[New tools for medication review: DRP in patients treatment with proton pump inhibitors]. / Nuevas herramientas para la revisión de la medicación: PRM en pacientes en tratamiento con inhibidores de la bomba de protones.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze, using the medication review program, Revisem®, the prevalence of drug-related problems (DRP) in patients in the province of Valencia who were on active treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in 2022. DESIGN: Descriptive and retrospective observational study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The pharmacotherapeutic history of 295 patients was analyzed following the criteria proposed by the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe, using the Revisem® digital platform of the Muy Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos (MICOF). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 81.8 ± 11.1 years and 66.4% were women. At least one DRP was detected in 97.3% of patients. 46.9% of the DRP analyzed were interactions, of which 29.7% involved a PPI, with omeprazole being the most frequent. DRPs with PPI are significantly related to certain patient conditions and pharmacological groups, such as female sex, age over 54 years and polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the Revisem® digital platform allows the detection of a high prevalence of DRP at the provincial level. The application of new technological tools to detect the prevalence of DRP is essential to optimize patient treatments.

[Impact of the pandemic on primary care. SESPAS Report 2022]. / Impacto de la pandemia en la atención primaria. Informe SESPAS 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which last 2 years and still goes on, has pushed the primary health care (PC) to a current worrying situation of saturation and exhaustion. It is a community infectious disease, with a great amount of cases (around 10 million declared in January 2022) due to that, PC has made an extraordinary effort to pay attention on mild cases and on PC and to detect potentially serious cases early. Unfortunately, up to now, a global evaluation of the actions has not been carried out, in order to allow us to learn from this new experience. This article describes the different phases of the pandemic and its impact on PC. Finally, solutions are proposed to reinforce the central criteria that allow PC to be maintained as the foundation of the welfare state, longitudinality, resolution, accessibility, and care coordination and continuity, thanks to the contribution of resources and skills given to the PC. In conclusion, PC must still being the basis of the health system and it is mandatory to recover and claim those competencies and resources that should always have been a part of PC.

Ações da vigilância sanitária em farmácias comunitárias: análise de uma consulta nacional / Health surveillance actions in community pharmacies: Analysis of a national consultation

Introdução: A Lei nº 13.021, de 8 de agosto de 2014, renovou o conceito de farmácia, impulsionando ações da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) para a atualização da RDC n° 44, de 17 de agosto de 2009, como a realização de uma consulta dirigida ao Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária sobre a resolução. Objetivo: Identificar ações de vigilância sanitária relacionadas aos serviços de saúde em farmácias comunitárias. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo realizado com dados secundários da consulta dirigida às Vigilâncias Sanitárias (Visa) municipais promovida em 2019 pela Anvisa. As respostas das 349 respondentes foram organizadas nos blocos "Considerações Gerais", "Estrutura", "Processo e Monitoramento" e categorizados conforme o formato de pergunta (aberta ou fechada) e o conteúdo, utilizando-se parâmetros de avaliação em saúde. Resultados: O compartilhamento do local da dispensação com outras atividades de saúde refletiu um risco sanitário quanto a estrutura. O gerenciamento dos resíduos foi o processo mais citado, superando aqueles relacionados à assistência farmacêutica. Quanto ao monitoramento, a Declaração de Serviços Farmacêuticos mostrou-se um bom instrumento para o registro das atividades realizadas, enquanto notificações de eventos adversos e queixas técnicas não apareceram como rotineiros. A descentralização nas ações de Visa está bem estabelecida, mas evoluiu de forma desigual para produtos regulados e atividades de saúde, de forma que a RDC n° 44 de 2009 mostrou-se útil, mas desatualizada nos aspectos impactantes aos serviços de saúde. Conclusões: A delimitação de atividades de saúde em farmácias é um desafio para a vigilância sanitária, seja pelo ajuste do regulamento sanitário, seja pelas tecnologias de produtos e serviços que são atualizadas mais rapidamente do que a análise dos riscos envolvidos na sua exposição à população.

