The main theme of these workshops is how to characterize the organic compounds using NMR and Mass Spectroscopic techniques. The facilitator is Prof. A.I. Gray from University of Strathclyde, UK. He is well known internationally for his expertise in the characterization of organic compounds.
These workshops are unique in the sense that these workshops cover all the basic & advanced techniques in structural elucidation of organic compounds.
These workshops would be very useful to the researchers who are involved in identification of compounds from any source. Also, these workshops would act as a platform to network research collaboration.
The dead line for early bird registration is 15th February 2011.
HURRY!!The number of participants in each workshop is limited to only 25 participants.
Links :
1) MPS : http://www.mps.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=37&action=view&retrieveid=3375
2) IMU : http://www.imu.edu.my/about_events.asp?pageid=1&browseeventsid=132
Friday, February 11, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Effectiveness of the Different Treatments in Smoking Cessation
Cochrane reviews:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): 132 RCTs.
-Overall risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of abstinence: 1.58 (1.50 to 1.66); similar for gum, patch, inhaler, and lozenge.
-Adverse events (AEs): local irritation related to product type; no evidence of increased myocardial infarction.
Varenicline: 9 RCTs.
-The RR (95% CI) for cessation at 6 to 12 months over placebo was 2.33 (1.95 to 2.80).
-Varenicline AEs: primarily nausea, insomnia, and abnormal dreams; 10% AE drop-out rate; neuropsychiatric AEs (eg, depression, agitation, suicidal thoughts or behaviour) are infrequent butrequire monitoring.
-Reported benefit of varenicline might be influenced by industry funding and lack of a pragmatic design.
Antidepressants: 49 bupropion and 9 nortriptyline RCTs.
-The RR (95% CI) for cessation over placebo at 6 to 12 months: bupropion 1.69 (1.53 to 1.85); nortriptyline 2.03 (1.48 to 2.78).
-Bupropion AEs: primarily insomnia and dry mouth; 7% to 12% AE drop-out rate; rarely seizure (about 1/1000) and suicidal thoughts or behaviour (association unclear).
-Nortriptyline AEs: primarily dry mouth, drowsiness, light-headedness, and constipation (less at lower doses); 4% to 12% drop-out rate from AEs.
Context
Smoking cessation is the most effective preventive manoeuver for high-risk patients: an RCT of aggressive intervention for 209 patients after critical care admission achieved a 2-year quit rate of 39% (9% for placebo) and mortality of 3% (vs 12%); number needed to treat was 11.
Dosing:
-Bupropion: 150 mg is equivalent to 300 mg.
-Varenicline: 0.5 mg twice daily is as effective (or almost as effective),as 1 mg twice daily, but with fewer AEs.
-Nortriptyline: start with 25 mg at bedtime and increase by 25 mg every 3 to 4 days, if the desire to smoke persists, to a maximum of 75 to 100 mg; encourage a quit date 10 days in (or so) and continuefor 10 to 12 weeks.
Bottom line
Nicotine replacement, bupropion, nortriptyline (off label), and varenicline are all effective in smoking cessation; AEs vary (and might relate to quitting smoking), but they are important and require monitoring.
Note
In Malaysia, the recommended (and available) pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation are NRT (gum, lozenges, patch, inhaler) and varenicline.
Nicotine 16hour-patch and varenicline are listed in the Ministry of Health Drug Formulary as A/KK (Category of prescribers: Consultants/ Specialists/Family Physician Specialists).
Reference:
Allan,GM, Ivers N and Els C. Can Fam Physician, 57 (1), January 2011: 47.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Chapter for Pharmacist-To-be : Pharmaceutical Care Plan for Asthma Patients
Recently, final year pharmacy student or/also known as the pharmacist-to-be, asked me about some questions regarding management of an asthmatic patient.
So to summarise the discussion, When comes to asthmatic patients, there are few things you ned to make it clear before you jump into recommendation:
1) Patient's compliance on inhaler techniques. If non-compliance, there is a bigger issue for u to address before you add in an extra med.
2)How to step up and to step down in asthma management? What parameters you look at ?
If to step up, which agent will you choose ? What monitoring parameters are you interested to look at?
