Relação entre benefício e risco em interações medicamentosas nas prescrições médicas de um hospital universitário no estado de São Paulo / Benefit-risk relationship in drug interactions in prescriptions from a university hospital in the state of São Paulo / Relación beneficio-riesgo en interacciones medicamentosas en prescripciones de un hospital universitario del estado de São Paulo

Objetivo: Avaliar interações medicamentosas (IM), em que os riscos se so- brepõem aos benefícios (nível I) ou os benefícios se sobrepõem aos riscos (nível II); a partir da análise retrospectiva de prescrições médicas em um Hospital Universitário no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Foram analisadas 19762 prescrições médicas des- tinadas à farmácia do hospital, de janeiro a setembro de 2009; com o auxílio de programas sobre IM, para categorizar IM de nível I e II. Resultados: Na análise 26,53% apresentaram IM, em que 23,64% foram classificadas em nível I e 76,35% em nível II. Dentre as IM com maior frequência no nível I, estavam: ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) e clopidogrel, AAS e heparina, captopril e espironolactona, digoxina e hidroclorotiazida. Houve uma redução em percentual de IM de nível I, comparando janeiro representado por 26,5% e setembro representado por 18,4%. Já nas IM de nível II, tem-se as seguintes associações com maior frequência: AAS e propranolol, AAS e insulina regular humana, AAS e ate- nolol, AAS e enalapril, AAS e carvedilol. Conclusão: A atuação dos farmacêuticos cola- borou à redução de IM de nível I, devido à intervenção por meio de comunicação estabe- lecida com os prescritores; sinalizando a importância da equipe interprofissional em saúde.

Objective: To evaluate drug interactions (MI), in which risks outweigh the benefits (level I) or benefits outweigh the risks (level II); from the retrospective analysis of medical prescriptions in a University Hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: 19,762 prescriptions destined to the hospital pharmacy were analyzed, from January to September 2009; with the help of programs on MI, to categorize level I and II MI. Results: In the analysis 26.53% presented MI, in which 23.64% were classified in level I and 76.35% in level II. Among the most frequent level I MI were: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel, ASA and heparin, captopril and spironolactone, digoxin and hydrochlorothiazide. There was a reduction in the percentage of level I MI, comparing January, which accounted for 26.5%, and September, which accounted for 18.4%. As for level II MI, the following associations were more frequent: ASA and propranolol, ASA and regular human insulin, ASA and atenolol, ASA and enalapril, ASA and carvedilol. Conclusion: The role of pharmacists collaborated to the reduction of level I MI, due to the intervention by means of communication established with the prescribers; signaling the importance of the interprofessional health team.

Objetivo: Evaluar las interacciones medicamentosas (IM), en las que los riesgos superan a los beneficios (nivel I) o los beneficios superan a los riesgos (nivel II); a partir del análisis retrospectivo de las prescripciones médicas en un Hospital Universitario del estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Se analizaron 19.762 prescripciones destinadas a la farmacia del hospital, de enero a septiembre de 2009; con la ayuda de programas sobre IM, para categorizar los IM de nivel I y II. Resultados: En el análisis el 26,53% presentaron IM, en el que el 23,64% se clasificaron en nivel I y el 76,35% en nivel II. Entre los IM de nivel I más frecuentes estaban: ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) y clopidogrel, AAS y heparina, captopril y espironolactona, digoxina e hidroclorotiazida. Hubo una reducción del porcentaje de IM de nivel I, comparando enero, que supuso el 26,5%, y septiembre, que supuso el 18,4%. En cuanto a los IM de nivel II, fueron más frecuentes las siguientes asociaciones: AAS y propranolol, AAS e insulina humana regular, AAS y atenolol, AAS y enalapril, AAS y carvedilol. Conclusiones: El papel de los farmacéuticos colaboró a la reducción de las IM de nivel I, debido a la intervención mediante la comunicación establecida con los prescriptores; señalando la importancia del equipo sanitario interprofesional.

Perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19: resultados da DIABETES / Profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic: results from DIABETES / Perfil de personas con diabetes que usaron telefarmacia durante la pandemia de covid-19: resultados de DIABETES

O objetivo foi analisar o perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados oriundos da websurvey DIABETESvid que ocorreu nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2020. Verificou-se que 45 participantes recorreram à telefarmácia, sendo que 55,6% eram do sexo masculino, 42,2% tinham idade compreendida entre 18 e 34 anos e 46,7% estudaram 12 ou mais anos. Além disso, 48,9% autorreferiram diabetes mellitus tipo 1. A maioria usava insulina (55,6%) e obteve os medicamentos para o diabetes em farmácias do sistema público de saúde (60%). Ademais, as pessoas que tiveram o diagnóstico de covid-19 buscaram mais pela telefarmácia (RP=2,20; IC95% 1,23­3,94). Sabe-se que os medicamentos são essenciais para o tratamento do diabetes. Logo, no período estudado em que se preconizava o distanciamento físico, os participantes apropriaram-se da telefarmácia a fim de obter a integralidade do cuidado

The objective was to analyze the profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the DIABETESvid websurvey that took place in September and October 2020. It was found that 45 participants used telepharmacy, 55.6% of whom were male, 42.2% were between 18 and 34 years-old and 46.7% studied 12 or more years. In addition, 48.9% self-reported type 1 diabetes mellitus. Most used insulin (55.6%) and obtained their diabetes medication from pharmacies in the public health system (60%). Also, people diagnosed with covid-19 used telephar-macy more often (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.23­3.94). It is known that drugs are essential for the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, in the period studied in which physical distancing was advocated, the participants used telepharmacy to obtain comprehensive care

El objetivo fue analizar el perfil de las personas con diabetes que utilizaron la telefarmacia durante la pandemia del covid-19. Estudio transversal con datos de la encuesta por internet DIABETESvid realizada en septiembre y octubre de 2020. Se encontró que 45 participantes recurrieron a la telefarmacia, de los cuales el 55,6% eran hombres, el 42,2% tenían entre 18 y 34 años y el 46,7% estudiaban 12 o más años. Además, el 48,9% se autorrefirió diabetes mellitus tipo 1. La mayoría utilizaba insulina (55,6%) y recibía su medicación antidiabética en farmacias del sistema público (60%). Además, las personas diagnosticadas con covid-19 buscaron telefarmacia con más frecuencia (RP = 2,20; IC 95% 1,23­3,94). Los medicamentos son esenciales para el tratamiento de la diabetes. Por lo tanto, en el período estudiado en el que se propugnaba el distanciamiento físico, los participantes se apropiaron de la telefarmacia para la atención integral

Boletín de establecimientos farmacéuticos DIGEMID: Junio 2023 - Primer semestre / DIGEMID pharmaceutical establishments bulletin: June 2023 - First semester

El presente boletín busca generar conocimiento sobre información de los establecimientos farmacéuticos autorizados privados, que comercializan productos farmacéuticos, incorporando temas de disponibilidad según categoría de establecimiento y rango de pobreza monetaria a nivel distrital

El largo y sinuoso camino de la farmacia clinica en Chile / The long and winding road of the clinical pharmacy in Chile

Clinical pharmacy is a health discipline in which pharmacists provide patient care that optimizes rational medication use and promotes health, wellness and disease prevention. The beginnings of clinical pharmacy in Chile were inspired by the origin in the School of Pharmacy of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in the mid-1960s. However, the historical development in our country, both in teaching and in the professional field, was accompanied by difficulties and success, which became a long and winding road. This article shares the events that gave rise to its beginnings in Chile, first through teaching, then in pharmacovigilance and clinical pharmacokinetics, to later describe its professional expansion and recognition as a specialty of pharmacy. This article briefly recounts the history of the Chilean clinical pharmacy to this day. Some names of people or institutions were not mentioned. Therefore the authors apologize in advance to pharmacists and organizations whose contribution cannot be recognized in this way. However, we know that this specialty has not been forged only by the names that appear, but by all those who love and respect the work of the clinical pharmacy.

