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El-Dahiyat F, Jairoun AA, Al-Hemyari SS, Shahwan M, Jairoun M, Zyoud SH, Jaber AAS, Faisal Alkhanani M, Alhasani RH, Ashour AM, Alshehri FS, Alorfi NM. Community pharmacists' skills and practice regarding dispensing fiscalized substances: a cross-sectional survey. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1237306. [PMID: 37719848 PMCID: PMC10500833 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1237306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The use of drugs containing fiscalized substances is essential in different medical areas, including pain management, obstetric emergencies, and the treatment of mental disorders. However, due to their potential for abuse and negative health effects, the dispensing of these substances demands pharmacists with the requisite skills and practice. Objective: This study assesses the skills and practices of pharmacy personnel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding the dispensing of tramadol, a medication containing fiscalized substances, in community pharmacies. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Community Pharmacies were chosen via random sampling, and seven well-trained final year pharmacy students visited them and conducted face-to-face interviews. The survey tool covered items highlighting the demographic data of the subjects, and items on the practice and skills regarding dispensing the fiscalized substances. The content validity ratio values of all tool questions were more than 0.78, suggesting acceptable validity and the Cronbach's α of 0.75 showed as acceptable internal reliability. The primary outcome measures of interest were the skills and practice regarding dispensing Fiscalized substances. Results: A total of 612 pharmacists were recruited in the study. The average practice score was 80%. There was a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between practices about dispensing fiscalized substances and gender, age group, pharmacy type, work experience, university of graduation, and receiving training on epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs. Conclusion: The results implied that competency and experience are vital factors for the dispensing of tramadol. Contextually, the majority of the pharmacists evidently have the requisite competencies to provide high-quality and proper medical care, with regards to dispensing tramadol, which will minimize drug abuse and medication errors, and assist outpatients to manage their drugs containing fiscalized substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faris El-Dahiyat
- Clinical Pharmacy Program, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ammar Abdulrahman Jairoun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Health and Safety Department, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sabaa Saleh Al-Hemyari
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Pharmacy Department, Emirates Health Services, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maimona Jairoun
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sa’ed H. Zyoud
- Department of Clinical and Community Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
- Clinical Research Centre, An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Ammar Ali Saleh Jaber
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapeutics, Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Al MizharDubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustfa Faisal Alkhanani
- Biology Department, College of Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmed M. Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad S Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser M. Alorfi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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Aljofan M, Oshibayeva A, Moldaliyev I, Saruarov Y, Maulenkul T, Gaipov A. The rate of medication nonadherence and influencing factors: A systematic Review. ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE 2023. [DOI: 10.29333/ejgm/12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Lack of adherence to recommended therapy will reduce its effectiveness and can subsequently lead to disease progression, disabilities or even death. A vast number of research studies have emphasized the magnitude of medication nonadherence and its effect on treatment outcomes, patient’s health, healthcare providers and the associated costs; medication nonadherence remains a major concern that is believed to be widely practiced amongst medication taking patients. The current systemic review aims to cohere the available evidence regarding medication nonadherence rate, practices, and potential affecting factors and predictors. A search through different databases was conducted, including PubMed, Medline, and CINHAL for recently published research articles, within five years. The terms used for the search include medication nonadherence, medication nonadherence, factors affecting medication nonadherence and predictors of medication nonadherence. The search was limited to human subjects, English language journal articles and exclusion of review articles, case studies, and data from clinical trials as patient adherence is closely observed.<br />
The search resulted in 667 articles and only 65 articles were included and further screened. However, according to our exclusion criteria, 15 articles only were included in this review. The three most reported practices of medication nonadherence are prescription abandonment, nonconforming, and non-persistence. There are five reported factors that may lead to nonadherence practices such as socioeconomic-related factors, healthcare system-related factors, patient-related factors, disease-related factors, and therapy-related factors. In conclusion, medication nonadherence practice is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that requires a multi-targeted solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Aljofan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, KAZAKHSTAN
| | - Ainash Oshibayeva
- Department of Medicine, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, KAZAKHSTAN
| | - Ikilas Moldaliyev
- Department of Medicine, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, KAZAKHSTAN
| | - Yerbolat Saruarov
- Department of Medicine, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, KAZAKHSTAN
| | - Tilektes Maulenkul
- Department of Medicine, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, KAZAKHSTAN
| | - Abduzhappar Gaipov
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, KAZAKHSTAN
