The Patient Satisfaction with Pharmacist Services Questionnaire (PSPSQ 2. 0) translation and validation study of the Urdu version

The study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of Patient Satisfaction with Pharmacist Services Questionnaire (PSPSQ 2.0). We applied the forward-backward procedure to translate the PSPSQ 2.0 in the Urdu language. The test-retest reliability was assessed through Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis. The validity of the translated PSPSQ 2.0 was constructed by using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) through principal axis factoring extraction and Oblique rotation with Kaiser Normalization onto 2 predetermined factors. The Quality of Care (QOC) construct exhibited Cronbach's alpha values of 0.900 (Test) and α = 0.871 (Retest) at two-time points. The Interpersonal Relationship (IPR) Construct had alpha values of 0.845 (Test) and α = 0.819 (Retest). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy for the factor analysis was 0.899. Barlett's Test of Sphericity was significant (Chi-square = 1192.72; p < 0.05) revealing relationships of the data and suitability of CFA. Two factors explaining the total variance of 40% were extracted whereby loading values were acceptable (> 0.50) for all items of the translated version of PSPSQ 2.0. Results of this study conclude that the translated version of PSPSQ 2.0 is a valid instrument in regions where Urdu is a prime language of communication

Quality Use of Medicines among Makkah Residents, Saudi Arabia

Introduction:Quality Use of Medicines (QUoM) is of utmost importance regarding the safetyand overall healthcare of the consumers/patients. This study aimed to explore the general usage pattern and attitude of the Makkah community about the safe use of medicines i.e. QUoM Methods:Face to face interviewswere done to administer questionnaires among patients from two hospitals and four primary care centers dealing with patients from rural and urban areas in the Holly Makkah region.Results:A total of 554 patients were enrolled while the majority of them were lived in urban areas (n=457,82%). Around 419 (76%) responder were females and 531(96%) were living with their family and had up to college education(n=174,31%).We found that most of the respondents were diabetic(185,33%) and hypertensive (n=172,31%).Most of the patients (207,37%) stated that they preferred to get drug information from healthcare professionals.Conclusion:This periodic mapping of appropriate medication usage among patients/consumers is indeed an important effort to explore issues on QUoM

Leadership Attitudes and Beliefs of Pharmacy Students: A cross-sectional Study from a Malaysian University.

Background: Pharmacy profession requires pharmacists to have leadership qualities to respond the challenges in healthcare system to meet the patient’s medication-related needs. Therefore, to build leadership qualities among pharmacists, it is essential to discuss it during the early training of the future pharmacists. Aim: The study aims to evaluate leadership attitudes and beliefs of pharmacy students at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. All undergraduate pharmacy students (n=478) were targeted for the study. The Leadership Attitudes and Beliefs Scale was usedResults: Three hundred and forty-five students responded to the survey (response rate = 72.1%). The mean scores for hierarchical and systemic thinking were 25.7±6.56 and 30.7±6.88 respectively. It indicates that most of the students believe in a high hierarchical-high systemic thinking. Significant associations observed in a comparison between ethnicity and leadership aspects: leader being responsible of controlling, keeping authority, and charge of the organization (p=0.002,p=0.024and p=0.047respectively). Gender was reported to have a significant association with factors of participation (p=0.035) and security of the organization (p=0.014).Conclusion: The study findings suggest that pharmacy undergraduates prefer a high hierarchical thinking and high systemic thinking approach to leadership. Therefore, specialized programs about leadership are suggested to be included as part of the students activities and training. In these programs, more emphasis on systemic thinking is needed rather than overly depending on hierarchical thinking. Moreover, students should be equipped with knowledge necessary to decide which style of leadership to adapt to promote the well-being of the organization.

Assessment of Medical and Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge & Perceptions about Generic Medicines’ Prices & Quality in Kabul- Afghanistan.

