Evaluating consumer self-medication practices, pharmaceutical care services, and pharmacy selection: a quantitative study.

BACKGROUND: The primary objectives of this study were the evaluation of consumer self-medication practices, the assessment of pharmaceutical care provided by pharmacy employees, and the analysis of consumer satisfaction with such care. The research was also aimed at examining the main criteria that consumers consider important when selecting a pharmacy in Armenia. METHODS: The survey was based on an anonymous questionnaire and carried out between March 2020 and November 2021. It was aimed at providing a comprehensive assessment of pharmaceutical care services and consumer pharmacy choice by investigating two distinct groups: pharmacy consumers and pharmacy employees. RESULTS: The research reveals that many residents in Armenia engage in self-medication without consulting professional sources, which can lead to potential risks and result in dangerous consequences. This is partly due to a lack of trust in pharmacy employees, which is primarily due to their inability to provide adequate information and advice. This study highlights a significant need for improvement in the quality of service provided by pharmacy employees. Despite these challenges, the majority of consumers reported having a preferred pharmacy, and that employee knowledge is the most important criterion when choosing a pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Consumer distrust, in this context, is based on the incomplete knowledge or incompetency of pharmacy employees. Collective actions should be taken to improve the role of pharmacy employees and consequently improve the public trust in them, which can ensure better control of self-medication and reduce the instances of mistreatment.

Features of the clinical picture of keratitis in horses with different forms of the course of the disease.

Background: Keratitis is a common cause of eye diseases in horses, often resulting in complete loss of vision. Aim: The purpose of this article is to study the features of the clinical picture of primary and secondary keratitis in horses, depending on the form of the course of the disease. Methods: The study was conducted in 2019 at 22 private horse breeding farms. The study involved 80 horses with keratitis, which were divided into two equal groups depending on the diagnosis of primary or secondary keratitis. Results: The effectiveness of the therapies was compared 1, 3, and 6 months after the start of treatment. Following a 1-month therapy, only a minority of horses with primary keratitis had their eye functions fully restored, the number of horses with macula was two times higher (p ≤ 0.05), the number of horses with nebula was seven times higher (p ≤ 0.001), and leukomas were reported in most of the cases ( p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: The effectiveness of the therapy for keratitis is directly related to the peculiarities of treatment and adherence to the regimen.

Complexions therapy and severe intoxication by Thallium salts.

The aim of this paper is to study the clinical features of severe intoxications with thallium salts and developing effective care schemes for the application of potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) and deferasirox for correction of detected disorders. A total of 39 patients diagnosed with severe thallium salt poisoning were examined in two groups. Group I comprised 20 patients with severe thallium salt poisoning, who were prescribed with potassium-iron hexacyanoferrate in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day per os, intravenous potassium infusions, furosemide intravenously in amount of 40 mg three times per, and hemodialysis until the thallium level in the blood dropped below 10 mg/L, lactulose 30 mL two times per day per os. Group II consisted of 19 people with severe thallium salt poisoning, which in addition to the above treatment, received Deferasirox in a dosage of 500 mg two times per day per os. The clinical picture of severe poisoning with thallium salts is characterized by lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system (central and peripheral), alopecia, heart rhythm disorders, and myocardial ischemia zones. Extension of standard therapy with potassium-iron by adding hexacyanoferrate deferasirox showed better effect on thallium elimination rate and improved functional state of liver and kidneys in patients with severe thallium salt poisoning.