Development and Validation of a Chiral Liquid Chromatographic Assay for Enantiomeric Separation and Quantification of Verapamil in Rat Plasma: Stereoselective Pharmacokinetic Application.

A novel, fast and sensitive enantioselective HPLC assay with a new core-shell isopropyl carbamate cyclofructan 6 (superficially porous particle, SPP) chiral column (LarihcShell-P, LSP) was developed and validated for the enantiomeric separation and quantification of verapamil (VER) in rat plasma. The polar organic mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/methanol/trifluoroacetic acid/triethylamine (98:2:0.05: 0.025, v/v/v/v) and a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min was applied. Fluorescence detection set at excitation/emission wavelengths 280/313 nm was used and the whole analysis process was within 3.5 min, which is 10-fold lower than the previous reported HPLC methods in the literature. Propranolol was selected as the internal standard. The S-(-)- and R-(+)-VER enantiomers with the IS were extracted from rat plasma by utilizing Waters Oasis HLB C18 solid phase extraction cartridges without interference from endogenous compounds. The developed assay was validated following the US-FDA guidelines over the concentration range of 1-450 ng/mL (r2 ≥ 0.997) for each enantiomer (plasma) and the lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL for both isomers. The intra- and inter-day precisions were not more than 11.6% and the recoveries of S-(-)- and R-(+)-VER at all quality control levels ranged from 92.3% to 98.2%. The developed approach was successfully applied to the stereoselective pharmacokinetic study of VER enantiomers after oral administration of 10 mg/kg racemic VER to Wistar rats. It was found that S-(-)-VER established higher Cmax and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values than the R-(+)-enantiomer. The newly developed approach is the first chiral HPLC for the enantiomeric separation and quantification of verapamil utilizing a core-shell isopropyl carbamate cyclofructan 6 chiral column in rat plasma within 3.5 min after solid phase extraction (SPE).

The use of active learning strategies in healthcare colleges in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have explored the use of active learning strategies among faculty members in different healthcare colleges worldwide, however, very few have described the use of these strategies in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of the implementation of active learning and its various techniques across different fields of healthcare education in various countries in the Middle East. METHODS: A Web-based questionnaire was developed to obtain information on the use of active learning methods. This survey was disseminated among faculty members in healthcare colleges in 17 Middle Eastern countries. RESULTS: Out of 22,734 online invitations that were sent to faculty members in different healthcare colleges, 2085 (9.17%) accepted the invitations, however, only 722 (34.63%) of those who agreed to participate filled out the questionnaire. Eighty-seven percent of the responders utilized at least one technique of active learning. Active learning was used more frequently by female responders. For example, 54.30% of the female responders reported using learning by teaching as one of their teaching methods compared to 41.30% of their male counterparts (p = 0.0005). The various forms of active learning were used at similar levels in both public and private healthcare colleges. Only minor differences were seen among different age groups or academic positions of the responders, but significant variabilities were noted among the several fields of healthcare education. For example, 61.54% of responders from the nursing faculty reported using reaction to videos as one of their teaching methods compared to 31.11% of their counterparts in the faculty of dentistry (p = 0.0021). The most frequently reported obstacles interfering with the effectuation of active learning include the lack of technical support and time constraints. CONCLUSIONS: Although some barriers to the implementation of active learning exist, it is extensively used by faculty members in healthcare colleges in the Middle East.

Thiouracil: Comprehensive profile.

Thiouracil, 2-sulfanylidene-1H-pyrimidin-4-one, has been used as anti-thyroid, coronary vasodilator, and in congestive heart failure. It was found to cause agranulocytosis and it is suspected to be teratogenic and carcinogenic. Owing to its high frequency of adverse reactions, especially agranulocytosis, its use was abandoned in favor of other, less toxic drugs, such as propylthiouracil and methimazole. Thiouracil refers both to a specific molecule consisting of a sulfated uracil and a family of molecules based upon the structure. An important member of this family is propylthiouracil, which is a thiourea antithyroid drug that acts by blocking the production of thyroid hormones; it also inhibits the peripheral deiodination of thyroxine to tri-iodothyronine. This profile is prepared to discuss and explain physical and chemical properties, proprietary and nonproprietary names of thiouracil and propylthiouracil. It also includes uses and applications, methods of preparation, thermal and spectral behavior and methods of analysis. In addition, metabolism, excretion and pharmacology of propylthiouracil are also discussed.

Topiramate: Comprehensive profile.

Topiramate, 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-ß-d-fructopyranose sulfamate, is a potent antiepileptic drug with a broad spectrum of activity. It is effective in both partial and generalized seizures. Topiramate was also found to have significant efficacy in migraine prevention with considerable reductions in the frequency of migraine headaches. The most common adverse events, which may accompany the use of topiramate, are paresthesia, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, diarrhea, weight decrease and taste perversion. The weight loss observed with the use of topiramate in obese, epileptic patients, afforded the approval of this drug as an anti-obesity medication. This action is thought to be based on the selective inhibition of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase isoforms. This profile is prepared to discuss and explain physical characteristics, proprietary and nonproprietary names of topiramate. It also includes methods of preparation, thermal and spectral behavior and methods of analysis. Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, excretion and pharmacology together with its uses and applications are also discussed.

The status of licensed pharmacy workforce in Saudi Arabia: a 2030 economic vision perspective.

BACKGROUND: The economy of Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a major transformation which will have an impact on employment in the pharmacy sector. However, quantitative data characterizing the pharmacy workforce in the Kingdom are currently not available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the current status of the licensed pharmacy workforce in the pharmacy field in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Descriptive statistics were performed on data from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as of March 2017. RESULTS: The labor market for pharmacists in Saudi Arabia is dominated by expatriates. Saudi nationals constitute less than 20% of the pharmacists employed in the Kingdom. The underemployment of Saudis is most evident in the largest sectors of the pharmacy field, namely, private health care establishments, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies. CONCLUSION: There is an unmet need to train Saudi citizens as pharmacists and retain them in the workforce. Addressing this issue should become an important objective in Saudi Arabia's Vision for 2030.