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Hasan S, Shad MU. Dispensing practices for psychotropic medications amongst pharmacists in Karachi, Pakistan. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11298. [PMID: 36345515 PMCID: PMC9636556 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Objective Uninformed use of medications can be dangerous especially those medications that require some level of monitoring to ensure safety and tolerability and prevent misuse, such as benzodiazepines and other psychotropic medications. In most developed countries, medications (except over-the-counter medications) are not dispensed without a physician's script. This may not be true for developing countries, like Pakistan, where nearly all medications are dispensed without a script. However, the extent and nature of script-less dispensing has never been studied. This study was designed to investigate the extent and prevalence of dispensing psychotropic medications without physicians' prescriptions, and the pharmacy practices, including the staff qualifications, to not only dispense but also recommend psychotropic medications, in Karachi, Pakistan. Method A Cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi over three months (September 2021 to November 2021) with 200 pharmacists in various pharmacies, using a structured questionnaire in a convenient study sample. Pharmacists from registered pharmacies were included in the study. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-Square test of association. Results Out of 200 pharmacists working at various locations, 89.0% did not required prescriptions to dispense medications, with benzodiazepines being the most frequently dispensed medication. Surprisingly, only 9.0% had a bachelor's in pharmacy and were qualified enough to legally dispense medications. 76.0% admitted to recommending medications to the patients. Since many of the pharmacists were not qualified enough to dispense medications, 78.5% mentioned that they did not had awareness regarding the abuse potential of psychotropic medications. Conclusion Dispensing of psychotropic medications without prescriptions and recommending such medications has been a significant issue in the past. Our study reveals this practice to be prevalent in this part of the world, posing a serious threat to the patients. Steps should be taken by the government to ensure proper dispensing of these medications having an abuse potential to prevent harm. Dispensing of Psychotropic medications without a prescription by retail pharmacies is a common practice in Karachi, Pakistan. Benzodiazepines are by far the most common dispensed and recommended psychotropic medications, with majority of dispensers not being aware of the abuse potential of these control medications Importance of qualification, knowledge, and training of pharmacy employees are not highlighted in Pakistan and effective implementation of policies is needed.
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Okeahialam CA, Rabaan AA, Bolhuis A. An evaluation of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile positivity as a patient outcome metric of antimicrobial stewardship in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Prev 2021; 22:231-236. [PMID: 34659461 DOI: 10.1177/17571774211012780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial stewardship has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI). However, CDI remains under-recognised in many low and middle-income countries where clinical and surveillance resources required to identify HA-CDI are often lacking. The rate of toxigenic C. difficile stool positivity in the stool of hospitalised patients may offer an alternative metric for these settings, but its utility remains largely untested. Aim/objective To examine the impact of antimicrobial stewardship on the rate of toxigenic C. difficile positivity among hospitalised patients presenting with diarrhea. Methods A 12-year retrospective review of laboratory data was conducted to compare the rates of toxigenic C. difficile in diarrhoea stool of patients in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, before and after implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme. Result There was a significant decline in the rate of toxigenic C. difficile positivity from 9.8 to 7.4% following the implementation of the antimicrobial stewardship programme, and a reversal of a rising trend. Discussion The rate of toxigenic C. difficile positivity may be a useful patient outcome metric for evaluating the long-term impact of antimicrobial stewardship on CDI, especially in settings with limited surveillance resources. The accuracy of this metric is, however, dependent on the avoidance of arbitrary repeated testing of a patient for cure, and testing only unformed or diarrhoea stool specimens. Further studies are required within and beyond Saudi Arabia to examine the utility of this metric.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia
| | - Albert Bolhuis
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, UK
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Physician Perspectives on Codeine Accessibility, Patterns of Use, Misuse, and Dependence in Saudi Arabia. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00670-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn Saudi Arabia, there are concerning rates of non-compliance with pharmaceutical regulations prohibiting the pharmacy dispensing of prescription-only medications without a physician prescription. This is the first study in the Middle East which examines physicians’ perceptions regarding misuse of codeine, listed as a narcotic, controlled, and prescription-only drug. The CODEMISUSED survey was adapted to the Saudi Arabian context and pilot tested, prior to cross-sectional administration to physicians in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and Jazan (n = 105). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentage) present physician level of agreement, neutrality, and disagreement with statements regarding codeine prescribing, patient awareness and use, online and community pharmacy availability, and dependence. The study indicates concern by physicians regarding patient intentional use of codeine to enhance mood, misuse patterns, lack of awareness around habit-forming use and iatrogenic dependence, and sourcing via illegal dispensing. It underscores the imperatives to address pharmacy compliance with pharmaceutical regulatory controls, implement enhanced pharmacovigilance, and improve awareness around safe use.
