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This study assessed the prevalence of the inappropriate use of over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicine among adolescents and examined the relationships between knowledge, literacy, and the inappropriate use of OTC cold medicine. In 2015, a national representative sample of 6812 students from primary, middle, and high schools completed a survey in Taiwan. Self-administered questionnaires were collected. The results indicated that 22% of adolescents had taken OTC cold medicine in the past year, and 28.5% of them had taken inappropriate dosages. In addition, 15% of adolescents bought OTC cold medicine in the past year, 27% of them did not consult pharmacists. More than half of the adolescents surveyed had misperceptions about cold medicine. Multivariate analysis results indicated that adolescents who had lower levels of cold medicine knowledge, lower medication label literacy, and lower self-efficacy were more likely to engage in the inappropriate use of OTC cold medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly regio- and stereocontrolled approach for the synthesis of allopumiliotoxin 339A was reported. The approach is based on an intramolecular chromium(II)-mediated cyclization involving direct construction of the 6-(E)-alkylideneindolizidine ring system as well as establishing the transdiaxial 7,8-diol on the indolizidine ring. The method should prove an efficient tool in the synthesis of the allo series of pumiliotoxins.

Presents a remarkably high regio- and stereoselective approaches for the syntheses of dendrobatid alkaloids allopumiliotoxin 267A and 339A. Synthesis of allopumiliotoxin; Formation of a highly stereocontrolled methodology for the syntheses of allopumiliotoxin.

Taiwan offers affordable access to health care through the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program, but this increases the risk of waste of medications and pollution caused by improper disposal. This research aimed to: (1) understand methods of disposal of unused medications, and public awareness of related issues, (2) understand the sources and types of unused medications and reasons for their disposal, and (3) propose improvements to current disposal practices. Data on practices and perspectives on the disposal of medications were collected from members of the public using a questionnaire, and subjected to chi-square analysis of demographic variables. The survey found that many respondents disposed of medications inappropriately, but most believed the government should establish a return system. The majority of discarded medications came from hospitals, and were most frequently discarded because patients had forgotten to take them. Based on these findings, the study proposes that receiving stations be established across Taiwan for the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of unused medications, along with a system of monthly checks and compensation for pharmacists' costs. The study also suggests that pharmacists strengthen medication guidance, spend more time on medication counseling, better understand the reasons for medication waste, and offer health education and advice to physicians and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]