ABSTRACT
Objective: Diverse studies have demonstrated that no single method of dissolution testing is suitable for different types of suppository dosage forms by either current USP and Ph.Eur methodologies. The objective of the research work was to overcome the methodological problem and limitations by a novel modified basket method
Materials and Methods: USP dissolution apparatus-I was modified by placing a dialysis membrane of specific molecular weight cut off to prevent any kind of clogging which may give irreproducible, inconsistent results. Physical properties like melting range, liquefaction and solidification time, disintegration time and mechanical strength were studied as per Ph.Eur III
Results: The amount of drug released from water soluble bases were fast with 94.5 1.8 %, 96.8 2.2% during 1h and slow with lipophilic bases with 91.6+/-2.3% and 92.7%+/-3.7% respectively during 6h. There was no significant difference between the dissolution profiles by flow through cell and modified basket method [P>0.005]. Average lag time was 8.2, 9.8 min for water soluble suppositories and 14.4 and 11.8 min for lipophilic suppositories respectively. Release kinetics showed first order release rate for water miscible suppositories and zero order release profiles for lipophilic suppositories till 3 h and first order release after this time interval. Disintegration time of water soluble suppositories was 12-15 min but lipophilic suppositories demonstrated an extended disintegration time of 20-22 min Determination of plastic viscosity versus temperature indicated higher yield value for fatty bases compared to water soluble bases
Conclusion: Based on the data, it was concluded that proposed method could be used as a substitute for flow through cell of Ph.Eur. We further hypothesized that change in viscoelastic behavior due to the variation in temperature and aging may be responsible for the differences in the dissolution behavior between different suppositories bases
ABSTRACT
Objective: This research investigated on in vitro ffree-radical scavenging property for the alcoholic extract from Pseudarthria viscida Linn. [Leguminosae]. Different antioxidant models of screening were employed
Material and methods: The alcoholic root extract of P. viscida was screened for free radical scavenging potential using 2, 2- azinobis- [3- ethyl-benzothiazoline- 6- sulphonate] [ABTS], 1, 1- diphenyl, 2- picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], superoxide and nitric oxide radicals
Results: Concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity was observed for the extract in which a concentration of 1000 micro g/ ml exhibited maximum scavenging activity against the radical cation, 2,2- azinobis- [3- ethylbenzothiazoline- 6- sulphonate] [99.41%], followed by superoxide radical using Riboflavin- Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid [97.60%] and the nitric oxide model [82.50%]. However, only moderate scavenging activity was observed with the 1, 1- diphenyl, 2- picryl hydrazyl radical [59.61%] at the same concentration
Conclusion: All the results of the in vitro antioxidant models of screening revealed the potent free-radical scavenging of the alcoholic root extract of Pseudarthria viscida Linn
ABSTRACT
The use of simulation for teaching physical assessment was introduced for the first time in pharmacy curriculum at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman UAE. Previous reports have stated that preclinical training with patient simulation sessions may be used to enhance/ facilitate pharmaceutical care and training. To evaluate the teaching and learning outcomes of various simulation techniques used to teach physical assessment skills to Pharm. D students. A total of 42 students belonging to 3 batches of Pharm. D 8[th]semester registered for physical assessment course between 2012 1nd 2014 were provided training using various techniques for a period of 15 week. Simulation sessions like Intravenous cannulation, subcutaneous injection, and intranasal intubation, and other procedural skills were conducted using part task trainer. Full body mannequin was used to teach Basic Life Support [BLS], First aid and airway management. The training on systemic examination skills was provided using subject volunteers. The students were evaluated at regular intervals to assess their learning abilities and skills attained. Student feedback on simulation based teaching was also obtained using a structured questionnaire. Majority of students [92%] strongly agreed that quality of training provided was excellent and students were very confident in practicing physical assessment skills on a simulation based training using mannequin. The high scores obtained during feedback response indicate that mannequin models offer higher quality of training in acquiring the physical assessment skills. As an advantage of this module, instructors were able to repeat experiments and adjust teaching environment suitably at different levels of understanding of the students. This study indicates that training sessions with mannequin can serve as a better tool as compared to standardized patients to provide physical assessment training skills