Existence of advanced glycation / lipoxidation end-products in parenteral nutrition solutions and effects of infusion conditions on their levels

Abstract Infusion solutions must be stable from the production stage until the infusion stage. Some infusion fluids contain degradation products, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs); however, it is unknown whether AGEs exist in parenteral nutrition solutions. We aimed to investigate this question and test the effect of infusion conditions on AGE formation in parenteral nutrition solution. Nine parenteral nutrition solutions were supplied by the pharmacy with which we collaborated. To simulate the infusion conditions, the solutions were held in a patient room with standard lighting and temperature for 24 hours. Samples were taken at the beginning (group A) and the end (24th hour, group B) of the infusion period. The degradation products were 3-deoxyglucosone, pentosidine, N-carboxymethyl lysine, and 4-hydroxynonenal, which we investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and Q-TOF LC/MS methods. Two of four degradation products, 4-hydroxynonenal and N-carboxymethyl lysine, were detected in all samples, and Group B had higher levels of both compounds compared to Group A, who showed that the quantities of these compounds increased in room conditions over time. The increase was significant for 4-hydroxynonenal (p=0.03), but not for N-carboxymethyl lysine (p=0.23). Moreover, we detected in the parenteral nutrition solutions a compound that could have been 4-hydroxy-2-butynal or furanone

Preparatory Year Students' Perception of Pharmacy Profession as a Career Choice: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract The study attempted to assess preparatory year students' perception towards pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. The students were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms®. In total, 244 students, of which 53.7% were female with the mean age of 19.2 ± 0.65, from 12 universities participated in this study. As per our findings, the majority of the respondents (91.8%) regard pharmacy as a well-respected profession, 82.4% thought pharmacists are important decision-makers, 68.4% disagreed that most pharmacists were unkind, and 60.7% did not agree that pharmacy was a low-status occupation. Meanwhile, 95.5% agreed that pharmacists must have a university degree, 88.6% agreed pharmacists must take responsibility for patients, and 82.8% believed pharmacists had to work too hard. Moreover, 62.3% did not think pharmacy was a low-skill occupation, 54.9% did not agree pharmacists must do unpleasant things, and 45.1% disagreed pharmacists only did what physicians requested of them. Lastly, 48.8% had low confidence in choosing pharmacy as a career. The students' overall perception toward pharmacists and the pharmacy profession was favorable. However, only one-fourth of the students displayed a tendency to choose pharmacy as a future career.

University Pharmacy: from the foundation to the Pandemic times of Covid-19

Abstract The University Pharmacy Program (FU), from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), was created based on the need to offer a curricular internship to students of the Undergraduate Course at the Faculty of Pharmacy. Currently, it is responsible for the care of about 200 patients/day, offering vacancies for curricular internships for students in the Pharmacy course, it has become a reference in the manipulation of many drugs neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and provides access to medicines for low-income users playing an important social function. Research is one of the pillars of FU-UFRJ and several master and doctoral students use the FU research laboratory in the development of dissertations and theses. As of 2002, the Pharmaceutical Care extension projects started to guarantee a rational and safe pharmacotherapy for the medicine users. From its beginning in 1982 until the current quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FU-UFRJ has been adapting to the new reality and continued to provide patient care services, maintaining its teaching, research, and extension activities. The FU plays a relevant social role in guaranteeing the low-income population access to special and neglected medicines, and to pharmaceutical and education services in health promotion.

