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Objective To investigate the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for preventing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) related gastric mucosal injury in orthopedic patients and to evaluate its rationality, providing a reference for the proper use of PPIs. Methods A retrospective survey was conducted, collecting data from January 1,2022, to December 31,2022, on orthopedic patients who used PPIs to prevent NSAID-related gastric mucosal injury. The study assessed whether patients had indications for prophylactic use of PPIs and then evaluated the appropriateness of drug selection, timing of administration, dosage, and duration of treatment in cases with indications. Results Out of 307 patients, 62(20.20%) did not have indications for prophylactic use of PPIs. Among the 245 instances where there were indications, 83 instances (33.88%) involved inappropriate medication use, primarily due to unsuitable drug selection, inappropriate timing of administration, inappropriate frequency of administration, and excessively long treatment duration. Conclusion The inappropriate use of PPIs to prevent NSAID-related gastric mucosal injury in the orthopedics department is notable. Physicians should strictly control the indications for medication use, and pharmacists should enhance prescription review to jointly promote the rational use of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study purposed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and to explore its influencing factors of rational drug use among people reside in Phetchabun, a province of Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey using a set of questionnaire distributed from April to June 2023. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis results while chi-square test was carried out to examine the influencing factors. The results showed that 44.39%, 40.01%, and 55.85% of the participants had a moderate level of knowledge, attitude, and practice respectively. Practice level was a significant related to gender (p=0.001), age (p=0.001), marital status (p=0.003), education status (p=0.001), profession (p=0.001), monthly income (p=0.001), residence area (p=0.001), knowledge (p=0.001) and attitude (p=0.001). The findings identified that rational drug use literacy was influenced by individuals’ health literacy. Useful information, positive attitude, and awareness of harmful outcomes towards irrational drug use could be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the number of ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pieces prescriptions and its influencing factors in the hospital, and to find improvement measures, so as to promote the rational application of TCM decoction pieces. METHODS: A total of 2 880 outpatient TCM decoction pieces prescriptions of the hospital in 2023 were extracted, information of patients’ genders, ages, number of ingredients, clinical departments and physician titles were entered through Excel software, the correlation between the above factors and the number of ingredients in prescriptions were emphatically analyzed. SPSS 27. 0 software was used to analyze the data statistically. RESULTS: Among the 2 880 TCM decoction pieces prescriptions extracted, the average number of ingredients was 13. 99, the frequency of ingredients was mainly concentrated from 11 to 20 ingredients, with the largest number of 16 ingredients (465 prescriptions, 16. 15%). The difference in the number of ingredients among patients with different genders was not statistically significant (P >0. 05). The difference in the number of ingredients among patients with different ages was statistically significant (P<0. 01), in which the number of ingredients among patients >50 years was more than those of other age groups; with the rise of physician titles, the number of ingredients also showed an increasing trend, and the differences in the number of ingredients among different physician titles were statistically significant (P <0. 01). The clinical departments ranked by the average number of ingredients were mainly Departments of Mingyiguan, Spleen and Stomach Diseases, Geriatrics, Nephrology and Hepatology. The number of prescriptions with ingredients >18 was 280 (9. 72%), which were mainly concentrated in the Departments of Spleen and Stomach Diseases, Mingyiguan and School Workshop. A prescription review was performed for 280 large prescriptions, the irrational rate was as 31. 43% (88 prescriptions). CONCLUSIONS: The number of ingredients in TCM decoction pieces prescriptions in the hospital is relatively high, and the number of ingredients is affected by the age of the patients, the title of physicians and the departments of treatment. The irrational rate of large prescription is also high, which mainly reflects in the simple addition of ingredients and unknown principal and auxiliary parts of medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the prescription review method that conforms to the medical activities of traditional Chinese medicine clinicians in the hospital according to the Prescription Review Standard in Medical Institutions jointly issued by the National Health Commission of the People’ s Republic of China and other three departments. METHODS: “Application points” of 31 kinds of Chinese patent medicines were established by referring to the drug instructions and relevant information. The historical prescriptions were reviewed, and the diagnosis was categorized into “ consistent diagnosis” “ irregular diagnosis” “ diagnosis to be discussed” and “ inappropriate diagnosis” by comparing with the “application points”. A multi-disciplinary traditional Chinese medicine expert validation approach was adopted to explore the elements and method of prescription review that were in line with mindset and medical behaviors of traditional Chinese medicine clinicians. RESULTS: A method for reviewing the prescriptions of 31 types of Chinese patent medicines in the hospital had been established, including whether the prescribed medication was consistent with the diagnosis, whether the prescribed dosage and usage were correct, whether the course of treatment was appropriate, whether the drug combination was appropriate, and whether there were any contraindications to the use of medicines. CONCLUSIONS: With the core of “conformity of medicine and evidence”, the establishment of prescription review elements and review methods in line with the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic thinking of traditional Chinese medicine clinicians in the hospital, and the standardization of prescription review are of great significance in ensuring the rational use and reducing the risk of Chinese patent medicine [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy of Ankara University / Ankara Üniversitesi Eczacilik Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ankara University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Amaç: Çalışma hipertansiyon hastalarının akılcı ilaç kullanımı düzeylerinin ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapıldı.Yöntemler: Kesitsel tipte olan bu çalışma 10 Kasım ve 30 Aralık 2023 tarihleri arasında Türkiye’nin Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesinde Bayburt şehrinde yapıldı. Çalışmaya 18 yaş ve üzeri hipertansiyon hastalığı olan 237 kişi dahil edildi. Veriler Hasta Tanıtım Formu ve Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı Ölçeği ile toplandı. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanıldı.Bulgular: Hipertansiyon hastalarının yaş ortalaması 57,18±6,94 (min=33, max=65) idi. Katılımcıların Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı Ölçeği puan ortalaması 58,00±3,32 (min=38 ve max=64) olduğu belirlendi. Yapılan çoklu regresyon analizinde oluşturulan modelin istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu ve modele dahil edilen değişkenlerin varyansın %25’ini açıkladığı belirlendi (R2=0,255, F=2,805, p