Subject(s)
Humans , Teaching/methods , Learning , Curriculum , Pharmacy , Students, Pharmacy , Education, PharmacyABSTRACT
The study aims to examine the Daboia russelli venom neutralization potential of the leaf extract of Ricirioccirpus indicus [Euphorbiaceae] at different dose levels. The acetone extract at two dose level [250 and 500 mg/kg] was studied for haemorrhagic, necrotizing and mast cell degranulation in rats and for its cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects in isolated frog tissue. Administration of the acetone leaf extract at an i.p. dose level of 500 mg/kg significantly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the Daboia nisselli venom-induced haemorrhagic, necrotizing and mast cell degranulation in rats and the cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects in isolated frog tissue. Administration of the acetone extract also significantly reduced the Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, enhanced the GST and GSH levels. The observations confirmed that the acetone leaf extract of Ricinoccirpus indicus possesses potent snake venom neutralizing properties
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the antidiabetic effects of the alcoholic extract of leaves and stem of I. auamoclit employing a short term study. A short tem study was carried as a preliminary investigation to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of the alcoholic extract of leaves and stem of I. quamoclit and its normoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin [STZ[- nicotinamide induced non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus rats using Glucose Tolerance Test t[GTT]. Graded doses [250 and 500 mg/kg] of the alcoholic root extract suspended in gum acacia were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats. A significant fall in the blood glucose level of extract-treated animals was seen after 1 hour, indicating its hypoglycemic activity. Continuous blood glucose lowering activity was observed up to 4 hours of administration in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. The results were compared with those following the administration of standard oral hypoglycemic agent, glibenclamide. Administration of the alcoholic extract caused statistically significant decrease in the blood glucose levels of normal and diabetic rats as compared to the normal control and diabetic control groups respectively. Longer duration studies of Ipomoea quamoclit on chronic models may contribute toward the development of a potent antidiabetic drug
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Health care professionals do not pay sufficient attention to polypharmacy which is a slowly growing phenomenon. Physician-related factors which contribute to polypharmacy include the use of multiple medications in management of co-morbid illnesses, symptomatic treatment, and the treatment of the adverse effects of drugs. The present study aimed to identify nurses' perceptions of health care professionals' role in polypharmacy. This cross sectional study was conducted among nurses in Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, United Arab Emirates from March to May 2011. A structured self-administered close-ended pilot-tested questionnaire was used as a study instrument. Association between socio-demographic characteristics and items were analyzed using Chi-square test and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 92 female and 13 male nurses were included. The most common physician factors identified by nurses were prescribing medications for every symptom [78 [74%]], not conducting medication review [74 [70.5%]], not simplifying medication regimens [62 [59%]] and the influence of pharmaceutical companies 58 [55.2%]. Regarding the pharmacist related factors, nurses opined that inadequate pharmacist-doctor communication [71 [67.6%]] and lack of effective patient counseling [65 [61.9%]] influence polypharmacy. On comparing physician related factors between nurses of different years of experience and also between the genders, prescribing medications for every symptom, and not conducting a medication review with the patient scored the highest in all the groups. A higher number of male nurses [statistically significant at p<0.05] in comparison to female nurses opined that inadequate knowledge of clinical pharmacology [7 [53.8%]], and lack of time to review medications [6 [46%]] contributed to polypharmacy. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the increase in polypharmacy. Regular assessment of prescribed medications should be carried out to avoid the administration of inappropriate drugs
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Nurses , Perception , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Personnel , Physicians , PharmacistsABSTRACT
