Geographic distribution of United States clinical trial sites utilized for guideline changing studies of cholesterol management.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the geographic distribution of United States (US) clinical trial sites utilizedfor guideline changing studies of cholesterol management. METHODS: Randomized trials evaluating pharmacologic interventions for cholesterol treatment and reporting location data (ie, zip code of trial sites) were identified. Location data was abstracted from ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS: Half of US counties were over 30 miles from a study site and, social determinants of health were more favorable in counties with versus without clinical trial sites. CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders such as regulatory bodies andtrial sponsors should incentivize and support infrastructure that would enable a larger number of US counties to be utilized for clinical trial sites. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Clinical Pharmacy Services and Their Impact on The Management of Cancer in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: To assess the perception and attitude of HCPs and health-related science colleges' students regarding the clinical pharmacists' roles and responsibilities in providing better pharmaceutical care to patients in Taif, Saudi Arabia and to detect its impact on management of cancer. METHODS: This study was conducted in four randomly selected hospitals in Taif and three health-related science colleges in Taif University. A questionnaire was distributed to HCPs and another questionnaire to students of health-related science colleges. RESULTS: Three quarters of students perceived that the clinical pharmacist is an important part of the healthcare team. Two-thirds of HCPs expressed confidence in the ability of clinical pharmacists to minimize medication errors. Although two-thirds of HCPs reported that they did not have clinical pharmacists in their institutions, there was substantial willingness among HCPs to cooperate with the clinical pharmacists. Most HCPs expressed the view that the clinical pharmacist is an important integral part of the healthcare team and has a positive impact on cancer management. CONCLUSION: HCPs and students of health-related science colleges valued the role of clinical pharmacists in healthcare delivery and management of cancer. However, new developments in clinical pharmacy services in Taif hospitals are recommended to improve perception and attitudes towards the clinical pharmacy services. Also, well-organized programs should be conducted to students of health-related science colleges to improve their perceptions and attitudes towards the clinical pharmacy services which may have a positive impact on cancer management.