Introduction: Lipid-modifying drugs have been used to treat dyslipidemia as well as for the primary
and secondary prevention of CVDs and stroke. Objectives: This study aims to describe the drug
utilization pattern of lipid-modifying drugs in a private hospital. Method: A retrospective study was
carried out in outpatient of the selected hospital. Patients were selected based on inclusion and
exclusion criteria by using convenience sampling. Data were collected through KCIS by retrieving
patients’ registration number. Defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated and compared to World
Health Organization DDD. Medicine prices were also analysed. Results: A total of 180 patients’
record were analysed, 70% of them were male; 40.6% of the patients were from the age range of 50
to 59 years old; ethnicity breakdown was Malay (69.4%), Indian (18.3%) and Chinese (12.2%).
Among all lipid-modifying drugs, utilization of statins was the highest as statins are the preferred
line in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Innovator brands were more preferred where most of the lipidmodifying
drugs used in the selected hospital are innovator brand drugs. In terms of cost, lipidmodifying
drugs contributes to about 27% of the total cost of prescription in average. Conclusion:
The utilization of all lipid-modifying drugs in the selected hospital was lower as compared to WHO
DDD. As compared to combination therapy, monotherapy with atorvastatin was generally preferred
in the selected hospital. The utilization of atorvastatin was found to be the highest in the OPD of the
selected hospital.
This study aimed to assess the adequacy of EQ-5D-5L in defining health as perceived by Malaysians
using a mixed methodology approach. Potential additional dimensions (i.e. bolt-on items) to supplement
the current instrument were also explored. This study was carried out in two phases. In phase one, focus
group discussions (N = 6-8 in each group) were employed to gauge the perception of Malaysians on the
dimensions deemed important additions to the EQ-5D-5L instrument. Phase two involved further
validation of bolt-ons to the EQ-5D-5L using a cross-sectional survey of 100 general public in Penang,
Malaysia. A total of 11 bolt-ons were identified from phase 1. These bolt-ons were sleep, vitality,
happiness, close relationships, stress, mental abilities, social support, religion, vision, hearing, and
speaking. In phase 2, the bolt-ons of ‘vitality’ and ‘stress’ stood out with 70% (n=70) and 64% (n=64)
participants reported facing most problems with, respectively. Both phases of study suggest that
additional dimensions for the existing EQ-5D-5L instrument may be useful to better capture the HRQoL
among Malaysians. Larger scale study is warranted to further validate the bolt-ons identified in this
study.
Essential medicines have become indispensable to maintain and to improve our lives and health. Latest literature again reiterated that inappropriate use of medicine is a global phenomenon in both developed and developing countries still prevail. Poor adherence is associated with negative clinical outcome of the disease. It is important to note that about 50% of treatment failures are due to poor medication adherence and this results in substantial morbidity and mortality. Patient’s belief and perception have been reported to influence medication adherence. Low rate of adherence was found strongly associated with patient’s belief across the studies with chronic diseases with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, asthma and renal disease. Exploring the health beliefs of patients is vital to improve adherence and thereby blood pressure among the patients with hypertension. Lack of knowledge about usage of medication and various misleading perceptions of hypertension management have resulted inappropriate use of medication especially medication adherence among community-dwelling patients with hypertension. Literatures classified non-adherence into primary and secondary. Primary non-adherence refers to medication is purposefully never filled or taken; Secondary non-adherence is defined as medication is not taken properly or continued as prescribed and further classified into intentionally and unintentionally. Patient education aims to train patient in the skill and self-management of their chronic disease by adapting to the treatment or lifestyle changes. Despite improving in patients’ skill and self-care by providing information about the treatment, patient education could enhance their empowerment and medication adherence. Patient education is a basic right of the patients and healthcare members have responsible to provide such information. However, the authenticity of the available information is yet to be verified. Therefore, healthcare professional could play a vital role here to educate their patients about the appropriate information.
Pharmacist’s interventions in anaemia management have been shown to improve clinical and economic outcomes. To determine the outcome of hemoglobin (Hb) level after the implementation of ESA monitoring card and counselling, a prospective, single-blinded randomised controlled study involved patients attending the CAPD clinic in Terengganu tertiary hospital, Malaysia was carried out. Intervention group received ESA injection counselling based on a validated checklist and ESA monitoring card, while the standard care group only received standard care. Result showed a total of 118 eligible patients with 68 of them in the standard care group and 50 patients in the intervention group with an average age of 50.8 (±14.57) and 49.4 (±13.69) years, respectively. Mean Hb showed significant improvement in both standard care and interventional groups with p
Pharmacists in Malaysia practise their profession in rugged terrains which demand
both professional skills and pioneering spirits. Many of the current pharmaceutical
standards, practices, and legislations need overhauling in order to meet the
aspiration of the nation in this new millennium. The Malaysian Pharmaceutical
Society has a vital role to play. The profession requires the greatest understanding
of the Malaysian Medical Association and the Government in this transition period.