La implantación de la jornada laboral de ocho horas en las farmacias españolas, 1904-1936 / The implementation of the eight-hour working day in Spanish pharmacies, 1904-1936

Resumen Se estudia la implantación de la jornada de ocho horas (1919) en las oficinas de farmacia españolas, así como los antecedentes legislativos que condujeron a ella: ley de descanso dominical y ley reguladora de la dependencia mercantil. Estos establecimientos sanitarios fueron contemplados en algunas de las situaciones de excepcionalidad que marcaban estas disposiciones, que eran diferentes en función de que el trabajador fuera "externo" o estuviera acogido al sistema de "internado". También recogemos y analizamos los puntos de vista de los grupos profesionales implicados (farmacéuticos y auxiliares), es decir, patronos y obreros, a través de la prensa profesional más destacada, que representaba a los intereses encontrados de estos profesionales.

Abstract This is a study about the implementation of the eight-hour day (1919) in Spanish pharmacy offices and the legislative antecedents that led to it: the Sunday rest law and the law regulating commercial dependency. These health establishments were contemplated in some of the exceptional situations that marked these provisions, which were different depending on whether the worker was "external" or was part of the "internship" system. The article also collects and analyzes the points of view of pharmacists and auxiliaries, that is, employers and workers, through the most prominent professional press, which represented the conflicting interests of these professionals.

Identification and characterisation of potential drug interaction in a Hospital in Jundiai, Sao Paulo State

Abstract To identify and characterize the most frequent Drug Interaction (DI) in a Jundiaí Hospital. Exploratory, descriptive, and analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The source of the study is 100 prescriptions made by the medical service of a hospital in Jundiaí, dispensed from August to October 2018, by the pharmacy of the mentioned hospital for palliative care, mental health, and emergency care. Data plotting in Excel. Of the 100 prescriptions analyzed 60 had at least one type of interaction, 164 DI were found, 14.6% severe, 67.7% moderate, 17.1% minor and 0.6% unspecified. The mechanism of interaction that most appeared in the study was pharmacodynamics, 54.3%, pharmacokinetics were present in 34.1% of DI and 11.6% were not specified. The group most affected by DI was male 33% of prescriptions, female 27%, and 40% showed no interactions. The age group with the most interactions was from 50 to 59 years old. Of the prescriptions that had MI, those with 4 or more interactions were the ones that prevailed. The class of drugs that presented the most interactions was psychotropic drugs. A relevant frequency of interactions was identified by the present study, being the class of psychotropic drugs the most evident and interactions of medium severity the most found, which may be responsible for lowering the clinical condition of patients and the need of possible additional interventions. The data presented may contribute as epidemiological indicators, guiding corrective actions, aiming at the welfare of patients

The clinical pharmacist's role in a high-cost medicine pharmacy: Patient-centered care

Abstract In Brazil, medicine dispensing is a pharmacy service provided within the national health system that allows the pharmacist to interact directly with the patient in order to prevent, detect and solve problems related to pharmacotherapy and health needs. However, it is known that most dispensing services provided in the country are still limited to supplying medications and, at their finest, offering advice on medication utilization. Attempts to change this scenario present new challenges the area of pharmacy, which involve the need for a patient-centered pharmaceutical service model. This paper describes the patient-centered pharmaceutical service of high-cost medicine dispensing performed at a pharmacy linked to the Brazilian Unified Health System. In the model described here, the medicine-dispensing activity is the pharmacist's main field of practice, which consists of identifying patient needs related to health care itself and medication utilization. It also aims to introduce the instrument developed (a Pharmaceutical Care Protocol) that contributed to implementing this clinical service provided by the pharmacist. The protocols guide and qualify the service by providing information that helps in evaluating the effectiveness and safety of treatments and in the preparation of the care plan and can be used as a basis for other services that intend to adopt clinical pharmacy practices.

