Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Apr-Jun 2022

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.

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). The responses obtained were expressed in descriptive statistics. The association between years of experience and their KAP was assessed using Pearson’s correlation.

Most pharmacists (60%) agreed that antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, and 35% believed that antibiotics could be given for pain and inflammation. Fourty‑one percentage of pharmacists agreed that dispensing antibiotics without prescription increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. Seventy-two percentage agreed that they are responsible for taking a prominent role in antimicrobial resistance and infection-control programs in healthcare. Only 46% of pharmacists stated that they always dispensed antibiotics only with a prescription, and 56% dispensed antibiotics for longer than the doctor prescribed. Amoxicillin, metronidazole, and cephalexin were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics without a prescription. The most common reason for dispensing antibiotics without a prescription was the fear of losing customers.

The study identified an average KAP interquartile range 1 among community pharmacists, indicating a lack of awareness of antibiotic resistance and dispensing antibiotics without a prescription.

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.

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 <7.75 mg, the third group of TCA and B poisoning of 7.75 to 80 mg, and the fourth group of more than 80 mg of TCA and BZD poisoning. Patients’ demographic, clinical, and cardiac information was extracted from their records at admission and 6 h after admission.

Cardiac complications 6 h after referral and total cardiac complications between TCA and TCA low-dose BZD groups were significantly reduced in the low‑dose BZD poisoning group. Comparison of TCA and TCA groups with a moderate dose of BZD showed a significant reduction in time six and total cardiac complications. However, due to the significant difference in TCA values between the two groups, the results are not significant. Comparing the two groups of TCA and TCA with a high dose of BZD, both 6-hour cardiac complications and total cardiac complications in the high-dose BZD group, it was significantly reduced. However, the loss of consciousness was also considerably greater in the high-dose BZD group than in the TCA group.

Concomitant BZDs with TCA can reduce cardiovascular complications from TCA poisoning. However, with high doses of BZDs, there is a greater loss of consciousness.

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).

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. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score as a primary outcome, National Early Warning Score, Ordinal Scale of Clinical Improvement, and cytokine storm biomarkers were recorded on days 0, 3, and 5. Survival was also assessed on day 28 after enrollment.

Seventy-four patients (37 patients in each group) were enrolled from April 5, 2020, to November 19, 2020, and all patients completed follow-up. A lower increase in SOFA score during the first 3 days of treatment (+0.026 vs. +0.204) and a higher decrease in this parameter in the last 2 days (−0.462 vs. −0.036) were observed in the treatment group. However, these differences did not reach a significance level (P = 0.57 and 0.12, respectively). Other indices of clinical and biological improvement, length of hospitalization, and intensive care unit admission days were the same between the two groups. Treatment did not affect the 28-day mortality.

Among patients with moderate-to-severe disease of COVID‑19, the use of HDIVC plus standard care resulted in no significant difference in SOFA score or 28‑day mortality compared to the standard care alone.

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.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 242 registered pharmacists in Pakistan between October 2021 and February 2022 with a structured self‑administered online questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 200 valid responses after screening. Data were processed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analyses. Pearson Chi‑square analysis was also used to test the correlation between factors.

Descriptive analysis shows that pharmacists spend more time on sharing-related activities and least on gambling/ gaming-related activities in the workplace. All the items’ Cronbach’s alpha values range from 0.923 to 0.927. The analysis indicates that (60%) pharmacists have intermediate Internet skills. The results also suggest that age, Internet usage, and work area have a strong relationship with cyberloafing behaviors which also, in turn, are linked with their perceived Internet skills. This study has important practical implications for pharmacy management in Pakistan.

Cyberloafing behavior is prevalent among Pakistan pharmacists. Our findings could inspire how managers and all other relevant stakeholders could improve the pharmacy system in Pakistan.

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.

This study enrolled 60 peritoneal dialysis patients who met specified inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomized to intervention or placebo groups. Omega-3 capsules were given at a dose of 3 g/d for 8 weeks. Inflammatory markers, including high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hs‑CRP), homocysteine, albumin, and lipid profile measured before and after the study.

Results of this trial revealed that the levels of homocysteine, hs‑CRP, and albumin did not change significantly during the study. Analysis of lipid profiles before and after intervention showed omega‑3 has no significant effect on the level of total cholesterol or low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol; However, the level of triglyceride reduced remarkably (P = 0.002). In addition, serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased at the end of the study (P < 0.001).

Omega-3 does not seem to be able to change the inflammatory markers significantly, particularly homocysteine. More extensive trials must be conducted to better understand the impact of omega-3 on inflammatory and nutritional markers, particularly in peritoneal dialysis patients.

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. Consequently, ondansetron was prescribed, but severe hypokalemia of 2.5 mEq/l was developed. The causes of hypokalemia were evaluated. The hematological, biochemical, and liver function tests were done, and the potassium level was measured daily. Afterward, causes of hypokalemia was ruled out and with discontinuation of ondansetron the hypokalemia was resolved. Hypokalemia may be caused by ondansetron. It is required that potassium monitoring be always considered during administrating of this medicine.