Perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19: resultados da DIABETES / Profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic: results from DIABETES / Perfil de personas con diabetes que usaron telefarmacia durante la pandemia de covid-19: resultados de DIABETES

O objetivo foi analisar o perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados oriundos da websurvey DIABETESvid que ocorreu nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2020. Verificou-se que 45 participantes recorreram à telefarmácia, sendo que 55,6% eram do sexo masculino, 42,2% tinham idade compreendida entre 18 e 34 anos e 46,7% estudaram 12 ou mais anos. Além disso, 48,9% autorreferiram diabetes mellitus tipo 1. A maioria usava insulina (55,6%) e obteve os medicamentos para o diabetes em farmácias do sistema público de saúde (60%). Ademais, as pessoas que tiveram o diagnóstico de covid-19 buscaram mais pela telefarmácia (RP=2,20; IC95% 1,23­3,94). Sabe-se que os medicamentos são essenciais para o tratamento do diabetes. Logo, no período estudado em que se preconizava o distanciamento físico, os participantes apropriaram-se da telefarmácia a fim de obter a integralidade do cuidado

The objective was to analyze the profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the DIABETESvid websurvey that took place in September and October 2020. It was found that 45 participants used telepharmacy, 55.6% of whom were male, 42.2% were between 18 and 34 years-old and 46.7% studied 12 or more years. In addition, 48.9% self-reported type 1 diabetes mellitus. Most used insulin (55.6%) and obtained their diabetes medication from pharmacies in the public health system (60%). Also, people diagnosed with covid-19 used telephar-macy more often (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.23­3.94). It is known that drugs are essential for the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, in the period studied in which physical distancing was advocated, the participants used telepharmacy to obtain comprehensive care

El objetivo fue analizar el perfil de las personas con diabetes que utilizaron la telefarmacia durante la pandemia del covid-19. Estudio transversal con datos de la encuesta por internet DIABETESvid realizada en septiembre y octubre de 2020. Se encontró que 45 participantes recurrieron a la telefarmacia, de los cuales el 55,6% eran hombres, el 42,2% tenían entre 18 y 34 años y el 46,7% estudiaban 12 o más años. Además, el 48,9% se autorrefirió diabetes mellitus tipo 1. La mayoría utilizaba insulina (55,6%) y recibía su medicación antidiabética en farmacias del sistema público (60%). Además, las personas diagnosticadas con covid-19 buscaron telefarmacia con más frecuencia (RP = 2,20; IC 95% 1,23­3,94). Los medicamentos son esenciales para el tratamiento de la diabetes. Por lo tanto, en el período estudiado en el que se propugnaba el distanciamiento físico, los participantes se apropiaron de la telefarmacia para la atención integral

Evaluation of prescribing pattern based on World Health Organization indicators in Maharashtra during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Community pharmacy (CP) is one of the health care centers that have a key role to play in the current COVID-19 pandemic period. Prescriptions monitoring studies are essential as this helps in understanding the current prescribing pattern adopted by physicians. Furthermore, only few CP-based research studies were noted. This study was conducted with an aim to study prescribing pattern using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators from few community pharmacies in Maharashtra, India, during COVID-19 Pandemic period. Material and Methods: An observational study was conducted and sample comprised of prescriptions collected from different parts of Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune. and Nashik). One thousand and fifty-six prescriptions were collected and data was collected for a period of 6 months (August 2020–January 2021). The variables of interest in this study were: Number of medications in each prescription, number of prescriptions with generic names, number of antibiotics and injectables in each prescription, number of prescribed drugs from essential drug list (EDL), and defined daily dose (DDD). Results: Out of 3058 drugs prescribed, it was found that average number of drugs per prescription was 2.89 (standard deviation ± 1.37). Only 23 (0.75%) were prescribed by generic name. Antibiotics and injectables were 399 (37.78%) and 29 (2.74%), respectively. Drugs that were prescribed from EDL were only 920 (30.08%). The total class of antimicrobial agents prescribed (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical group J01) was 13. After calculating DDD, DDD of Azithromycin was found to the highest (81.6 g). Conclusion: Among five WHO indicators, only the percentage of encounters with an injection was in compliance with the WHO recommended value. Further studies are required for better understanding of this area.