- after corticosteroid, what is next in the list?
- can long acting beta-agonist be given alone?
- what are the up-coming innovation in management of asthma patients, that could improve compliance, improve efficacy and reduce side effect?
3) think about what is the pathophysiology of asthma?
- why we will step up to inhale corticosteroid instead of other agent?
4) How different is the management of asthma vs COPD? why is it so?
5) How the difference of management of acute exacerbation of asthma vs chronic asthma?
So to summarise the discussion, When comes to asthmatic patients, there are few things you ned to make it clear before you jump into recommendation:
1) Patient's compliance on inhaler techniques. If non-compliance, there is a bigger issue for u to address before you add in an extra med.
2)How to step up and to step down in asthma management? What parameters you look at ?
If to step up, which agent will you choose ? What monitoring parameters are you interested to look at?
- after corticosteroid, what is next in the list?
- can long acting beta-agonist be given alone?
- what are the up-coming innovation in management of asthma patients, that could improve compliance, improve efficacy and reduce side effect?
3) think about what is the pathophysiology of asthma?
- why we will step up to inhale corticosteroid instead of other agent?
4) How different is the management of asthma vs COPD? why is it so?
5) How the difference of management of acute exacerbation of asthma vs chronic asthma?
6) What is the differences in inhaler corticosteroid and oral corticosteroid?
- why do we have an invention of inhaler?
- When do we oral (systemic) corticosteroid in management of asthma patient?
7) Check the differences in each corticosteroid inhaler (Budesonide, beclomethasone, ciclesonide, fluticasone, betamethasone) By finding the differences, You will then understand why in the market, there is so many different corticosteroid inhalers, and why some inhale corticosteroid were phased out from the market already.
8) can asthma patient be given aspirin?
if can, what would be your concern?
if cant, what would you recommend to your doctor?
If you could find out all the answers, you will have a better understanding of how to manage an asthma patient! But dont forget about his/her other co-morbidity(ies).
- why do we have an invention of inhaler?
- When do we oral (systemic) corticosteroid in management of asthma patient?
7) Check the differences in each corticosteroid inhaler (Budesonide, beclomethasone, ciclesonide, fluticasone, betamethasone) By finding the differences, You will then understand why in the market, there is so many different corticosteroid inhalers, and why some inhale corticosteroid were phased out from the market already.
8) can asthma patient be given aspirin?
if can, what would be your concern?
if cant, what would you recommend to your doctor?
If you could find out all the answers, you will have a better understanding of how to manage an asthma patient! But dont forget about his/her other co-morbidity(ies).
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A NEWLY-APPROVED SELECTIVE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR MODULATOR
Update
12/30/2010: ELLA: A NEWLY-APPROVED SELECTIVE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR MODULATOR| Stephen R. Hammes Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry Laurence L. Brunton Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine Related To: Chapter 57. Estrogens and Progestins The FDA has recently approved ulipristal for post-coital contraception. Ulipristal could be considered “Plan C”, similar in overall effect to the current “Plan B”, mifepristone. Ulipristal can inhibit follicular rupture when administered prior to ovulation (Brache et al, 2010) and is effective post-coitally in preventing pregnancy (Fine et al, 2010; Glasier et al, 2010). The clinical studies with ulipristal have raised some questions about the drug’s equivalence to existing medications (Page and Verhaeghe, 2010) and prompted an interesting discussion of the ethics of including a placebo-control in a study of efficacy of a drug such as this one (Glasier and Gainer, 2010). As may be expected, ulipristal has also provoked an adverse reaction in the United States by opponents of the termination of pregnancy. Ulipristal is included in the recently published 12th edition ofGoodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. (Chapter 40, Estrogens and Progestins) Chemistry. Ulipristal (PubChem CID: 130904) is another derivative of 19-norprogesterone (PubChem CID: 95585) that functions as a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) with both agonistic and antagonistic effects on the progesterone receptor. Ulipristal has the same dimethyl-aminophenol group at the 11b position as seen in mifepristone (PubChem CID: 55245) with an additional acetoxy group at position 17. Unlike mifepristone, ulipristal appears to be a relatively