Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a deleterious effect on dermatological conditions, such as skin cancers, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic in reducing cigarette smoking at a tertiary referral dermatology centre. We described the impact of this clinic to provide guidance on how such a model could be further improved and implemented more widely. METHODS: In this single-centre, retrospective study, 74 currently smoking patients who received counselling at a structured smoking cessation clinic between January 2010 and March 2013 were identified. Information on baseline demographic characteristics and detailed past medical history, including smoking history, was collected. Follow-up was conducted at two weeks and three months. RESULTS: At the first follow-up at two weeks, which was attended by 57 patients, 9 (15.8%) had stopped smoking and 26 (45.6%) showed reduction in the number of cigarette sticks smoked per day, with an average reduction of 4.1 cigarette sticks per day. However, a few patients also reported no change or increased number of cigarette sticks smoked per day following counselling. CONCLUSION: A structured pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic is effective and can be made a part of the holistic management of dermatological conditions.

Simple Preparation of Timolol 0.5% Gel from Eye Drop Solution for Superficial Infantile Hemangiomas.

The discovery of beta-adrenergic blocker effects on infantile hemangiomas has affected the choice of treatment in recent years. Oral propranolol is effective in treating infantile hemangiomas, but the risk of systemic side effects remains a concern. Data from literature review reported positive clinical outcomes with no major adverse effects observed in children using topical beta-blocker such as timolol maleate. Topical application of timolol eye drop has been mentioned in few studies, most of which reported that the solution cannot stay on the site of application due to its fluidity. Adding hydroxyethyl cellulose into a timolol solution increased its viscosity by forming a hydrogel and thus changed the rheology property. The compounded timolol gel exhibited thixotropy property allowing better and longer contact at sites of application. Experimental data from literature review showed desirable characteristics and measurable flux of timolol across human stratum corneum. Gel dosage form allows easy and precise application and maximizes timolol's therapeutic efficacy at the sites of application.

Extemporaneous Compounding of Oral Acitretin Suspension for Pediatric Patient with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis.

Generalized pustular psoriasis is rare in children, but it can occur and affect an extensive body surface area of a child. Treatment regimens can include medications that are not available in pediatric dosage form. Acitretin is considered one of the treatment options for acute generalized pustular psoriasis in children, but, in Singapore, it is only available as Neotigason capsules. Extemporaneous compounding of the powder content in the capsules was developed for formulating the oral acitretin suspension with a standardized formulation table and compounding process at National Skin Centre. An appropriate beyond-use date of the extemporaneous preparation was assigned after reviewing the photostability data of acitretin, compatibility of the active ingredient and excipients, and United States Pharmacopeia <795> guidelines. It is deemed appropriate to assign a beyond-use date of 14 days when the extemporaneous preparation is stored in amber glass bottles at 2 degrees C to 8 degrees C.