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Drug solubility and dissolution remain a significant challenge in pharmaceutical formulations. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate repanglinide (RPG) nanosuspension-based buccal fast-dissolving films (BDFs) for dissolution enhancement. RPG nanosuspension was prepared by the antisolvent-precipitation method using multiple hydrophilic polymers, including soluplus®, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidine, poloxamers, and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose. The nanosuspension was then directly loaded into BDFs using the solvent casting technique. Twelve formulas were prepared with a particle size range of 81.6-1389 nm and PDI 0.002-1 for the different polymers. Nanosuspensions prepared with soluplus showed a favored mean particle size of 82.6 ± 3.2 nm. The particles were spherical and non-aggregating, as demonstrated by SEM imaging. FTIR showed no interaction between soluplus and RPG. Faster dissolution occurred for the nanosuspension in comparison with pure RPG (complete release vs 60% within 30 min). The nanosuspension was successfully incorporated into BDFs. The optimum film formula showed 28 s disintegration time, and 97.3% RPG released within 10 min. Ex-vivo permeation profiles revealed improved RPG nanosuspension permeation with the cumulative amount of RPG permeated is103.4% ± 10.1 and a flux of 0.00275 mg/cm2/min compared to 39.3% ± 9.57 and a flux of 0.001058 mg/cm2/min for pure RPG. RPG was successfully formulated into nanosuspension that boosted drug dissolution and permeation. The selection of the ultimate NP formula was driven by optimal particle size, distribution, and drug content. Soluplus NPs were shown to be the successful formulations, which were further incorporated into a buccal film. The film was evaluated for ex-vivo permeation, confirming successful RPG formulation with improved performance compared to pure drugs.
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Carbamatos , Nanopartículas , Tamaño de la Partícula , Piperidinas , Solubilidad , Suspensiones , Nanopartículas/química , Piperidinas/química , Piperidinas/administración & dosificación , Piperidinas/farmacocinética , Carbamatos/química , Carbamatos/administración & dosificación , Carbamatos/farmacocinética , Animales , Química Farmacéutica/métodos , Liberación de Fármacos , Polivinilos/química , Polímeros/química , Administración Bucal , Polietilenglicoles/química , Composición de Medicamentos/métodosRESUMEN
Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students.
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Docentes de Farmacia , Estudiantes de Farmacia , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Estudiantes de Farmacia/psicología , Masculino , Femenino , Educación en Farmacia , Mundo Árabe , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Facultades de Farmacia , Criterios de Admisión EscolarRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of video assignments as a tool to improve students' engagement and maximize their benefit from the assigned homework in a pharmaceutical calculations course. METHODS: This was an intervention study, including the use of a new electronic educational tool. The study was conducted during the academic year 2021-2022. Six video assignments were created for two of the four modules of the pharmaceutical calculations course for the first-year pharmacy students. The video assignments were employed in a flipped classroom mode, with each video including 3-4 questions on successive steps in one problem. Students' perceptions of the video assignments were assessed through a survey conducted at the end of the course. The survey items represented the five domains of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). RESULTS: All the first-year students (n=356) were assigned to this new educational tool. A total of 296 students responded to the survey, with a response rate of 83%. The majority of students agreed with the perceived usefulness, ease of use, and behavioral intention to use the video assignment. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated a significant positive association between two items (perceived usefulness and attitude to use) and the outcome variable (behavioral intention to use). CONCLUSIONS: The video assignment tool was successfully used to provide immediate feedback to a large class in a pharmaceutical calculations course. The students were in favor of the video assignment compared to traditional paper assignments. This finding could encourage other instructors to assess the benefit of implementing such tools in other pharmacy courses.
