining features of the quality of community pharmacy (CP) services and synthesise these into an evidence-based quality framework.DesignSystematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews...

Using simulation to introduce students and healthcare professionals to losses experienced by older adults: a pre-post analysis

BackgroundTo introduce students and healthcare professionals to losses experienced by older adults and instill compassion among interprofessional learners, an interactive narrative simulation activity was developed and incorporated in clinical staff orientation and student professional course work. Narrative simulation allows learners to incorporate skills of examination, exploration, sharing, and reflection applied to simulated losses and lived experience of the older adult to promote empathy and understanding. MethodsA pre-post analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in self-reported empathy scores among nurses, pharmacists, student nurses and student pharmacists using the 20-item Jefferson Scale of Empathy©, Health Professional and Health Professional Student versions. The instrument was administered prior to and after narrative simulation participation.ResultsA total of 152 students and 107 health care professionals completed both assessments. Median (interquartile range, IQR) post-simulation scores were significantly higher among nursing professionals [118.5 (112.25, 126.75) versus 126 (117, 132); P < 0.001; effect size 0.81] and nursing students [116 (107, 121) versus 119 (109, 126); P < 0.001; effect size 0.28], as well as pharmacy students [111 (101, 117) versus 116 (107.5, 125); P < 0.001; effect size 0.47]. Although a moderate effect size of 0.7 was observed for pharmacy professionals, there was no difference between pre- and post-activity empathy scores [117 (98, 137) versus 116 (101, 137); P = 0.16] for pharmacists participating in the narrative simulation exercise.ConclusionsA statistically significant change in self-reported levels of empathy, particularly for nurses, nursing students, and pharmacy students, was observed; results of this activity did not suggest a change in pharmacist self-reported empathy levels. This activity could be implemented by educators seeking to increase awareness of losses experienced by the older adult.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Videos for Teaching Pharmaceutical Calculations to Pharmacy Students.

Performing pharmaceutical calculations accurately is a fundamental aspect of the pharmacy profession, ensuring treatment efficacy and patient safety. Incorporating videos in teaching can enhance visualisation and reinforce learning. The current study utilised videos to teach calculations and assessed how these affected students' performance. Initially, pharmacy students were surveyed at one UK University to identify calculation topics they found most challenging, and then two prototype videos were created based on these topics. Feedback was gathered through a follow-up survey on these prototypes, leading to the development of five additional videos. To evaluate the impact of these videos, students were given quizzes before and after watching them. The data were analysed in Microsoft Excel and included paired t-tests to compare mean scores, with significance set at p < 0.05. The survey was completed by 98/130 (75% response rate), with 58% expressing average or low confidence in calculations. A majority (78%) believed that videos would aid their comprehension of calculation concepts. In the subsequent phase, most respondents (92%, 80/87) agreed that the prototype videos improved their understanding of the two topics, but this increase was not statistically significant. However, quiz performance evaluation revealed a significant increase in average scores. This study affirms that videos can boost students' performance in calculations by allowing them to visualise the relevant practical scenarios.

Promoting knowledge of metered dose inhaler (MDI) usage among pharmacy professional students through a mobile app

Introduction Efficient asthma management necessitates optimal usage of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). As future health professionals, pharmacy students are pivotal in disseminating accurate methodologies for MDI usage. Despite having hands-on experience, there is room to enhance their comprehension, highlighting the need for prompt patient educational interventions. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-assisted educational method in improving pharmacy students’ understanding of MDI usage. Methods A pre-experimental study was conducted from March to August 2021 with 45 participants enrolled in the Pharmacist Professional Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. Using a one-group pretest-post-test design, the study measured the app’s impact on students’ knowledge and MDI usage skills. Results The intervention significantly improved students’ scores on a 9-step MDI usage checklist, with increases ranging from 0.10 to 0.50 across verbal and motor components. A Mann-Whitney U test validated these findings, showing a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. Conclusion The mobile app-assisted educational approach substantially enhanced pharmacy students’ proficiency in MDI use. The significant rise in mean scores for the 9-step checklist, along with the notable p-value, supports the effectiveness of this intervention in healthcare education.