Cost analysis of outpatient department prescriptions in the community pharmacies during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in Maharashtra

Introduction: Community pharmacy is a place under the direct supervision of the pharmacist where the prescription orders are compounded and dispensed. In India, there are limited studies published on the economic evaluation of community pharmacy. This study aimed to conduct a cost analysis of outpatient department prescriptions in the community pharmacies during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on various parameters such as the total cost, average cost/prescriptions, age-wise cost, prescribers, drug class, pharmacy wise, route of administration, and diagnosis cost. Material and Methods: The analysis of total and average cost per prescription was conducted. The study was carried out for 6 months during. The number and type of drugs prescribed and the frequency and total cost of the prescriptions were noted. Statistical analysis was conducted for different demographics and various parameters. Results: A total of 1166 prescriptions were analyzed in the study. Out of 3704 drugs prescribed 99.9% were branded ones. The average number of drugs/prescriptions was 3.17. The predominance of male patients (60%) was seen. On the overall cost of prescriptions the statistical significance of the overall cost was established at (P < 0.00001). The sum of all the prescriptions accounted for ?.10, 86,504.65. The average cost/prescription was ?.931.82. Conclusion: The average total cost/prescription was found to be higher in our study. There is a need for further studies to be done in the field of community pharmacy

Ações da vigilância sanitária em farmácias comunitárias: análise de uma consulta nacional / Health surveillance actions in community pharmacies: Analysis of a national consultation

Introdução: A Lei nº 13.021, de 8 de agosto de 2014, renovou o conceito de farmácia, impulsionando ações da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) para a atualização da RDC n° 44, de 17 de agosto de 2009, como a realização de uma consulta dirigida ao Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária sobre a resolução. Objetivo: Identificar ações de vigilância sanitária relacionadas aos serviços de saúde em farmácias comunitárias. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo realizado com dados secundários da consulta dirigida às Vigilâncias Sanitárias (Visa) municipais promovida em 2019 pela Anvisa. As respostas das 349 respondentes foram organizadas nos blocos "Considerações Gerais", "Estrutura", "Processo e Monitoramento" e categorizados conforme o formato de pergunta (aberta ou fechada) e o conteúdo, utilizando-se parâmetros de avaliação em saúde. Resultados: O compartilhamento do local da dispensação com outras atividades de saúde refletiu um risco sanitário quanto a estrutura. O gerenciamento dos resíduos foi o processo mais citado, superando aqueles relacionados à assistência farmacêutica. Quanto ao monitoramento, a Declaração de Serviços Farmacêuticos mostrou-se um bom instrumento para o registro das atividades realizadas, enquanto notificações de eventos adversos e queixas técnicas não apareceram como rotineiros. A descentralização nas ações de Visa está bem estabelecida, mas evoluiu de forma desigual para produtos regulados e atividades de saúde, de forma que a RDC n° 44 de 2009 mostrou-se útil, mas desatualizada nos aspectos impactantes aos serviços de saúde. Conclusões: A delimitação de atividades de saúde em farmácias é um desafio para a vigilância sanitária, seja pelo ajuste do regulamento sanitário, seja pelas tecnologias de produtos e serviços que são atualizadas mais rapidamente do que a análise dos riscos envolvidos na sua exposição à população.

Introduction: Law No. 13.021, August 8, 2014, renewed the concept of pharmacy, driving actions of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) to update RDC No. 44, August 17, 2009, such as conducting a consultation directed to the National Health Surveillance System on the resolution. Objective: To identify health surveillance actions related to health services in community pharmacies. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with secondary data from the consultation addressed to municipal Health Surveys (Visa) promoted in 2019 by Anvisa. The responses of the 349 respondents were organized in the blocks 'General Considerations', 'Structure', 'Process and Monitoring' and categorized according to the question format (open or closed) and content, using health assessment parameters. Results: The sharing of the dispensing location with other healthcare activities reflected a health risk regarding structure. Waste management was the most cited process, surpassing those related to pharmaceutical assistance. As for monitoring, the document named Statement on Pharmaceutical Care proved to be a good instrument for recording the activities performed, while notifcations of adverse events and technical complaints did not appear as a routine. The decentralization in Visa actions is well established, but has evolved unevenly for regulated products and health activities, so that the RDC No. 44 of 2009 proved to be useful, but outdated in the impacting aspects to health services. Conclusions: The delimitation of health activities in pharmacies is a challenge for health surveillance, either by the adjustment of sanitary regulation, either by the technologies of products and services that are updated faster than the analysis of the risks involved in the its exposure to the population.

