Displaying all 17 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Ming LC, Hadi MA, Khan TM
    Lancet, 2016 11 26;388(10060):2601-2602.
    PMID: 27894657 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32222-X
  2. Mathews A, Ming LC, Che Rose FZ, Abbas SA
    Cureus, 2020 Aug 20;12(8):e9903.
    PMID: 32839684 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9903
    Background Without stipulated legislation, a free pricing policy can lead to a disparity in prices among private healthcare setups. Competition is especially rampant among community pharmacies, especially in the Sabah state of Malaysia, where the recent years have witnessed the steady growth of pharmacy players from Peninsular Malaysia. Thus, this study aimed to examine the impact of price competition and discount pricing on the practice of community pharmacy in Sabah, Malaysia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. Survey participants included community pharmacists practicing in Sabah. The validated and pilot-tested questionnaire consisted of three parts: background information of the pharmacy, attitudes and perception toward medicine prices, and practice of discount pricing. All required data were collected from community pharmacists practicing only in Sabah. Data were then analyzed by using descriptive, Chi-Square, and Kendall's tau-b tests. Results Of the 150 community pharmacists contacted, only 70 responded, providing a response rate of 47%. In terms of pharmacy type, 71% of the respondents were pharmacist-owned independent pharmacies, while 19% were pharmacy chains owned by community pharmacists. The remaining were pharmacies owned by non-pharmacists (10%). Sixty percent of the community pharmacies had been in existence for more than 10 years, with 12% in existence for less than two years, and 28% in existence for three to 10 years. More than 80% of the respondents stated that the business aspect of community pharmacy had overwhelmed the professional practice aspects and that community pharmacists have become providers of products instead of providers of care. In terms of professionalism, 87% also noted that they are being perceived as profiteering in the medicine business at the expense of patients. Conclusions The free market situation in Malaysia for medicine pricing has brought a detrimental consequence for community pharmacists with each one trying to undercut prices. Differing pricing mechanisms of medicines based on the quantity ordered contribute to the problem of discount pricing and price competition. Most community pharmacists, as indicated by this study, want the problem to be addressed.
  3. Farrukh MJ, Ming LC, Zaidi STR, Khan TM
    J Infect Public Health, 2017 Nov-Dec;10(6):881-883.
    PMID: 28185822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2016.11.021
    Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended by World Health Organisation on a yearly basis. The rate of immunization in Pakistan is suboptimal. High cost, traditional norms, customs and low levels of education in Pakistan are preventing people from getting vaccinated. It is timely to include influenza vaccination in the expanded programme on immunization (EPI), which is a disease prevention programme aiming to eradicate preventable diseases through subsidized or free immunization. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Government of Pakistan should launch a national influenza vaccine policy in view of this current situation and oversee its implementation. Healthcare professionals should promote influenza vaccination and focus on high risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and children. Convincing and educating family members regarding immunization of pregnant women and follow-up with parents regarding a second influenza shot for their children will further improve vaccination rates in Pakistan.
  4. Abdullah A, Long CW, Saim L, Mukari SZM
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Mar;60(1):21-7.
    PMID: 16250276 MyJurnal
    Early identification and management of hearing impairment is very valuable. The goal standard measurement of hearing loss is by brainstem evoked response (BSER). This prospective study was conducted in Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) as a screening tool for hearing impairment from February 1999 to February 2000. One hundred and thirty-three newborns from postnatal ward and seventy-eight newborns from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were screened for possible hearing loss using portable TEOAE. This study showed that TEOAE is a very sensitive but moderately specific screening tool.
  5. Zulkifly H, Othman PN, Shaharuddin S, Long CM
    Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A381.
    PMID: 26532154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.810
  6. Ahmed A, Lee KS, Bukhsh A, Al-Worafi YM, Sarker MMR, Ming LC, et al.
    J Infect Public Health, 2017 10 04;11(2):153-155.
    PMID: 28988775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.09.007
    The increase in Muslim parents' refusal and hesitancy to accept childhood vaccination was identified as one of the contributing factors in the increase of vaccine-preventable diseases cases in countries such as Afghanistan, Malaysia and Pakistan. The spread of inaccurate and irresponsible information by the anti-vaccination movement may inflict more harm than good on Muslim communities. To curb this issue, health authorities in Pakistan and Malaysia have resorted to imposing strict punishments on parents who refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated. Information addressing religious concerns such as the halal issue must be made priority and communicated well to the general public, encouraging not only the acceptance of vaccinations but motivating communities to play an active role in promoting vaccination. Local government of the affected region need to work towards creating awareness among Muslim parents that vaccinations are a preventative public health strategy that has been practised and acknowledged by many doctors of all faiths.
  7. Sharma D, Patel RP, Zaidi STR, Sarker MMR, Lean QY, Ming LC
    Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:546.
    PMID: 28871228 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00546
    Ciprofloxacin, a second generation broad spectrum fluoroquinolone, is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ciprofloxacin has a high oral bioavailability and a large volume of distribution. It is used for the treatment of a wide range of infections including urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. However, the availability and use of substandard and spurious quality of oral ciprofloxacin formulations in the developing countries has been thought to have contributed toward increased risk of treatment failure and bacterial resistance. Therefore, quality control and bioequivalence studies of the commercially available oral ciprofloxacin formulations should be monitored. Appropriate actions should be taken against offending manufacturers in order to prevent the sale of substandard and spurious quality of ciprofloxacin formulations.
  8. Kandel S, Zaidi STR, Wanandy ST, Ming LC, Castelino RL, Sud K, et al.
    Perit Dial Int, 2017 11 21;38(1):49-56.
    PMID: 29162678 DOI: 10.3747/pdi.2017.00115
    BACKGROUND: Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of ceftazidime is recommended for the treatment of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP) from Pseudomonas. Patients with PDAP may also need IP heparin to overcome problems with drainage of turbid peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids and blockage of catheters with fibrin. Physico-chemical stability of ceftazidime and heparin, and biological stability of heparin in many types of PD solutions is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the stability of ceftazidime and heparin in 4 types of PD solutions.