Effect of changing multiple choice questions from “all of the above” to “select all that apply”

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of converting multiple choice questions (MCQs) that include an “all of the above” (AOTA) answer option to a “select all that apply” (SATA) question type on question performance.Methods: A summative assessment at the end of the first professional pharmacy year was comprised of approximately 50 multiple choice questions covering material from all courses taught. Eight questions contained AOTA answer options and were converted to SATA items in the subsequent year by eliminating the AOTA option and including the words “select all that apply” in the stem. Majority of the other questions included on the exam remained the same between the two years. Item difficulty, item discrimination, point biserial, and distractor efficiency were used to compare the MCQs on exams in the two years.Results: The AOTA questions were significantly easier and less discriminating than the SATA items. The performance of the remaining questions on the exam did not differ between the years. The distractor efficiency increased significantly when the questions were converted to SATA items.Conclusions: MCQs with AOTA answer options are discouraged due to poor item construction resulting in poor discrimination between high and low performing students. The AOTA questions are easily converted to the SATA format. The result of this conversion is a more difficult and more discriminating question with all answer options chosen, which prevents students from easily guessing the correct answer.

From Desegregation and Integration to Diversity and Inclusion: The Environment Was Just Ice

The process of desegregation at Southern schools of pharmacy was long and arduous. Despite persistent protests, struggles, and lawsuits, many schools of pharmacy did not graduate their first Black students until the 1970s. The School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill unintentionally desegregated in 1962 when its first Black student, William Wicker, was inadvertently admitted. His personal story and those of his fellow pioneers in desegregation, Mona (Boston) Reddick and James Barnes, provide valuable context to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. The historical proximity of desegregation affords the pharmacy profession only one or two generations of Black pharmacists trained during an era when Southern pharmacy education was broadly available. These stories personify the legacy of segregation, confront the ongoing impact of structural racism, and meaningfully inform conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in pharmacy education.

Essential elements for a nationwide remote pharmacy trainee mentoring program: An opinion of the Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

AbstractMentorship is vital for pharmacy trainees to develop professional skills and networks. This paper aims to share the development and implementation of a national remote mentorship program for pharmacy trainees within the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network. We offer recommendations for developing a similar program within organizations emphasizing the program's framework as a resource for similar initiatives. The following key recommendations are proposed to enhance mentorship programs: (1) Program flexibility for tailored interactions; (2) Effective mentor–mentee matching through comprehensive data collection; and (3) Strong, early communication to maintain participant engagement. These strategies are crucial for successfully developing remote mentorship programs in professional pharmacy organizations, as evidenced by limited reports in the current literature.

Career outlook and satisfaction in the presence of workload intensification-a survey of early career pharmacists.

The demographics of the pharmacy workforce is changing with an increased proportion of pharmacists less than 30 years old (early career pharmacists-ECPs). In parallel, the profession has experienced workload intensification and workforce attrition. It is important to understand ECPs career satisfaction to retain this section of the pharmacy profession. This study aimed to collect data on the current career satisfaction of ECPs, and identify workplace factors that were most important to this group. Further, to use these findings to inform sector recommendations. A steering group of ECPs in Aotearoa New Zealand developed a survey based on one used previously. An invitation email was sent to all pharmacists who had been registered for less than 10 years and were members of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand. A total of 1418 ECPs were identified and invited to participate, and responses were received by 416 of these. While 90% believe that they are making a useful contribution to the health of their patients, over half are unhappy and discontented, with over a third dissatisfied with their careers. A large proportion (44%) were considering leaving the profession in the next 5 years. The top three factors for career satisfaction were ability to progress and learn new skills, the people they work with, and the remuneration. This study provides a starting point for understanding the current environment and level of dissatisfaction of young pharmacists. There are several areas of concern that need to be addressed if a strong vibrant viable pharmacy profession is to be achieved.

Perceptions of formal pharmacy leadership on the social role of the profession and its historical evolution: A qualitative study

BackgroundIn recent years, pharmaceutical professionalism has been questioned due to the social role of pharmacy, which is ambiguous in the literature. This raises questions about the purpose of the profession among pharmacists, despite the efforts of their professional organizations and formal leaders to consolidate the occupational status of the profession. ObjectiveTo understand the social role of pharmacy in Brazil through its historical evolution based on the perceptions of formal leaders of the profession. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted between July 2020 and February 2021 with pharmacists who held leadership positions in formal and professional pharmacy organizations in Brazil. The data obtained from the interviews were submitted to content analysis. ResultsA total of 17 pharmacists participated in this study. The data analyzed presented perceptions about the social role of the pharmaceutical profession in Brazil, which promotes access to health through different means. These include the manager pharmacist, who facilitates access to public health policies; the caring pharmacist, who promotes health education and the rational use of medicines; and the technologist pharmacist, who researches, develops, and promotes access to safe and cost-effective medicines. The interviewees also discussed the evolution of this social role based on influential factors such as legislation, clinical movement, pharmaceutical education, labor market, behaviors, and attitudes of pharmacists. ConclusionIn this study, pharmaceutical professionalism was conceptualized based on its social role, which should be centered on the patient. Understanding such issues is part of the evolutionary purpose of the profession in Brazil and should be encouraged in the behaviors and attitudes of pharmacists despite the challenges faced by the profession.