Public’s Preferences for Community Pharmacy Attributes and Their Perceptions Towards Pharmacist-led Minor Ailment Services in Malaysia

@#Introduction: The prospect of public accessing community pharmacies for minor ailment advice or treatment highly depends on the pharmacy attributes and their staff. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which community pharmacies are used as a source of minor illness management and the public’s relative preferences for pharmacy features. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among the public in Malaysia was carried out between August and December 2020. The validated self-administered questionnaires were distributed at several pharmacies and shared via email, Whatsapp group, and Facebook. Results: A total of 141 from 153 public respondents completed the survey. From the descriptive and inferential analysis, it was found that about a third of the public goes to a pharmacy for advice or treatment for minor illnesses. The vast majority of respondents had positive perceptions that community pharmacists are knowledgeable and qualified to offer advice or treatment for minor diseases. A significant positive relationship was observed between pharmacy characteristics’ scores and pharmacy staff and pharmacy services’ scores (p<0.001). The increase in pharmacy staff score significantly increased the pharmacy services’ score (p<0.001). Conclusion: The implications of the public acknowledging specific attributes were crucial in further supporting community pharmacists’ services, especially in the private practice setting.

Verification of the Effectiveness of the Health Support Pharmacy “Toyonaka Model,” an Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Project Aiming to Promote Community Health through the Information from Community Pharmacies via Digital Signages / 社会薬学

Advances in information and communication technology (ICT)-especially, the spread of social networking services (SNSs)-have facilitated the dissemination of information and an explosion of health information lacking scientific evidence. Therefore, we believe that community pharmacies are the most suitable bases for distributing health information. In 2019, we launched the health support pharmacy “Toyonaka Model” in collaboration with the pharmaceutical association, municipal government, and university. Touch-panel digital signage (DS) was used for real-time distribution of ever-changing information and a rapid grasp of pharmacy users’ responses to various types of information. Between September 2019 and August 2021, one DS was installed in a pharmacy in each of Toyonaka City’s seven areas along with 14 questions on the usefulness of the delivered information. Respondents answered the 14 questions by a tablet or questionnaire; touch logs for DS were collected. When a pharmacy user consulted with a pharmacist about information delivered via DS, the contents were recorded and described by the pharmacist on a 4-point scale (e.g., “inquiry only,” “went through to execution”). From the 850 completed questionnaires and 61,565 touches, 88.7% of the respondents indicated that the information was useful, and 90.0% expressed interest in receiving more health information in the future. Thus, health information provided by DS may be useful to pharmacy users, as demonstrated by 113 cases in which the pharmacist was consulted regarding such information. In 62 of these cases, there were indications that the DS information might have influenced users’ behavior and intended actions.

Convenience of “Loco-check” Combination in Quick Screening of Latent Preliminary Group of Locomotive Syndrome by Measurement of Handgrip Strength: Secondary Analysis of the Previous Report / 社会薬学

As a screening tool for detecting latent pre-locomotive syndrome (latent pre-LS) in women over the age of 40, measuring handgrip strength with a cut-off value of 26 kg was proposed in a previous report. However, this screening method missed 22% of latent pre-LS. It would be beneficial to screen almost persons with latent pre-LS in community pharmacies. In this study, it was investigated whether screening using the combination of measuring handgrip strength and the questionnaire, “Loco-check,” which was proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, improved the detection of latent pre-LS in the same group mentioned above. Combining only one of the “Loco-check” questions, “I cannot put on a pair of socks while standing on one leg,” with the measurement of handgrip strength with the cut-off value of 26 kg, the detection of latent pre-LS was increased to 90.2%. The odds ratio was 9.72 in logistic regression analysis. Using the combination of the measurement of handgrip strength and the response to one question is both rapid and convenient. Therefore, in this study, this screening combination is proposed to be a useful tool in community pharmacies for detecting early latent pre-LS.