Background: Medicines are an integral part of health. It becomes essential to promote rational drug use. The relationship between doctors and the pharmaceutical industry has gained increasing attention recently. So there are chances that detailing activities by pharmaceutical representatives may lead to an undesirable effect on the prescribing pattern of doctors, like polypharmacy and use of fixed drug combinations; hence this study was planned to evaluate the effect of evaluation of the effect of drug promotional literature on prescribing using WHO prescribing indicators (DPL) on the prescribing pattern of doctors. Setting and Design: This prospective observational cross-sectional study was performed in a medical college and tertiary care center in Maharashtra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 DPL and 10 prescriptions from each doctor were collected. Such total of 3000 DPL and 1000 prescriptions were collected from 100 doctors. Statistical Analysis: The prescriptions and DPL were analyzed together, and information was entered in Microsoft Excel; the parameters were calculated in percentage. Results: This study highlighted that drugs prescribed by generic name were 3.36%, the percentage of antibiotics prescribed was 27.37%, and the percentage of prescriptions containing medicines from the essential medicine list (EML) or formulary was 44.07%. In this study, 27.9% of drugs in the prescriptions were those drugs that are advertised in the DPL. Conclusion: Polypharmacy, prescribing drugs by brand names, drugs out of national list of essential medicine, use of more fixed drug combinations (FDC), antibiotics, and nutritional supplements could be attributed to the effect of DPL on the prescribing pattern. Hence it could be said that there is an association between a greater reliance on the promotion of medicines by the pharmaceutical companies and inappropriate prescribing patterns.

Introduction: Rational drug prescribing skills of interns remain bleak despite clinical pharmacology training during their second year, warranting the need for further training. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-structured learner-centric training program using the World Health Organization (WHO) guide to good prescribing in improving interns’ knowledge of rational drug use and their rational drug prescribing skills. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was implemented at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. We conducted a short-structured learner-centric training program on rational drug prescribing for interns in September 2022, using the WHO guide to good prescribing. The medical interns who consented to participate were included in the study. A pre-test was administered at the start of the training, followed by a post-test and feedback questions at the end of the program. Statistical tests used for quantitative data were the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test and McNemar’s Chi-square test. Qualitative data were analyzed using manual content analysis. Results: Of the 77 interns who attended the training program, 73 provided consent and completed both the pre-test and the post-test. Their mean age was 22 years, with a slight preponderance of female participants (53.4%). Overall, there was a statistically significant increase in the median (interquartile range) total scores from 52 (44.6 – 60) to 84 (70 – 88) after the training (P = 0.001), out of a maximum score of 93. Also, a significantly greater number of them wrote legible prescriptions (grade 4/excellent – 44 in pre-test vs 52 in post-test; P = 0.001) after the training. Conclusion: The short-structured learner-centric training program based on the WHO guide to good prescribing significantly improved the knowledge of rational drug use and rational drug prescribing skills among medical interns.

Copyright of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies is the property of Editorial Department of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies is the property of Editorial Department of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE: To establish the closed-loop management mode of rational drug use in the hospital based on the level-six standard of electronic medical record system, so as to escort the rational drug use of outpatients and provide reference for the construction of intelligent pharmacy. METHODS: Artificial intelligence technology was used to manage all aspects of rational drug use in outpatient department, such as physician prescription, pharmacist review, drug dispensing and prescription review, the closed-loop system was established in line with the level-six standard of electronic medical record system. Meanwhile, the irrational rate of outpatient prescriptions before closed-loop management (from Mar. to May 2023) and after closed-loop management ( from Jun. to Aug. 2023) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: After implementation of the closed-loop management mode of rational drug use in outpatient department, the irrational rate of outpatient prescriptions was 3. 56% (40 723 / 1 145 056), which was 1. 01% lower than 4. 57% (52 681 / 1 153 154) before management, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 01). The number of prescriptions for other types of inappropriate drugs except for the selection of unsuitable drugs decreased significantly. The average drug cost per outpatient visit was 146. 20 RMB, with a reduction of 7. 67% compared with before management cost of 158. 35 RMB, effectively improving the performance assessment indicators of public hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The closed-loop management mode of rational drug use in outpatients established by the hospital meets the requirements of the level-six standard of electronic medical record system, which can standardize the work flow of medical personnel and reduce irrational drug use in outpatient department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diverse beliefs and perceptions on the use of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs have been affecting the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and maternal and child health. Further, inappropriate use of antibiotics induces development and spreads antimicrobial resistance. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate COVID-19 vaccination status and rational use of drugs in women during the recent pandemic. Results: The use of medicines in pregnant (94.1%) and non-pregnant (96.0%) is highly prevalent. Prescription of two drugs (24.2%) and three drugs (23.7%) was seen in non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. Only 20.4% of pregnant and 43.7% of non-pregnant women received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine either Covishield or Covaxin. In addition, 'Watch' antibiotics were prescribed relatively more than 'Access' antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed 'Access' antibiotics were doxycycline and clindamycin in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively, whereas azithromycin was the frequently prescribed 'Watch' antibiotic in both groups. Conclusion: Polypharmacy was common, the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination was less and the prescription of 'Watch' antibiotics was more in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Importantly, there is scope for improvement in promoting vaccination, education on the WHO AWaRe antibiotics and rational prescribing of antibiotics in women of childbearing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi is the property of Celal Bayar University Health Sciences Institute Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Nursing Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies is the property of Editorial Department of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of dentists working in a dental faculty in Türkiye about rational drug use. Methods: In this observational study, a 20-question questionnaire measuring participants' knowledge and attitudes towards rational drug use was administered face-to-face to 59 dentists working in a university hospital in Afyonkarahisar. The obtained data were analyzed with the SPSS-20 program. Results: Fifty-two dentists (16 academics, and 36 research assistants) participated in the study (The participation rate was 89.65%). The most frequently used information sources by the participants while prescribing drugs were the internet (27.56%) and colleagues (24.35%), respectively. Allergic status and pregnancy status were the most frequently asked questions by the participants in the anamnesis of the patients while prescribing drugs (94.2%). approximately one-third (32.7%) of the dentists stated that they did not inform the patient about the "side effects of the drug". The subjects that the participants felt most inadequate about the drugs were price information, bioequivalence, drug interactions and side effects, respectively. 63.5% of the participants think that both the level of medical drug knowledge and the level of knowledge about rational drug use are insufficient. Conclusion: This study revealed the knowledge gaps and the need for training on rational drug use among dentists. to dentists. Rational pharmacotherapy training should be given to dentists before and after graduation. Keywords: Rational drug use; drug prescribing; survey; dentistry; dentist.

