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  1. Mubarak N, Raja SA, Khan AS, Kanwal S, Saif-Ur-Rehman N, Aziz MM, et al.
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2021;14:1615-1627.
    PMID: 33907479 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S296113
    Background: There is a growing global interest in formulating such policies and strategic plans that help devise collaborative working models for community pharmacists (CPs) and general practitioners (GPs) in primary care settings.

    Objective: To conceptualize a stakeholder-driven framework to improve collaboration between CPs and GPs in Malaysian primary care to effectively manage medicines in chronic diseases.

    Design and Setting: A qualitative study that involved individual semi-structured interviews of the leadership of various associations, guilds, and societies representing CPs, GPs, and Nurses in Malaysia.

    Methods: This study collected and reported data in accordance with the guidelines of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting of Qualitative Studies. Key informants were recruited based on purposive (expert) sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were coded based on the principles of thematic analysis in NVivo.

    Results: A total of 12 interviews (5 CPs, 5 GPs, and 2 nurses) were conducted. Five themes emerged: Theme 1 highlighted a comparison of community pharmacy practice in Malaysia and developed countries; Theme 2 involved current practices in Malaysian primary care; Theme 3 encompassed the advantages of CP-GP collaboration in chronic diseases; Theme 4 highlighted the barriers which impede collaboration in Malaysian primary care; and Theme 5 delineated the way forward for CP-GP collaboration in Malaysia.

    Conclusion: The actionable insights obtained from the Malaysian stakeholders offered an outline of a framework to enhance collaboration between CPs and GPs in primary care. Generally, stakeholders were interested in CP-GP collaboration in primary care and identified many positive roles performed by CPs, including prescription review, adherence support, and patient education. The framework of the way forward includes: separation of CP and GP roles through a holistic revision of relevant legislation to grant an active role to CPs in chronic care; definition of protocols for collaborative practices; incentivization of both stakeholders (CPs and GPs); and design and implementation of an effective regulatory mechanism whereby the Malaysian Ministry of Health may take a leading role.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  2. Jairoun AA, Al-Hemyari SS, Shahwan M, El-Dahiyat F, Jairoun M, Al-Tamimi SK, et al.
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2021;14:967-977.
    PMID: 33727873 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S283068
    Background: The flux of pharmaceutical data can have a negative impact on the complexity of a pharmacist's decision-making process, which will demand an extensive evaluation from healthcare providers trying to choose the most suitable therapeutic plans for their patients.

    Objective: The current study aimed to assess the beliefs and implementations of community pharmacists in the UAE regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) and to explore the significant factors governing their EBP.

    Setting: Community pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, UAE.

    Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months between December 2017 and June 2018. Community pharmacists who had three months' professional experience or more and were registered with one of three regulatory bodies (Ministry of Health, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, or Dubai Health Authority) were interviewed by three trained final-year pharmacy students. Face-to-face interviews were then carried out and a structured questionnaire was used.

    Metrics: The average beliefs score was 36% (95% CI: [34%, 39%]) compared to an implementation score of 35% (95% CI: [33%, 37%]).

    Results: A total of 505 subjects participated in the study and completed the entire questionnaire. On average, participants scored higher in beliefs score than implementation score. The results of the statistical modelling showed that younger, female, higher-position pharmacists with more experience and with low percentages of full-time working, and graduates from international/regional universities were more likely to believe in and implement the concept of EBP.

    Conclusion: A gap was identified between the beliefs and implementation of EBP. Developing educational EBP courses in undergraduate pharmacy curricula is of high importance, not only to increase knowledge levels but also to encourage commitment in those pharmacists to strive for professionalism and to support the provided patient care with evidence.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  3. Teh KX, Henien NPB, Wong LS, Wong ZKH, Raja Ismail RZ, Achok HN, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(7):e0235674.
    PMID: 32649723 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235674
    BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to anti-seizure medication (ASM) therapy is an important contributing factor to the higher mortality rate and treatment failure of epilepsy. This study aimed to determine the rate and factors associated with non-adherence to ASM therapy through the WHO five dimensions of medication adherence framework.

    METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study at an outpatient Neurology Clinic of a tertiary government hospital in Malaysia. Between March and July 2019, we identified 217 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, receiving oral ASM therapy and able to administer their medications. We performed a semi-structured interview to gather information on sociodemographic background, clinical and medication history, and perceptions on healthcare services. Adherence to ASM therapy was evaluated using the Medication Compliance Questionnaire (MCQ). Patient's illness perception was assessed by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ).

    RESULTS: 208 patients participated in this study. The median age of the study participants was 35 years (IQR 26-44). 58.2% were females and majority, 55.8%, were from the Malay ethnic group. Based on the MCQ scoring, 89 patients (42.8%) were non-adherent. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that being employed or students (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.26, 95%CI: 1.19-4.29 p = 0.012) and having an average or below average perceived access to pharmacy services (aOR 2.94, 95%CI: 1.38-6.24, p = 0.005) were significant contributors to non-adherence.

    CONCLUSION: Being employed or students and having an average or below average perceived access to pharmacy services were associated with ASM non-adherence Efforts to improve ASM adherence should adopt a comprehensive approach considering the success of adherence is contingent on the interrelationship of multiple dimensions.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  4. Upadhyay DK, Mohamed Ibrahim MI, Mishra P, Alurkar VM
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2015;15:57.
    PMID: 25888828 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0715-5
    Patient satisfaction is the ultimate goal of healthcare system which can be achieved from good patient-healthcare professional relationship and quality of healthcare services provided. Study was conducted to determine the baseline satisfaction level of newly diagnosed diabetics and to explore the impact of pharmaceutical care intervention on patients' satisfaction during their follow-ups in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  5. Babar ZU, Bukhari NI, Sarwar W, Efendie B, Pereira R, Mohamed MH
    Pharm World Sci, 2007 Jun;29(3):101-3.
    PMID: 17288012 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-005-2905-4
    OBJECTIVES: This paper presents an outcome of pharmacist counseling among Malaysian smokers for their awareness of and willingness to quit smoking.

    METHOD: It was a cross-sectional study during a 3-day public health campaign at a shopping complex. Each self-referred participant was asked to complete a questionnaire apart from the question regarding improvement, and if any in their awareness and willingness to quit smoking, were asked to respond after counseling. Pharmacists counseled each participant about smoking cessation strategies and smoking related diseases. The data were analyzed by chi2 test.

    RESULTS: Among respondents, 25.5% had been smoking for more than 10 years, 31% for 5-10 years, 25.4% for 2-5 years and 18.3% for 1-2 years. The participants declaring no awareness about smoking were 22.9%, with little awareness 44.3%, having moderate awareness 25.7% and with considerable awareness were 7.1%. After counseling, 4.1% revealed unawareness, 17.8% little awareness, 43.8% moderate and 34.2% had considerable awareness on the above aspects. The post counseling awareness on smoking was observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.01). Among smokers studied, 67% showed willingness to quit smoking.

    CONCLUSION: Increase in awareness of and willingness to quit smoking reflects that pharmacist counseling seems to be helpful in cessation of smoking.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  6. Hashmi FK, Hassali MA, Khalid A, Saleem F, Aljadhey H, Babar ZUD, et al.
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2017 07 19;17(1):500.
    PMID: 28724411 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2442-6
    BACKGROUND: In recent decades, community pharmacies reported a change of business model, whereby a shift from traditional services to the provision of extended roles was observed. However, such delivery of extended pharmacy services (EPS) is reported from the developed world, and there is scarcity of information from the developing nations. Within this context, the present study was aimed to explore knowledge, perception and attitude of community pharmacists (CPs) about EPS and their readiness and acceptance for practice change in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.

    METHODS: A qualitative approach was used to gain an in-depth knowledge of the issues. By using a semi-structured interview guide, 12 CPs practicing in the city of Lahore, Pakistan were conveniently selected. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and were then analyzed for thematic contents by the standard content analysis framework.

