Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the association between exposure to atorvastatin (ATV) and low-plasma folate (PF) status. METHODS: The sample consisted of patients admitted to the internal medicine service of a basic general hospital, located in Zaragoza (Spain). We adopted a pharmacoepidemiological case-control study design. For this, the number of treatment days (TDs) of all the drugs part of their treatment during the study period was obtained from each patient in the sample...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an herbal formulation based on Boswellia sacra in improving cognitive and behavioral symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: A 3-month, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial was implemented from October 2021 to April 2022. Patients with MCI and mild-to-moderate stages of AD aged above 50 years ( n = 60; 40 women, 20 men) enrolled in the study using clinical diagnosis and a score of 10-30 on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test...

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric disorders are chronic in nature which require medications for a long duration. These medications have been associated with many adverse events. Failure to recognize an adverse drug reaction (ADR) exposes the patient to continuing risk of ADR, leading to a significant impact on patient's quality of life. Thus, the present study carried out to identify the pattern of ADRs reported due to psychotropic medication. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted to analyze ADRs reported from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital from October 2021 to March 2022...

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an oral combined tablet of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Viola odorata, and Operculina turpethum (Anti-Asthma® ) as an add-on therapy for the relief of the severity of symptoms in mild-to-moderate childhood asthma. METHODS: This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 children and adolescents with chronic mild-to-moderate childhood asthma. Patients were randomly divided into cases who received Anti-Asthma® oral combined tablets 2 tablets twice dailt for 1 month and controls, received placebo tablets identically the same to Anti-Asthma® (2 tablets, twice daily, for 1 month) as add-ons to their standard therapy according to the guideline...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the community pharmacists' knowledge of antibiotics, their attitude toward antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance, and their nonprescription dispensing practices of antibiotics. METHODS: A cross sectional-questionnaire-based study was conducted among 75 community pharmacists practicing in a selected city of South India. Data on their age, years of experience, and educational qualifications were obtained. A modified, 33-items, prevalidated structured questionnaire was used to assess the community pharmacists knowledge, attitude, and nonprescription antibiotic dispensing practices knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP)...

OBJECTIVE: Tricyclic antidepressants poisoning (TCA) is associated with cardiovascular complications, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and central nervous system toxicity. This study aimed to compare the clinical manifestations of poisoned patients with tricyclic antidepressants alone or with benzodiazepine (BZD) intoxication according to the dose of BZDs. METHODS: In this case-control study, 120 patients with TCA poisoning were divided into four groups: the first group of TCA poisoning alone, the second group of TCA and BZD poisoning of <7...

This case report aims to introduce a patient with severe hypokalemia as one of the rare complications of ondansetron injection. The stroke patient was 56 years old and hospitalized in the emergency department with and purulent sputum. The symptoms and lung computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. A nasogastric tube was inserted, and food gavage was performed for the patient. The treatment was started with meropenem to manage aspiration pneumonia. The patient could not tolerate the gavage...

OBJECTIVE: Based on previous studies in the sepsis population, Vitamin C could prevent injuries when administered in high doses and before the damage is established. This study aimed to evaluate the protective potentials of high-dose Vitamin C in the progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Patients with moderate-to-severe disease severity based on the World Health Organization definition were enrolled and received 12 g/d Vitamin C (high-dose intravenous Vitamin C [HDIVC]) or placebo for 4 days...

OBJECTIVE: After the commencement of the Internet and the popularity of various electronic devices, cyberloafing has become prevalent in the workplace regardless of professional type, demographic characteristics, and country. Individuals use the Internet for work-irrelevant purposes during work hours, which is believed to have a controversial role in work productivity. However, rare studies have paid attention to the prevalence of cyberloafing behavior among Pakistan pharmacists. Considering pharmacists' essential role in the health sector, this study investigates the prevalence of cyberloafing activities among workplace pharmacists in Pakistan...