Introduction: Law No. 13.021, August 8, 2014, renewed the concept of pharmacy, driving actions of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) to update RDC No. 44, August 17, 2009, such as conducting a consultation directed to the National Health Surveillance System on the resolution. Objective: To identify health surveillance actions related to health services in community pharmacies. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with secondary data from the consultation addressed to municipal Health Surveys (Visa) promoted in 2019 by Anvisa. The responses of the 349 respondents were organized in the blocks 'General Considerations', 'Structure', 'Process and Monitoring' and categorized according to the question format (open or closed) and content, using health assessment parameters. Results: The sharing of the dispensing location with other healthcare activities reflected a health risk regarding structure. Waste management was the most cited process, surpassing those related to pharmaceutical assistance. As for monitoring, the document named Statement on Pharmaceutical Care proved to be a good instrument for recording the activities performed, while notifcations of adverse events and technical complaints did not appear as a routine. The decentralization in Visa actions is well established, but has evolved unevenly for regulated products and health activities, so that the RDC No. 44 of 2009 proved to be useful, but outdated in the impacting aspects to health services. Conclusions: The delimitation of health activities in pharmacies is a challenge for health surveillance, either by the adjustment of sanitary regulation, either by the technologies of products and services that are updated faster than the analysis of the risks involved in the its exposure to the population.

[Supply of pharmaceutical care services: The key to a new model of health services]. / Oferta de servicios de atención farmacéutica: clave para un nuevo modelo de servicios de salud.

Interdisciplinary collaboration between health professionals is essential to improve health outcomes. The competences of pharmacists make them professionals capable of contributing to the comprehensive management of pharmacotherapy in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. The Council of Europe adopted resolution CM/Res(2020)3 on implementation of pharmaceutical care for the benefit of patients and health services in order to promote the appropriate and safe use of medicines. One of the activities to be carried out through the pharmaceutical care process is the detection of drug related problems, such as contraindications, duplications, prescription errors, interactions, etc. In many cases, it involves regular patient follow-up and needs an evaluation of the interventions performed, requiring the establishment of an appropriate interprofessional collaboration framework. This article discusses the issues to be addressed to face the change of model towards a care-based pharmacy.

[Blood pressure measurement campaign (May Measurement Month) from community pharmacies in 2018: analysis of screening in Spain]. / Campaña de medida de la presión arterial (May Measurement Month) desde las farmacias comunitarias en el 2018: análisis del cribado en España.

INTRODUCTION: Within the international project May Measurement Month, in Spain, the community pharmacy is where the greatest number of measurements are carried out and where the population can be made aware of the importance of regular blood pressure measurement. OBJECTIV: To ascertain the situation of the Spanish population's blood pressure and dissemination of the importance of its regular measurement through the community pharmacies. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Spanish community pharmacies during the month of May 2018, among pharmacy users of legal age. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured as main variables. RESULTS: Five thousand, seven hundred and eighty-five readings were made by 891 pharmacists. One thousand, seven hundred and fifty-five (34.8%) people had not had their blood pressure measured in the last year. Of the participants, 31.2% had high blood pressure readings. Mean systolic blood pressure was 127.1±20.1 and mean diastolic blood pressure 77.5±12.5, higher in men (p<.001). There were normal blood pressure values in 3,981 (68.8%) patients; one high reading in 1,226 (21.2%); and two in 578 (10%). There were 912 (15.76%) patients with SBP≥140 and 314 (5.4%) with DBP≥90. Four (0.07%) hypertensive emergencies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Three out of ten participants had a high blood pressure reading. Therefore, protocolized blood pressure readings carried out in a health care facility such as the community pharmacy, allowed the identification of a significant number of subjects with high and untreated blood pressure.