    METHODS: A total of 12 PD bags (3 for each type of solution) containing ceftazidime and heparin were prepared and stored at 4°C for 120 hours, and then at 25°C for 6 hours, and finally at 37°C for 12 hours. An aliquot was withdrawn after predefined time points and analyzed for the concentration of ceftazidime and heparin using high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC). Samples were assessed for pH, color changes, particle content, and anticoagulant activity of heparin.

    RESULTS: Ceftazidime and heparin retained more than 91% of their initial concentration when stored at 4°C for 120 hours followed by storage at 25°C for 6 hours and then at 37°C for 12 hours. Heparin retained more than 95% of its initial activity throughout the study period. Particle formation was not detected at any time under the storage conditions. The pH and color remained essentially unchanged throughout the study.

    CONCLUSIONS: Ceftazidime-heparin admixture retains its stability over long periods of storage at different temperatures, allowing its potential use for PDAP treatment in outpatient and remote settings.

  9. Aidit S, Soh YC, Yap CS, Khan TM, Neoh CF, Shaharuddin S, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:637.
    PMID: 29170637 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00637
    Objective: To evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led warfarin management and standardized treatment protocol.
    Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in a cardiology referral hospital located in central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2009 to 2014. The inclusion criteria were: adult patients who were diagnosed and treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) with warfarin, attended the warfarin medication therapy adherence clinic (WMTAC) for at least 12 weeks, and with at least four international normalized ratio (INR) readings. The electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, type of AF, warfarin dose, INRs, adverse events, co-morbidities, and drug-drug interactions. The outcome measures included the mean time to therapeutic INR, the mean percentage of time in therapeutic range (TTR), bleeding events, and common drug interactions.
    Results: Out of 473 patients, 151 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that there were significant associations between the usual medical care (UMC) group and pharmacist-led WMTAC in terms of TTR (p = 0.01) and INR (p = 0.02) levels. A positive impact of pharmacists' involvement in the WMTAC clinic was where the "pharmacist's recommendation accepted" (p = 0.01) and "expanded therapeutic INR range" (p = 0.04) were statistically significantly higher in the WMTAC group.
    Conclusion: There was a significant positive association between the pharmacist-led WMTAC and anticoagulation effect (therapeutic TTR, INR). The identified findings revealed that expanded role of pharmacist in pharmacist-managed warfarin therapy is beneficial to optimize the warfarin therapy. This study also highlighted the critical roles that pharmacists can actively play to ensure optimal anticoagulation pharmaceutical care.
    Key messages: What is already known on this subject?
    • Pharmacist-managed warfarin therapy is beneficial for optimizing warfarin therapy. In such therapy, recommendations such as dose adjustment and safer alternative drugs (given drug-drug interactions and/or food-drug interactions) are made.
    • The active involvement of pharmacists in warfarin adherence clinics could significantly improve adherence.
    • However, the warfarin treatment outcomes from UMC, pharmacist-and-physician-led care and pharmacist-led care have not been studied.
    • The impact of the implementation of the standardized protocol for the warfarin adherence clinic has not been assessed.
    What this study adds?
    • INR levels among UMC group and WMTAC group were significantly different.
    • Though the TTR level for the WMTAC group was not significantly different than the UMC group, it was higher and close to the targeted 60% level.
    • The identified findings show that pharmacists' focus on intervention for missed doses, adherence and dose adjustment provide positive impact on patients' warfarin therapy.
  10. Shajib MS, Rashid RB, Ming LC, Islam S, Sarker MMR, Nahar L, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:85.
    PMID: 29515437 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00085
    Polymethoxylavones (PMFs) are known to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, an annual Bangladeshi herb, is rich in polymethoxyflavones that possess significant analgesic and anxiolytic activities. The present study aimed to determine the antinociceptive and neuropharmacological activities of polyoxygenated flavonoids namely- 3,3',5,6,7,8-hexamethoxy-4',5'-methylenedioxyflavone (1), 3,3',4',5',5,6,7,8-octamethoxyflavone (exoticin) (2), 6,7,4',5'-dimethylenedioxy-3,5,3'-trimethoxyflavone (3), and 3,3',4',5,5',8-hexamethoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone (4), isolated and identified fromN. plumbaginifolia. Antinociceptive activity was assessed using the acetic-acid induced writhing, hot plate, tail immersion, formalin and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests, whereas neuropharmacological effects were evaluated in the hole cross, open field and elevated plus maze test. Oral treatment of compounds1,3, and4(12.5-25 mg/kg b.w.) exhibited dose-dependent and significant (p< 0.01) antinociceptive activity in the acetic-acid, formalin, carrageenan, and thermal (hot plate)-induced pain models. The association of ATP-sensitive K+channel and opioid systems in their antinociceptive effect was obvious from the antagonist effect of glibenclamide and naloxone, respectively. These findings suggested central and peripheral antinociceptive activities of the compounds. Compound1,3, and4(12.5 mg/kg b.w.) demonstrated significant (p< 0.05) anxiolytic-like activity in the elevated plus-maze test, while the involvement of GABAAreceptor in the action of compound3and4was evident from the reversal effects of flumazenil. In addition, compounds1and4(12.5-25 mg/kg b.w) exhibited anxiolytic activity without altering the locomotor responses. The present study suggested that the polymethoxyflavones (1-4) fromN. Plumbaginifoliacould be considered as suitable candidates for the development of analgesic and anxiolytic agents.
  11. Abbas SA, Khan A, Fatima M, Kalusalingam A, Kanakal MM, Inamdar SK, et al.
    PMID: 38357954 DOI: 10.2174/0118715230285370240131111539
    BACKGROUND: Seeds of plant Scaphium affine are traditionally used by the healers of "India" for the treatment of piles.

    OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to assess the anti-hemorrhoidal potential of the ethanolic seed extract of Scaphium affine.

    METHODS: After the soxhlet extraction method, the seed extract from Scaphium affine was first submitted to phytochemical standardization and then GC-MS analysis. Rats were given Croton oil and Jatropha oil to develop hemorrhoids, and Scaphium affine seed extract (ESA) was administered orally for 5 days and 3 days, respectively, at doses of 1000 and 500 mg/kg. The Rectoanal coefficient (RAC) was calculated as an inflammatory marker. The hemorrhoidal tissues were also subjected to cytokine profiling, biochemical estimation and histopathology.

    RESULTS: ESA demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, phenols, and tannins. GCMS analysis elucidated the presence of hexadecanoic acid 2 hydroxy -1,3 propane diyl ester,9 Octadecanoic acid ethyl ester, Cyclohexane 1,4 di methyl cis, Farnesol isomer,1, E-11, Z-13 octa decatriene, Stigmasterol, N-(5 ethyl -1,3,4-thiadiazol-yl) benzamide, N, N Dinitro 1,3,5,7 tetraza bicyclo 93,3,1) as major phytoconstituents. The results depicted more potent anti-hemorrhoidal activity of ESA at 1000 mg/kg, p.o., which was evident through a decrease in RAC. A significant decline in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression was observed, along with the restoration of altered antioxidants and enzymes. Histopathological analysis confirmed the tissue recovery as it revealed minimal inflammation and decreased dilated blood vessels in treated animals.

    CONCLUSION: Based on the results it can be concluded that seeds of Scaphium affine showed significant anti-hemorrhoid agents which may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential due to the presence of certain phytoconstituents in it. The study also supports the traditional use of seeds of Scaphium affine for the first time in the treatment of hemorrhoids.

  12. Lee KS, Shahidullah A, Zaidi STR, Patel RP, Ming LC, Tariq MH, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:504.
    PMID: 28824429 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00504
  13. Mendes K, Harmanjeet H, Sedeeq M, Modi A, Wanandy T, Zaidi STR, et al.
    Perit Dial Int, 2018 07 10;38(6):430-440.
    PMID: 29991562 DOI: 10.3747/pdi.2017.00274
    BACKGROUND: Infections caused by ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing gram-negative bacteria are increasing worldwide. Meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TZB) are recommended for the treatment of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP) caused by ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas and other resistant gram-negative bacteria. Patients may also receive intraperitoneal heparin to prevent occlusion of their catheters. However, the stability of meropenem or PIP/TZB, in combination with heparin, in different types of peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions used in clinical practice is currently unknown. Therefore, we investigated the stability of meropenem and PIP/TZB, each in combination with heparin, in different PD solutions.

