International journal of clinical pharmacy
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Establishing a collaborative working relationship between doctors and pharmacists is essential for the effective provision of pharmaceutical care. The Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Index (PPCI) was developed to assess the professional exchanges between doctors and pharmacists. Two versions of the PPCI was developed: one for physicians and one for pharmacists. However, these instruments have not been validated in Malaysia. ⋯ The PPCI for physicians was a valid and reliable measure in determining doctors' views about collaborative working relationship with pharmacists, in Malaysia.
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Atrial fibrillation guidelines advocate screening to identify undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Community pharmacies may provide an opportunistic venue for such screening. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation screening in pharmacies is well accepted by pharmacists and customers. Many pharmacists combined atrial fibrillation screening with other health screens reporting improved time-efficiency and greater customer satisfaction. Widespread implementation of atrial fibrillation screening requires longterm funding, which could be provided for a combined cardiovascular screening service. Further research could focus on feasibility and cost-effectiveness of combined cardiovascular screening in pharmacies.
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Off-label or unlicensed medicine use is very common in paediatric practice, ranging from 11 to 80 %, and is one of the predisposing factors for adverse events (23-60 %). Medicine indications are the third leading reason for doctors to perform off-label prescriptions. ⋯ This study reflects one given day: 36.5 % of off-label prescriptions and 3.2 % of unlicensed prescriptions in a paediatric setting. Few risk reductions for off-label number prescriptions have been found. This work confirmed the necessity of carrying out further studies in children.
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The appropriate management of chronic insomnia is crucial and prescribing of hypnotic drugs is common. Regular and prolonged use of hypnotics should be avoided because of the risk of tolerance to effects, dependence and an increased risk of adverse events. In 2012, updated Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication in older adults suggested to avoid all benzodiazepines in older adults to treat insomnia. In addition, successful discontinuation may result in improvements on cognitive and psychomotor function, particularly in older people. ⋯ Use of community pharmacy survey data allowed us to obtain information about incorrect management of insomnia and inappropriate benzodiazepines prescriptions. Stricter adherence to evidence-based guidelines is essential for a rational use of hypnotic and sedatives.
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Diabetes is an emerging chronic disease in developing countries. Currently the management of diabetes in developing countries is mainly hospital or clinic based. With burgeoning numbers of patients with diabetes, other models need to be evaluated for service delivery in developing countries. Community pharmacists are an important option for provision of diabetes care. Currently, data regarding practices of community pharmacists in diabetes care have been limited to developed countries. ⋯ Most community pharmacies in Surabaya, Indonesia have only provided a basic service of dispensing for type 2 diabetes patients. Many pharmacists believed that they should extend their roles particularly regarding patient education and monitoring. The development of pharmacist professional roles would assist in managing the burgeoning burden of diabetes. The identified facilitators/barriers provide baseline data to support the development of community pharmacy-based diabetes services.