ABSTRACTBackground: Poor drug prescription patterns (PP) result in irrational medicine use, avoidable stock outs and drug expiries.Objective: This study primarily assessed the effects of PP on the performance of the pharmacy department (PD) of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) Uganda.Methods: This was a mixed method cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient department (OPD) of MRRH, questionnaires were administered to 86 prescribers and 300 patient prescriptions were reviewed. Ethical clearance was granted and informed consent of patients. Data were analysed, presented in the form of graphs, tables.Results: The overall prescription fill rate was 60.5%, being higher among dental officers and lower among those who did not adhere to generic prescribing and EML. Medical officers made most prescriptions at 69.3%. Prescriptions with four (47.1%) and six (17.5%) medicines respectively were made by clinical officers. Of the 300 prescriptions, 76% adhered to the Essential Medicines List (EML), 62% used generic name including 87.3% from dental officers and 52.9% by clinical officersThe overall prescription fill rate was 60.5%, being higher among dental officers and lower among those who did not adhere to generic prescribing and EML. Medical officers made most prescriptions at 69.3%. Prescriptions with four (47.1%) and six (17.5%) medicines respectively were made by clinical officers. Of the 300 prescriptions, 76% adhered to the Essential Medicines List (EML), 62% used generic name including 87.3% from dental officers and 52.9% by clinical officers.Conclusion: Prescription pattern affected the performance of the PD of MRRH, calling for its continued monitoring to ensure that guidelines are upheld, EML and UCG are availed and utilized.

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of medication in children differs from that in adults. The significant role of the physiological differences between children and adults, especially in the early stages of childhood, contributes to these distinctions. Variations in body surface area and weight according to age, changes in organ functions, and issues related to drug administration and dosing are among the primary differences. Frequent pain and fever symptoms in children lead to excessive use of analgesic drugs. Failure to use analgesic drugs in accordance with the individual characteristics of patients, in sufficient time to meet their clinical needs, in the most accurate dose and at the most affordable cost leads to irrational use of analgesics. The irrational use of analgesics can result in their ineffectiveness or significant side effects. When using analgesics in children, rational drug use approaches should adhere to the drugs pharmacodynamic-pharmacokinetic differences specific to children and the requirements of their developmental stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To establish a new management model for rational use of perioperative antibacterial drugs in surgical departments. [Methods] Based on evidence-based medicine, the department's drug pathway was formulated, and the new mode of rational drug use control was established by using fine pharmaceutical technology intervention, and the intervention effect was evaluated by the intensity of antibacterial drug use, per capita drug costs and the proportion of drugs. [Results] After adopting drug pathway in departments, the intensity of antibacterial drug use, per capita drug costs and the proportion of drugs decreased significantly, and the effect of rational drug use control was remarkable. [Conclusions] The drug pathway provides a new management and control mode for the rational use of perioperative antibacterial drugs in surgical departments of hospitals. Thus, it is worthy of popularization and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is no special program to improve the rational drug use level of nursing students in the nursing curriculum. • This study indicates, rational drug use program (RDUP) remarkably increased the level of RDU among nursing students. • This study demonstrates that web-based RDUP can be integrated into the nursing curriculum for increasing the RDU levels of nursing students. Rational drug use (RDU) is an issue that has global concerns for all health professionals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of web-based rational drug use program (RDUP) for nursing students. A total of 224 nursing students were randomly assigned to the intervention (IG = 112) and control (CG = 112) groups. The IG received a 4-week web-based RDUP. Data were collected at baseline (T0), postintervention (in 1-week = T1), and postintervention (in 16-week = T2). The level of RDU was significantly higher in the IG than in the CG at T1 (F = 88.890; p<0.001; η2 = 0.287) and at T2 (F = 251.875; p<0.001; η2 = 0.533). Web-based RDUP was effective in level of rational drug use among nursing students. Therefore web-based RDUP should be included in the nursing curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of fine management on reducing irrational compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injection. METHODS: Fishbone diagram was used to analyze the factors that may affect the irrational compatibility of TCM injection, and the refined management was implemented for key problems. Medical orders of TCM injection before the intervention of refined management (from Jul. to Dec. 2021) and after the intervention (from Jul. to Dec. 2022) were investigated. The irrational compatibility medical orders were statistically analyzed. Incompatibility rate of TCM injection in medical orders were compared before and after intervention and the effectiveness of intervention measures were investigated. RESULTS: Before intervention, among 25 453 groups of medical orders with TCM injection, 2 366 groups were inappropriately matched, and the incompatibility rate was 9. 30%. After intervention, among 28 466 groups of medical orders with TCM injection, 855 groups had irrational compatibility of TCM injection, and the irrational compatibility rate was 3. 00%, which was 67. 