weak glucocorticoid antagonist. Pharmacological Actions. Ulipristal is known to have anti-proliferative effects in the uterus at high doses; however, its most relevant actions to date are its ability to inhibit ovulation. While still not clear, ulipristal’s anti-ovulatory actions likely occur due to progesterone regulation at many levels, including inhibition of LH release through the hypothalamus and pituitary, as well as inhibition of LH-induced follicular rupture within the ovary. Dosing. A 30 mg dose of ulipristral can inhibit ovulation when taken up to five days after intercourse. In fact, ulipristal can block ovarian rupture at or even just after the time of the LH surge, confirming that at least part of its effects are directly in the ovary. Ulipristal may also block endometrial implantation of the fertilized egg, although whether this contributes to its ability to function as an emergency contraceptive (see below) is not clear. Therapeutic Uses. Ulipristal acetate, which is sold as ella and ellaOne, has recently been licensed in Europe and the United States as an emergency contraceptive. Studies comparing ulipristal to levonorgestrel (progesterone-only emergency contraception, or POEC) have found that ulipristal is at least as effective when taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. Most importantly, while levonorgestrel does not work well beyond 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, ulipristal remains effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse, making ulipristal a more versatile emergency contraceptive. The most severe side effect in clinical trials using ulipristal has been a self-limited headache and some abdominal pain. The drug should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding or who are pregnant and wish to remain so.
|
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Some Facts about Eye Drops
On 28th November 2010, I attended the CPD Pharmacists' Workshop on Ophthalmology at the Saujana Hotel with several friends. This workshop is a breath of fresh air indeed-while the lunch is sponsored by Allergan, the workshop is not heavily laden with product talks; not only that, the invited speakers comprise consultant ophthalmologist and experienced pharmacists, sharing practical points on various topics:red eyes, dry eye, glaucoma and nutritional supplments for age-related macular disease.
Some learning points from the workshop that I would like to share with you all:
When instilling eye drops, 1 drop is sufficient as the ideal volume of a drop that the eye can hold, especially the conjunctiva cul de sac is 10-15uL and the typical volume of an eye drop is 40uL.
Sequence of instillation (if more than one type of topical drugs are to be used):
1) solution 2) suspension 3) Suspension/Gel
For contact lens wearer, instill the eye drop first, then wait for 15 minutes before putting on the contact lens.
Tear film is a barrier to effective drug delivery. Tear film penetration can be increased by manually blocking the nasolacrimal duct and tilting the head backwards. Occlusion of the nasolacrimal ducta after instillation of eye drop, minimises systemic absorption.Examples of systemic side effects: Gutt chloramphenicol may cause aplastic anaemia, Gutt timolol may cause acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
Once an eye drop passes the tear film, it penetrates the cornea which is the major site of absorption for topical drugs.
1 drop of eye drop: only 50% reach the site of action.
The iris acts as a reservoir for drugs instilled into the eye. Prostaglandin analogues used for glaucoma may change colour of iris as they stay in the iris.
Hydrophilic drugs do not enter the retina easily. They are prevented by tight junctions complexes at the retinal pigment epithelium, hence retinal toxicity is seen in certain drugs. E.g. Gutt. chloramphenicol may cause optic nerve toxicity.
Some learning points from the workshop that I would like to share with you all:
When instilling eye drops, 1 drop is sufficient as the ideal volume of a drop that the eye can hold, especially the conjunctiva cul de sac is 10-15uL and the typical volume of an eye drop is 40uL.
Sequence of instillation (if more than one type of topical drugs are to be used):
1) solution 2) suspension 3) Suspension/Gel
For contact lens wearer, instill the eye drop first, then wait for 15 minutes before putting on the contact lens.
Tear film is a barrier to effective drug delivery. Tear film penetration can be increased by manually blocking the nasolacrimal duct and tilting the head backwards. Occlusion of the nasolacrimal ducta after instillation of eye drop, minimises systemic absorption.Examples of systemic side effects: Gutt chloramphenicol may cause aplastic anaemia, Gutt timolol may cause acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
Once an eye drop passes the tear film, it penetrates the cornea which is the major site of absorption for topical drugs.