    RESULTS: Thematic content analysis yielded five major themes. (1) Familiarity with EPS, (2) current practice of EPS, (3) training needed to provide EPS, (4) acceptance of EPS and (5) barriers toward EPS. Majority of the CPs were unaware of EPS and only a handful had the concept of extended services. Although majority of our study respondents were unaware of pharmaceutical care, they were ready to accept practice change if provided with the required skills and training. Lack of personal knowledge, poor public awareness, inadequate physician-pharmacist collaboration and deprived salary structures were reported as barriers towards the provision of EPS at the practice settings.

    CONCLUSION: Although the study reported poor awareness towards EPS, the findings indicated a number of key themes that can be used in establishing the concept of EPS in Pakistan. Over all, CPs reported a positive attitude toward practice change provided to the support and facilitation of health and community based agencies in Pakistan.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services/organization & administration
  7. Saw PS, Nissen L, Freeman C, Wong PS, Mak V
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2017 Jul-Sep;15(3):971.
    PMID: 28943979 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2017.03.971
    BACKGROUND: Private general practitioners in Malaysia largely operates as solo practices - prescribing and supplying medications to patients directly from their clinics, thus posing risk of medication-related problems to consumers. A pharmacy practice reform that integrates pharmacists into primary healthcare clinics can be a potential initiative to promote quality use of medication. This model of care is a novel approach in Malaysia and research in the local context is required, especially from the perspectives of pharmacists.
    OBJECTIVE: To explore pharmacists' views in integrating pharmacists into private GP clinics in Malaysia.
    METHODS: A combination of purposive and snowballing sampling was used to recruit community and hospital pharmacists from urban areas in Malaysia to participate either in focus groups or semi-structured interviews. A total of 2 focus groups and 4 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using NVivo 10.
    RESULTS: Four major themes were identified: (1) Limited potential to expand pharmacists' roles, (2) Concerns about non-pharmacists dispensing medicines in private GP clinics, (3) Lack of trust from consumers and private GPs, (4) Cost implications. Participants felt that there was a limited role for pharmacists in private GP clinics. This was because the medication supply role is currently undertaken in private GP clinics without the need of pharmacists. The perceived lack of trust from consumers and private GPs towards pharmacists arises from the belief that healthcare is the GPs' responsibility. This suggests that there is a need for increased public and GP awareness towards the capabilities of pharmacists' in medication management. Participants were concerned about an increase in cost to private GP visits if pharmacists were to be integrated. Nevertheless, some participants perceived the integration as a means to reduce medical costs through improved quality use of medicines.
    CONCLUSION: Findings from the study provided a better understanding to help ascertain pharmacists' views on their readiness and acceptance in a potential new model of practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  8. Chong EY, Palanisamy UD, Jacob SA
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2019;13:195-207.
    PMID: 30774315 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S182516
    Purpose: This study prepares the groundwork on the potential design and development of a mobile health (mHealth) app that will be able to bridge the communication gap between pharmacists and patients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHoH).

    Patients and methods: A focus group discussion was conducted with 12 community pharmacists. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach.

    Results: Three themes were apparent: 1) suggestions for app design and content, 2) perceived benefits of the app, and 3) potential challenges related to the app. Participants believed the app would be able to facilitate and improve communication, and hence relationship, between pharmacists and the DHoH. Potential challenges of the app were highlighted, such as the need for manpower to manage the app, and its cost to this group of economically disadvantaged people. There were also concerns about privacy and security.