Sources of medicines for hypertension and diabetes in Brazil: results from the National Health Survey / Fontes de medicamentos para hipertensão e diabetes no Brasil: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde / Fuentes de medicamentos para la hipertensión y diabetes en Brasil: resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud

This study aims to analyze the sources people over 18 years of age use to obtain medication for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes, according to sociodemographic characteristics from 2013 to 2019. Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey were analyzed. Most individuals with diagnosis and prescription to pharmacological treatment reported obtaining medicines exclusively from one type of source. The percentage of people who acquired hypertension medicine exclusively from public pharmacies decreased, from 24.5% in 2013 to 16.2% in 2019; while there was an increase in those obtaining from the Popular Pharmacy program, from 23.5% to 31.4%; as well as for out-of-pocket payment, which rose from 30.9% to 35.5% The percentage of people who acquired diabetes medication exclusively from public pharmacies increased from 7.4% to 18.6% and with out-of-pocket payment increased from 21.6% to 26.8%, while the percentage of those who acquired from the Popular Pharmacy program decreased from 47.2% to 36.4%. The percentage of those who acquired medication from various sources decreased for both hypertension and diabetes. For men, white, and those with higher education, the source of medication acquisition, for both conditions, was mostly by out-of-pocket payment. The high number of medicine acquisition from public sources represents an advance in Brazil's response to the treatment of these conditions, but reducing regional differences still represents a challenge to be overcome by the healthcare system.

Este estudo buscou analisar as fontes utilizadas por pessoas com mais de 18 anos para obter medicamentos para o tratamento de hipertensão arterial e diabetes de acordo com características sociodemográficas de 2013 a 2019. Foram analisados dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde. A maioria dos indivíduos com diagnóstico e prescrição para tratamento farmacológico relatou a obtenção de medicamentos exclusivamente de um tipo de fonte. O percentual de pessoas que adquiriram medicamentos para hipertensão exclusivamente de farmácias públicas diminuiu de 24,5% em 2013 para 16,2% em 2019. Por outro lado, o percentual daqueles que adquiriram pelo Programa Farmácia Popular aumentou de 23,5% para 31,4% e gastos próprios foram de 30,9% para 35,5%. O percentual de pessoas que adquiriram medicamentos para diabetes exclusivamente de farmácias públicas aumentou de 7,4% para 18,6% e gastos próprios aumentaram de 21,6% para 26,8% enquanto o percentual dos que adquiriram da Farmácia Popular diminuiu de 47,2% para 36,4%. O percentual daqueles que adquiriram medicamentos de diversas fontes diminuiu tanto para hipertensão quanto para diabetes. Homens, pessoas brancas e pessoas com Ensino Superior adquiriram medicamentos para ambas as condições principalmente por gastos próprios. O alto número de aquisições de medicamentos de fontes públicas representa um avanço na resposta do Brasil ao tratamento dessas condições, mas reduzir as diferenças regionais ainda é um desafio a ser superado pelo sistema de saúde.

Este estudio buscó analizar las fuentes utilizadas por personas mayores de 18 años para obtener medicamentos para el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes según las características sociodemográficas de 2013 a 2019. Los datos provienen de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud. La mayoría de los individuos con diagnóstico y prescripción de tratamiento farmacológico reportaron obtener los medicamentos exclusivamente de un tipo de fuente. El porcentaje de personas que compraban medicamentos para la hipertensión exclusivamente en farmacias públicas disminuyó del 24,5% en 2013 al 16,2% en 2019. Por otro lado, el porcentaje de quienes lo compraban a través del programa Farmacia Popular aumentó del 23,5% al 31,4% , y el gasto pasó del 30,9% al 35,5%. El porcentaje de personas que compraban medicamentos para la diabetes exclusivamente en farmacias públicas aumentó del 7,4% al 18,6% y el gasto propio aumentó del 21,6% al 26,8%, mientras que el porcentaje de los que compraban en Farmacia Popular descendió del 47,2% al 36,4%. El porcentaje de quienes compraban medicamentos de diferentes fuentes disminuyó tanto para la hipertensión como para la diabetes. Los hombres, los individuos de raza blanca y las personas con educación superior adquirieron medicamentos para ambas afecciones a sus expensas.. El alto número de compras de medicamentos de fuentes públicas es un avance en la respuesta de Brasil al tratamiento de estas condiciones, pero la reducción de las diferencias regionales sigue siendo un desafío para ser superado por el sistema de salud.

