Pharmacovigilance: The extent of knowledge, attitude, and practice in MBBS interns of rural tertiary health center of Maharashtra

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the leading causes of death and are responsible of 5–10% of the hospital costs. Every drug having more or less adverse effects which may leads to medical and economic burdens on patients. Some ADRs are severe enough to increase the risk of death. Pharmacovigilance aims to detect and monitor the ADR, to identify the risk factors responsible of it, and to disseminate the knowledge required for the improvement of prescription of drugs. Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pharmacovigilance in MBBS interns of rural tertiary health center of Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to evaluate the KAP regarding pharmacovigilance among MBBS interns. KAP questionnaire contained 20 questions along with options and correct answer. For pre-test, 20 min were given to them for answering all questions then a seminar (an educational intervention) was taken on pharmacovigilance and its importance and last, post-test was conducted in 20 min. Results: A total of 75 MBBS interns attended the CME on pharmacovigilance and filled the pre- and post-test questionnaire. Fifty-three (70.66%) participants were not known when the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI) started and 57 (76%) participants were unaware of regulatory body which is responsible for monitoring ADR in PvPI. Forty-seven (62.66%) participants had no clue that a serious adverse event should be reported within a stipulated time period to the regulatory body. Conclusion: Interns are new budding health care workers and they do not have sufficient knowledge of pharmacovigilance. Inclusion of pharmacovigilance in undergraduate curriculum, conducting CME for doctors, nurses, and pharmacist and motivation of doctors for reporting ADRs are some measures which can improve the spontaneous reporting system, patient safety, and Indian pharmacovigilance program.

Vitamin A deficiency enhances the effects of 7-12 demethylbenz [A] anthracene [DMBA] induced skin carcinogenesis in albino rats

The present study was designed to see the effects of vitamin A deficiency in DMBA induced chemical carcinogenesis on skin of albino rats. The rats were kept on vitamin A deficient diet for 20 weeks and treated with 20 micro g/0.2ml of DMBA twice weekly. After 20 weeks 70% skin lesions were developed in animals taking vitamin A deficient diet [VAD] alone, while 90%skin lesions were seen in animals receiving VAD, DMBA group, however, 10-20% more skin lesions were seen in normal diet, DMBA and VAD DMBA group as compared to vad group. The results indicate that vitamin A deficiency enhances the effect of chemical carcinogenesis

Laboratory diagnosis of viral diseases-fact, fiction and clinical relevance

After many years of limited use, diagnostic virology has entered the main stream of clinical medicine. Recent developments in tissue transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, and the development of antiviral therapy have greatly augmented the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis of viral infection. Many health care professionals lack clear understanding of the utilization of viral diagnostic facilities as well the methodology used in analysing clinical specimens. This article will give an overview of clinical situations where viral diagnosis is useful, then discuss a number of misconceptions by attending physicians that often preclude viral diagnostic studies. It will then review current methods available for recognition of virus in clinical specimens with emphasis on rapid viral diagnostic tests and their clinical relevance

Comparative in vitro activity of newer cephalosporins

To determine the in vitro activity of six new cephalosporins. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration of new drugs and their comparison with commercially available cephalosporins in clinical use against recent clinical isolates. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh [KFSH and RC], Saudi Arabia. 897 bacteria recently isolated from clinical specimens of patients at KFSH and RC. Cefepime, cefpirome, GR 691 53 and Ro 09-1428 were the most active agents against Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas hydrophila, inhibiting >90% of them at