1 drop of eye drop: only 50% reach the site of action.
The iris acts as a reservoir for drugs instilled into the eye. Prostaglandin analogues used for glaucoma may change colour of iris as they stay in the iris.
Hydrophilic drugs do not enter the retina easily. They are prevented by tight junctions complexes at the retinal pigment epithelium, hence retinal toxicity is seen in certain drugs. E.g. Gutt. chloramphenicol may cause optic nerve toxicity.
Caution must be taken when recommending/prescribing steroid eye drops as they have contraindications and adverse effects. Adverse effects include: elevation of intraocular presure and possibly glaucoma with nerve damage, cataract formation, delayed wound healing, worsening corneal ulcers especially if bacterial or fungal.
One of the points to consider when recommending eye drop to patient-the types of preservatives used.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Mechanism-Based Therapies for Heart Failure and Cardiac Arrhythmias
Mechanism-Based Therapies for Heart Failure and Cardiac Arrhythmias
TOPICS COVERED IN MECHANISM-BASED THERAPIES FOR HEART FAILURE AND CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS
Introduction to excitation-contraction coupling - History of the field of EC coupling - Introduction to the ryanodine receptor/calcium release channel (RyR2) - Mechanisms that regulate the RyR2 channel during stress - Defective regulation of RyR2 in heart failure - Evidence that diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium leak causes heart failure and arrhythmias in vivo - Novel therapeutic approaches to treating heart failure and preventing sudden cardiac death by fixing the leak in RyR2 channels
How to cite this talk:
Marks, A. (2007), "Mechanism-Based Therapies for Heart Failure and Cardiac Arrhythmias", in Simpson, A. (ed.),Calcium Signaling: Regulation, Mechanisms, Effectors, Role in Disease and Recent Advances, The Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection, Henry Stewart Talks Ltd, London (online at http://hstalks.com/bio)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk
"The importance of sleep to hormones and glucose metabolism was first documented more than four decades ago. since then, sleep curtailment has become an endemic behavior in modern society. in addition, the prevalence of sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OsA), has increased. OsA is very common in endocrine and metabolic disorders, but often remains undiagnosed. A review (Spiegel, K. et al. Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 5, 253–261 (2009); doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.23) summarizes the laboratory and epidemiologic evidence that suggests how sleep loss, either behavioral or disease-related, and poor quality of sleep might promote the development of obesity and diabetes mellitus, and exacerbate existing endocrine conditions. Treatment of sleep disorders has the potential to improve glucose metabolism and energy balance. screening for habitual sleep patterns and OsA might be critically important for patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders."
*If you need the full article, pls noticify us by posting your valid email address along. Thank you and enjoy reading.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
GREACE STUDY
Safety and effi cacy of long-term statin treatment for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease and abnormal liver tests in the Greek Atorvastatin and Coronary Heart Disease Evaluation (GREACE) Study: a post-hoc analysis
Background
Long-term statin treatment reduces the frequency of cardiovascular events, but safety and efficacy in patients with abnormal liver tests is unclear. We assessed whether statin therapy is safe and effective for these patients through post-hoc analysis of the Greek Atorvastatin and Coronary Heart Disease Evaluation (GREACE) study population.
Methods
GREACE was a prospective, intention-to-treat study that randomly assigned by a computer-generated randomisation list 1600 patients with coronary heart disease (aged <75>2·6 mmol/L and triglycerides <4·5>Findings
Of 437 patients with moderately abnormal liver tests at baseline, which were possibly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 227 who were treated with a statin (mainly atorvastatin 24 mg per day) had substantial improvement in liver tests (p<0·0001) p="0·0074)">Interpretation
Statin treatment is safe and can improve liver tests and reduce cardiovascular morbidity in patients with mild-to-moderately abnormal liver tests that are potentially attributable to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
*If you need the full article, pls noticify us by posting your valid email address along. Thank you and enjoy reading.
Background
Long-term statin treatment reduces the frequency of cardiovascular events, but safety and efficacy in patients with abnormal liver tests is unclear. We assessed whether statin therapy is safe and effective for these patients through post-hoc analysis of the Greek Atorvastatin and Coronary Heart Disease Evaluation (GREACE) study population.