Perception of pharmacists regarding human resources, training, and development of a national hospital pharmacy: a preliminary report on Basel Statements

Abstract The hospital pharmacy needs a constant process of evaluation and monitoring of its activities. In Brazil, several agencies establish tasks and duties for pharmacists, but little is known about the compliance and the perception of the professional regarding these policies. The present study aims to characterize the pharmacist's perception of Brazilian hospital pharmacy policies according to the Basel Statements. A search was performed for the contacts of all medium and high complexity hospitals in the country. Subsequently, a questionnaire elaborated following the Basel Statements was sent by e-mail to hospital pharmacists throughout the country. The domain analyzed was "Human Resources, Training, and Development". Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0. Pharmacists representing a total of 111 hospitals from all Brazilian regions answered the survey questionnaire and showed that more than half of the hospital pharmacists perceive themselves as not complying, whether in the service of local, national, or pharmaceutical education. Besides updating the professionals in relation to national policies, it is necessary that the representative bodies of the pharmaceutical class be more present in the elaboration and evaluation of the policies directed to human resources, seeking uniformity and the possibility of carrying out the activities required.

Das farmácias comunitárias às grandes redes: provisão privada de medicamentos, sistema de saúde e financeirização no varejo farmacêutico brasileiro / From community pharmacies to big pharmacy chains: private provision of medicines, health system, and financialization of the Brazilian retail pharmacy market / De las farmacias comunitarias a las grandes redes: provisión privada de medicamentos, sistema de salud y financiarización en el sector minorista de farmacias brasileñas

No Brasil a provisão de medicamentos é marcada pelo predomínio dos gastos e da oferta privada em farmácias e pela regulação historicamente liberal sobre a comercialização. Nos anos 2000 e 2010 houve expansão e concentração do varejo farmacêutico e crescente financeirização no setor saúde. O artigo analisa as expressões da financeirização em empresas do varejo farmacêutico brasileiro considerando três dimensões transversais: patrimonial, contábil-financeira e política. Foram analisados dados quantitativos e qualitativos de variadas fontes sobre as dimensões patrimonial e contábil das 10 maiores redes de farmácias brasileiras e à dimensão política da ação de quatro entidades representativas do subsetor. As informações coletadas foram reunidas no banco de dados da pesquisa fonte (Banco de Dados sobre Empresariamento na Saúde - BDES). Na dimensão patrimonial, identificou-se verticalização, diversificação, capitalização por operações financeiras e patrimoniais, intensificação de fusões e aquisições, abertura de farmácias, entrada de investidores, mudanças na gestão e organização interna. Na contábil-financeira, constatou-se aumento de porte (receitas, ativos, patrimônio) e bom desempenho (retorno sobre capital próprio, giro do ativo e capitais de terceiros) das redes em comparação à empresas brasileiras e da saúde. Na política houve embates e colaborações entre entidades e o poder público (Executivo, Legislativo e Judiciário) a depender da pauta, com desfechos geralmente favoráveis ao subsetor e protagonismo da Associação Brasileira de Farmácias e Drogarias (Abrafarma). A financeirização do padrão de acumulação de empresas do varejo farmacêutico e o fortalecimento de sua atuação política se mostraram relevantes para compreensão das mudanças na provisão de medicamentos e no setor farmacêutico.

The provision of medicines in Brazil is marked by the predominance of private expenditures and supply in pharmacies and by the historically liberal regulation of retail drug sales. The first two decades of the 21st century witnessed the expansion and concentration of the retail pharmaceutical sector and growing financialization of the health sector. The article analyzes the characteristics of financialization of Brazilian retail pharmaceutical companies, considering the following three crosscutting dimensions: ownership structure, financial/accounting, and political. Quantitative and qualitative data from various sources were analyzed including ownsership and account informations of the ten biggest Brazilian retail pharmacies chains and political action of four business associations. The information collected was stored in the source project database. The ownership structure dimension revealed verticalization, diversification, capitalization via financial and shareholding operations, intensification of mergers and acquisitions, opening of pharmacy branches, entry of investors, and changes in internal management and organization. The financial/accounting dimension revealed an increase in size (revenues, assets, net worth) and good performance (return on equity capital, capital turnover, and third-party capital) of the networks compared to Brazilian companies and health companies. The policy arena revealed both clashes and collaborations between representative associations and government (Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary), depending on the issue, with outcomes that were generally favorable to the pharmaceutical sector and leadership by the Brazilian Association of Pharmacy and Drugstore Networks (Abrafarma). The financialization of the retail pharmaceutical companies' accumulation pattern and the strengthening of their political action proved relevant for understanding the changes in the provision of medicines and in the pharmaceutical market.

