Pharmacy Research Articles

Career choices and career mobility of chinese pharmacy graduates: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study investigates the career mobility and employment status of Chinese pharmacy graduates, aiming to address workforce challenges and career planning within the pharmacy profession. Given the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector in China, understanding factors influencing job changes and career decisions is crucial for ensuring workforce stability and professional development. The study covers pharmacy graduates enrolled at Kunming Medical University from 1996 to 2012.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey collected data from 231 respondents in April 2022, focusing on demographic characteristics, career choices, job changes, and the factors influencing these decisions. Multivariate logistic regression and Chi-square (χ²) tests were used to analyze the data, with a particular focus on the pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical pharmacy.ResultsOf the 231 respondents, 52.4% (n = 121) had never changed jobs, and 32.5% (n = 75) had changed jobs once or twice. The majority preferred working in governmental institutions (n = 146, 63.2%), with fewer graduates choosing domestic (n = 48, 20.8%) or overseas pharmacy enterprises (n = 20, 8.7%). Income and personal growth were significant factors influencing job changes (p < 0.05). Respondents who had changed jobs three or more times placed a greater emphasis on personal growth (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR]: 2.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [1.6, 5.49]).ConclusionsThis study reveals significant variations in job mobility and career choices among Chinese pharmacy graduates. Graduates in governmental institutions showed lower mobility, while those in pharmacy enterprises and non-pharmaceutical sectors experienced higher job changes. Income, personal growth, and work environment were key factors.

Benchmarking hospital clinical pharmacy practice using standardised key performance indicators (KPIs).

Background: Hospital pharmacy services support quality use of medicines and medication safety through clinical pharmacy activities such as medication reviews and patient education. These activities can be measured and monitored using evidence-based and standardised key performance indicators (KPIs), which highlight the value of pharmacy services. Standardisation of KPIs supports long-term benchmarking and inter- and intra-site comparisons to target key areas for improvement in clinical pharmacy services. Aim: To describe the type and frequency of clinical pharmacy activity across five hospitals within one metropolitan hospital district. Methods: Key Performance Indicator data were collected by pharmacists from five hospital sites at one metropolitan hospital district, in Queensland Australia. Data were collected over one week for the following clinical settings: inpatient, discharge, outpatient clinic, and the dispensary. Data were collected using a manual, paper-based data collection tool previously developed using a co-design process. Results: Across 11,215 inpatient encounters, hospital pharmacy services provided: best possible medication history (BPMH) within 24 h of admission: 69.5%; daily medication chart review: 57.2%; discharge education: 82.7%, discharge reconciliation: 88.2%; and provision of discharge medication record: 82.4%. Across 1,092 outpatient encounters, pharmacists documented BPMH for 33.3% of patients. Pharmacists identified a total of 5,009 drug-related problems (DRPs) across the data collection period, with the rate of identification highest in the outpatient clinic setting (64.8 per 100 patient reviews) followed by discharge (52.6 per 100 patient reviews) and then inpatient (48.1 per 100 patient reviews). Almost 20% of DRPs identified (n = 975) were high risk. Conclusion: Reporting and benchmarking clinical pharmacy activity through standardised KPIs supports opportunities to identify service improvements. Future research should focus on larger scale studies using routinely recorded data to monitor clinical pharmacy KPIs across all care settings.

The Transition towards Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Cases from Community Pharmacies

This review aims to assess the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in community pharmacy by analyzing the most recent studies and identifying trends, gaps, and future directions for integrating AI technologies in these settings. A systematic literature review was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, looking at papers from 2019 to 2024. The search was further refined using the terms "AI in pharmacy," "telepharmacy," or "clinical decision support systems." Fourteen studies were included in the review after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for further analysis. AI technologies have potential effects on community pharmacy practice. The most beneficial impact was noted in medication management, where 15% of medication errors were reduced, and patient compliance improved by 10%. In telepharmacy, AI supports encouraging adherence and access to pharmacy services where geographical barriers exist. However, there are concerns such as lack of privacy for system users, implementation costs, and onboarding pharmacists to such systems. AI has significant supportive and transformative capabilities for community pharmacy, but crucial barriers must be overcome first. Addressing the barriers and their ethical aspects is critical for further research.

