Cultural Sensitivity and Global Pharmacy Engagement in Asia: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States increasingly interact with those in Asian countries for various purposes such as education and research. For both those visiting and those hosting, it is important to understand and respect the culture of the other's country to enrich these interactions. This paper, the second of two manuscripts on Asian countries, focuses on India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam. For each country, the following information is provided: general introduction, health care system, pharmacy practice, and pharmacy education, stereotypes and misconceptions, recommendations for US-based health care professionals, faculty members, and students who visit these Asian countries, and recommendations for them to host visitors from these Asian countries. The aim of this paper is to assist US health care professionals, faculty members, and students in initiating and promoting a culturally sensitive engagement.

Cultural Sensitivity and Global Pharmacy Engagement in the United States.

Objective. To provide a resource for schools and colleges of pharmacy in different regions of the world that are considering sending their students and faculty members to the United States for training. Methods. A literature review (2000-2018) was conducted that involved database and Internet searches using specific keywords and terms. Information was also solicited from authors in different regions of the United States who have hosted international students and faculty members. Recommendations for pharmacists and other health care practitioners on culturally sensitive engagement were formulated. Results. Global engagement between schools and colleges of pharmacy from different regions of the world and the United States is increasing. In addition to various cultural aspects, general information about the US health care system, pharmacy education programs, and pharmacy practice were found to be available to individuals who are charged with organizing and facilitating these exchanges. Common stereotypes and misconceptions about the United States were also identified. Conclusion. For international learners to have an enriching and fruitful engagement while in the United States, an understanding of American culture in general as well as the unique cultural aspects of different regions of the country as provided in this paper is critical.

In vitro antibacterial activity of the crude methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. flower (Lythraceae)

The antibacterial activity of the crude methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. flower was evaluated at two different concentrations by the agar well diffusion method. The methanol extract of the flower exhibited antibacterial activity at varied levels except against Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus flavus. The methanol extract was most active against Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. The extract was more active against Gram-negative bacteria as compared to Gram-positive. The inhibitory effect of the extract was compared with standard antibiotics, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin.

A atividade antibacteriana do extrato metanólico bruto da flor Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. (Lythraceae) foi avaliada em duas concentrações diferentes através do método de difusão em poços. A atividade antibacteriana ocorreu em diferentes níveis, exceto contra Bacillus subtilis e Micrococcus flavus. O extrato metanólico foi mais ativo contra Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligens. O extrato foi mais ativo contra bactérias Gram negativas do que bactérias Gram positivas. O efeito inibitório do extrato foi comparado ao dos antibióticos padrão amoxicilina e ciprofloxacina.