Methods
GREACE was a prospective, intention-to-treat study that randomly assigned by a computer-generated randomisation list 1600 patients with coronary heart disease (aged <75>2·6 mmol/L and triglycerides <4·5>Findings
Of 437 patients with moderately abnormal liver tests at baseline, which were possibly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 227 who were treated with a statin (mainly atorvastatin 24 mg per day) had substantial improvement in liver tests (p<0·0001) p="0·0074)">Interpretation
Statin treatment is safe and can improve liver tests and reduce cardiovascular morbidity in patients with mild-to-moderately abnormal liver tests that are potentially attributable to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
*If you need the full article, pls noticify us by posting your valid email address along. Thank you and enjoy reading.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Cardio classics revisited – focus on the role of candesartan
Author: Maria Leonarda De Rosa
Published Date November 2010 , Volume 2010:6 Pages 1047 - 1063 DOI 10.2147/VHRM.S9433
Maria Leonarda De Rosa
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Cardiology, Naples, Italy
Abstract: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are antihypertensive agents with considerable evidence of efficacy and safety for the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) disease risk in numerous patient populations across the CV continuum. There are several agents within this class, all of which have contributed to various degrees, to this evidence base. The evidence with ARBs continues to accumulate, with ongoing trials investigating their role in additional patient populations, potentially expanding their efficacy across a broad spectrum of CV disease states. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death around the world, accounting for approximately 29.2% of total global deaths. Of all the deaths attributed to CVD, approximately 43% are due to ischemic heart disease, 33% to cerebrovascular disease, and 23% to hypertensive and other heart conditions. CVD has been represented as a "CV continuum". This continuum concept can be used to describe CVD in general or in specific vascular beds (eg, coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease). This review article will discuss the results of the landmark ARB candesartan clinical trials published over the past decade. The evidence presented spans the entire CV continuum, including the effects of ARBs in at-risk patients, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF), as well as a brief discussion of ongoing trials.
Keywords: candesartan, cardiovascular disease, angiotensin II receptor blockers
Published Date November 2010 , Volume 2010:6 Pages 1047 - 1063 DOI 10.2147/VHRM.S9433
Maria Leonarda De Rosa
University of Naples Federico II, Department of Cardiology, Naples, Italy
Abstract: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are antihypertensive agents with considerable evidence of efficacy and safety for the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) disease risk in numerous patient populations across the CV continuum. There are several agents within this class, all of which have contributed to various degrees, to this evidence base. The evidence with ARBs continues to accumulate, with ongoing trials investigating their role in additional patient populations, potentially expanding their efficacy across a broad spectrum of CV disease states. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death around the world, accounting for approximately 29.2% of total global deaths. Of all the deaths attributed to CVD, approximately 43% are due to ischemic heart disease, 33% to cerebrovascular disease, and 23% to hypertensive and other heart conditions. CVD has been represented as a "CV continuum". This continuum concept can be used to describe CVD in general or in specific vascular beds (eg, coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease). This review article will discuss the results of the landmark ARB candesartan clinical trials published over the past decade. The evidence presented spans the entire CV continuum, including the effects of ARBs in at-risk patients, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF), as well as a brief discussion of ongoing trials.
Keywords: candesartan, cardiovascular disease, angiotensin II receptor blockers
(Reference : http://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article_id=5718)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
FAPA 2010: A Snapshot
The delegates from Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society-Young Pharmacist Chapter (MPS-YPC) [being part of the bigger MPS delegation] attended the 23rd Federations of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Congress at Taipei, Taiwan on 4th November-8th November 2010! Check out their experience HERE!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Vancomycin Update - Extracted from DiPiro
DiPiro Joseph T, "Updated Guidelines for Vancomycin Dosing" (Update). Joseph T. DiPiro, Robert L. Talbert, Gary C. Yee, Gary R. Matzke, Barbara G. Wells, L. Michael Posey: Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 7e: http://www.accesspharmacy.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/updatesContent.aspx?aid=4000077.
