An immunofluorescence test (IFT) using platelet suspensions was used to detect the presence of serum anti-platelet antibodies (APA) in the sera of Malaysian patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Of the 28 patients tested, 19 (or 68%) had detectable APA with percentage platelet fluorescence ranging from 34% - 80% (mean 51% +/- 10). Normal sera gave fluorescence values of 6 - 15% (mean 9% +/- 5). Sera from patients with SLE, thyrotoxicosis and dengue haemorrhagic fever gave mean values of 29%, 8% and 9% respectively. Additionally, no apparent correlation was observed between percentage platelet fluorescence and the severity of thrombocytopenia. The importance and significance of these findings are discussed.
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.
Objectives: Budget Impact Analyses (BIA) of medicines helps managers in promoting health systems' sustainability when assessing the role and value of new medicines. However, it is not clear whether BIAs typically underestimate or overestimate the impact on real-world budgets. This retroactive analysis seeks to compare estimated values obtained by a BIA and Real-World Evidence (RWE) to guide discussions.Methods: The estimated values were obtained through a BIA concerning the incorporation of adalimumab for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis into the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) carried out retroactively and per international guidelines. RWE data was extracted from SUS computerized systems. We subsequently compared the number of treatments, costs, and Incremental Budget Impact (IBI).Results - The total number of treatments was underestimated by 10% (6,243) and the total expenditure was overestimated by 463% (US$ 4.7 billion). In five years, the total difference between the estimated values and real IBI reached US$ 1.1 billion. A current expenditure of US$ 1.0 was observed for every US$ 5.60 of estimated expenditure.Conclusion - The higher estimates from the BIA might cause decision makers to be more cautious with the introduction of a new medicine to reduce the opportunity costs for other interventions.