    Conclusions: This study allowed community pharmacists, one of the end-users of the app, to provide feedback on the contents and design of the app, which would allow them to provide pharmaceutical care services to patients who are DHoH, and better serve them. Potential benefits and challenges of the app were also identified. Undoubtedly, through the mHealth app, community pharmacists will be better equipped to serve and communicate with the DHoH, and this will hopefully translate to improved health outcomes in these patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  9. Hatah E, Braund R, Tordoff J, Duffull SB
    Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2014 Jan;77(1):102-15.
    PMID: 23594037 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12140
    The aim was to examine the impact of fee-for-service pharmacist-led medication review on patient outcomes and quantify this according to the type of review undertaken, e.g. adherence support and clinical medication review.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  10. Supapaan T, Low BY, Wongpoowarak P, Moolasarn S, Anderson C
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2019 08 21;17(3):1611.
    PMID: 31592299 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2019.3.1611
    This review focuses on the studies and opinions around issues of transition from the BPharm to the PharmD degree in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Thailand. The transition to the clinically orientated PharmD degree in many countries was seen to be a means of developing the profession. However, some countries have both clinically-oriented and pharmaceutical sciences-oriented PharmD programme that are designed to meet the needs of their countries. Each country created a different process to handle the transition to an all-PharmD programme, but mostly had the process of school accreditation mandated by the regulatory bodies. The main barrier to the transition in most of the countries was the issue of educational quality. A set of indicators is needed to measure and monitor the impact/outcome of the PharmD degree. Each country has different needs due to the different contexts of health care systems and the scope of pharmacy practice. In order to increase their chances of benefiting from the new programme, academic leaders should critically assess their countries' needs before deciding to adopt a PharmD programme.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  11. Tan BK, Chua SS, Chen LC, Chang KM, Balashanker S, Bee PC
    J Oncol Pharm Pract, 2021 Oct;27(7):1644-1656.
    PMID: 33040675 DOI: 10.1177/1078155220964539
    PURPOSE: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients on long-term tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy are susceptible to drug-related problems (DRPs). This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and outcomes of pharmacist-led interventions on DRPs encountered by CML patients.

    METHODS: This study included participants from the intervention arm of a randomised controlled trial which was conducted to evaluate the effects of pharmacist-led interventions on CML patients treated with TKIs. Participants were recruited and followed up in the haematology clinics of two hospitals in Malaysia from March 2017 to January 2019. A pharmacist identified DRPs and helped to resolve them. Patients were followed-up for six months, and their DRPs were assessed based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Classification for DRP v7.0. The identified DRPs, the pharmacist's interventions, and the acceptance and outcomes of the interventions were recorded. A Poisson multivariable regression model was used to analyse factors associated with the number of identified DRPs per participant.

    RESULTS: A total of 198 DRPs were identified from 65 CML patients. The median number of DRPs per participants was 3 (interquartile range: 2, 4). Most participants (97%) had at least one DRP, which included adverse drug events (45.5%), treatment ineffectiveness (31.5%) and patients' treatment concerns or dissatisfaction (23%). The 228 causes of DRPs identified comprised the following: lack of disease or treatment information, or outcome monitoring (47.8%), inappropriate drug use processes (23.2%), inappropriate patient behaviour (19.9%), suboptimal drug selection (6.1%), suboptimal dose selection (2.6%) and logistic issues in dispensing (0.4%). The number of concomitant medications was significantly associated with the number of DRPs (adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.100; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.205; p = 0.040). Overall, 233 interventions were made. These included providing patient education on disease states or TKI-related side effects (75.1%) and recommending appropriate instructions for taking medications (7.7%). Of the 233 interventions, 94.4% were accepted and 83.7% were implemented by the prescriber or patient. A total of 154 DRPs (77.3%) were resolved.

    CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacist-led interventions among CML patients managed to identify various DRPs, were well accepted by both TKI prescribers and patients, and had a high success rate of resolving the DRPs.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  12. See HQ, Chan JN, Ling SJ, Gan SC, Leong CO, Mai CW
    J Pharm Pharm Sci, 2018;21(1):217-221.
    PMID: 29935548 DOI: 10.18433/jpps29869
    Big data is anticipated to have large implications in clinical pharmacy, in view of its potential in enhancing precision medicine and to avoid medication error. However, it is equally debatable since such a powerful tool may also disrupt the need of pharmacist in healthcare industry. In this article, we commented the contribution of Big Data in various aspects of clinical pharmacy including advancing pharmaceutical care service, optimising drug supplies, managing clinical trials, and strengthening pharmacovigilance. The future direction of the usage of Big Data related to clinical pharmacy will be discussed. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  13. Panickar R, Wo WK, Ali NM, Tang MM, Ramanathan GRL, Kamarulzaman A, et al.
    Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 2020 10;29(10):1254-1262.
    PMID: 33084196 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5033
    PURPOSE: To describe risk minimization measures (RMMs) implemented in Malaysia for allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) and examine their impact using real-world data on allopurinol usage and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports associated with allopurinol.