Analisa Data Penjualan Pada Apotek Ritonga Farma Menggunakan Data Mining Apriori

A pharmacy is a place or business that is specifically dedicated to providing medicines and other health products to the public. This place is also known as a drugstore or drug store in some countries. Pharmacies provide medicines both prescribed by doctors and over-the-counter (over-the-counter), to help patients cope with health problems they are experiencing.Some pharmacies also offer additional services such as blood pressure checks, vaccinations, simple health checks, and health counseling to the public. In applying a priori methods to pharmacy, a deep understanding of data structure and proper product classification is needed to overcome this problem. By knowing the pattern of frequent purchases, pharmacies can place items that are often purchased together close together on shelves or strategic locations. This can increase the convenience of buyers and speed up the purchase process. A priori methods are techniques in data mining that are used to find hidden patterns or associations in large datasets. A priori methods look for relationships between items in a dataset that often appear together. The main principle of the a priori method is that if an item-set appears frequently together, then it is likely that the item-set will also appear frequently together in other transactions.

Measuring the empathy levels among pharmacy students: a journey toward enhancing effective communication and understanding in the pharmacist-patient relationship

BackgroundEmpathy is an essential skill for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, because it improves person-centered care and treatment outcomes. Measuring the level of empathy among pharmacy students gives an understanding and insight into their readiness for incorporating a person-centered practice in their future work. This study aimed to assess empathy levels among Jordanian pharmacy students and explore the factors influencing these levels.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was conducted among currently enrolled pharmacy students from various academic years at both public and private Jordanian universities. The survey consisted of three sections; demographics, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to identify pharmacy students’ empathy level, and items specifically related to the pharmacist-patient relationship. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Multiple linear regression was used to reveal the factors affecting students’ empathy.ResultsA total of 396 pharmacy students participated in the current study, with a mean age of 21.65 years (SD = 2.865), and about three-quarters were female (73.5%). The mean IRI score for the students was 70.89 (SD = 12.82), with subscale means as follows: perspective-taking (18.52), fantasy (17.05), empathic concern (20.16), and personal distress (15.16). Students’ age, gender, awareness of the term empathy, and studying empathy at universities were among the factors that significantly affected the students’ empathy scores.ConclusionThe present study reveals moderate empathy levels among Jordanian pharmacy students and sheds light on an understudied aspect within the pharmacy practice in Jordan. Significant demographic and educational factors affected the pharmacy students’ empathy levels. Incorporating empathy education in pharmacy curricula can better prepare pharmacy students for person-centered care.

Comparative physicochemical study of Manjishta Kwatha prepared by using different proportion of water

Introduction: Due to ambiguity in literature regarding Kwatha preparation, exact proportion of water needed as per consistency of Dravya (Drug) for optimum quality of Kwatha is the need for standard pharmaceutical practices. For this purpose Manjishta was selected for Kwatha preparation using two different proportion of water. Aim and Objectives: To find out the difference in physicochemical parameters to access the quality of Manjishta Kwatha in order to save time and fuel required for Kwatha with the objective to prepare Manjishta Kwatha by using two different proportion of water and to compare time and fuel needed. Methods: Procurement and Authentication of Manjishta were done as per standard protocol. Manjishta Kwatha were prepared by using two different proportion of water one by using 16 parts of water and second by using 8 parts of water by reduced 1/8th and 1/4th respectively. In process and finished products observations were noted as per procedure. Analytical testing was done as per Ayurved Pharmacopeia of India. Observations and Results: In physicochemical analysis, the pH value, refractive index and specific gravity have not shown any remarkable difference however total solid content were found to be more in the Kwatha which used eight parts of water. The fuel and time consumed were three times more in the sample which used sixteen parts of water. So, Manjishta can be considered as Madhyam (Medium) consistency drug for Kwatha purpose. This study provided the preliminary physicochemical parameters for the Manjishta Kwatha. Further it needs to study qualitative parameters with highly sophisticated analytical techniques.

Drugs Recommended by Pharmacy Professionals in “Real Life” Pharmaceutical Practice

Drugs Recommended by Pharmacy Professionals in “Real Life” Pharmaceutical Practice

A Systematic Analysis of Pharmacoeconomic Insights into Antimicrobial Use for Sustainable Pharmacy Practices

