Determination of underivatised efaroxan and idazoxan in blood plasma by capillary gas chromatography with mass-selective detection.

Sensitive and specific methods for the determination of efaroxan and idazoxan in blood plasma have been developed based on solvent extraction, chromatographic separation and quantification by selected-ion monitoring using a quadruple mass-selective detector. The use of a short non-polar bonded-phase capillary gas chromatography (GC) column facilitated rapid separation of the compounds of interest from internal standards, metabolites and endogenous material. Of equal significance was the ability to chromatograph these basic compounds without prior derivatisation. The application of bonded-phase capillary GC coupled to selected-ion monitoring resulted in robust analytical procedures with sub-ng ml(-1) sensitivity and high selectivity.

Nonpharmacy outlets providing prescription medications to ambulatory patients.

Nonpharmacy outlets providing prescription medication to ambulatory patients in Alachua County, Florida, were investigated. The sample included 16 ambulatory clinics and 44 dispensing physicians. The types of medications dispensed and dispensing procedures used by these outlets are described. The magnitude of prescription drug dispensing in ambulatory clinics and physicians' offices was far greater than was initially expected. Numerous drug-related problems were identified within these outlets, including a failure to comply with state and federal laws, inadequate drug control and storage, and inadequate patient medication records. Practicing pharmacists should consider the possibility of their patients receiving medication from similar outlets in evaluating therapies for appropriateness and interactions. In addition, such centers have apparent need for pharmacy consultation services to ensure adherence to the principles of responsible pharmaceutical services.