OBJECTIVE: One of the most common diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates is chronic kidney disease. Cardiovascular disease affects most patients with chronic kidney disorders, particularly patients undergoing dialysis; hence, appropriate prevention and management approaches are essential. This study aimed to evaluate the reduction of inflammatory biomarkers, especially homocysteine, by omega-3 fatty acids in peritoneal dialysis patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 60 peritoneal dialysis patients who met specified inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomized to intervention or placebo groups...

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the awareness of a sample of the general population and health-care professionals regarding the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance and identify the factors associated with antibiotic resistance. Methods: This prospective questionnaire-based study was conducted for 3 months, from July to September 2020, in Karaikal, Puducherry (India). The health professionals included doctors in pre- and paraclinical teaching departments (those not involved in clinical practice), laboratory technicians, and PhD students pharmacists...

Objective: In this study, we assess population-level data of COVID-19 treatments in Iran compared to Ministry of Health (MOH)-published guidelines to gain a better insight into the quality of care for this disease. Methods: National sales data of each recommended and nonrecommended COVID-19 medicine were used to proxy utilization between March 21, 2020, and March 21, 2021, or Iranian year 1399. COVID-19-attributed sales volume and number of patients were estimated by adjusting sales data with pre-COVID-19 average growth rate, recommended dose, and duration of treatment...

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to develop a virtual simulation that allows pharmacy students to play through actual prescriptions and pharmacy practice scenarios productively and on a personal computer. If designed properly, this program may serve as a supplementary educational tool without the need for an existing human tutor that could provide learning outcomes as good as those resulting from traditional paper-based pharmacy practice tutorials. METHODS: A computer-based simulation of a community pharmacy was developed...

Objective: The study aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern, and determinants of the self-medication practices with modern and/or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in patients with chronic pain. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2021 and January 2022 and assessed a representative sample of chronic pain patients visiting outpatient departments in India by administering a semi-structured questionnaire...

Objective: In the initial days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as chemoprophylaxis for health-care workers (HCWs) involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. The present survey aimed to assess the knowledge and compliance of HCQ prophylaxis as per the ICMR recommendations among Indian HCWs during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: A validated 19-item questionnaire-based survey was distributed to HCWs in our apex tertiary care institute who had completed their duties in the COVID-19 wards to assess the knowledge, attitude, and compliance of all sections of HCWs regarding the ICMR-recommended HCQ prophylaxis...

Objective: To explore the services community pharmacists in Lagos state provided to their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists drawn from all the Association of Community Pharmacists' zones in Lagos state was done from April to June 2021. Data were collected using a structured, self-reported online questionnaire via Google Forms and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis...

Objective: Hyperbilirubinemia has been considered one of the most common clinical conditions in newborn babies. As a traditional medicine, chicory distillate may be beneficial in reducing bilirubin. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of chicory extract on hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Methods: The clinical trial was conducted among 154 participants with hyperbilirubinemia. The study group was selected and randomly divided into the control ( n = 77) and intervention ( n = 77) groups...

Objective: The disposal of unwanted, unused, or expired medicines is a concern. Currently, there is little knowledge regarding their disposal among patients in South Africa. Consequently, there is a need to address this. Methods: This was a descriptive and quantitative study with patients conducted among 16 primary health-care clinics (PHCs) in South Africa. A structured questionnaire was administered to 171 conveniently selected patients. Data on ideal disposal methods were collected and compared to actual disposal practices...

Objective: This study aimed to compare the LaxaPlus Barij® and polyethylene glycol (4000) in pediatric (children 2-15 years old) functional constipation. Methods: The present study is a randomized clinical trial. The study population included patients with functional constipation aged 2-15 years who were referred to the gastrointestinal clinic of Imam Hossein hospital in Isfahan in 2019. Patients were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software...

Objective: Patient satisfaction is considered an essential indicator of the treatment outcomes of pharmaceutical services. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with the pharmaceutical services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Makkah city in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an interview-based questionnaire that involved patients who visited the outpatient pharmacy in five MOH hospitals from August 2018 to September 2018...