En Brasil la provisión de medicamentos está marcada por el predominio de los gastos y oferta privada en farmacias, así como por la regulación históricamente liberal sobre su comercialización. En los años 2000 y 2010 hubo una expansión y concentración de la red minorista farmacéutica y una creciente financiarización en el sector salud. El artículo analiza las expresiones de la financiarización en empresas de la red minorista farmacéutica brasileña, considerando tres dimensiones transversales: patrimonial, contable-financiera y política. Se analizaron datos cuantitativos y cualitativos de variadas fuentes, reunidos en el banco de datos del estudio fuente, relacionados con las dimensiones patrimonial y contable de las diez mayores redes de farmacias brasileñas, y con la dimensión de la actuación política de cuatro entidades representativas del subsector. En la dimensión patrimonial, se identificaron: verticalización, diversificación, capitalización por operaciones financieras y patrimoniales, intensificación de fusiones y adquisiciones, apertura de farmacias, entrada de inversores, cambios en la gestión y organización interna. En la contable-financiera, se constató un aumento de tamaño (ingresos, activos, patrimonio) y buen desempeño (rendimiento sobre capital propio, rotación del activo y capitales de terceros) de las redes, en comparación con empresas brasileñas y de salud. En política hubo enfrentamientos y colaboraciones entre entidades y poder público (Ejecutivo, Legislativo y Judicial) dependiendo de la agenda de cada uno, con desenlaces generalmente favorables al subsector y protagonismo de la Asociación Brasileña de Farmacias y Droguerías (Abrafarma). La financiarización del patrón de acumulación de empresas en la red minorista farmacéutica y el fortalecimiento de su actuación política fueron relevantes para la comprensión de los cambios en la provisión de medicamentos y en el sector farmacéutico.

Exploring Work Satisfaction and Characteristics of Iraqi Pharmacist Workforce

Abstract The objectives of this study were to describe work characteristics of Iraqi pharmacists, to compare pharmacist job satisfaction between private and public sectors and to assess factors influencing job satisfaction level. This cross-sectional study of pharmacists, their work sites and work satisfactions used an electronic questionnaire that was posted on Facebook pharmacy professional group from June to September 2018. The participants included pharmacists from all 18 Iraqi provinces. We used multiple linear regression to identify predictors of general job satisfaction among 13 pharmacist characteristics. We received 658 usable surveys. Approximately half (47.24%) of respondents indicated dissatisfaction with their primary workplace. Job performance, patient contact, satisfaction with manager, income and expectation satisfactions were significantly related with work satisfaction. Pharmacists working in the private sector had significantly more control over their workplace and higher satisfaction with manager, income and general satisfactions compared to those working in public sector. Pharmacists work in diverse settings across the public healthcare system, community pharmacies, private drug bureaus and academia. About half of them are dissatisfied with their primary workplace. The private sector has more satisfaction rate compared to the public sector. Thus, officials need to improve job environments in the public sector.

Evaluation of turkish pharmaceutical track and trace system (ITS): perspective of community pharmacists

Abstract Turkish Pharmaceutical Track & Trace System (ITS) is implemented as a system in which drug movements are tracked in order to ensure drug safety. The system is integrated among drug stores, pharmacies and reimbursement institutions. As the pharmacies are the primary users, their evaluations regarding the system are considered important. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the pharmacies'- a shareholder of ITS in Turkey- satisfaction level for ITS and problems and suggestions encountered in the system. The most expressed contribution of ITS to the pharmacists' work was the ease of medicine tracking and control with 27.1%. The average satisfaction level of pharmacists about ITS was found to be 2.9±1.2. In the research, the most expressed of the regarding the areas of ITS that need to be developed is 'work without interruption' with 37.1%. ITS application has provided advantages for pharmacies in many aspects that facilitate operations. However, continuous development of technology, increasing information resources and diversity, changing expectations, and utilization levels of the users require the constant improvement of the performance of the system.