Vancomycin has been in continuous use since the 1950’s, primarily for treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. However, dosing recommendations continue to be refined. The Infectious Diseases Society of America along with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists published updated, evidence-based guidelines for vancomycin dosing with Staphylococcus aureus infections.1 The purpose of optimal dosing is to maximize the therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks of toxicity.
Factors that influence vancomycin dosing include patient weight and renal function, as well as the susceptibility of the infecting organism and the severity of the infection. The primary pharmacodynamic measure of vancomycin efficacy is the area under the serum concentration–time curve divided by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC).
The guidelines recommend that vancomycin dosing should be based on serum trough levels obtained just before the fourth dose when steady-state concentrations have been reached. Subsequent doses should be determined by vancomycin levels and changes in renal function.
The recommended trough serum levels are 15-20 mg/L for complicated S. aureus infections (such as bacteremia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, and hospital-acquired pneumonia) and at least 10 mg/L for less serious infections. Measurement of peak levels is not recommended. Trough levels less than 10 mg/L can result in development of vancomycin intermediately-susceptible S. aureus strains (VISA). The authors stated that there are limited data suggesting a direct causal relationship between toxicity and specific serum vancomycin concentrations.
Vancomycin is typically dosed at 15-20 mg/kg based on actual body weight (including for obese patients). For seriously ill patients a loading dose of 25-30 mg/kg can be given based on actual body weight. Subsequent doses are based on serum trough levels. Doses of 15-20 mg/kg (based on actual body weight) given every 8-12 hours are required in most patients with normal renal function, when the MIC is less than or equal to 1 mg/L. When the individual dose exceeds 1 g the infusion period should be extended to 1.5-2 hours.
Monitoring of serum trough vancomycin concentrations to reduce nephrotoxicity is recommended for patients receiving aggressive doses to achieve sustained trough levels of 15-20 mg/L and for patients at risk of nephrotoxicity (such as patients receiving concurrent treatment with nephrotoxins), as well as patients with unstable renal function and those receiving prolonged courses of therapy.
Frequent serum concentration monitoring for patients receiving short-course therapy (less than 5 days) or lower-intensity dosing (to achieve trough concentrations less than 15 mg/L) is not recommended. Once-weekly measurement of serum trough concentrations is recommended in patients receiving sustained dosing to achieve trough levels of 15-20 mg/L. Monitoring of trough levels to reduce ototoxicity is not recommended.
Readers are referred to the original article for more in-depth presentation of vancomycin serum concentration level monitoring.
| Reference |
| 1. Rybak MJ, Lomaestro BM, Rotschafer JC, et al. Vancomycin therapeutic guidelines: A summary of consensus recommendations from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49:325-7. [PMID: 19569969] |
Sunday, October 31, 2010
What Pharmacists Do: A Day at Desa Temuan
What got all the staff from a district health office (comprising pharmacists, doctors, dentists, nurses, medical assistants, health officers, administrators and drivers) up at 8 a.m. on a Saturday (30/10/10)? It was the Kem Kesihatan Kampung Orang Asli at Desa Temuan. This is part of the government's health promotion effort, offering the orang asli free medical and dental check-ups, educating them on medicines as well as raising awareness about tuberculosis and smoking.
Left: The Bukit Lanjan Community Centre.
Right: Dewan Seri Temuan.
It rained in the morning so it took a while before the crowd started to throng in.
The pharmacy station.
Busy packing goodie bags, some lucky ones received vitamins for their children.
Left: Simple items such as paracetamol, chlopheniramine, bisacodyl, calamine lotion etc.
Right: Prescription
We went around pinning badges 'Kenali Ubat Anda. Tanya Ahli Farmasi Anda' on the kids. The kids were really happy to get the badge, they went on to bring their friends and asked us for it.
The pharmacy team.
Left: Awaiting their turns for medical check-up (blood pressure, immunisation among children, body mass index, any other chief complaints by patients)
Right: Phlegm-taking station (for Mantoux test)
Left: The crowd got larger after 10 a.m., so much so that we stayed till 2 p.m. (beyond the scheduled time)
Right: Lucky draws
Traditional performance by the Temuan girls.