Perceptions of Pharmacy students about their competences for professional practice in community pharmacy

Abstract Pharmaceutical education should enable the development of competences for community pharmacy practice, which is an important field for the pharmacist workforce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the competences perceived by pharmacy interns from a Brazilian pharmacy school for community pharmacy practice. This study adopted a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. The study cohort included undergraduate students who undertook internships in community pharmacy in the final year of the pharmacy course. Students responded to an 11-item structured questionnaire according to a five-point Likert scale that included perceptions of their competences for community pharmacy practice. Among the 693 possible answers, 605 (87.3%) agreed that the course promoted the development of competences for professional practice in community pharmacy. Less than 70% of students perceived themselves as prepared to respond to symptoms and provide non-prescription medicines. Qualitative analysis of the comments revealed three themes: the need to improve patient information skills, improve practice as a member of a health care team, and improve dispensing according to legal requirements. These findings may support improvements in undergraduate pharmacy programs, such as the inclusion of experiential learning, active learning methods, interprofessional education, and development of clinical skills.

Profile of pharmaceutical interventions of a pharmacotherapeutic follow-up model for diabetic patients in a community pharmacy

Abstract The insertion of Pharmaceutical Care in Primary Health Care (PHC) improves patients' clinical outcomes and quality of life. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up can contribute to the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, promoting better glycemic control and adherence to therapy. This study aimed to assess the Drug-therapy Problems (DTPs) and Pharmacist Interventions (PIs) on the pharmacotherapeutic management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a community pharmacy. A quantitative, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a Pharmaceutical Care Program within the PHC in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Inclusion criteria were patients with T2DM above 18, who attended at least three pharmaceutical consultations between July 2016 and October 2018 and presented two or more glycated hemoglobin tests. The study group (n = 17) was largely composed of women (65%), elderly (76%), sedentary (72%), and obese people (52%). The resolution was achieved in 79% of the DTPs identified (n = 115). Most of DTPs were related to administration and adherence to pharmacotherapy (46%). 60% of the 437 PIs involved the provision of information and counseling. In other words, accessible interventions lead to high resolvability. Therefore, clinical actuation of pharmacists could improve the prognosis in diabetes treatment

Mapping community pharmacy services in Brazil: a scoping review

Abstract The delivery of clinical pharmacy services has been growing in Brazilian community pharmacies, and it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the topic. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of Brazilian studies about clinical pharmacy services in community pharmacies. Original research articles, with no restriction of time, study design, or patient's health condition, were included. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs. Two reviewers conducted the screening, full-text reading, and data extraction independently. ROB and ROBINS-I were used for the assessment of quality. Charts and tables were built to summarise the data. Seventy-two articles were included. A diversity of study designs, number of participants, terms used, and outcomes was found. São Paulo and Sergipe States had the highest number of studies (n=10). Pharmacists' interventions were not fully reported in 65% of studies, and most studies presented an unclear risk of bias. Studies were very diverse, impairing the comparisons between the results and hindering their reproducibility. This review suggests using guidelines and checklists for better structuration of pharmacists' interventions as well as reporting results and measuring fidelity in future research.

Trends and Issues in Patient Questions at Community Pharmacies: Validation with Data from Two Pharmacies with Different Patient Populations / 社会薬学

In Japan, based on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Pharmacy Vision for Patients” (2015), there has been a growing need to shift from “drug-centered, physical work” to “patient-centered, interpersonal work.” Medication counseling is one of the most important tasks of pharmacists. In the present study, we focused on the questions asked by patients during medication counseling, and statistically analyzed the content of the questions and the patient attributes obtained from the patient medication profile. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 on patients who visited two pharmacies. Data from a total of 3,300 patients was collected, of which 859 asked questions during medication counseling, accounting for about 26% of the total. Attributes that significantly influenced the asking of questions included gender, new prescriptions, and who was being instructed, especially for women and parents of infants. In terms of topic, questions about the duration and timing of taking the medication and about the medication itself were common in all departments. In terms of medication effects, there were many questions about topical and central nervous system medications, but there were also questions about non-medication matters such as tests. When providing medication counseling, it is expected that pharmacists will actively provide instructions to resolve patients’ questions based on the characteristics of each pharmacy and on patient demographics, as well as improve the quality of interpersonal services according to the patient’s background.