The escalating global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, combined with increasing healthcare costs, demands a thorough understanding of pharmacoeconomic principles in antimicrobial use. The integration of pharmacoeconomics with antimicrobial stewardship has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting sustainable pharmacy practices. Recent evidence from the past decade demonstrates that well-structured antimicrobial stewardship programs achieve significant cost savings through reduced drug expenditure, decreased length of hospital stay, and improved clinical outcomes. Targeted interventions, including prospective audit with feedback and formulary restriction, consistently yield substantial returns on investment. The implementation of clinical decision support systems and rapid diagnostic technologies, despite requiring initial capital investment, has proven cost-effective in long-term healthcare settings. Both direct and indirect costs play vital roles in antimicrobial therapy decisions, encompassing resistance-related expenses and broader societal impact. Preventive strategies and appropriate antimicrobial selection significantly reduce healthcare-associated costs while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. This information provides healthcare administrators and clinical practitioners with essential information for developing economically sustainable antimicrobial use practices while ensuring optimal patient care. The economic value of implementing comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship programs extends beyond immediate cost savings to include long-term benefits in resistance prevention and resource optimization

A community-based analysis of security practices regarding over-the-counter skincare products in nationwide retail drug stores.

Access to over-the-counter (OTC) skincare products is critical for managing a wide range of dermatologic conditions, yet recent trends in urban retail stores may jeopardize this accessibility and exacerbate healthcare disparities. However, the emerging trend of securing skincare products behind security glass in urban retail environments poses significant risks to healthcare equity and accessibility. Herein, we aim to quantify the prevalence of skincare products behind security glass in pharmacies within a 25-mile radius of Times Square, New York City. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted, selecting 50 pharmacies from a total of 389 identified in the target radius. Digital photographs of skincare product aisles were taken, and the percentage of products secured behind glass was calculated for various categories and brands. The study found significant disparities in the availability of skincare products, with significantly higher percentages of products behind security glass in pharmacies located in urban areas compared to suburban regions. Among the four brands analyzed, Olay, L'Oréal, La Roche-Posay, and Vichy, there was no significant difference in the proportion of products behind security glass. Barriers to accessing skincare products, such as physical restrictions, time constraints, stigma, and privacy issues, may hinder individuals from obtaining necessary treatments, leading to potential delays in care and poorer health outcomes. Our study underscores the urgent need for dermatologists and healthcare policymakers to advocate for alternative security measures that do not compromise product accessibility. Facilitating easier access to OTC skincare products could dramatically improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes, particularly in urban settings where disparities are most pronounced.

Comprehensive Review of Advancements in Pharmaceutical Care and Practice

Pharmaceutical care as an ameliorative science has progressed over the past decades from the mechanical concept of medicine distribution to a more enhanced patient-centered systematic procedure incorporating outcomes of therapeutics, medication precautions, and pharmacists as a component of patient care. As such, the following extensive literature review reviews relevant literature to categorize advancements in pharmaceutical care and practice and the existing issues and advancements in the field. Specific topics include the development and future of the new individualized approach in medicine, the fate of pharmacists in condition and chronic disease management using digital health technologies, and ideas for enhancing medication therapy. This review also discusses the implications of these developments on patient outcomes, cost, and efficiency of the health system. This study underscores the importance of leadership by pharmacists and advocacy for equal access of patients to drugs irrespective of their social status, compliance with recommended schedules, and other ways of increasing the effectiveness of the medication. Consequently, the review concludes by advancing recommendations aimed at improving the future of pharmaceutical care by conducting future research, adopting better policies, and providing better training to the practitioners.

Performance of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on the Korean Pharmacist Licensing Examination: Comparison Study.

ChatGPT, a recently developed artificial intelligence chatbot and a notable large language model, has demonstrated improved performance on medical field examinations. However, there is currently little research on its efficacy in languages other than English or in pharmacy-related examinations. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of GPT models on the Korean Pharmacist Licensing Examination (KPLE). We evaluated the percentage of correct answers provided by 2 different versions of ChatGPT (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) for all multiple-choice single-answer KPLE questions, excluding image-based questions. In total, 320, 317, and 323 questions from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 KPLEs, respectively, were included in the final analysis, which consisted of 4 units: Biopharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy, Clinical and Practical Pharmacy, and Medical Health Legislation. The 3-year average percentage of correct answers was 86.5% (830/960) for GPT-4 and 60.7% (583/960) for GPT-3.5. GPT model accuracy was highest in Biopharmacy (GPT-3.5 77/96, 80.2% in 2022; GPT-4 87/90, 96.7% in 2021) and lowest in Medical Health Legislation (GPT-3.5 8/20, 40% in 2022; GPT-4 12/20, 60% in 2022). Additionally, when comparing the performance of artificial intelligence with that of human participants, pharmacy students outperformed GPT-3.5 but not GPT-4. In the last 3 years, GPT models have performed very close to or exceeded the passing threshold for the KPLE. This study demonstrates the potential of large language models in the pharmacy domain; however, extensive research is needed to evaluate their reliability and ensure their secure application in pharmacy contexts due to several inherent challenges. Addressing these limitations could make GPT models more effective auxiliary tools for pharmacy education.