The specter of polypharmacy is an ever increasing problem. Nurses play a functional role in assisting patients to understand the dangers of polypharmacy. Nurses' knowledge and their experience of polypharmacy in their nursing practice are determined in the study. Nurses working in Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, United Arab Emirates participated in this cross-sectional study during March to May 2011. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain data. Chi-square test was performed to find the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the variables under study using PSAW software. A total of 105 nurses [92 female; 13 male] participated. The definition of polypharmacy was correctly identified by only 45.7% nurses. Elderly was identified as the most common age group in whom polypharmacy is practiced. 66.7% of the nurses acknowledge their non-awareness of rational and irrational polypharmacy. Non-awareness of rationality of polypharmacy was similar between genders and all three groups of clinical experience. The common reasons given for practice of polypharmacy included use of multiple drugs to manage multiple disease conditions. 66% identified the elderly population as the common age group exposed to polypharmacy, while 22.9% nurses opined that it is common in all age groups. Working knowledge of rational polypharmacy is essential among the nursing community to reduce the practice of polypharmacy
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Nurses , Knowledge , NursingABSTRACT
Polypharmacy is often used to imply a negative situation involving unnecessary or inappropriate use of medications. Nurse can contribute significantly in reducing the number of medications prescribed. The study was planned to identify the nurses' opinions on different strategies that could be used to prevent polypharmacy. This cross section study was conducted during March to May 2011 among nurses who are working in a tertiary care hospital in Ajman, UAE. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics the pilot-tested self-administered, questionnaire contained 20 items to collect information. Chi-square test was used to compare percentages by socio-demographic characteristics using PSAW software. The significance level for all analyses was p
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Nurses , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Nurse-Patient Relations , Physician-Patient RelationsABSTRACT
The negative attributes of polypharmacy should be known by nurses while reviewing and administering medications. We studied the nurses' opinion on the negative attributes of polypharmacy. Nurses working in a tertiary care teaching hospital participated in this cross-sectional study, conducted over 3 months, by responding to a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to analyze association between socio-demographic characteristics and items in the study. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Increased drug interactions scored the highest [98.1%], followed by increased adverse drug effects [81.9%] among the negative effects of polypharmacy. No difference was observed in the opinions between male and female nurses or among nurses of varying duration of nursing experience. Nurses with 5-10 years of experience opined increase in non-compliance to prescribed medication regimen and increase in financial burden also as negative attributes. There is a lacuna in the knowledge about ill effects of polypharmacy among nurses, which can be filled in by Continuing educational programs and workshops
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Nurses , Patient Safety , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tertiary Care Centers , Drug InteractionsABSTRACT
Conducting a survey within the UAE in order to gather and evaluate feedback from clinical physicians regarding the Doctor- Pharmacist relationship after the popularity of the Pharm D degree in the medical field. We requested the physicians to fill out the questionnaire regarding the doctor- pharmacist relationship, and gathered feedback on the introduction of clinical pharmacists in the hospitals of the UAE. A recruitment data was arranged in a spreadsheet and analyzed statistically. Only 50% of doctors knew the objective of Pharm D program. Most of the doctors received calls from the pharmacists with high scientific content. It was found that despite the calls from the pharmacist to doctors when in doubt, mistakes are still found in prescription dispensing. We found that only 33% clinical pharmacists are working with doctors. This should send an alarm to pharmacy professionals. Unless we create awareness among the doctors and the community about the exact role of the clinical pharmacist, we will not have an individual identity as health professionals