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Curriculum , Estudiantes de Farmacia , Humanos , Evaluación Educacional , Actitud , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Objectives: Oral steroids are commonly prescribed to children. Steroids have a strong bitter taste that limits their oral acceptance in children. The objective of this study was to formulate a pediatric-friendly and palatable oral dosage form of steroids. Materials and Methods: Solid dispersions of dexamethasone were prepared using polyethylene glycol, pectin, and Eudragit as carrier polymers, and chocolate as a flavoring agent. Taste masking efficiency was evaluated by healthy volunteers to select the best formula. The selected formula was pressed into chewable tablets with varying amounts of sweeteners. Chewable tablets were evaluated for palatability, hardness, and chewing index. The typical application of the taste masking approach was confirmed using prednisolone. Results: Eudragit-based solid dispersions were effective in dexamethasone taste masking. Using 40% mannitol resulted in palatable tablets with acceptable hardness and chewing difficulty. The effectiveness of the taste masking approach was successfully used to prepare prednisolone chewable tablets. However, an increase in the carrier: drug ratio and a change in the flavor to pineapple were necessary to achieve maximum palatability of prednisolone chewable tablets. Conclusion: Eudragit solid dispersion is an effective method for the taste masking highly bitter steroids. The solid dispersion was successfully pressed into a palatable, easy-to-chew, and pediatric-friendly chewable tablet dosage form. The carrier: drug ratio and the choice of flavoring agent are crucial factors in improving tablet palatability.
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OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to explore academic entitlement among pharmacy students in different pharmacy colleges in the Arab World and assess associated factors. METHODS: This study design was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using a self-administered electronic questionnaire posted across pharmacy college networks in 10 Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). The electronic survey was administered through Qualtrics Survey Software, and its link was open from January 23, 2022 to May 13, 2022. The multiple linear regression measured the association between different predictors and the academic entitlement. RESULTS: A total of 2386 surveys were received from students studying in 10 different Arab countries. The majority of responding students were male and studying in a Bachelor of pharmacy program. Students reported an agreeable attitude in 4 areas: rewards for efforts, customer orientation, customer service expectation, and general academic entitlement. In accommodation, a neutral attitude was reported, while they reported a disagreeing attitude in the responsibility avoidance domain. In grade haggling, the 3 items of the domain had different attitudes. Only 3 factors had a significant negative association with student entitlement (professionalism, GPA, and year in the study program). CONCLUSION: The academic entitlement scores among pharmacy students in the Arab World were high and had a negative association with professionalism perceptions. This study finding is a call for pharmacy programs to consider the effect of academic entitlement on pharmacy education and to obtain in-depth evidence on its magnitude and associated factors.
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Educación en Farmacia , Estudiantes de Farmacia , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Transversales , Mundo Árabe , Medio OrienteRESUMEN
Wound healing is a dynamic process that is controlled by many factors. The interest in developing wound dressings capable of providing the required environment for the proper wound healing process is ever expanding, and particles occupy a sizable share of the research area. This comprehensive review reports 10 years of research in terms of current advances, delivery system evaluation, outcomes and future directions. The review follows a clearly defined method of article search and screening. Retrieved papers are reviewed regarding the materials, formulation development, and in vitro/in vivo testing of particles-based wound dressings. The review summarized the current status of medicated wound dressing research, identifies gaps to be addressed, and represents a reference for researchers working on wound dressings.
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This study aims to formulate azithromycin oleogel to locally treat skin infections such as acne vulgaris and skin wound infection. Providing a form of azithromycin that can be administered topically is highly desired to prevent unwanted systemic complications including diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Additionally, it will avoid first pass metabolism, improves patient acceptance, provides an alternative in nauseated patients, decreases the dose by direct contact with the pathological site, and provides a noninvasive and convenient mode of administration. Furthermore, for treating wound infections, the gel will act as a scaffold biomaterial for wound closure besides its antibacterial effect. Herein, we propose the use of grapeseed oil-based oleogel with glycerol monostearate (GMS) as an organogelator as a promising strategy for the effective topical delivery of azithromycin. A series of oleogels were prepared by varying concentrations of organogelators namely GMS, palmitic acid, Compritol 888, and stearic acid, while maintaining the weight ratio of grapeseed oil and clove oil constant. Initial evaluation showed azithromycin oleogel with 15% GMS to be the optimum formulation and it was selected for further evaluation. In vivo testing of the formulated gel showed significant effectiveness in promoting faster clinical healing of Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds. The findings of the present study suggest that azithromycin oleogel is stable, safe, cost-effective, and it provides significant antibacterial activity.