Analysis of drug use in community empty-nest and non-empty-nest elderly hypertension patients / 药学实践杂志

Objective To explore the needs of community pharmacy services in elderly hypertensive patients in the community, especially empty-nest elderly patients. Methods Elderly hypertensive patients living in Ouyang street were randomly selected and divided into empty-nest and non-empty-nest groups by cluster random sampling method. The basic information of the respondents, the frequency of hypertension monitoring, the taking of hypertensive drugs, and the taking of other drugs were compared and analyzed. Results In term of “blood pressure monitoring frequency”, the daily pressure measurement of the empty-nest group and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 33.6% and 19.3%, respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).In term of “the varieties of hypertension drugs” and taking 3 kinds of hypertension drugs at the same times, the empty-nest group accounted for 28.8% and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 16.7%, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05)；In term of “the varieties of drugs” and taking 1-2 kinds of Chinese patent drugs at the same time, the empty-nest group accounted for 39.6% and the non-empty-nest group accounted for 26.0% , and the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05)。Conclusion Community elderly patients with hypertension, especially empty-nest elderly patients have an urgent need for community pharmacy services，Community pharmacy services personnel should provide personalized and targeted medication education and guidance to elderly patients, especially empty-nest elderly patients, to promote the rational drug use in elderly patients.

Análise da produção científica sobre os serviços farmacêuticos comunitários no enfrentamento da pandemia pelo coronavírus / Analysis of scientific production on community pharmaceutical services in confronting the coronavirus pandemic

RESUMO Esta revisão buscou sintetizar as práticas em serviços farmacêuticos relacionadas ao gerenciamento e às atividades clínicas em distintos contextos para a prevenção e a assistência durante a epidemia da Covid-19. Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura sobre políticas públicas de saúde para a reorganização da assistência farmacêutica em países atingidos pela Covid-19 realizada nas bases de dados Web of Science, Science Direct e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Foram selecionados 9 artigos, sendo todos publicados em 2020. Destes, 90% foram publicados pelo periódico 'Research in Social an Administrative Pharmacy' e tiveram como local de realização de estudo países de três continentes. Foram relatadas e debatidas experiências sobre a atuação do profissional farmacêutico e o papel da farmácia comunitária no contexto da pandemia da Covid-19, e sobre a reorganização destes serviços, evidenciadas no contexto de crise, tanto no que tange à oferta de serviços quanto ao próprio espraiamento da doença. O modelo adotado pelos países para o enfrentamento da Covid-19, no âmbito dos serviços farmacêuticos comunitários, baseou-se em atividades para a garantia da qualidade e logística de insumos e medicamentos, triagem e monitoramento de pacientes, acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico, educação em saúde e informações sobre o uso de medicamentos.

ABSTRACT This review sought to synthesize the practices in pharmaceutical services related to management and clinical activities in different contexts for prevention and assistance during the Covid-19 epidemic. This is a review of the literature on public health policies for the reorganization of pharmaceutical assistance in countries affected by Covid-19 carried out in the Web of Science, Science Direct and Virtual Health Library databases. 9 articles were selected, all published in 2020. Of these, 90% of the articles were published by the journal 'Research in Social an Administrative Pharmacy' and had countries of three continents as study sites. Experiences about the performance of the pharmaceutical professional and the role of the community pharmacy in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, and about the reorganization of these services, evidenced in the context of crisis, were reported and debated, both with regard to the provision of services and the spread of the disease itself. The model adopted by countries to confront Covid-19, within the scope of community pharmaceutical services, was based on activities for quality assurance and logistics of supplies and medicines, screening and monitoring of patients, pharmacotherapeutic accompaniment, health education and information on medication use.