Objective: This study aimed to assess medical and pharmacy students‟ knowledge and perception about generic medicines‟ prices and quality in Kabul Afghanistan. Method: Convenience sampling was perfomed. The sample size was determined using RAOSOFT calculator by using 95% confidence interval with a margin of error of 5%. Results: Among the calculated sample size of 255, in total 220 (response rate 86.27%), 95 pharmacy and 125 medical students agreed to participate in the survey. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis. Overall, 67.84% of the respondents had knowledge about generic medicines, while 80.39% expressed their concern about the quality of generic medicines. During the analysis it was found that 98.2% respondents were strongly agreed that can control the cost of the treatment if generic medicines are used, and 65% of the interviewees suggested that highest patient prices of branded medicines has increased inclination towards the prescription of generic medicines. While in regards to the quality of generic medicines 44.8% of the respondents asserted, that safety, effectiveness and quality of generics is their major concerns. Conclusion: The current study emphasizes that awareness and knowledge about generic medicines is required. Concerns about the quality and prices of generic medicines should be addressed to ensure the access of safe and cost-effective generic medicines.

Problems and challenges faced in consumer reporting of adverse drug reactions in developing countries A case study of Yemen, Nepal and Malaysia.

Background: Pharmacovigilance is the “science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problems”. The most commonly used adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system worldwide is spontaneous and voluntary reporting, which forms the backbone of reporting systems. Aims: To explore the current status of consumer involvement in the pharmacovigilance program in three developing countries, Yemen, Nepal and Malaysia. Method: An analysis was carried out for these three countries based on the current status of pharmacovigilance and involvement of consumers in their pharmacovigilance programs. Results: Malaysia has a good system for involving consumers in their national pharmacovigilance system, whereas Yemen still lacks the well-formed national drug policy. Lack of legislation and regulation which govern the import and distribution of drugs in Yemen is a limiting factor for development of consumer pharmacovigilance. Despite establishment of a pharmacovigilance centre, no reports have been released by the centre. The status of pharmacovigilance in Nepal is still in infancy. The regulatory body is assigned to be a national pharmacovigilance center, and coordinates with seven regional centers for pharmacovigilance activities. Nepal also lacks the involvement of consumers in the national pharmacovigilance program. Conclusion: Consumer reporting may be important for developing countries to implement a proper and effective pharmacovigilance program that can reduce morbidity and mortality rates, as well as reducing the economic burden of ADRs.

A qualitative study exploring perspectives towards rational use of medicines in Pakistan's Malaria Control Program (MCP)

Malaria is one of the most important global public health problems threatening the health of the population owing to prevailing socio-economic conditions and epidemiological reasons in Pakistan. This qualitative study has focused on the perspectives held towards the rational use of medicine intervention among malaria control program officials. Eight semi-structured interviews with all officials working for the malaria control program in Islamabad were conducted. The interviews, which were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim, were evaluated by thematic content analysis and by all authors. All respondents agreed on successful implementation of the malaria control program in Pakistan for controlling malaria by improving diagnostic and treatment facilities and promoting rational case management through training of prescribers. However, funding is still the major challenge faced by the program for its future implementation.

A malária é um dos mais importantes problemas sanitários globais, que ameaça a saúde população devido às condições socioeconômicas e por razões epidemiológicas no Paquistão. Este estudo qualitativo focou-se nas perspectivas no sentido do uso racional da intervenção médica entre os funcionários do programa de controle da malária. Oito entrevistas semiestruturas com todos os funcionários que trabalham no programa de controle da malária foram conduzidas em Islamabad. As entrevistas, que eram gravadas e transcritas, foram avaliadas por análise temática do conteúdo e por todos os autores. Todos os respondentes concordaram com o êxito da implementação do programa de controle da malária no Paquistão por meio do aprimoramento do diagnóstico e de facilidades do tratamento, promovendo a gestão racional por meio do treinamento dos prescritores. Entretanto, o financiamento é, ainda, o principal desafio enfrentado para a implementação futura do programa.

Generic substitution in Malaysia: Recommendations from a systematic review.

Generic substitution is the act of switching from a branded drug to its therapeutically equivalent generic version. This study aims to systematically review the literature with regards to generic substitution around the globe. Studies compared generic and brand-name drugs for clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness. The current findings show that the new policies are aimed at supporting the development of the generics industry in the respective countries. Further investigation is needed to explore the implementation of the current generic substitution policies and how to increase their accessibility to the general population. Generic substitution policies comparison between countries were conducted among 9 countries, that is, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, Indonesia, United State and United Kingdom. From 27 journals that were reviewed, only 14 were selected based on the fulfilled criteria appropriate to the journals that we had searched. All these policies were then studied to propose recommendations for generic substitution.