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Azitromicina , Infección de Heridas , Humanos , Compuestos Orgánicos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , ExcipientesRESUMEN
Abstract The objectives of this study were to describe work characteristics of Iraqi pharmacists, to compare pharmacist job satisfaction between private and public sectors and to assess factors influencing job satisfaction level. This cross-sectional study of pharmacists, their work sites and work satisfactions used an electronic questionnaire that was posted on Facebook pharmacy professional group from June to September 2018. The participants included pharmacists from all 18 Iraqi provinces. We used multiple linear regression to identify predictors of general job satisfaction among 13 pharmacist characteristics. We received 658 usable surveys. Approximately half (47.24%) of respondents indicated dissatisfaction with their primary workplace. Job performance, patient contact, satisfaction with manager, income and expectation satisfactions were significantly related with work satisfaction. Pharmacists working in the private sector had significantly more control over their workplace and higher satisfaction with manager, income and general satisfactions compared to those working in public sector. Pharmacists work in diverse settings across the public healthcare system, community pharmacies, private drug bureaus and academia. About half of them are dissatisfied with their primary workplace. The private sector has more satisfaction rate compared to the public sector. Thus, officials need to improve job environments in the public sector.
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Farmacéuticos/ética , Farmacia/clasificación , Servicios Farmacéuticos/organización & administración , Irak/etnología , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Estudios Transversales/métodos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios/estadística & datos numéricos , Carga de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Lugar de Trabajo/clasificación , Sector Público , Sector Privado , Atención a la Salud , Rendimiento Laboral/estadística & datos numéricos , Motivación/éticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers to healthcare access, to assess the health literacy levels of the foreign-born Arabic speaking population in Iowa, USA and to measure their prevalence of seeking preventive healthcare services. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of native Arabic speaking adults involved a focus group and an anonymous paper-based survey. The focus group and the Andersen Model were used to develop the survey questionnaire. The survey participants were customers at Arabic grocery stores, worshippers at the city mosque and patients at free University Clinic. Chi-square test was used to measure the relationship between the characteristics of survey participants and preventive healthcare services. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the focus group transcript. RESULTS: We received 196 completed surveys. Only half of the participants were considered to have good health literacy. More than one-third of the participants had no health insurance and less than half of them visit clinics regularly for preventive measures. Two participant enabling factors (health insurance and residency years) and one need factor (having chronic disease(s)) were found to significantly influence preventive physician visits. CONCLUSIONS: This theory-based study provides a tool that can be used in different Western countries where Arabic minority lives. Both the survey and the focus group agreed that lacking health insurance is the main barrier facing their access to healthcare services. The availability of an interpreter in the hospital is essential to help those with inadequate health literacy, particularly new arriving individuals. More free healthcare settings are needed in the county to take care of the increasing number of uninsured Arabic speaking patients
No disponible
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Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Barreras de Comunicación , Barreras de Acceso a los Servicios de Salud , Atención Médica/métodos , Servicios de Salud , Estudios Transversales , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Implantable drug delivery systems, such as drug pumps and polymeric drug depots, have emerged as means of providing predetermined drug release profiles at the desired site of action. While initial implants aimed at providing an enduring drug supply, developments in polymer chemistry and pharmaceutical technology and the growing need for refined drug delivery patterns have prompted the design of sophisticated drug delivery implants such as on-demand drug-eluting implants and personalized 3D printed implants. The types of cargo loaded into these implants range from small drug molecules to hormones and even therapeutic cells. This review will shed light upon recent advances in materials and composites used for polymeric implant fabrication, highlight select approaches employed in polymeric implant fabrication, feature medical applications where polymeric implants have a significant impact, and report recent advances made in these areas.