Introduction: In the context of pharmacy education worldwide and in Malaysia, the use of digital
technologies to promote higher level thinking and discussions is seen as preparing the millennials as
pharmacists in the 21st century. Together with leveraging on millennials' penchant for mobile
technology, gamified online quizzes as an assessment tool that help promote active and collaborative
learning in a Medicinal Chemistry course have been used. Objectives: This study investigates
students’ perception of the impact of gamified online quizzes on their learning in a Medicinal
Chemistry course. Method: This study employs mix method research comprising descriptive
analysis, content analysis from informal chats and researchers' observation to gather the findings for
the study. Three gamified online quizzes using Quizizz, were implemented outside classroom time,
in place of traditional quizzes. Multiple attempts were allowed within a stipulated time. As
interventions, post-quiz discussions were conducted during class time. Students completed an endof-
the-course survey. Results: Out of 63 respondents, more than 96% felt that the gamified online
quizzes enhanced their learning as they learned from the instant feedback, their mistakes and postquiz
discussions. Overall student performance based on the percentage and accuracy of answering
the quiz improved with time. Student qualitative comments on the survey, the course social media
(closed group) and informal chats supported the findings from the descriptive data analysis of the
study. Conclusions: From students’ perception, the gamified online quizzes were found to be
enjoyable and effective in enhancing active, peer learning in an undergraduate medicinal chemistry
course outside class time. For instructors, the online quiz served as an efficient tool for formative
assessment in a large classroom setting, and could replace traditional classroom quizzes.
Introduction: All pharmaceutical products in Malaysia must be registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) whereas cosmetics must be notified with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). Availability of unregistered products and unnotified cosmetics in the market are longstanding issues affecting public safety and health. It is vital that all government healthcare personnel (GHP) as the front liners are equipped with the knowledge to properly advise the public on this issue.
Objective: This study aims to determine the level of knowledge towards registered products and notified cosmetics among various groups of GHP under the Ministry of Health facilities in Labuan.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed from August to November 2017 using a validated 12 question questionnaire. Respondents were divided into 4 groups (doctors/dentist, pharmacist, nurse, allied healthcare professional) and results between the groups were analysed using Chi-square analysis. Respondent’s knowledge was given score and those who scored 9 marks and above were considered to have good knowledge. Those who scored 8 marks and below were considered to have poor knowledge.
Results: Only 40.2% Pharmacists have the highest score of good knowledge on registered products and notified cosmetics at 81.8% (n=18). The level of good knowledge among allied health professionals (AHP) stood at 42.9% (n=21), 36.4% of nurses (n=43) and 20% of doctors (n=6). However in total, only 40.2% (n=88) of the study population had good knowledge.
Conclusion: The level of knowledge towards registered products and notified cosmetics among doctors, pharmacist, nurses and allied health professional in Labuan is poor as only 40.2% have good knowledge. This study shows a significant association between the levels of knowledge among GHP varies between groups of profession. Pharmacist group has the highest score in knowledge in this study and thus should be another reference for the general public and patients when it comes to health-related matters. Further re-education should be conducted to improve the knowledge of GHPs in Labuan with regards to this subject.
Dikir Farmasi (DF) is a new effort to expand and intensify the dissemination of information about
the regulation of the legitimate use of drugs and cosmetics. This study was aimed to explore the
opinions of Pharmacy Enforcement Division staff and the general public regarding the quality and
impact of DF program as a health promotion tool in Malaysia. A qualitative study using semistructured
interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted at the Pharmacy
Enforcement Department and three health clinics located at the city of Kota Bharu, Malaysia. The
interviews were audio recorded, translated and transcribed. Thematic analysis was performed to
identify the themes and sub-themes of the transcripts. Ethical approval was obtained from Ministry
of Health Malaysia. All respondents provided a written consent for participation. Nine pharmacy
officers and 23 general public participated in this study. Five main themes emerged from the
information gathered and analyzed: 1) language; 2) design; 3) content and delivery 4) costs and
benefits and 5) prospect of DF. Certain weaknesses of DF have been raised and the health authorities
could utilize this information for an improvement. Significant effort must be made to improve the
publicity and dissemination of DF to ensure that it reaches the target population. Certain weaknesses
of DF have been raised and the health authorities could utilize this information for an improvement.
Significant effort must be made to improve the publicity and dissemination of DF to ensure that it
reaches the target population.