    METHODS: Data on allopurinol ADR reports (2000-2018) were extracted from the Malaysian ADR database. We identified RMMs implemented between 2000 and 2018 from the minutes of relevant meetings and the national pharmacovigilance newsletter. We obtained allopurinol utilization data (2004-2018) from the Pharmaceutical Services Programme. To determine the impact of RMMs on ADR reporting, we considered ADR reports received within 1 year of RMM implementation. We used the Pearson χ2 test to examine the relation between the implementation of RMMs and allopurinol ADR reports.

    RESULTS: The 16 RMMs for allopurinol-related SCARs implemented in Malaysia involved nine risk communications, four prescriber or patient educational material, and three health system innovations. Allopurinol utilization decreased by 21.5% from 2004 to 2018. ADR reporting rates for all drugs (n = 144 507) and allopurinol (n = 1747) increased. ADR reports involving off-label use decreased by 6% from 2011. SCARs cases remained between 20% and 50%. RMMs implemented showed statistically significant reduction in ADR reports involving off-label use for August 2014 [χ2(1, N = 258) = 5.32, P = .021] and October 2016 [χ2(1, N = 349) = 3.85, P = .0499].

    CONCLUSIONS: RMMs to promote the appropriate use of allopurinol and prescriber education have a positive impact. We need further measures to reduce the incidence and severity of allopurinol-induced SCARs, such as patient education and more research into pharmacogenetic screening.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  14. Singh H, Mohammed AH, Stokes E, Malone D, Turner J, Hassan BAR, et al.
    Curr Pharm Teach Learn, 2024 Jan;16(1):69-76.
    PMID: 38158327 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.12.007
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate an accelerated dispensing course for graduate entry (GE) pharmacy students with prior science-related degrees to join undergraduate (UG) students in year three of the Monash Pharmacy degree.

    EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: A one day accelerated dispensing course using MyDispense software was delivered to 59 GE students. The accelerated dispensing course was identical to the standard three-week dispensing course delivered to UG students. The same assessment of dispensing skills was conducted after course completion for both UG and GE students and included dispensing four prescriptions of varying difficulty. The assessment scores of the UG and GE students were compared. Perception data from the accelerated course were also collected.

    FINDINGS: The accelerated dispensing curriculum was well received by students. They found the simulation relevant to practice, easy to navigate, and helpful for preparing them for assessment. Overall, 5.1% of GE students failed the assessment, which was lower than the 32.6% failure rate in the UG cohort. Comparison of assessment grades between UG and GE students showed no notable disadvantage to attainment of learning outcomes with the accelerated curriculum. However, UG students were more likely to provide unsafe instructions compared to GE students in their labeling for three out of four prescriptions.

