Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Medication Use Review among Community Pharmacists in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Medication use review (MUR) is an emerging concept in medicine management that has recorded success in many developed countries.Purpose: To evaluate knowledge, perception and practice of MUR among community pharmacists (CP) in southwestern Nigeria.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 CP recruited from Oyo and Osun states between January and March, 2015, using a pre-tested questionnaire. Demographic information and CP's knowledge, perception and current practice of MUR were evaluated using open-ended, closed-ended and Likert-scale questions. Respondents' scores for 6-item knowledge test questions and description of specific component of MUR services were categorised as score>3 (good knowledge) and score≤3 (poor knowledge). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Ranked variables were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test at p<0.05.Results: Fifty-nine (59.0%) CP from Oyo and 41(41.0%) from Osun state participated. Sixty-five (70.7%) had score>3 indicating "good" knowledge of MUR, while 27 (29.3%) had score≤3 suggesting "poor" knowledge. Forty-two (42.0%) claimed to provide MUR service; of this, 14 (33.3%) had scores>3 indicating those who gave correct description of specific component of MUR. Lack of adequate time for counselling (49; 49.5%) and lack of specialized training for pharmacists (45;45.5%) were cited as barriers to MUR practice. Majority (51; 51.5%) agreed that MUR service should be incorporated into community pharmacy practice.Conclusion: Knowledge of MUR concept among community pharmacists in Oyo and Osun states is considerable, but description of specific component of MUR services by respondents was poor. There is therefore a need for continuous training on emerging concepts among pharmacists, so as to stimulate interest in patient-oriented service

Evaluation of adverse drug reactions to artemisinin-based combination therapy in a Nigeria University Community

Purpose : The study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of adverse reactions to antimalarial drugs among residents of a Nigeria university community with a focus on arte- misinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Specifically; the profile of use; and the reporting culture of people with respect to experienced reactions were noted. Method : Ques- tionnaires were administered to respondents at the university health centre between November 2006 and January 2007. Information on demographic characteristics; nature of experienced adverse reactions and the most frequently used ACT; among other questions; were collected. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's Exact test were used to evaluate the distribution of respondent's opinion. Result: The study achieved a response rate of 86. The results revealed that 210 (70.0) of respondents said they had used artemisinin-based combination drugs while 134 (44.7) said they used artemisinin derivatives alone as monotherapy for malaria treatment. Artesunate plus amodiaquine 94 (31.3) as a co-packaged product was the most commonly used ACT. Incidence of the experienced adverse reactions to ACT was reported to be generally mild and well tolerated. Conclusion : Efforts to improve the use of ACT in the management of acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria is recommended. Furthermore; an effective mechanism to improve reporting of adverse effects of ACT is also recommended