A Comprehensive Review of Intravenous Oncology Drug Preparation in Pharmacy: Safety, Efficiency, Innovations, and Stability

Introduction: Intravenous (IV) administration of oncology drugs is a critical component of cancer treatment, providing rapid and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The preparation of these drugs involves intricate processes that require stringent safety protocols, efficient workflows, and innovative technologies to ensure patient safety and therapeutic efficacy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and advancements in the preparation of intravenous oncology drugs within pharmacy settings, focusing on safety, efficiency, innovation, and drug stability. Safety: Safety is paramount in the preparation of intravenous oncology drugs, given the hazardous nature of chemotherapeutic agents. Adherence to guidelines such as USP &lt;797&gt; and USP &lt;800&gt; is essential to minimize risks of contamination and exposure. Strategies to enhance safety include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls like biological safety cabinets (BSCs) and compounding aseptic containment isolators (CACIs), and rigorous training and education for pharmacy staff. Historical incidents, such as the New England Compounding Center contamination, underscore the critical need for strict safety protocols. Efficiency: Efficiency in drug preparation involves optimizing processes to meet high demand while maintaining safety and quality. Current methodologies include prescription verification, com-pounding, quality control, and dispensing. Technological advancements, such as automated compounding devices (ACDs) and pharmacy management software, have significantly improved efficiency by reducing preparation time and minimizing errors. However, balancing efficiency with safety remains a challenge, requiring careful resource allocation, ongoing staff training, and compliance with safety standards. Innovative Technologies: The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), has revolutionized the preparation of intravenous drugs. Robotic systems enhance precision and reduce human error, while advanced aseptic techniques and AI-driven systems optimize dosing and workflow. Future trends include the potential use of 3D printing, nanotechnology, and blockchain to further improve the safety, efficiency, and traceability of drug preparation processes. Stability: Maintaining the stability of compounded drugs is crucial to ensuring their efficacy and safety. Factors such as storage conditions, handling procedures, and compatibility with diluents and containers can significantly impact drug stability. Guidelines like USP &lt;797&gt; provide detailed recommendations for maintaining stability. Research on stabilizing agents, improved packaging, and real-time monitoring systems continues to advance the field, addressing stability challenges and enhancing patient outcomes. Conclusion: This review highlights the critical importance of safety, efficiency, innovation, and stability in the preparation of intravenous oncology drugs. Adhering to stringent safety protocols, optimizing workflows, embracing innovative technologies, and ensuring drug stability are essential for improving patient outcomes and enhancing pharmacy practices. Future research should focus on integrating emerging technologies, standardizing protocols, providing ongoing education, and implementing real-time monitoring systems to further advance the field. By addressing current challenges and embracing new solutions, the preparation of intravenous oncology drugs can achieve greater heights in patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Practical considerations in the establishment of psychedelic research programs.

There is increasing interest in establishing psychedelic research programs at academic medical centers. However, psychedelics are intensely psychoactive, carry considerable sociopolitical baggage, and most are Schedule I drugs, creating significant potential impediments to implementation. There is little formal guidance for investigators on navigating the complex on-the-ground obstacles associated with establishing psychedelic research programs. This article provides recommendations that may be helpful to investigators seeking to work with psychedelics, with a focus on academic medical centers in the United States. The academic literature on relevant matters is reviewed, and the authors provide observations from their experiences either working for relevant regulatory agencies or conducting basic science studies, investigator-initiated trials, or industry sponsored trials with psychedelics. Investigators planning to conduct psychedelic research should cultivate broad institutional support early. Challenges related to securing funding, obtaining approval for an Investigational New Drug application from the Food and Drug Administration, clinical grade drug sourcing, obtaining a Schedule I researcher registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration and an equivalent state license (if required), preparing spaces for treatment and study drug storage, managing controlled substance inventory, engaging the local community, and other issues should be anticipated. Investigators should anticipate several implementation challenges when planning to work with psychedelics. However, these are likely surmountable with planning, persistence, and assistance from colleagues and other experts.