    SUMMARY: An accelerated dispensing curriculum can be effectively delivered to mature learners with a prior science-related degree as no notable deficiencies were identified when comparing the assessment results of GE students against UG students when both student cohorts undertook the same dispensing assessment.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  15. Babar ZU, Hassali MA, Shyong TL, Hin TK, Cien CS, Bin LS, et al.
    J Young Pharm, 2012 Apr;4(2):108-13.
    PMID: 22754263 DOI: 10.4103/0975-1483.96625
    The objective of this study was to evaluate consumers' perceptions regarding "modern medicines" in Penang, Malaysia. To conduct this exploratory study, qualitative techniques were used. Consumers more than 19 years of age and could speak English, who had visited a pharmacy in the last 30 days, were included from the four major areas of Penang. Eighteen interviews were conducted until the point of saturation. The interviews were audio-taped and then transcribed verbatim for thematic content analysis. Many consumers correctly identified the major characteristics and properties of modern medicines; however, others raised doubts regarding the safety, quality and efficacy of "modern medicines". There were many misconceptions such as "all modern medicines can cause dependence", traditional medicines are completely "free of side-effects" and "Western medicines cure while Chinese medicines don't". Color was also considered a strong determinant of the safety and characteristics of a medicine. Regarding consumers' "medicine information seeking behavior", many consumers would seek information from doctors and pharmacists; however, there were others, who would look for books, or get it from the internet and friends. Of concern many consumers emphasized that while "self-searching for drug information" they would only look for side-effects. Misconceptions regarding medicine-taking behavior, medicine use and compliance were also identified. Though several consumers complied with the medicine-taking instructions, many reported that they would stop taking medicines, once they feel better. Though many consumers correctly identified the characteristics of "modern medicines", misconceptions regarding "medicine information sources and "medicine-taking behavior" were rampant. The situation demands corrective actions including community-oriented educational campaigns to improve "medicine use" in the society.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  16. Ahmad NS, Hatah E, Makmor-Bakry M
    PMID: 31304021 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-019-0176-z
    Background: As part of the initiatives to increase price transparency for consumers, pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia have been encouraged to declare the wholesale and recommended retail prices (RRP) of medicines to the Pharmaceutical Service Department (PSD) yearly. However, the relationship between the voluntary price reporting practices and consumers' retail medicine price is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of the voluntary price reporting practice of pharmaceutical industry on retail medicine prices, factors that may affect consumer medicine prices in Malaysia's private healthcare sector, and the retail medicine pricing trend over 2011-2015.

    Methods: A yearly correlation test for a 5-year period was performed to investigate the association between the wholesale and RRP medicine prices declared by the pharmaceutical industry from 2011 to 2015 on the one hand and the consumer wholesale and retail medicine price database on the other hand. The median price ratio (MPR) was calculated by comparing the consumer retail medicine price to its international reference price. The Krukal Wallis test was used to analyse the pricing trend throughout the 5-year period, and factors that might elevate the MPR above 2.5 were modelled using binary logistic regression.

    Results: A total of 2527 medicine price data were analysed. There was a strong significant association between medicine prices declared to the PSD and the retail medicine prices in every year of the 5-year period. Moreover, there was no significant increase in retail medicine prices throughout the 5-year period. The medicine types, retail location, type of manufacturer, medicinal indications, declared wholesale and RRPs significantly influenced the consumer MPRs that where > 2.5.

    Conclusion: The declared medicine price was found to have a significant association with the consumer retail medicine price. Thus, it may be a useful reference for consumers purchasing medicines in private healthcare settings. However, the government of Malaysia must develop strategies to increase medicine price transparency for price-control mechanisms in the private healthcare sector.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  17. Elnaem MH, AbouKhatwa MM, Elrggal ME, Dehele IS
    PMID: 36768120 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032754
    Globally, the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing. The treatment for ADHD is multifaceted and requires long-term care and support. Pharmacists are capable of assisting patients and their caretakers in achieving desired outcomes. This work discusses and summarizes pharmacists' roles in ADHD care and their associated outcomes. Overall, pharmacists are positioned to educate on ADHD, optimize medications in a collaborative practice model, manage and monitor side effects, and provide remote and virtual pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists could directly contribute to ensuring medication safety and increasing awareness regarding the optimal use of ADHD medications. Patients with ADHD can benefit from pharmacist involvement in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, initial screening and referral, the provision of clinical consultation and feedback, and the improvement of self-management and self-awareness of the illness. Pharmacists also play a significant role in therapeutic decision making regarding the initiation, intensification, and monitoring of ADHD treatment to ensure its effectiveness and quality of life improvement. Lastly, pharmacists could help identify more cost-effective treatment approaches for ADHD patients based on the clinical scenario that is encountered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  18. Ng CB, Chang CT, Ong SY, Mahmud M, Lee LC, Chew WY, et al.
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2021 Oct 29;21(1):1175.
    PMID: 34711230 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07185-7
    BACKGROUND: Patient's awareness and satisfaction towards ward pharmacy services may influence perception towards effectiveness and safety of drugs, affecting medication adherence and clinical outcome. Nevertheless, studies on local ward pharmacy services were lacking. This study evaluated awareness, expectation and satisfaction of ward pharmacy services among patients in medical wards and determined their association with demographic characteristics.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire conducted in medical wards of fourteen Perak state public hospitals from September to October 2020. In-patients aged ≥18 years old were included. The validated questionnaire had four domains. The student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression were was employed to evaluate the association between patients' demographic characteristics with their awareness, expectation and satisfaction towards ward pharmacy services.