Validating the Utilization of the Patient Compliance Instruction Support System “FollowNavi” for Follow-up Inhalation Instructions / 医薬品情報学

Objective: Following the amendment of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act in December 2019, continuous follow-up of patients during treatment has been mandated for pharmacists. The follow-up methods may involve contacting patients via telephone and social networking services (SNS). The SNS is advantageous over telephone, because patients can respond to the pharmacists at their convenience. Therefore, we developed a patient compliance instruction support system “FollowNavi” using LINE. We prepared a content of inhalation drugs used to treat bronchial asthma for assessment using FollowNavi and conducted questionnaire surveys among patients and pharmacists to validate its utility.Methods: FollowNavi was used from May1 to July 31, 2020, to follow up patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma for whom long-term control medicine (inhalation drugs) was prescribed for the first time or prescriptions were changed from other inhalation drugs. Subsequently, when the patients revisited the pharmacy, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the usability of FollowNavi. We also conducted a questionnaire survey among the pharmacists.Results: Seven and five responses were received from patients who were followed up via FollowNavi and pharmacists who used FollowNavi, respectively. Furthermore, 28.6% of the patients responded “I could solve the problem through LINE” and 71.4% responded “I did not have anything in particular that I could not understand.” As for pharmacists, 60.0% responded that they could obtain sufficient information from the patients through FollowNavi.Conclusion: The results suggest that follow-up after providing inhalation instructions using the inhalation drug content of FollowNavi may be useful for both patients and pharmacists.

The Impact of Regular Visits to Community Pharmacies on the Prevention of Frailty in the Elderly / 社会薬学

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether regular visits to community pharmacies to take medications contributes to the prevention of frailty in the elderly and whether it also contributes to the improvement of leftover medications. The patients showed a significant increase in the number of steps taken after interventions, and the frailty index using J-CHS criteria also showed a significant improvement after interventions. In addition, two patients were found to have leftover medications, but improvement was observed after interventions. In the post-intervention patient satisfaction survey, all seven patients responded positively to the following questions: “Effectiveness of medication management,” “Improvement in medication adherence,” “Improvement in physical condition,” “Increase in the number of outings,” “Increase in the amount of exercise,” and “Appropriateness of the number of visits.” On the other hand, two patients responded negatively to the following questions: “Improvement of sleep,” and “Improvement of diet.” As a result, it can be inferred that this initiative is beneficial for the prevention of frailty in elderly patients.

Mass Gathering (Hajj) Community Pharmacies Services: New Initiative in Saudi Arabia

Objective: To illustrate the pharmacy indicators during the mass gathering hajj as a new initiative in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a new initiative project drove by national mass gathering pharmaceutical programs. The projects drove the mass gathering medicine guidelines and the international business model, pharmacy project guidelines project management institution guidelines of a new project. The initiative project is written through project management professionals and consisted of several parts, including the initial phase, the planning phase, the execution phase and the monitoring and controlling phase. Results: The mass gathering community pharmacy services with a defined vision, mission and goals. The services had various advantages, including clinical and economic on patients and healthcare services as demonstrated in the review. The continuation of the project assured by risk management elements description. Furthermore, the monitoring and controlling of the services as illustrated. The transition to operation project, though closing project stage declared in the analysis. Conclusion: The mass gathering medication safety is a new initiative project is part of the mass gathering medicine. There are various part of medication safety services can be started during mass gathering; it is highly recommended in Saudi Arabia.

Evaluación de las condiciones estructurales para implementar el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en farmacias comunitarias cubanas, 2016 / Evaluation of the structural conditions to implement the pharmacotherapy follow-up of the Cuban community pharmacies, 2016