    METHODS: A total of 15 PD bags (3 bags for each type of PD solution) containing meropenem and heparin and 24 PD bags (3 bags for each type of PD solution) containing PIP/TZB and heparin were prepared and stored at 4°C for 168 hours. The same bags were stored at 25°C for 3 hours followed by 10 hours at 37°C. An aliquot withdrawn before storage and at defined time points was analyzed for the concentration of meropenem, PIP, TZB, and heparin using high-performance liquid chromatography. Samples were also analysed for particle content, pH and color change, and the anticoagulant activity of heparin.

    RESULTS: Meropenem and heparin retained more than 90% of their initial concentration in 4 out of 5 types of PD solutions when stored at 4°C for 168 hours, followed by storage at 25°C for 3 hours and then at 37°C for 10 hours. Piperacillin/tazobactam and heparin were found to be stable in all 8 types of PD solutions when stored under the same conditions. Heparin retained more than 98% of its initial anticoagulant activity throughout the study period. No evidence of particle formation, color change, or pH change was observed at any time under the storage conditions employed in the study.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clinically important information on the stability of meropenem and PIP/TZB, each in combination with heparin, in different PD solutions. The use of meropenem-heparin admixed in pH-neutral PD solutions for the treatment of PDAP should be avoided, given the observed suboptimal stability of meropenem.

  14. Jasmi MA, Mazlan MN, Shaharuddin S, Zulkifly HH, Long CM, Hashim R, et al.
    Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A478.
    PMID: 27201388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1375
    Conference abstract;
    Objectives: Warfarin use in atrial fibrillation has been established for preventing occurrence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, safety and clinical monitoring of warfarin use is crucial due to its risk of bleeding complications. This study aims to compare and establish relation of time in therapeutic range (TTR) of warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation in the first 6 months and 6 month thereafter of anticoagulation therapy.
    Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out at a tertiary-care hospital with anticoagulation clinic in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Data collected included patients’ demographics, co-morbidities, and international normalized ratio (INR). TTR were determined using Rosendaal method based on records found in database (INR Desk 4.0 system) and patients’ hemorrhage events were also recorded. Samples of the study were patient who started warfarin from January 2009 until March 2013.
    Results: A total of 167 patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled and only 6% (n=10) achieved TTR of more than 75% for the first 6 months of warfarin use as compared to 16.8% (n=28) of TTR more than 75% 6 months thereafter. As for bleeding incidences, 29% (n=45) of patients in the group of TTR less than 75% in the first 6 months had bleeding complications as compared to 18.7% (n=26) in patients of TTR less than 75% 6 months after.
    Conclusions: A more regular follow up is necessary during the first 6 months of new warfarin users as they tend to be out of the TTR and have a higher bleeding risk.
    Study site: anticoagulation clinic, tertiary hospital, Selangor, Malaysia
  15. Mohd Hajiri M, Shaharuddin S, Long CM, Hashim R, Zulkifly HH, Kasim SS, et al.
    Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A378.
    PMID: 26532133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.795
    Conference abstract:
    Objectives: Warfarin has been used for more than 50 years as stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation. New oral anticoagulant, Dabigatran, was developed and shown to be safer and more efficacious compared to Warfarin due to its lower tendency of bleeding and in reducing stroke incidences. This study aims to compare the pattern of anticoagulants used and to assess their safety and efficacy by evaluating bleeding and stroke occurrences in both groups.
    Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out at a hospital with hematology clinic in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The samples of the study were patients with atrial fibrillation, prescribed with warfarin or dabigatran. Data collected includes patients’ demographics, co-morbidities, and stroke and haemorrhage events.
    Results: A total of 71 patients were recruited in this study with 21, 21 and 29 patients were on Warfarin, Dabigatran 110 mg and Dabigatran 150 mg respectively. Out of 50 Dabigatran users, 36 of them are warfarin-experienced. 1 out of 21 patients on warfarin experienced stroke while none in both 110 and 150mg dabigatran group. A total of 11 (52.4%) of warfarin patients experienced bleeding with 2 of them having major bleeding whereas, only 4 (8%) out of 50 dabigatran patients experienced minor bleeding, 1 in patient who were on Dabigatran 150mg and 3 patients who were on Dabigatran 110mg.
    Conclusions: The pattern of anticoagulant used for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation is slowly changing from Warfarin to Dabigatran. Evaluation of safety and efficacy profile of Warfarin shows that Warfarin requires more extensive management and monitoring in order to achieve therapeutic goals with fewer side effects. Comparison between both anticoagulants show that Dabigatran is safer and more effective compared to warfarin
    Study site: Haematology clinic, hospital, Selangor, Malaysia
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links