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Ceballos M, Llano Y, Salazar-Ospina A, Madrigal-Cadavid J, Pino-Marín D, Amariles P. Skills and practices of pharmacy staff for dispensing of drugs with fiscalized substances in drugstores and pharmacies. Rev Saude Publica 2021; 55:44. [PMID: 34231824 PMCID: PMC8244815 DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2021055003103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJETIVE To evaluate the skills and practices of pharmacy staff during the dispensing of tramadol (drug with fiscalized substance) in drugstores and pharmacies in Medellin, Colombia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed. The simulated patient technique was used. The main outcomes included the information provided on the dispensed drug (tramadol), the use of tools to provide information, and the information provided on drug precautions and use recommendations. RESULTS We visited 305 drugstores and pharmacies. The average dispensing time was 2.3 min (SD 1.1 min). In nine drugstores and pharmacies (3.0%), tramadol was not dispensed because it was not in stock. In 17 drugstores and pharmacies (5.7%), the simulated patients were actively informed by the dispensing pharmacy staff; of these, 16 provided oral information and one provided oral and written information. Eight patients (2.7%) received information regarding tramadol use. However, 99% of patients were not informed about tramadol side effects such as dependence, sedation, or hypnosis, and none of the simulated female patients were informed on the precautions related to tramadol use during pregnancy or lactation. CONCLUSIONS Communication skills and appropriate practices of pharmacy staff are critical to patient self-care. However, this study shows their difficulty in counseling about precautions and use recommendations of drugs with fiscalized substances. These outcomes could inform future studies focusing on the rational use of these drugs in drugstores and pharmacies. It is necessary to improve the pharmacy staff competencies through continuing education programs, to facilitate access to information and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Ceballos
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Yaqueline Llano
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Andrea Salazar-Ospina
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Juliana Madrigal-Cadavid
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Daniel Pino-Marín
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Pedro Amariles
- Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias. Departamento de Farmacia. Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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Alkhatabi R, Alowfi J, Arshad L, Khan MA. The Prevalence of Beta-Blocker Use Among Medical Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2020; 12:e11450. [PMID: 33329949 PMCID: PMC7733765 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.11450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of beta-blocker usage among medical students. Reasons for the use and demographic factors influencing their consumption were also evaluated. Methods This was an observational cross-sectional study among medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Medical students were surveyed between February and April of 2019 using an electronic self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had close-ended questions, 18 of which were about demographics and 17 about propranolol use. Results A total of 234 medical students participated in the study, of whom 14.5% (95% CI: 10.44-19.49) reported using propranolol. Fifth-year medical students comprised 50% of propranolol users. The prevalence of males using propranolol was lower compared to females. The most common reasons for using propranolol were anxiety relief and performance enhancement before the objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs; 70.6%) and before oral presentations (38.2%). Conclusion The prevalence of propranolol use among medical students in KSAU-HS Jeddah was low compared to other studies, with the highest reported use among fifth-year medical students. The main reasons for using propranolol were anxiety relief during OSCEs and performance enhancement for presentations. Efforts must be directed towards raising medical students' awareness of the risks of inappropriate beta-blocker use to decrease its use and avoid potential adverse effects of the medication.