Assessment of Knowledge towards Tuberculosis among general population in North East Libya.

The study aimed to evaluate the level of Tuberculosis (TB) related knowledge among general public in North East Libya. A cross sectional study was undertaken in 2009. A prevalidated questionnaire consisting of 23 items was sent to 1500 residents among five cities in North East Libya. In addition to the demographic details, the survey instrument was designed to collect information relating to transmission, diagnosis, risk factors, treatment and prevention of TB. Descriptive analysis was used to elaborate demographic information. Inferential statistics (Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA) were used whenever appropriate. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. All data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The overall knowledge towards TB among general population was measured as low. Mean knowledge score was 11.4±3.9 which was significantly higher among Libyans (11.7±3.8) than non Libyans (9.7±4.7, t=26.13) (P<0.001). In addition, respondents with tertiary education had significantly higher knowledge scores (11.8± 3.5) compared to those of intermediate (11.6± 4.4) and illiterate (7.7±5.5), [F=19.34, P=0.001]. This study reveals that knowledge towards TB within the population is poor. It is therefore suggested that specialized educational programs should be developed for community members to promote awareness towards TB.

Community pharmacist's perceptions towards the quality of locally manufactured generic medicines: A descriptive study from Malaysia.

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Malaysian community pharmacist towards locally manufactured generic medicines. A cross-sectional descriptive study involving entire population (N = 270) of Practicing community pharmacists in the State of Penang, Malaysia was undertaken using a self-completed anonymous mail questionnaire. Responses were received from 48 pharmacists (response rate 17.8%). Majority of the respondents (97.9%) actively dispensed generic medicines in their practice. Only 37.5% of the respondents viewed locally manufactured generic medicines as equal in quality compared to the imported generics from international manufacturers. However, approximately 60% of the respondents agreed that domestic generics are equal in safety and efficacy as the imported generic medicines. About half of the respondents (47.9%) believed that imported generic products need to pass more stringent approval process. Majority of the respondents (68.8%) urged that the Malaysian regulatory authorities should convince pharmacists about the quality of domestic generic medicines. The Malaysian pharmacists have lack of confidence with the generic medicines produced by local pharmaceutical companies.

Generic competition and drug prices in the Malaysian off-patent pharmaceutical market.

Promoting generic competition following patent expiration of innovator product is a key policy strategy in containing rising drug expenditure in both developed and developing countries. However, the effect of this measure on drug prices has not been specifically explored in Malaysia. This paper analyses the potential effect of generic competition on drug prices in the off-patent pharmaceutical market in Malaysia using retail price data of 28 off-patent multisource prescription medicines collected in a national medicines price survey in Malaysia. The relationship between number of registered brands of multisource medicines and their proportional prices was examined. The results show that the mean proportional price decreases as the number of brands increases, Pearson’s r (6) =0.89, p=0.017 and the differences between the mean proportional prices among the various brands was significant, one-way ANOVA, F (5, 22) =3.68, p=0.014). However, further analysis using Tukey’s post-hoc test analysis shows that the price differentials were not significant across all the brands of a given off-patent multisource product. The findings of this study revealed evidence of price lowering effect of generic competition among multisource drug products in Malaysia, though the effect was not observable across all drug brands.

Community pharmacy dispensing costs in the state of Penang, Malaysia.

The objective for this study was to determine the dispensing cost in community pharmacies. This was a pilot cross-sectional study of 10 community pharmacies on Penang Island. A 17-item self-administered questionnaire was developed and consisted of questions on the type of pharmacy license, pharmacist salary, non-pharmacist salaries, pharmacy area size, dispensing area size, overhead and capital resources. The costs for dispensing prescriptions were calculated, and descriptive statistics were used to compare the dispensing costs with the type of pharmacy license, weekly trading hours and availability of the pharmacist’s personal office. We found that dispensing costs in a community pharmacy average MYR 0.41 per minute or MYR 3.17 per prescription. The major cost drivers in the pharmacy dispensing costs were salaries and rent. This study provides an empirical basis for a proper reimbursement structure for pharmacy dispensing services in Malaysia.