ABSTRACT
Objectives: The state of anxiety seen during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic needs to be evaluated and controlled. Studies indicate that high anxiety reduces students' academic performance. The productivity and scientific studies of academicians have also been negatively affected during the pandemic. Psychological conditions of students and academicians need to be improved as high anxiety levels can affect academic achievement. In this study, the effects on psychological well-being (PWB) of COVID-19 anxiety levels of students and academicians in pharmacy schools in Türkiye have been determined. Materials and Methods: This research was quantitative. As a data collection tool in the research, a questionnaire consisting of three parts was applied to the academic staff and students of pharmacy schools. After the first part of the questionnaire that aimed to determine general information, there were questions about the pandemic anxiety (PA) and the PWB scales. The universe of the study consists of 1.563 academic staff working in pharmacy schools and 17.101 students in these faculties. The level of significance (α) was determined as 0.05 in the analysis made in the study. Results: Two hundred fortyseven academicians and 1.698 students participated in the research. Data was analyzed by SPSS ver. 25.0 program. 79% of the academic staff participating in the study were women, while 21% were men; for students, it was 77% and 23%, respectively. Female academicians found to have significantly higher (p=0.001) PA level than males. Female students had significantly higher levels of PA (p=0.000) and PWB (p=0.027) compared to male students. Conclusion: In the study, PA of academicians was generally lower than students, while PWB was higher. When the relationship between PA and PWB was examined, the relationship between PA and PWB of the academicians was very low and positive; for the students, it was found to be very low and negative.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: We aimed to develop a structured communication and counseling education program to improve pharmacy students' skills. Then, we objectively assessed this program by using simulated patients. The program aims to improve pharmacy students' communication and counseling skills by using a patient-centered approach. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in three stages. First, a "Pharmacist-Patient Communication and Counseling Skills" education program was developed. Second, this program was implemented for pharmacy students. Third, the program was tested on volunteer students and evaluated for its effectiveness. Results: The education program had a very large effect (Cohen's dz: 6.074) on improving students' communication and counseling skills, especially their empathy skills. Conclusion: The education program achieved its goals. After demonstrating the program's success, a course was added to the pharmacy curriculum, and a communication skills laboratory was established in the school.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Countries' national drug policies include all key stakeholders (pharmacists, physicians, pharmaceutical firms, and patients) in the public, the private sector, and the field of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to outline pharmaceutical patents and data protection, orphan drugs, drug pricing, and surplus goods regarding pharmacoeconomics, promotions, inspections in the pharmaceutical industry, and policies in pharmacies with respect to buying and selling drugs, and to discuss ethics in particular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Written laws in force relating to drugs in Turkey constitute the materials of this study. RESULTS: Essential medicines must always be accessible. Both governments and pharmaceutical companies must fulfill the obligations imposed on them in an ethical way. Research and development activities must also be carried out for orphan drugs. While pricing drugs, authorities must take pharmacoeconomic evaluations into account. CONCLUSION: Drugs must be accessible and in the first grade at all times under all circumstances because a product cannot replace it. The concept of surplus goods should be revised to ensure the common needs of the pharmaceutical industry, warehouses, and pharmacies. Promotions in the field by the pharmaceutical industry should be made based on scientific evidence in an ethical way. Inspectors should perform meticulous pharmaceutical industry inspections.
ABSTRACT
Recently, the need for health care services has increased gradually and the limitations in sources allocated for this area have been recognized. Moving from this fact, it has gained a supreme importance to determine what health programs or technologies will be given priority. According to Danzon (Reference pricing: theory and evidence, reference pricing and pharmaceutical policy: perspectives on economics and innovation, springer, New York, pp 86-126, 2001), arrangements towards controlling the expenses through price and profit controls, reimbursement methods and incentives have recently gained wide currency. This present study examines; along with the current situation in Turkey, pharmaceutical pricing methods, reimbursement methods and basic health indicators, within the scope of changing pharmaceutical policies, in Turkey, the EU countries which Turkey takes as reference and the United Kingdom, the implementations of which are of utmost importance for other countries. Upon the research conducted, it was detected that the pharmaceutical pricing in Turkey has been performed on the basis of the reference pricing system that takes Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece and France as reference. The regulations regarding the reimbursement process are determined by SSI. For Turkey's case; pricing and reimbursement system has been changed numerous times and the discount rates has incrementally risen. In pricing, on the other hand, during this period companies faced with difficulties in economic terms because of the fact that price discount of high rates are implemented over the reference price and that the European currency of Euro is determined as 70% of previous year average Euro sales rate which is 2,1166 for the year 2016. Each country has specific regulations and pricing and reimbursement policies of medicines based on economic situation, reimbursement methods and market size. The aim of pricing and reimbursement systems are reaching more efficient and sustainable healthcare systems.