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Ceballos M, Salazar-Ospina A, Sabater-Hernández D, Amariles P. Evaluation of the effects of a drug with fiscalized substance dispensation, health education, and pharmacovigilance continuing education program in Colombia drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies: study protocol of a multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:545. [PMID: 32560735 PMCID: PMC7304186 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health disorders, due to the use of drugs with fiscalized substances, including controlled substances, have become a common problem in Colombia. Multiple reasons can help explain this problem, including self-medication, since access to these drugs may be easier. Also, there is a lack of knowledge that these drugs are safer than illicit drugs. The use of these drugs without a valid medical prescription and follow-up can have negative consequences such as drug abuse, addiction, and overdose, and eventually, have negative health consequences. Pharmacy staff is essential to both assure the correct drug use and minimize prescription errors to help outpatients have better management of their pharmacotherapy. For this reason, it is necessary to increase key competencies like knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the pharmacy staff of ambulatory (outpatients) pharmacies. Methods This study is a prospective, cluster-randomized, parallel-group, multicenter trial of drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies (ambulatory pharmacies). The study is designed to determine the effectiveness of a drug with fiscalized substance dispensation, health education, and pharmacovigilance continuing education program in drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies. Pharmacy staff will be randomly selected and assigned to one of the study groups (intervention or control). The intervention group will receive a continuing education program for over 12 months. The control group will receive only general information about the correct use of complex dosage forms. The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education program to improve pharmacy staff competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) to improve the ambulatory (outpatient) pharmacy services: dispensation, health education, and pharmacovigilance of drugs with fiscalized substances. The secondary outcomes include (a) processes associated with the management of drugs with fiscalized substances in drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies, including regulation compliance; (b) degree of implementation of ambulatory (outpatient) pharmacy services targeting these drugs in drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies; (c) patient satisfaction with such services; and (d) pharmacy staff satisfaction with the continuing education program. Discussion This clinical trial will establish whether providing a continuing education program for the adequate utilization of drugs with fiscalized substances improves pharmacy staff competencies regarding these drugs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03388567. Registered on 28 November 2017. First drugstore or drugstore/pharmacy randomized on December 1, 2018. Protocol version 0017102017MC
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Ceballos
- Research Group on Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, U.de.A. Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellin, Colombia.,Research Group on Pharmacy Regency Technology, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Andrea Salazar-Ospina
- Research Group on Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, U.de.A. Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellin, Colombia.,Research Group on Pharmacy Regency Technology, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - Pedro Amariles
- Research Group on Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, U.de.A. Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellin, Colombia.
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Aljofan M, Alkhamaiseh S. Prevalence and Factors Influencing Use of Herbal Medicines During Pregnancy in Hail, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2020; 20:e71-e76. [PMID: 32190372 PMCID: PMC7065689 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The increasing prevalence of herbal medicine use is a global public health concern. Critically, many women continue to use herbal medicines during pregnancy despite potential maternofetal risks. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with herbal medicine use during pregnancy in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2017. An Arabic-language 33-item survey assessing herbal medicine use was designed and distributed to 879 random women attending outpatient clinics at governmental and private hospitals in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Only women who were pregnant or had been pregnant in the previous 10 years were included. Results The mean age of the participants was 29.5 years, with 49% under 30 years old. Overall, 33% of the respondents claimed to have used herbal medicines during pregnancy. The most common reasons for doing so were to improve lactation (73%), improve the course of the pregnancy (56%) and facilitate labour (49%). Women who worked full-time and those with high school diplomas or above were significantly more likely to use herbal medicines during pregnancy (P <0.001 each). Conclusion To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to determine the prevalence and associated factors of herbal medicine use during pregnancy in Hail. The results showed a high prevalence of herbal medicine use among pregnant women in the region. Healthcare providers should therefore ensure that patients disclose the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy to avoid treatment complications or adverse herb-drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Aljofan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Suhaib Alkhamaiseh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jerash University, Jordan