Left: The Bukit Lanjan Community Centre.
Right: Dewan Seri Temuan.
It rained in the morning so it took a while before the crowd started to throng in.
The pharmacy station.
Busy packing goodie bags, some lucky ones received vitamins for their children.
Left: Simple items such as paracetamol, chlopheniramine, bisacodyl, calamine lotion etc.
Right: Prescription
Dispensing medicine to patient.
We went around pinning badges 'Kenali Ubat Anda. Tanya Ahli Farmasi Anda' on the kids. The kids were really happy to get the badge, they went on to bring their friends and asked us for it.As we did pinned the badge on them, the 'promotion' of the role of pharmacist went like: 'Ubat ini comel kan? Jadi bila sakit, mesti ambil ubat ya.'
[To the older kids] 'ah kak siapa?' 'Doktor' 'Bukan, ah kak ahli farmasi'
(Nevermind that it may not stick into them yet, at least they know that someone other than the doctor is part of the healthcare team. By the way, I think it doesn't help in our effort to enhance the role recognition of pharmacists among the public when the word 'pharmacist' is not exactly easy to remember-for those not-so-educated ones and for kids to pick up.)
We also took the opportunity to speak to some people (targetting the right audience) about how to spot a genuine product (MAL number, hologram & meditag), proper storage of medicine and its importance as well as the products purported to cure certain chronic diseases which can't be advertised.
[To the older kids] 'ah kak siapa?' 'Doktor' 'Bukan, ah kak ahli farmasi'
(Nevermind that it may not stick into them yet, at least they know that someone other than the doctor is part of the healthcare team. By the way, I think it doesn't help in our effort to enhance the role recognition of pharmacists among the public when the word 'pharmacist' is not exactly easy to remember-for those not-so-educated ones and for kids to pick up.)
We also took the opportunity to speak to some people (targetting the right audience) about how to spot a genuine product (MAL number, hologram & meditag), proper storage of medicine and its importance as well as the products purported to cure certain chronic diseases which can't be advertised.
The pharmacy team.
Left: Awaiting their turns for medical check-up (blood pressure, immunisation among children, body mass index, any other chief complaints by patients)
Right: Phlegm-taking station (for Mantoux test)
Left: The crowd got larger after 10 a.m., so much so that we stayed till 2 p.m. (beyond the scheduled time)
Right: Lucky draws
Traditional performance by the Temuan girls.
In my opinion, the health promotion could have been better carried out if we were allocated a session to give a talk. Topics can be on 'Kenali Ubat Anda', but we do it in a more interactive way, bringing samples of counterfeit products, getting audience to check the genuine products with the Meditag (it was hard achieve the same outcome at the pharmacy counter though we had goodie bags as the patients came staggeredly and we couldn't hold their attention long enough). We can utilise the goodie bags more effectively (we had initially planned to do so but when we saw only a handful of people earlier on, we decided to give something to whoever who came to our pharmacy station) by giving them to those who ask questions about what we have presented.
Prior to the campaign, the authority could also have urged the people to bring their medicines from home so we can do a medicine cabinet clean-up for them. However, a colleague told me that when the health inspector did a pre-campaign survey, it seemed that the orang asli wasn't that interested in the whole campaign. Indeed, it is a long way towards raising their awareness about health and medicines. Perhaps the government can look into home medication review for these people as well.
Nevertheless, it was a fruitful morning and we shall strive to be better in upcoming activities!
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece and therefore subjective by nature. The opinions expressed here are the opinions of the individual author and are not necessarily the views of the particular district health office.
Prior to the campaign, the authority could also have urged the people to bring their medicines from home so we can do a medicine cabinet clean-up for them. However, a colleague told me that when the health inspector did a pre-campaign survey, it seemed that the orang asli wasn't that interested in the whole campaign. Indeed, it is a long way towards raising their awareness about health and medicines. Perhaps the government can look into home medication review for these people as well.
Nevertheless, it was a fruitful morning and we shall strive to be better in upcoming activities!
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece and therefore subjective by nature. The opinions expressed here are the opinions of the individual author and are not necessarily the views of the particular district health office.
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