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This is a preliminary study to evaluate the role of pharmacist in patient counseling in UAE community pharmacies. A group of five second year students conducted a survey of pharmaceutical consultation carried out in 40 community pharmacies in Ajman and Sharjah /UAE. Forty pharmacists participated in this survey, 24 males and 16 females, 85% were under 40 years and 15% over 40 years. The pharmacists were asked about the type of inquiries from patients and doctors, and also the number of such inquiries per month. 39% of the participants receive inquiries from patients and 61% not receive any inquires. 70% of patients inquiries is regarding drug prescribing and dispensing for a particular case; 50% for dose recommendation; 10% for adverse effect; 10% for drug interaction and 10% for diets to be taken with certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cholesterolemia. The number of inquiries received from doctors about drugs, 51% of participant pharmacists received inquiries from doctors. 51% of the inquiries are regarding drug dose, 28% for drug mode of action and ingredients, 25% for drug interaction. Pharmacists should be well versed with the recent trends in drug therapy, the dosage forms, dosage adverse effects and interactions. The health authorities must seriously think of setting up a drug information center either alone or in collaboration with other teaching institutions/universities with a free access to all the registered pharmacists and pharmacy students
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This study was conducted to evaluate pharmacist opinions on patient counseling by using product information leaflet [PIL] or customer product information [CPI]. The study was carried out in 40 community pharmacies that were distributed among Sharjah and Ajman. Forty pharmacists participated in this study, 59% male and 41% female, with the age <40 years [34 pharmacists] and >40 [6 pharmacists] or 85% less than forty years and 15% more than forty, as shown in figure 1 and agure 2. The study is based on a questionnaire with 12 questions and pharmacists feedback recorded as Agree, Disagree and Neither Agree nor Disagree. 92% of the pharmacists agree that patient counseling is their professional responsibility with male response rate of 92% and female of 38%. 88% agree that the use of CPI or PIL will ease their counseling task-male response was 83% compared with 37% for female. 60% agree that the customers will experience medication side effects when they are given CPI, with 63% of males giving a positive response compared to 23% for female responses. Regarding effective counseling 68% of the participants agree about training requirements for pharmacist while 5% disagree and 8% neither agree nor disagree: male positive response was 75% against 23% for female. On financial profit of counseling, 46% of the pharmacists agree that they should be paid for counseling and 31% disagree and 23% neither agree nor disagree. While 50% of the pharmacists agree that counseling improve their sales. As a professional, it is the pharmacist's responsibility to make patient safety a priority. Communicating with patients is an important way to avoid medication errors and to help patients understand the intended effects as well as the side effects of their drugs. Studies have shown that the professional expertise provided by a pharmacist during counseling can save money, unnecessary hospitalization, and in some cases, prevent patient harm/death
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To systematically review the feedback from pharmacy users on their perceptions and experiences of health-related advice and services provided by community pharmacies. A nine item survey conducted by three second year, level 3 Pharm D students through interactions by questionnaire with different patients in Al-Mafraq Hospital and Khalifa Hospital in Abu-Dhabi. Thirty participants were involved in this study. This survey involved inquiring about the people's faith in pharmacist and his advice concerning health problems. 48% of participants have a positive response that pharmacists recommend a medical specialty for their health problems; 48% of participants ask pharmacists for a medical recommendation and 31% visit a pharmacy for drug compounding. When participants were asked whether the pharmacist conducts full investigation or gives full instructions for their health problem, 72% agreed about full instructions while 31% agreed about full investigation. 24% of participants visited the pharmacist for blood pressure checking as pharmacist is a health professional. 52% of participants trust pharmacist for his choice of medicines and 55% treat the pharmacist as a friend for health management. Users of community pharmacy-based health development initiatives express a high level of satisfaction. If community pharmacies are to be used to their full extent, then actions to extending the public's awareness and acceptance of the pharmacist's role in giving advice will be crucial. There is considerable interest among community pharmacists in expanding their role to include more prevention, but there are many barriers to actualizing this role. Further work should focus on ways to overcome these barriers because pharmacists are particularly well-suited to make an important contribution to prevention
