Pharmacogenetics: a perspective and preparedness of Pharm-D and medical students in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetics (PGx) science has evolved significantly with a huge number of studies exploring the effect of genetic variants on interindividual variability of drug response. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, attitudes and preparedness of Pharm-D vs. medical students toward PGx. METHOD: A paper-based cross-sectional survey was performed. A pilot-tested questionnaire consisting of 21 questions (demographics 5, knowledge 6, attitude 6, and preparedness 4) was administered to 900 healthcare students at different years of study. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used. RESULTS: Out of the 900 students approached, 852 (94.7%) completed the questionnaire. The overall students' mean (SD) percentage knowledge score (PKS) was poor [46.7% (18.7)]. The mean (SD) attitude and preparedness scores for all students were 4.68 (1.32), and 1.9 (1.40), respectively, indicating overall positive attitudes, but low preparedness to apply PGx to clinical care. Pharm-D students' overall PKS was significantly higher than medical students (P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in terms of attitude and preparedness scores. Interestingly, as the year of study increased, the knowledge scores increased as well, with 6th-year students had the highest knowledge scores, while preparedness in applying PGx was higher among the junior students (the 3rd and 4th year of study). CONCLUSION: Pharm-D and medical students have inadequate knowledge and low preparedness despite the overall positive attitude towards PGx. There is a need to raise knowledge and to enhance the level of preparedness of medical and Pharm-D students towards PGx and its applications in clinical practice.

The Effect of Psychotropic Medications and Their Combinations on the QTc Interval Among Jordanian Outpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of psychotropic drugs and their combinations on the QTc interval as well as the prevalence of long QTc (LQTc) among ambulatory patients with psychiatric illness in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study that included patients treated in an outpatient psychiatric clinic was conducted. The QTc duration was calculated using a combined QT correction (Bazett's formula for heart rate 60-100 and the Framingham formula for extremes of HR). Results: Among 307 patients, about 60% received multiple psychotropic drugs. The LQTc frequency was 1.2%. QTc interval prolongation was observed in patients receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (P = .011), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (P = .033), citalopram (P = .044), or psychotropic polytherapy (P = .005). The addition of SSRIs to second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) also lengthened the QTc interval (P = .029). There was a correlation between the number of psychotropic medications and the QTc length (P = .018). All patients with LQTc carried at least one risk factor for it other than the use of psychotropic medication(s), 3 of 4 patients had a combination therapy, all patients were prescribed SSRIs, and 2 of them had comorbid conditions. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of psychotropic drugs polytherapy, and it is clearly associated with LQTc. Citalopram, SSRIs, and TCAs prolong QTc interval. It is recommended to assess non-pharmacological factors for LQTc and, if necessary, to obtain an electrocardiogram before starting patients on psychotropic drugs known to prolong the QTc interval.

Food-drug interactions: Knowledge among pharmacists in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists have crucial role in providing drug information and medication counseling to patients. This survey aimed to benchmark the current knowledge of the pharmacists concerning food-drug interactions (FDIs) in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, the capital and largest city of Jordan, using a validated questionnaire. It was distributed to pharmacists working in community and hospital pharmacies using a convenience sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in this study. RESULTS: A total of 340 questionnaires distributed, 300 (88%) pharmacists responded. Over 50% of pharmacists claimed that they have sufficient knowledge regarding FDI. Virtually, the overall median (interquartile range) knowledge score was 18 (15-21), approximately 60%. The highest knowledge scores were for alcohol-drug interactions section (66.6%) followed by both common food-drug interactions and the timing of drug intake to food consumption sections with a score of (58.3%) for each, reflecting a suboptimal knowledge of FDIs among the pharmacists. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists had unsatisfactory knowledge about common FDIs, with no significant difference between hospital and community pharmacists. Therefore, more attention and efforts should be played to improve awareness about potential food-drug interactions.