    RESULTS: 467 patients agreed to participate (response rate = 83.8%) but only 441 were analysed. The mean age of the patients was 54.9 years. Majority was male (56.2%), Malay (77.3%), with secondary education (62.9%), rural resident (57.1%) and reported good medication adherence (61.6%). The mean awareness score was 49.6 out of 60. Patients were least aware about drug-drug interaction (3.85 ± 1.15) and proper storage of medications (3.98 ± 1.06). Elderly patients (β = - 2.82, P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services*
  19. Ahmad A, Khan MU, Kumar BD, Kumar GS, Rodriguez SP, Patel I
    Pharmacognosy Res, 2014 10 1;7(4):302-8.
    PMID: 26692742 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.158438
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicines among senior pharmacy students.

    METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacy students in four pharmacy schools located in Andhra Pradesh in South India. This study was conducted from the August to September 2014. The study population included all pharmacy students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy programs in studied pharmacy schools. The pretested AYUSH survey had 8 questions on AYUSH related beliefs and 8 question on AYUSH related attitudes. The survey also asked participants about AYUSH related knowledge, frequency of use of AYUSH and the reason for using AYUSH. The data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were employed to study the association between the independent and dependent variables.

    RESULTS: A total of 428 pharmacy students participated in the survey. 32.2% of the study population was females and 32.5% of the population resided in rural areas. Males were more likely to have positive beliefs about AYUSH when compared to females (odd ratio [OR] = 4.62, confidence interval [CI] = 2.37-8.99, P < 0.001). Similarly, students living in hostels were more positive in their beliefs about AYUSH compared with students living at home (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12-4.07, P < 0.05). Students living in hostel also had a positive attitude about AYUSH use (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.03-2.93, P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students held favorable attitude and beliefs about AYUSH use. This baseline survey provides important information about the pharmacy student's perception about AYUSH. Further research is needed to explore the reasons that shape the pharmacy student's beliefs and attitudes about AYUSH.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services
  20. Tan CL, Hassali MA, Saleem F, Shafie AA, Aljadhay H, Gan VB
    Health Expect, 2016 Dec;19(6):1215-1225.
    PMID: 26426210 DOI: 10.1111/hex.12416
    OBJECTIVE: To improve pharmaceutical care delivery in Malaysia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had introduced the concept of value added services (VAS). Despite its reported convenience and advantages, VAS utilization rate is low in the country. The study aims to explore patients' understanding, beliefs and expectations towards VAS in Malaysia using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the theoretical model.

    METHODS: A qualitative methodology was used whereby face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 patients who collected partial medicine supplies from government pharmacies. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling method in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Interviews were audio-recorded. Verbatim transcription and thematic content analysis were performed on the data.

    RESULTS: Thematic content analysis yielded five major themes: (i) attitudes towards using VAS, (ii) subjective norms, (iii) perceived behavioural control, (iv) lack of knowledge and understanding of VAS and (v) expectations towards VAS.

    CONCLUSION: The interviews explored and informed new information about salient beliefs towards pharmacy VAS. The findings suggest that VAS is still in its infancy and a more robust and effective advertising and marketing campaign is needed to boost the adoption rate. Behavioural attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control elements were discussed and serve as important variables of interest in future study. Expectations towards VAS serve as an important guideline to further improve patient-oriented services.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Services/organization & administration*
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