74% lower than that before intervention. After intervention, the problems of inappropriate solvent dosage, violation of “ Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Restraint” and improper selection of solvent types in TCM injection decreased greatly, and the problems of unflushed tube and mixed infusion of Chinese and Western medicines were eliminated. The results showed that the fine management model could effectively improve the irrational compatibility of TCM injection in medical orders. CONCLUSIONS: By analyzing the factors that may affect the irrational compatibility of TCM injection through fishbone diagram and implementing fine management for the key problems, the irrational compatibility of TCM injection can be effectively reduced, which provides reference for the rational application of TCM injection in other hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outpatient prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces containing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix herb pairs in the South Part of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine/ Nanjing Lishui District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (hereinafter referred to as “the hospital”), and to probe into the clinical compatibility laws of the herb pair, so as to provide reference for rational drug use. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 7 576 outpatient prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces containing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix herb pairs from 2020 to 2022. Gender, age, number of herbs per prescription, consumption sum, treatment course, involved departments and disease, dosage, common compatibility ratios and compatible decoction pieces were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 7 576 outpatient prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces containing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix herb pairs, the number of prescriptions in female patients was 3. 21 times that in male patients (5 776 prescriptions vs. 1 800 prescriptions), and the majority of patients were >30 to 40 years old. The number of herbs per prescription was mostly from 16 to 20. The treatment course was less than 30 days. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was prescribed at 10 to 15 g per day according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 6 490 prescriptions, accounting for 85. 67%. Angelicae Sinensis Radix was prescribed at 6 to 12 g per day according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 6 608 prescriptions, according for 87. 22%. The top three departments in terms of prescription count were Guoyitang, gynecology and neurology, the main treated syndromes were Chong Ren dysfunction, dual deficiency of heart and spleen, and Qi stagnation with blood stasis. The amount of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was equal to or greater than that of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in prescriptions. The compatibility ratio of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to Angelicae Sinensis Radix was mostly 1 ∶ 1. Commonly combined herbs included Poria, Chuanxiong Rhizoma and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the analysis of prescription medication, the outpatient prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces containing Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix herb pairs in the hospital is basically reasonable, which provides data support for the study of dosage range and compatibility rules of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Angelicae Sinensis Radix herb pairs, and promotes rational drug use in clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the safety, efficacy, economy, and other aspects of frequently-used antitumor Chinese patent medicine injections through a comprehensive evaluation of evidence-based medical research to provide scientific information and decision-making basis for drug selection, rational drug use, public awareness of safe drug use, and medical insurance. Materials and Methods: The names of five frequently used antitumor Chinese patent medicine injections were used as search terms, including the compound Sophora flavescens injection, Kangai injection, Aidi injection, Kanglaite injection, and Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection. Relevant evidence-based medical research was extracted from the databases. A descriptive evaluation was conducted, and the Markov model was used for the cost-benefit analysis. Finally, the above injections are ranked by comprehensive scores using the multi-criteria decision analysis and Delphi method. Results: The five injections had their own advantages in enhancing the effectiveness of anti-tumor treatments, improving the quality of life for cancer patients, and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions. From the perspective of economy and other attributes, compound S. flavescens was superior to B. javanica oil, Aidi, Kangai, and Kanglaite. After a comprehensive evaluation of the above five injections, the compound S. flavescens injection received the highest score. Conclusions: Compound S. flavescens, Kangai, Aidi, B. javanica oil, and Kanglaite have their own advantages in effectiveness and no significant difference in safety. Compound S. flavescens injection has the highest comprehensive score. Clinical attention should be paid to monitoring the initial stage of medication and special groups.

The Beers criteria is a tool for evaluating potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in elderly patients widely used in various fields, such as clinical practice, teaching research, supervision and administration. The 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria (AGS Beers criteria) for PIM use in older adults are the seventh overall update, using the development methodology following previous versions, which includes the rigor of the evidence review and synthesis process. This paper provides a detailed interpretation of the new version of AGS Beers criteria. The AGS Beers criteria aims to reduce the incidence of PIM in older adults by optimizing drug selection. The 2023 AGS Beers criteria can also be used in the education of clinicians and patients, assessment of care quality, health care costs and drug use patterns in older adults. In addition to the five tables associated with PIM as main contents, several drugs and criteria have been added based on updated evidence, mainly on the revisions and streamlining of existing drugs and criteria. The added and revised content mainly involves anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents and hypoglycemic agents. The synthesis of anticoagulation recommendations has been added in the new version of AGS Beers criteria. Thirty-three drugs were removed due to low usage or not on the U.S. market. The 2023 AGS Beers criteria summarizes seven principles on the application of Beers criteria to ensure proper clinical use. Overall, the 2023 AGS Beers criteria have improved its accuracy and utility, which can better identify and reduce PIM prescriptions for the elderly patients and further guide the clinical development of rational drug use regimens.