Student Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Education

This study explored student pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in pharmacy practice. Due to AI/ML's promising prospects, understanding students' current awareness, comprehension, and hopes for their use in this field is essential. In April 2024, a Zoom focus group discussion was conducted with 6 student pharmacists using a self-developed interview guide. The guide included questions about the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations of implementing AI/ML in pharmacy practice and education. The participants' demographic information was collected through a questionnaire. The research team conducted a thematic analysis of the discussion transcript. The results generated by a team member using NVivo were compared with those generated by ChatGPT, and all discrepancies were addressed. Student pharmacists displayed a generally positive attitude toward the implementation of AI/ML in pharmacy practice but lacked knowledge about AI/ML applications. Participants recognized several advantages of AI/ML implementation in pharmacy practice, including improved accuracy and time-saving for pharmacists. Some identified challenges were alert fatigue, AI/ML-generated errors, and the potential obstacle to person-centered care. The study participants expressed their interest in learning about AI/ML and their desire to integrate these technologies into pharmacy education. The demand for integrating AI/ML into pharmacy practice is increasing. Student and professional pharmacists need additional AI/ML training to equip them with knowledge and practical skills. Collaboration between pharmacists, institutions, and AI/ML companies is essential to address barriers and advance AI/ML implementation in the pharmacy field.

Evolution of the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education and Issues Concerning the Six-year Pharmacy University Education Program

The six-year pharmacy university education program that began in 2006 was guided by the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education which started as process-based education. It was first revised in 2013 and further revised in 2023 to provide outcome-based education. There remains a need to develop a consistent six-year curriculum spanning basic science to clinical pharmacy. The overall goal is to develop problem-solving abilities; however, there are still many challenges to overcome. There has also been little progress in incorporating the basic qualities required of pharmacists into pharmacy education programs. In conjunction with the revision, guidelines have been established for practical pharmacy training, and the promotion of participatory, experiential training. However, the results are still insufficient. This article examines changes in pharmaceutical university education over the past 15 years and proposes future pharmacy education solutions.

Seasonal And Trend Analysis of Drug Sales using Time Series Analysis

The SARIMA model is to analyse and forecast seasonal drug sales data, enhancing accuracy and understanding the complex of seasonal and trend patterns in fields like pharmaceutical sales, unlike the ARIMA model that only handles non-seasonal data. The model aims to improve predictions and provide deeper insights into the intricate seasonal and trend patterns in drug sales data. This study analyses drug sales behaviour across different seasons using drug store data from 1992 to 2010, grouping data by seasonal periods. Time series analysis is a method used to analyse data points over time to identify trends, patterns, and seasonal variations, providing valuable insights into drug sales. The study emphasizes the significance of drug sales data in real-time monitoring of best values of p,d,q activity

A student-led approach to completion of the Practice Advancement Initiative 2030 self-assessment tool with a state affiliate in North Dakota.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. To efficiently complete Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI) 2030 self-assessments, students aimed to overcome completion barriers and collect data to identify areas for improvement with pharmacy practice in the state of North Dakota. Pharmacy departments from hospitals and health systems face challenges when completing the self-assessment tool, and creativity must be kindled to develop an appropriate approach. Over the course of a 5-week advanced pharmacy practice experience rotation, 2 students generated an efficient, personal, and novel approach to completing the PAI 2030 self-assessment tool with pharmacy leaders across the state. The novel student-led approach achieved a completion rate greater than the goal suggested by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists while providing the students with learning and networking opportunities. As a result, pharmacy leaders have baseline PAI 2030 self-assessment data for 26 hospitals across North Dakota, which can be used for further analysis and application.

Prescription for change: Unveiling burnout perspectives among pharmacy leaders

Background: Burnout among pharmacists is increasingly pertinent, with growing demand for effective interventions. Burnout can lead to reduced productivity, increased job turnover, medical errors, poor patient satisfaction, and other negative outcomes for patients and providers. Growing attention to burnout in the pharmacy profession highlights the need for personal, organizational, and systemic solutions. However, the uptake and relative efficacy of different approaches remain unclear, particularly within community pharmacy practice. This study sought the viewpoint of community pharmacy leaders (i.e., community pharmacy managers, district managers, franchisees, owners, and executives from various pharmacy organizations) to characterize burnout from their perspectives. Methods: This qualitative study followed a grounded theory approach. Community pharmacy leaders were interviewed using a semistructured format to gather in-depth insights into their experiences and perspectives on burnout and engagement. Results: Sixteen people were interviewed; interviews lasted 30 to 65 minutes, averaging 51 minutes long. Six themes were identified: perceived disconnection between front-line staff and pharmacy decision-makers, overwhelming work demands, cautious optimism toward the expanding scope of pharmacy practice, the importance of employee recognition and appreciation, appropriateness and use of existing work resources, and multimodal, systemic responsibility and solutions to burnout. Conclusion: Addressing burnout requires a multifaceted approach involving personal, organizational, and systemic interventions. Evidence from this study provides valuable insights into the feasibility and efficacy of specific interventions, informing future strategies to enhance workplace well-being and engagement. The study highlights the importance of managing job demands and maximizing resources, emphasizing that personal approaches alone are insufficient and that organizational and systemic interventions are crucial.