Perceptions of Pharmacy students about their competences for professional practice in community pharmacy

Abstract Pharmaceutical education should enable the development of competences for community pharmacy practice, which is an important field for the pharmacist workforce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the competences perceived by pharmacy interns from a Brazilian pharmacy school for community pharmacy practice. This study adopted a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. The study cohort included undergraduate students who undertook internships in community pharmacy in the final year of the pharmacy course. Students responded to an 11-item structured questionnaire according to a five-point Likert scale that included perceptions of their competences for community pharmacy practice. Among the 693 possible answers, 605 (87.3%) agreed that the course promoted the development of competences for professional practice in community pharmacy. Less than 70% of students perceived themselves as prepared to respond to symptoms and provide non-prescription medicines. Qualitative analysis of the comments revealed three themes: the need to improve patient information skills, improve practice as a member of a health care team, and improve dispensing according to legal requirements. These findings may support improvements in undergraduate pharmacy programs, such as the inclusion of experiential learning, active learning methods, interprofessional education, and development of clinical skills.

Alfabetización en salud y necesidades para el etiquetado de medicamentos identificadas en población indígena de Alto Telire del Área de Salud Talamanca, Costa Rica / Health literacy and drug labeling needs identified in indigenous population of Alto Telire, Talamanca Health Area, Costa Rica

Resumen Introducción: Conocer los aspectos sociodemográficos de la alfabetización en salud y las necesidades relacionadas con el etiquetado de medicamentos permite crear las bases para canalizar las acciones de los profesionales para la mejora de la atención sanitaria que se brinda a poblaciones vulnerables. Metodología: A partir de ello, se realizó una investigación de tipo cuantitativa, observacional, con un alcance exploratorio que abordó la población indígena residente en el sector de Alto Telire, localizado en la provincia de Limón, Costa Rica. Esta se caracteriza por su aislamiento y baja escolaridad. En este artículo se presenta la caracterización de aspectos sociodemográficos y de alfabetización en salud, así como la identificación de necesidades relacionadas con el etiquetado de medicamentos para un grupo de pacientes de la etnia cabécar, atendidos en el mes de mayo del 2018 por personeros de la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS). Los resultados se obtuvieron mediante la realización de entrevistas directas a pacientes. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos del estudio destacan que el 57 % de la población participante es del sexo femenino, con edades entre los 18 y 45 años. Además, el nulo acceso a la educación que tuvo la población hasta el año 2009 explica por qué el 70,42 % de las personas participantes no cuentan con ningún tipo de escolaridad, lo cual está relacionado con que el 100 % presentaran un bajo nivel de alfabetización en salud. Por otro lado, las principales formas de las personas participantes de reconocer sus medicamentos es por el nombre, uso y características físicas, siendo el uso que se le da al medicamento la principal manera de reconocerle. Conclusiones: La población incluida en este estudio cuenta con baja escolaridad y un nivel inadecuado de alfabetización para la salud. Las necesidades con respecto al etiquetado de medicamentos están relacionadas principalmente con el motivo de uso y la persona que lo debe utilizar. Adicionalmente, el etiquetado de los medicamentos es la única fuente de información que tiene esta población al alcance para utilizar racionalmente los medicamentos.