Introducción: El seguimiento farmacoterapéutico es una de las actividades orientadas al paciente que debe desarrollar la farmacia comunitaria para disminuir la morbilidad y la mortalidad asociada al uso de medicamentos. Su implementación representa una oportunidad de optimizar la farmacoterapia y de mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes que reciban el servicio. Objetivo: Evaluar las condiciones básicas estructurales para la implementación del servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en las farmacias comunitarias de los municipios Diez de Octubre y Cerro de la provincia de La Habana. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en el periodo de febrero-abril de 2016. Se evaluaron 44 farmacias comunitarias del municipio Diez de Octubre y 22 del municipio Cerro. Se empleó una guía de evaluación validada por expertos según Moriyama, que exploró cinco dimensiones y diez aspectos. Resultados: El municipio Cerro fue el menos favorable con menos dimensiones cumplidas. Para los dos municipios la dimensión de menor afectación fue la de recursos materiales y la de mayor la de servicios. Otras dimensiones afectadas fueron las de equipamiento, infraestructura y la de recursos humanos. La farmacia 710 de Diez de Octubre cumplió con la mayoría de las dimensiones evaluadas, excepto el acceso al Portal de la red Infomed. Conclusiones: Las farmacias comunitarias de los municipios Diez de Octubre y Cerro no tienen las condiciones básicas estructurales para implementar el servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico(AU)

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy follow-up is one of the activities aimed to patients that must develop the community pharmacies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated to medications use. Its implementation represents an opportunity to optimize pharmacotherapy and to improve the quality of life for patients receiving the service. Objective: To evaluate the basic structural conditions for the implementation of the service of pharmacotherapy follow-up at the community pharmacies of 10 de Octubre and Cerro municipalities in Havana province. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the period from February to April 2016. 44 community pharmacies were assessed in 10 de Octubre municipality and 22 in Cerro municipality. It was used a guide for the assessment validated by experts according to Moriyama, that explored five dimensions and ten aspects. Results: Cerro municipality was the least favourable with fewer dimensions accomplished. For both municipalities, the dimension with less affectation was the material resources and the one with greater affectation was services. Other affected dimensions were the equipment, infrastructure and human resources. The pharmacy #710 in 10 de Octubre municipality complied with most of the dimensions assessed, except for the access to INFOMED network´s web page. Conclusions: Community pharmacies of 10 de Octubre and Cerro municipalities do not have basic structural conditions to implement the service of pharmacotherapy follow-up(AU)

Trusting The Pharmacist In Delivering Medication Information: A Community-Based Perspective

Objective: Optimal disease management is influenced by a solid patient-health provider relationship; which includes trust in the provider. The study compares respondents’ trust in pharmacists and physicians for the delivery of drug information. Methods: Residents of 3 rural communities in Lebanon, aged 40 and above, were invited to participate in the study, 760 accepted. Participants were asked who they trust the most with information about their medication: their physician or their pharmacist. Results: Of the total sample, 154 chose the pharmacist as their most trusted source of medication information (20%). Characteristics associated with choosing the pharmacist were: being a male (29.3% vs 16.2% p<.001), of younger age (31.5% among<50 y, 18.8% among 50-64 y, and 14.6% among 65+years p<.001), single (31.6% vs 21.9% married and 9.3 others, p=0.023), working (39.2% vs15.7% p<.001), and insured (2.3% vs 16.4% p=0.048). The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that having a family member with hypertension (OR=1.86 95% 1.23-2.82), or cardiovascular (OR=3.39 95%CI 1.55-7.45) increased the likelihood of trusting pharmacists over medical doctor. On the other hand, a self-report of cardiovascular disease (OR=0.34 95% CI 0.12-0.95) and taking medication (OR=0.41 95% CI 0.25-0.67) were associated with a decrease in the trust in the pharmacist in favor of the physician. Conclusion: Although pharmacists are the drug specialists, the majority of the Lebanese rural community residents reported higher trust in their physicians with information about their medication(s).

Cost analysis of a medication dispensing service in community pharmacy in Brazil

This study was aimed to calculate in detail the costs of a medication dispensing service in community pharmacy in Brazil. Descriptive and retrospective analysis with a cost analysis based on mixed costing; absorption costing and time-driven activity based-costing, considering year 2018 and both public and private health system perspectives within a one-year time horizon to estimates costs related to implement and to deploy the service, costs per patient and costs per activity of process (US$ 1 = R$ 3.8310 in October, 2018). Total costs of dispensing service ranged from US$ 24,451.61 to US$ 37,914.48. Costs per patient ranged from US$ 2.43 to US$ 3.77. Costs per activity of the process ranged from US$ 0.39 in pharmacotherapy assessment to US$ 2.46 in pharmaceutical interview. This provides evidence to deploy and implement a structured medication dispensing service in community pharmacy in Brazil with a view to optimize the usage of medicines.