Perception, concerns, and practice of ChatGPT among Egyptian pharmacists: a cross-sectional study in Egypt

BackgroundThe emergence of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT attracted significant attention for their potential to revolutionize pharmacy practice. While artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising benefits, its integration also presents unique challenges.ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aimed to explore the current Egyptian pharmacists’ perceptions, practices, and concerns regarding ChatGPT in pharmacy practice.MethodsThe study questionnaire was shared with pharmacists during March and April 2024. We included pharmacists licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. We adapted a convenient sampling technique by sending the research questionnaire via emails, student networks, social media (Facebook and WhatsApp), and student organizations. Any pharmacist interested in participating followed a link to review the study description and was asked to provide electronic consent before continuing with the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, employing Chi-square tests for categorical variables and Spearman’s correlation for continuous variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe study sample size included 428 pharmacists from the main economic regions of Egypt. The results revealed a strong recognition (73.6%) among participants of ChatGPT’s anticipated benefits within pharmacy practice. Around two-thirds of the participants (65.9%) expressed disagreement or neutrality regarding the application of ChatGPT for analyzing patients’ medical inputs and providing individualized medical advice. Regarding factors affecting perception, we found that the region is the only factor that significantly contributed to the level of perception among pharmacists (P = 0.011) with Greater cairo region showing the highest perception level. We found that 73.6% of participants who have heard about ChatGPT reported high levels of concern. One-third of participants never use ChatGPT in their pharmacy work, and 20% rarely use it. Using Spearman’s correlation test, there was no significant correlation between anticipated advantages, concerns and practice level (P > 0.05).ConclusionThis study reveals a generally positive perception of ChatGPT’s potential benefits among Egyptian pharmacists, despite existing concerns regarding accuracy, data privacy, and bias. Notably, no significant associations were found between demographic factors and pharmacists’ perceptions, practices, or concerns. This underscores the need for comprehensive educational initiatives to promote informed and responsible ChatGPT utilization within pharmacy practice. Future research should explore the development and implementation of tailored training programs and guidelines to ensure the safe and effective integration of ChatGPT into pharmacy workflows for optimal patient care.

Exploring the association of adverse drug reactions with medication adherence and quality of life among hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study.

Effective hypertension management requires medication adherence to prevent complications. However, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can undermine adherence and negatively affect patients' quality of life. Limited research has explored the association between ADRs, medication adherence, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with hypertension. To investigate the association between ADRs, medication adherence, and HRQoL among patients with hypertension. A cross-sectional study using telephone interviews and medical record reviews was conducted in 11 primary care facilities in Indonesia. The causality of reported ADRs was assessed using the Naranjo algorithm, validated by a panel of experts in pharmacy practice and medication safety. The severity of ADRs was classified using the Hartwig scale. Adherence to antihypertensive drugs was estimated using the Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 (MARS-5). The EuroQoL EQ-5D-5L was used to measure HRQoL. The association between ADRs and medication adherence was assessed using multivariate logistic regression, while the association with HRQoL was evaluated through the Tobit regression model. A total of 507 patients were included in this study. We found that 20.32% (n = 103) of the patients experienced ADRs, with the most commonly reported ADRs being polyuria and urgency, gastrointestinal symptoms, leg swelling, dizziness/hypotension, palpitations, and dry cough. The majority experienced mild ADRs (n = 75, 72.82%), while 27.18% (n = 28) had reactions of moderate severity. Experiencing ADRs was associated with reduced medication adherence (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.15, 95% CI 4.07-12.55) and decreased HRQoL (coefficient: - 0.037). Patients experiencing ADRs were seven times more likely to be non-adherent to their medication regimen and reported a reduced quality of life compared to those without ADRs, placing them at a higher risk of suboptimal treatment outcomes. This finding highlights the need for additional monitoring and education for patients affected by ADRs, particularly through more frequent clinical and laboratory assessments, timely management of ADRs, and personalized education on the importance of adherence to prevent hypertension-related complications.