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This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of storage conditions on the potency of amoxicillin tablets. Samples were collected at different time intervals from hospital and community pharmacies located in different regions of Kerala. All analytical evaluations according to Indian Pharmacopoeia using UV spectrophotometric method were done in collaboration with Sterling Test House, Cochin. Dissolution studies were performed using distilled water in USP type II apparatus. The temperature was maintained at 37 +/- 0.5 [degree sign] C and the rotation speed was 100 rpm. The samples were withdrawn at various time intervals and analyzed UV spectrophotometrically. Microbiological evaluation of test samples at 10 micro g/ml concentration was performed using E.coli MTCC 443 in nutrient agar medium. The mean kinetic temperature and the humidity of Kerala were provided by meteorological department. Thirubananthapuram. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. There were seasonal fluctuations in the Mean Kinetic Temperature and Mean Kinetic Humidity in study areas of Kerala. The percentage strength of amoxicillin was least in samples from Cochin compared with those from Kozhikode and Kannur. Mean Kinetic humidity was more in coastal area, which may have accelerated the degradation of amoxicillin in samples from Cochin. This influence of humidity was significantly less on samples collected from other centers. Disintegration time was within satisfactory limits, although a slight increase in disintegration time was observed in third sample. Microbiological data showed significant reduction in zone of inhibition for samples collected from Cochin in comparison with other centers. Evaluation made during the study provides significant evidences that the quality of a drug substance or product under the influence of various environmental factors may change with time. Hence the regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical organizations should highlight the importance of maintaining good storage conditions in hospital and community pharmacies functioning in state of Kerala
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High rate of mortality in pneumonia is attributed to antibiotic resistance. Rampant use of antibiotics in empirical therapy increases pathogen resistance and also increases expenditure for patients. Newer antibiotics are more expensive than older ones. Antibiogram is a chart showing, the most appropriate antibiotic to an organism. To make antibiotic therapy, effective and affordable, antibiograms specific to hospital are necessary. The primary objective of this study was to develop and antibiogram to help physicians is selecting the most sensitive and most cost-effective antibiotics against the specific pathogens of pneumonia. The sensitivity pattern of 232 pneumonia patients, admitted to Kasturba Hospital was evaluated. The cost-effectiveness of first-choice antibiotics against pneumonia pathogens was evaluated and listed in a typical antibiogram. The most common pathogens and first choice antibiotics were Klebseilla [Amikacin: n=61]; Psudomonas [Piperacillin: n=43]; E.coli [Meropenem: n=22]; Acinobacter [Cefoperazone-sulbactam: n=20]; streptococcus [Ciprofloxacin: n=19]. For Klebseilla, the alternative antibiotics suggested for the above organisms were listed based on their sensitivity pattern. Amikacin [n=61], Netilmicin [n=53], imipenem [n=51], Meropenem [n=50], Gentamycin [n=45]. Piperacillin [n=43], ceftazidime [n=40], netilmicin [n=37], gentamycin [n=36], ciprofloxacin [n=36] are recommended for Pseudomonas, cefoperazone-sulbactam [n=19], Netilmicin [n=15], Amikacin [n=15] are suggested for E. coli. Cefoperazone-sulbactam [n=20], Netilmicin [n=16], Amikacin [n=10], Co-trimoxazole [n=8], Meropenem [n=8] are recommended for Acinobacter. Ciprofloxacin [n=19], Erythromycin [n=15], Chloramphenicol [n=13], Doxycycline [n=10], Penicillin [n=10] for Streptococcus. The cost of 10 day therapy for the first line antibiotics are Amikacin: Rs. 3,750; Piperacillin; Rs.3,780, Meropenem: Rs. 60,000, Cefoperazone-sulbactam: Rs.2,306. Ciprofloxacin: Rs.252.68 for Klebseilla, Pseudomonas, Ecoli, Acinobacter and Streptococcus respectively. The cost of second line drugs Netilmicin: Rs.3,850; Imipenem: Rs.95,600; Gentamycin: Rs.29.58; Ceftazidime: Rs.21,327; Co-trimoxazole; Rs. 27; Penicillin: Rs.200.63; Erythromycin: Rs.150.80; Chloramphenicol: Rs.3,200; Doxycycline: Rs.15,40 respectively. The hospital specific antibiogram developed is beneficial to choose the best and cost effective antibiotics for pneumonia patients
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The current experiment describes the preliminary determination of pKa value of vasicine. A UV Spectrophotometer Shimadzu UV-1601 PC model was used to determine the pKa value of vasicine, a pyrralazo quinazoline alkaloid used as expectorant and bronchodilator drug. Analytical wavelength was chosen as which two species of the molecule differ greatly in their absorbance. Seven buffer solutions [7.4-8.6] were prepared containing 10 microM of the drug. The optical density of each buffer solution was measured at analytical wavelength 281 nm. A set of values was obtained and the pKa value for vasicine was found to be 8.1234 +/- 0.2 after the calculation