Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates of patients with upper respiratory tract infections

Abstract To evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in URTIs reporting to tertiary hospitals of Lahore. A cross-sectional study employing 259 culture sensitivity reports obtained from tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. Using SPSS, descriptive statistics were used to estimate frequencies and percentages. In URTIs, S. aureus (5%) was the frequent gram-positive isolate followed by MRSA (1.5%) and MSSA (1.5%), while P. aeruginosa (15.8%) was the prevalent gram-negative isolate followed by Klebsiella (13.1%) and E. coli (6.9%). Against P. aeruginosa, ceftazidime (7.7%), cefuroxime/ceftriaxone (4.6%), amoxicillin (4.3%) and ciprofloxacin (4.2%), were tested resistant, while imipenem (11.2%), ciprofloxacin (9.2%), amikacin (9.2%), meropenem/ levofloxacin/gentamicin (8.1%) and piptaz (6.9%) were found sensitive. Against Klebsiella, carbepenems (7.3%), amikacin (6.5%), ciprofloxacin (5.4%) and gentamicin (5%) were tested sensitive, whereas, ceftazidime (8.5%), ceftriaxone (5.8%), cefaclor (5.5%), ampicillin (4.6%), co-amoxiclave (4.2%) and ciftazidime/ciprofloxacin (3.8%) were found resistant. Overall, imipenem (35%), meropenem (30.8%) and amikacin (31.9%) were the three most sensitive antibiotics, while ceftazidime (25.4%), ceftriaxone (19.2%) and ampicillin (18.5%) were the three most resistant antibiotics. Data suggested that P.aeruginosa and Klebsiella, were the most frequent bacterial isolates in URTIs of Lahore. These isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cefuroxime and ceftazidime, but were sensitive to carbapenem and aminoglycosides

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

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.

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.