Abstract Introduction: The understanding of sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, and drug labeling needs allows to create the bases for professionals to target actions for the improvement of healthcare among vulnerable populations. Methodology: From this, a quantitative, observational research was carried out, with an exploratory scope; that addressed the indigenous population residing in the Alto Telire sector, located in the province of Limón, Costa Rica, which is characterized by its isolation and low schooling. This article presents the characterization of sociodemographic aspects, health literacy, as well as the identification of needs related to the labeling of medicines for a group of patients of the Cabécar ethnic group, attended in May 2018 by representatives of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). The results were obtained through direct interviews with patients. Results: The results obtained from the study highlight that 57% of the participating population is female, with ages between 18 and 45 years. Furthermore, the lack of access to education that the population had until 2009 explains why 70 42% of the participants do not have any type of education, which is related to the fact that a 100% have low health literacy level. On the other hand, participants recognize their medications principally by the name, use and physical characteristics, being the use given to the medication the main way to recognize it. Conclusions:The population included in this study has low education and an inadequate level of health literacy. Drug labeling needs are primarily related to indications and the person intended to use it. Furthermore, drug labels are the only source of information available to this population in order to rationally use their treatments.

Revisión, diseño y construcción de un instrumento de medición para evaluar las competencias laborales del personal farmacéutico ambulatorio / Review, design, and construction of a measuring instrument to assess the labor competencies of outpatient pharmacy staff

Resumen Introducción: La medición y evaluación de las competencias laborales, en el personal farmacéutico ambulatorio, debe combinar aspectos relacionados con los conocimientos (que sabe), habilidades (como lo hace) y actitudes (de que modo lo hace). Objetivo: Identificar y seleccionar las directrices y recomendaciones sobre las competencias laborales que requiere el personal farmacéutico ambulatorio, y construir un instrumento para su medición. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión estructurada en dos fases: a) se revisaron y seleccionaron las funciones/dominios, los criterios de desempeño (habilidades y actitudes), los conocimientos, los marcos de competencias establecidas a nivel internacional, y los instrumentos de medición reportados en la literatura; y b) se identificaron las competencias laborales necesarias de acuerdo con la normatividad colombiana y con los procesos de los Establecimientos Farmacéuticos ambulatorios (droguerías y farmacias-droguerías). Finalmente, se construyó el instrumento de medición por un panel de expertos. Resultados: Se identificaron las competencias laborales establecidas por las organizaciones de regulación internacional. Se revisaron 993 artículos que reportaban la medición y evaluación de las competencias, seleccionándose y analizándose 9 referencias. Se analizaron los marcos de competencias de diferentes países. Se analizaron las regulaciones en Colombia sobre el tema. El instrumento construido contiene 101 competencias distribuidas en los siguientes componentes: a) suministro de cuidados al paciente; b) personales; c) solución de problemas; y d) gestión y organización. Conclusión: Directrices y recomendaciones internacionales, además, la normatividad colombiana para identificar las competencias laborales que requiere el personal farmacéutico para el correcto funcionamiento de los Establecimientos Farmacéuticos ambulatorios, y partir de esto, se construye un instrumento de medición para evaluarlas.

Abstract Introduction: The measurement and evaluation of labor competencies, in outpatient pharmacy staff, must combine aspects related to knowledge (who knows), skills (as it does) and attitudes (in what way it does). Objective: Identify and select the guidelines and recommendations on labor competencies required by outpatient pharmacy staff and build an instrument for their measurement. Methodology: A structured review was carried out in two phases: a) the functions/ domains, performance criteria (skills and attitudes), knowledge, competency frameworks established internationally, and measurement instruments reported were reviewed and selected in the literature; and b) the necessary labor competencies were identified in accordance with Colombian regulations and with the processes of the outpatient Pharmaceutical Establishments (drugstores and pharmacies-drugstores). Finally, the measuring instrument was built by a panel of experts. Results: Labor competencies established by international regulation organizations. were identified. A total of 993 articles were reviewed that reported the measurement and evaluation of competencies, selecting and analyzing 9 references. Competency frameworks from different countries were analyzed. The regulations in Colombia on the subject were analyzed. The constructed instrument contains 101 competencies distributed in the following components: a) provision of patient care; b) personal; c) troubleshooting; and d) management and organization. Conclusion: The international guidelines and recommendations were reviewed and analyzed, in addition, the Colombian regulations to identify the labor competencies required by the pharmacy staff for the correct functioning of the outpatient Pharmaceutical Establishments, and from this, an instrument was built of measurement to evaluate them.