Rational drug use can make important contributions to treating diseases. Many factors affect rational drug use. This research was undertaken to define the mediating role of health perception (HP) in the effect of e-health literacy (eHL) on rational drug use (RDU). The research presented here was performed between March 11 and April 29, 2023, in the Istanbul and Kocaeli provinces and their districts in Türkiye. Data were collected from individuals residing in Istanbul and Kocaeli provinces or their districts aged 18 and over by online survey method. A total of 520 questionnaires were collected in this process. The findings revealed that eHL positively affects HP. Moreover, eHL and HP positively affect RDU. Finally, it was determined that HP has a mediating role in the effect of eHL on RDU. The research presented here has confirmed that eHL and HP are determinants of RDU. According to these results, some suggestions are presented.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the clinical application rationality of Chinese patent medicines based on the application of Chinese patent medicine and the review of special medical orders in a grade Ⅲ, level A integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine hospital ( hereinafter referred to as “ the hospital ”). METHODS: Retrospective study was conducted to analyze the categories, consumption sum, use intensity, defined daily dose system (DDDs), drug consumption sum ranking (B) / DDDs ranking (A) and adverse drug reactions (ADR) related to Chinese patent medicines in the ward of the hospital from 2021 to 2022. Totally 4 800 inpatient medical orders with Chinese patent medicines from 2021 to 2022 were selected for special medical order review, and irrational drug use problems existing in clinical application of Chinese patent medicines were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Traditional Chinese medicine injections were widely used in the inpatient department of this hospital. The top 5 drugs ranked by consumption sum in 2 consecutive years included Shenkang injection, brucea jananica oil injection, and Xingnaojing injection. Shenkang injection and brucea jananica oil injection ranked the top 3 in terms of use intensity. The drugs with B / A > 1. 5 were Ningmitai capsules, Kuanxiong aerosol inhalation and Peiyuan Tongnao capsules, Shenkang injection with B / A <0. 5 for 2 consecutive years, while the B / A of most Chinese patent medicines was from 0. 5 to 1. 5. Among the 4 800 inpatient medical orders with Chinese patent medicines, there were 465 cases (9. 69%) with irrational drug use. The irrational drug use problems were mainly related to drugs of dampness removing, drugs of blood stasis removing and resuscitation, which were mainly manifested as inappropriate indications, repeated drug use, improper drug combination, and inappropriate usage, dosage and course of treatment. In the ADR reports related to Chinese patent medicines, oral dosage forms accounted for the highest proportion, followed by injections CONCLUSIONS: The clinical application of Chinese patent medicine in the hospital is basically reasonable, and it is necessary to focus on the use of traditional Chinese medicine injections and ADR, and further promote clinical rational drug use and reduce adverse drug reactions by carrying out the relevant work of medical order review and strengthening medication supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational drug use is the set of rules that should be followed to enable people to take drugs in accordance with their clinical needs, at doses that meet their personal requirements, within sufficient time, and at the lowest cost to themselves and society. Rational drug use is briefly defined as "the planning, implementation, and monitoring process that enables effective, safe, and economical implementation of drug therapy." Pharmaceutical care is personalized care for the patient using drugs and aims to improve treatment outcomes, including quality of life. In Europe, the concept of pharmaceutical care is based on "personalized professional care for the patient in the pharmacy." This concept is defined as the individualized coaching of patients by pharmacists regarding their drugs. The concept includes close monitoring of the patient's prescription and use and education about the medication. It is also the pharmacist's responsibility to monitor treatment progress, provide advice, and evaluate all outcomes of care. The pharmacist's pharmaceutical care responsibilities include: presenting medication to the patient, informing the patient about the medication, patient counseling, monitoring treatment, monitoring adverse drug reactions, developing medication protocols/guidelines, working in an integrated manner with other health-care professionals, and recording medication histories. Pharmacists are in a position to improve preventable drug-related problems. One way to do this is for them to be educated in the rational use of drugs during their undergraduate and on-the-job training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Health Academics / Sağlık Akademisyenleri Dergisi is the property of Journal of Health Academics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies is the property of Editorial Department of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease characterised by high blood pressure, which is an important public health problem that causes serious complications. It is very important to provide training and remote telephone counselling to patients for them to comply with the drug treatment of hypertension disease and to comply with the principles of rational drug use. Aim: This study aimed to define the effect of training and phone counselling provided to hypertension patients on their medication adherence and rational drug use. Methods: The study was conducted randomised controlled as a single-blind experimental study between July 2021 and June 2022. The study universe consisted of hypertension patients admitted to hospital, and the sample consisted of 92 patients. The block randomisation method was used. The study data were collected using a Patient Identification Form; the Medication Adherence Self-efficacy Scale; and the Rational Drug Use Scale. The experimental group received training once, in addition to a total of four phone counsellings (week 2-4-8-12). Results: According to the group-by-time interaction of control/experimental group patients, a statistical difference was found between the median scores of the Medication Adherence Self-efficacy Scale and the Rational Drug Use Scale (p<0.001). The pre-test median of the Medication Adherence Self-efficacy Scale of the experimental group patients was 30.00, and the post-test median was 46.00. The pre-test median of the Rational Drug Use Scale of the experimental group patients was 43.00, and the post-test median was 68.00. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the application of education and telephone counselling to hypertension patients increased patients' medication compliance and rational drug use. In systolic-diastolic blood pressure levels, which are critical for hypertension patients, it was determined that the application of education and telephone counselling significantly decreased the blood pressure of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Selcuk Dental Journal is the property of Selcuk Dental Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application characteristics of ulinastatin, so as to provide reference and basis for standardizing its clinical application and updating drug instructions. METHODS: Clinical data of 3 032 inpatients with ulinastatin from Jan. 2021 to Jun. 2022 in the hospital information system of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital was retrospectively collected, the basic data and clinical medication information were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of 3 032 patients with ulinastatin were male, accounting for 59. 96% ( 1 818 cases), with an average age of ( 60. 92 ± 14. 28) years. The top three departments ranked by case number of ulinastatin were cardiac surgery, gastroenterology and hepatobiliary surgery. A total of 742 cases (24. 47%) met the indications of drug instructions, the rest were off-label drug use, and there were 1 977 cases (65. 20%) of off-label drug use with higher level evidence-based evidence. The single dose, solvent and frequency of ulinastatin were rational, and no related adverse drug reactions occurred. The average drug utilization index of ulinastatin in the hospital was 0. 59 (<1), the overall dosage was rational. CONCLUSIONS: The off-label use of ulinastatin is common, and relevant measures should be taken to standardize the clinical application. For application with sufficient evidencebased evidence and common clinical use, it is recommended that drug manufacturers update and revise the drug inserts in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational drug use is an application aimed at reducing drug costs. With the increase in the use of drugs, there is an increase in public expenditures due to the state contribution paid for insured patients. The aim of this study is to present the effects of drug use behaviors on public finances in different generations in Turkey in the form of policy recommendations for rational drug use and awareness raising, without reducing the quality of health care services. A qualitative research method was used in this study. The sample used in the research consists of different generations between March 2023 and April 2023. Data were collected through a form consisting of nine semi-structured questions. Interviews with the participants were held online via "Google Meet". The content analysis method was used in the evaluation of the data. The analysis of the data was made with the MAXQDA 2020 program. Three themes, namely "medicine", "cost" and "recovery", were determined with the codes obtained from the qualitative research conducted to determine the effects of attitudes and behaviors regarding drug use in different generations on public finances. As a result, intergenerational differences were determined in the findings related to the sub-themes obtained in the in-depth qualitative interviews. In the cost and recovery themes created in the study, the lack of knowledge of the participants was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Health Sciences / Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Erciyes Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To obtain real-world data on rational drug use, pharmacoeconomic regarding women's and children's health and the benefits of Hainan free trade port (HFTP) health policies, we retrospectively investigated drug indicators, prescribing trend, and economic data. Method: We retrospectively gathered the data from the database of the hospital information system and the quality indicators of pharmacy; we compared the monthly indicators from 2015 to 2019. Results: In 2017, the HFTP maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 24.46. In 2019, the HFTP infant mortality rate (‰) was 4.15, and the under-five mortality rate (‰) was 6.19. A total of 1,922,798 prescriptions included in the analysis, the defined daily dose of 2015-2019 ranged from 46.59 to 32.34. In 2019, the proportions of antibiotics prescribed in outpatient, emergency, and inpatient care were 14.19%, 16.68%, and 46.26%, respectively. The injection prescription percentage ranged from 13.08% to 8.08%. The proportion of medicine income to total hospital income of 2015-2019 ranged from 26.66% to 25.31%. Conclusion: According to the analysis of women's and children's real-world drug data, economic investment and strict quality control of antimicrobial stewardship programs can lead to the rational use of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The current study was aimed to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of individuals 90 years and older living in Malatya regarding rational drug use.Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out with people aged 90 and over (n=1022) living in Malatya province and its districts. Face-to-face interview method was used to collect study data. In the first part of the form used for data collection, the descriptive characteristics of the participants were questioned, and in the second part, the attitudes and behaviors towards rational drug use were examined. Rational drug use features are evaluated by World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators.Results: The frequency of rational drug use was 84.1%, and the rate of over-the-counter drug use was 19.2% among individuals 90 years and older. 52.3% of the participants had over-the-counter medication at home for use, when necessary, without doctor's recommendation. The most commonly available over-the-counter group of drugs at home were painkillers.Conclusion: The frequency of rational drug use in individuals aged 90 and older has been determined higher than in the literature on individuals aged 65 and older. Education, guidance and counseling programs can be created to increase rational drug use within elderly people communities.Keywords: rational drug use; oldest-old; elderly; attitude; behavior

With the prosperous development of Internet medical care and increasing flow of electronic prescriptions, electronic prescription review has become an important guarantee for rational drug use in the online medication environment. However, in the Internet scenario, inefficient manual review with low quality increases the risk of adverse drug events. The application of the intelligent auxiliary prescription review system can significantly reduce the working pressure of pharmacists reviewing prescriptions and improve the efficiency of review, but there is a lack of setting standards and standardized management measures in the system architecture, system functions and prescription review rules setting of the Internet medical intelligent auxiliary prescription review system at present, which cannot meet the rapidly developing needs of Internet medical care. Using the construction experience of the prescription review system in medical institutions as a reference, this expert consensus makes recommendations on the construction and application of the Internet medical intelligent auxiliary prescription review system based on the functions and methods of formulating prescription review rules of the existing prescription review system, to further promote the standardization of the Internet medical prescription review work and ensure rational drug use.