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Alrasheedy AA, Alsalloum MA, Almuqbil FA, Almuzaini MA, Aba Alkhayl BS, Albishri AS, Alharbi FF, Alharbi SR, Alodhayb AK, Alfadl AA, Godman B, Hill R, Anaam MS. The impact of law enforcement on dispensing antibiotics without prescription: a multi-methods study from Saudi Arabia. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2019; 18:87-97. [PMID: 31834825 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1705156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background: Dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription (DAwP) has been widely practised among community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia despite being illegal. However, in May 2018, the law and regulations were enforced alongside fines. Consequently, we wanted to evaluate the impact of these changes.Methods: A study was conducted among 116 community pharmacies in two phases. A pre-law enforcement phase between December 2017 and March 2018 and a post-law enforcement phase one year later. Each phase consisted of a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey and a simulated client method (SCM) approach. In the SCM, clients presented with either pharyngitis or urinary tract infections (UTI). In SCM, for each phase, all 116 pharmacies were visited with one of the scenarios.Results: Before the law enforcement, 70.7% of community pharmacists reported that DAwP was common with 96.6% and 87.7% of participating pharmacies dispensed antibiotics without a prescription for pharyngitis and UTI respectively. After the law enforcement, only 12.9% reported that DAwP is still a common practice, with only 12.1% and 5.2% dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions for pharyngitis and UTI respectively.Conclusion: law enforcement was effective. However, there is still further scope for improvement. This could include further educational activities with pharmacists, physicians and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muath A Alsalloum
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Feras A Almuqbil
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Ahmed S Albishri
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal F Alharbi
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh R Alharbi
- Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abubakr A Alfadl
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.,Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool, UK.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Evidence synthesis, Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mohammed S Anaam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
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Prevalence of use and reported side effects of herbal medicine among adults in Saudi Arabia. Complement Ther Med 2019; 48:102255. [PMID: 31987234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the availability of well characterized and scientifically proven medicines, many people prefer the use of the less known herbal therapies that have no-scientific or evidence-based values as their first line of treatment. While this represents a growing worldwide issue, it is commonly practiced in developing countries including Saudi Arabia. Hence, the aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use, the most reported side effects and influencing factors in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN A community based cross sectional survey study. SETTINGS Participants were recruited by convenience sampling method from local malls and family recreation sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of herbal medicine use and the associated risks. RESULTS Out of the 1300 surveyed individuals, 1226 respondents (94 %) used herbal medicines for therapeutic purposes with the majority of the respondents using them based on traditional beliefs 699 (57 %) or family recommendations 417 (34 %). Young respondents <35 year olds who live in urban cities, showed a significantly better knowledge about herbal medicines use and the associated risks than their counterparts (p < 0.001). Despite the high percentage of reported side effects (46 %), more than half of the respondents 702 (54 %) use herbal medicines as their first line of therapy. However, the most reported reasons for the use of herbal medicine are the belief that they are safer, more effective and cheaper to buy than the standard medicines. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence use of non-scientifically proven herbal medicine and a low level of knowledge about their risks amongst participants.
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Practices of patients consuming antibiotics and knowledge about antibiotic resistance in Hail region - Saudi Arabia. Future Sci OA 2019; 5:FSO420. [PMID: 31827890 PMCID: PMC6900975 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2019-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Antibiotic misuse is considered one of the major causes of antimicrobial resistance. Objective: The study aims to investigate the practices of antibiotic misuse in the region of Hail, Saudi Arabia and the extent of people awareness of antibiotic resistance. Methods: Participants ≥18 years of age of both genders were recruit by convenience sampling from different public places. Results: Out of 500 participants, 26% obtained their antibiotic without a prescription, 27% took antibiotics for unknown infections and only 34% completed antibiotic course. A total of 36.2% did not know about antibiotic resistance and its rise, but the majority were willing to learn. The results warrant further study into malpractice with a wider geographic area and sample size to generalize the results for the whole country. Antibiotics are a group of drugs that treat different bacterial infections. However, inappropriate use of antibiotics such as overuse (used when they are not needed) or use for the wrong reason can lead to antibiotic resistance (bacteria that are harder to treat). Patient knowledge of antibiotics is considered an important contributing factor for antibiotic misuse. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate patient knowledge about antibiotic misuse and resistance among a population of Hail in the northern part of Saudi Arabia.
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