Pharmacy professionals' understanding, attitude and practice toward pharmaceutical care in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Although pharmaceutical care provision is the primary goal of the pharmacy profession, its actual implementation has been lacking in developing nations. Therefore, this study investigated pharmacy professional's understanding, attitudes, and practice toward pharmaceutical care. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 30 July 2022 to 30 August 2022, at all community and hospital pharmacies in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. A logistic regression model with a p-value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval was applied to identify factors associated with understanding, attitude, and practice. The study had a 97.7% response rate. Of the 130 participants, 71 (54.6%) were females. Slightly more than half (56.2%) of the participants were aware of the aim (56.2%) of pharmaceutical care and responsibilities (56.9%) of pharmacy professionals in the pharmaceutical care process. However, most participants lack awareness of the similarities and differences between clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. Concerning their attitude, most participants (66.9%) believed that pharmaceutical care provision should be the primary responsibility of pharmacy professionals, and it will benefit patients (61.6%) and the healthcare system (60.8%). Pharmacy professionals frequently evaluate their patients and identify health or drug therapy-related problems and potentially available therapeutic alternatives. However, they rarely engaged in any health screening activities or provided feedback to the doctor on the patient's progress. Training status, sex, and years of practice/understanding were significantly related to pharmacy professionals' level of understanding, attitudes, and practice toward pharmaceutical care, as both years of practice and understanding are related to practice. Our study revealed a deficit in pharmacy professionals' understanding, attitude, and practice toward pharmaceutical care in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia. Policymakers, health authorities, and educational institutions should work together to develop strategies and instructional initiatives that optimize pharmaceutical care provision and thus achieve optimal patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

Pharmacy Interns' Perception of Climate Change and Its Impact on Health.

Background: The effects of climate change are major threats to health and well-being. While the profession of pharmacy can make a difference through patient care activities, sustainability, and advocacy, literature detailing U.S. pharmacist and student pharmacist views on this topic is scant. Objectives: To assess Ohio pharmacy interns' knowledge and beliefs regarding climate change and human health as well as its relevance to pharmacy practice and education, and to compare and contrast their perceptions with those of Ohio pharmacists previously surveyed. Methods: An anonymous 31-item electronic survey was emailed to a random sample of 500 pharmacy interns registered in Ohio with questions regarding climate change and health, climate change policy, potential roles for pharmacists and pharmacy interns, pharmacy education, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics, and responses collected from this study were compared with those from the Ohio pharmacist study conducted the previous year. Results: Ninety-two interns completed the survey. The majority of respondents thought climate change is happening (87%), will harm human health in their community (68%), and is relevant to pharmacists or pharmacy practice (62%). Compared to registered pharmacists, pharmacy interns more often acknowledged these statements and more often identified roles in climate action. Sixty-two percent somewhat or strongly agreed that there should be more education about climate change and health in the pharmacy curriculum. Conclusion: The majority of Ohio pharmacy interns participating in this survey recognized the impact of climate change on health, believed they have roles in mitigating its effects, and wanted to learn more about it. As these are the first data assessing U.S. pharmacy interns' perceptions of this topic, additional studies should be performed in other parts of the country. Increased education among student pharmacists may help propel the pharmacy profession to take the lead in climate action and sustainability.

Attitudes of community pharmacists towards extending their professional roles in Oman.

Over the last few decades, the pharmacy profession has witnessed a substantial evolution accompanied by the developing role of community pharmacists (CPs). Evidence indicates that extending the role of CPs contributes to fostering public health outcomes. However, in many countries, their role is still underused. To extend the role of CPs in Oman, it is crucial to understand their perception and determine the influences. This study determines the willingness of CPs in Oman to extend their role and assess their perception towards barriers. A cross-sectional study was conducted across Oman using an online self-administered survey targeting CPs working in the private sector. Generally, respondents welcomed broadening their professional role. However, among the top perceived barriers were shortage of staff, insufficient training, lack of interconnection between CPs and physicians, and regulation constraints. Different socio-demographic characteristics of respondents showed a noticeable impact on their responses. CPs welcomed extending their role. However, several obstacles were raised that need to be tackled to enable CPs to advance their role.