Abstract Introduction Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) abuse poses an overwhelming threat to the allocation of medical resources and places a heavy burden on global medical expenses. In this study, we put forward our prospective prescription review system and evaluated the effects of this system on clinical outcomes, rational medication use and costs related to PPIs. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which the included patients were divided into a preintervention group (2019.10–2020.09) and a postintervention group (2020.10–2021.09). To reduce the bias of patients’ baseline characteristics, the propensity score matching (PSM) method was employed. The primary endpoints were the incidence of stress ulcers (SUs), the improvement and cure rates of gastrointestinal haemorrhage, the defined daily dose (DDD), the drug utilization index (DUI) and the DDD/100 patient-days. The secondary endpoints included the types of unreasonable medication orders for PPIs, the PPI utilization rate and PPI costs. Results A total of 53,870 patients were included to evaluate the secondary endpoints, and 46,922 patients were paired by PSM and assessed to evaluate the primary endpoints. The number of PPIs used and PPI costs were significantly lower in the postintervention group than in the preintervention group (P

Du Wei,1,&ast; Yue Chang,1,2,&ast; Qi Chen,3,&ast; Qin Wang,4 Hanni Zhou,1,2 Shengyan Wu,1,2 Xiaomin Xian,5 Zhezhe Cui6 1School of Medicine and Health Management, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Center of Medicine Economics and Management Research, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Pharmacy Department, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Health Education, Tongren Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Tongren, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 6Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Discipline platform of Tuberculosis Control, Guangxi Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhezhe Cui, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention and Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi key discipline platform of tuberculosis control, Guangxi Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-0771-2518785, Email czz6997@163.com Yue Chang, School of Medicine and Health Management, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-0851-88308118, Email changyue@gmc.edu.cnPurpose: To establish a concise and easy-to-understand reference manual for outpatient primary care providers, promoting correct diagnosis of digestive system diseases and rational antimicrobial use.Methods: The establishment of the manual encompassed two processes: the development of a draft manual and the validation of the manual. The development process was based on a literature review and expert discussion. The manual comprises portions for disease diagnosis and rationality of antimicrobial use. The validation process employed a two-round Delphi technique, collecting consensus through paper-based or mail-based communications. The response of the Delphi group was assessed by the level of authority and commitment of the panelists and the degree of agreement among them. Furthermore, the manual was preliminarily applied among primary care physicians.Results: A total of 29 panelists completed the Delphi working process. They were authoritative in their professional fields with authority coefficients of 0.813 and 0.818 for the two portions of the manual, respectively. The level of commitment of the panelists was measured by response rates, which were 100.00% and 96.67% for Round 1 and 2. After two rounds, a consensus was achieved with the consensus rates for the two portions of the manual being greater than 65% and 70%, respectively. Kendall W-tests had P-values < 0.001 in both rounds. This reference manual provides 200 diagnostic indicators for 29 common digestive diseases and recommendations for the rational use of antimicrobial agents for 13 categories of digestive diseases. The primary care physicians who used the reference manual reported high satisfaction and frequent usage.Conclusion: Based on a collective consensus of professionals, a reference manual has been established, to provide a concise and easy-to-understand guide specifically for physicians and pharmacists in outpatient primary care. It could facilitate rapid learning to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment for digestive disorders.Keywords: primary health care, digestive system, diagnosis, antimicrobial agents, rational drug use, Delphi technique

Abstract South Africa has two types of animal farming systems, being the commercial industry and subsistence farming in more rural areas, with commercial farmers having more access to veterinary services. To cater for the absence of sufficient veterinary service, the country allows farmers to access certain over the counter medications (stock remedies), as a way to assist them to farm sustainably and profitably. However, with any drug use, their true benefits are only realized following correct use. The aim of this study was to describe and assess the adequacy of the current use of veterinary drugs by rural-based farmers. A scheduled structured questionnaire with close-ended questions and direct observation was employed. The most important finding was the absence of proper training in the area, with 82.9% not receiving any training related to livestock production or use/handling of stock remedies, highlighting the urgent need for proper training. Of interest, a large proportion of the farmers (57.5%) left the care of their animals to herders. Concerns were also noted in the application of withholding periods, transport of medication, disposal of medication, calculation of drug doses, correct route of administration and carcass disposal with no difference in response between farmers receiving training and those who didn’t. These finding not only indicates the importance of farmer training, but shows that for such training to be effective, information should not only cover farming activities but must include primary animal health care and an understanding of information contained in package leaflets. It would also be important to ensure that herdsmen are also included in such training initiatives as they are the primary careers of the animals.

Aim: This study aimed to measure Selcuk University Medical Faculty (SUMF) students’ levels of awareness of rational drug use (RDU) in adults and to assess related factors. Material and Methods: The data for this descriptive, cross-sectional study derived from an online questionnaire completed by SUMF students; the questionnaire employed a sociodemographic survey form and the Rational Drug Use Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, and a p-value of

BackgroundThis study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of drug use among residents in western China and its influencing factors for accurately designing the knowledge, contents, and methods of popular science activities for safe drug use among residents to provide a reference for conducting rational drug use educational activities and improving residents’ level of safe drug use.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the KAP of medication among western China residents and its influencing factors from March to April 2023. Each question option was assigned a score according to logic, and the risk factors for resident medication safety KAP were explored through univariate and logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 7,557 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective recovery rate of 96.7%. The average scores of KAP were 72.77 ± 22.91, 32.89 ± 10.64, and 71.27 ± 19.09, respectively. In the evaluation criteria of the questionnaire, the score of medication knowledge reached “good,” and the score of attitude and practice was “average.” Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that male sex and low education level were significant factors affecting the lack of drug knowledge among residents. Old age and low education level were the factors of poor attitude toward medication. The low condition of medical security was a factor in residents’ irregular drug use behavior.ConclusionThe overall level of rational drug use among residents in western China is good, but there are still some inconsistencies. Rational drug use education should be conducted according to the risk points of residents in drug safety KAP to further improve the level of rational drug use of residents.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the content and scale of prescription suitability evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces prescription through the analysis of rational drug use of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces prescriptions containing ephedra herba, so as to promote the further development of prescription evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces. METHODS: Rationality of prescriptions containing ephedra herba in outpatient department of the hospital in Jan. 2020 was analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 3 699 traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces prescriptions containing ephedra herba were included, 149 prescriptions were unsuitable for drug use (4. 03%), including 74 prescriptions of inconsistency between syndrome differentiation and drug use, 32 prescriptions of inconsistency between diagnosis and drug use, 16 prescriptions of inappropriate ephedra herba dosage, 11 prescriptions of repeated use of decoction pieces prescription and Chinese patent medicine, 11 prescriptions of ephedra herba for diagnosis of only “hypertension”, 5 prescriptions for ephedra herba for diagnosis of only “insomnia”. CONCLUSIONS: The content and scale of suitability evaluation of prescription containing ephedra herba are preliminarily established through rational drug use analysis of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces prescription containing ephedra herba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different sexes and genders experience differentiated risks of acquiring infections, including drug-resistant infections, and of becoming ill. Different genders also have different health-seeking behaviours that shape their likelihood of having access to and appropriately using and administering antimicrobials. Consequently, they are distinctly affected by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As such, it is crucial to incorporate perspectives on sex and gender in the study of both AMR and antimicrobial use in order to present a full picture of AMR's drivers and impact. An intersectional approach to understanding gender and AMR can display how gender and other components 'intersect' to shape the experiences of individuals and groups affected by AMR. However, there are insufficient data on the burden of AMR disaggregated by gender and other socio-economic characteristics, and where available, it is fragmented. For example, to date, the best estimate of the global burden of bacterial AMR published in The Lancet does not consider gender or other social stratifiers in its analysis. To address this evidence gap, we undertook a scoping review to examine how sex and gender compounded by other axes of marginalization influence one's vulnerability and exposure to AMR as well as one's access to and use of antimicrobials. We undertook a gendered analysis of AMR, using intersectionality as a concept to help us understand the multiple and overlapping ways in which different people experience exposure vulnerability to AMR. This approach is crucial in informing a more nuanced view of the burden and drivers of AMR. The intersectional gender lens should be taken into account in AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control and public and professional awareness efforts, both donor and government funded, as well as national and international policies and programmes tackling AMR such as through national action plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare systems in both developing and developed countries were not free from prescription errors. One of the effects of prescription errors is irrational prescribing. According to the estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO), greater than 50% of medicines are prescribed and dispensed irrationally. On the other hand, research on drug use patterns in the private healthcare sector is scarce. This study aimed to assess prescription Completeness and Drug use Pattern using WHO prescribing indicators in Private Community Pharmacies in Lemi-Kura sub-city. Methods: Based on the WHO prescribing indicators, a retrospective cross-sectional technique was employed to examine the completeness and drug-prescription patterns. The study was conducted from April to May 2021. Prescriptions, kept for 1 year that was prescribed from March 2020 to March 2021, by private healthcare sectors, were analyzed. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select prescriptions obtained from private health facilities. Data were analyzed using SPSS® version 26.0 software. Results: Of a total of 1000 prescriptions, 1770 drugs were prescribed and the average number of drugs per prescription was 1.77. Prescriptions for two drugs account for 38% of these, while prescriptions for three drugs account for 15%. Age, sex, and card number were written on 99.0%, 99.2%, and 41.8% of prescriptions, respectively. The patient's name was written on every prescription. Even though the availability of other therapeutic information on the prescription made it appear greater, only 44.2% of prescriptions included the dosage form of medications. The generic name was used for the majority of the medications (67.8%). Furthermore, assuming that each prescription was for a single patient, 71% of patients received antibiotics, and 2% received injectable medicines. The National List of Essential Medicines-Ethiopia was used in 99.6% of the prescriptions. Conclusions: On the basis of the finding of this study, the prescribing and prescription completeness indicator showed deviation from the standard recommended by WHO. This situation could be critical since a similar pattern is reported from public healthcare sectors, which might imply the extent of non-adherence to WHO core drug use standards. Consequently, it could play a considerable role in increasing prescription errors in Ethiopia. Hence, in-service training for prescribers should be provided to improve adherence to basic prescription writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypharmacy can result in drug–drug interactions, severe side-effects, drug–disease interactions, inappropriate medication use in the elderly, and escalating costs. This study aims to evaluate nursing home residents' medication regimens using a rational drug use web assistant developed by researchers to mitigate unnecessary medication usage. This analytical, cross-sectional study included data from nursing home residents recently recorded in a training family health center. Sociodemographic information, medical conditions, and prescribed medications of all patients in the nursing home (n = 99) were documented. Medications were assessed using an artificial intelligence-aided rational drug use web assistant. Instances of inappropriate drug use and calculations of contraindicated drug costs were also recorded. The study revealed that 88.9% (n = 88) of patients experienced polypharmacy, with a mean value of 6.96 ± 2.94 drugs per patient. Potential risky drug–drug interactions were present in 89.9% (n = 89) of patients, contraindicated drug–drug interactions in 20.2% (n = 20), and potentially inappropriate drug use in 86.9% (n = 86). Plans to discontinue 83 medications were estimated to reduce total direct medication costs by 9.1% per month. After the assessment with the rational drug use web assistant, the number of drugs that patients needed to use and polypharmacy decreased significantly. This study concludes that the rational drug use web assistant application, which is more cost-effective than the traditional manual method, assisted by artificial intelligence, and integrated into healthcare services, may offer substantial benefits to family physicians and their geriatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]