Supply of enteral diets in the Espirito Santo state public health system in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Background: Brazil includes food as a social right, making the State responsible to the courts for the sufficient and adequate supply of enteral food. Objectives: to evaluate the supply of enteral diets in pharmacies in the state of Espirito Santo. Methods: to do this, we used the forms filled out by patients or legal representatives, containing medical records, to analyze the nutritional and social profiles of the users over two years, and the compliance of the administrative processes with the ordinance that instituted enteral food supplies was verified. Results: the sample was comprised of 204 patients receiving enteral nutrition, and the administrative procedures required to supply these patients were surveyed in seven (7/9) pharmacies. The data showed that the most common group was that of women (51 %), who were white (51 %), legally represented (91 %), and 73.5 years old (11 to 109 years). Information regarding missing anthropometric data, use of terms and calculations for obtaining enteral food other than those recommended, incomplete documents, alterations to the physical examinations suggestive of error, and nonobservance of inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected for this study. Conclusions: this study revealed that there were gaps in the process of enteral diet supply by the Espírito Santo pharmacies, both concerning compliance with the protocol and patient follow-up by the professional who assists both the patient and the pharmacist who provides the input.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: Brasil incluyó la alimentación como un derecho social, haciendo que el Estado sea responsable ante los tribunales del suministro suficiente y adecuado de alimentos. Objetivos: evaluar el suministro de dietas enterales en las farmacias estatales de Espírito Santo. Métodos: para hacer esto utilizamos los formularios cumplimentados por los pacientes y representantes legales que contienen registros médicos con el fin de analizar los perfiles nutricionales y sociales de los usuarios durante dos años; además, se verificó el cumplimiento de los procesos administrativos con la ordenanza que instituyó el suministro de alimentos. Resultados: la muestra comprendió 204 pacientes que recibieron nutrición enteral, investigándose los procedimientos administrativos requeridos para suministrar a estos pacientes en siete (7/ 9) farmacias. Los datos mostraron que el grupo más común era el de mujeres (51 %), de raza blanca (51 %) y representadas legalmente (91 %), de 73,5 años de edad (11 a 109 años). Para este estudio se recopiló información sobre los datos antropométricos faltantes, el uso de términos y cálculos para obtener alimentos distintos a los recomendados, documentos incompletos, alteraciones en los exámenes físicos sugestivos de error y la no observancia de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Conclusiones: este estudio reveló que había vacíos en el proceso de suministro de dietas enterales por parte de las farmacias de Espírito Santo en lo que respecta tanto al cumplimiento del protocolo como al seguimiento del paciente por el profesional que lo atiende y el farmacéutico que proporciona la información.

[Oral antibiotic request without prescription in community pharmacies. Description of pharmacists' intervention]. / Demanda de antibióticos sin prescripción en la farmacia comunitaria. Descripción de la intervención del farmacéutico.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the proportion of oral antibiotics requests without prescription in Community Pharmacy (CP) and to analyse it causes. METHOD: Cross-sectional multicentre study carried out in Spanish community pharmacies during 4 weeks, one in each season of the year. Oral J01 antibiotics (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification, ATC) requested for self-medication were analysed. RESULTS: 247 pharmacies and 365 pharmacists participated in the study, 1172 antibiotic requests were recorded. More frequent requests for antibiotic self-medication were: previous treatment for the same symptoms (63.1%), insufficient time for a general practitioner (GP) consultation (12.1%) and patient belief that GP is going to prescribe the antibiotic (4.9%). Higher number of generic medication were requested compared to brand medication (41.1 versus 34.9%). Active ingredients commonly requested were amoxicillin (28.2%), amoxicillin-clavulanic (14.9%) and phosphomycin (21.8%) to treat upper respiratory related infections (35.1%), urinary infections (28.1%) and teeth infections (20.2%). 2406 pharmacists' interventions were carried out: referring to the GP (40.8%), information for correct use of medication (31.3%), non-pharmacological treatment (15.7%), and recommendation of a different medication (6.9%) or a different product (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays higher number of active ingredients than brands are requested when selecting a treatment for an infection, mainly ß-lactams and macrolides. Majority of self-medication tried to treat upper respiratory infections, urinary and teeth infections. Most frequent pharmacists' intervention was referring to the GP to obtain a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Evaluación de las condiciones estructurales para implementar el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en farmacias comunitarias cubanas, 2016 / Evaluation of the structural conditions to implement the pharmacotherapy follow-up of the Cuban community pharmacies, 2016

Introducción: El seguimiento farmacoterapéutico es una de las actividades orientadas al paciente que debe desarrollar la farmacia comunitaria para disminuir la morbilidad y la mortalidad asociada al uso de medicamentos. Su implementación representa una oportunidad de optimizar la farmacoterapia y de mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes que reciban el servicio. Objetivo: Evaluar las condiciones básicas estructurales para la implementación del servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en las farmacias comunitarias de los municipios Diez de Octubre y Cerro de la provincia de La Habana. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en el periodo de febrero-abril de 2016. Se evaluaron 44 farmacias comunitarias del municipio Diez de Octubre y 22 del municipio Cerro. Se empleó una guía de evaluación validada por expertos según Moriyama, que exploró cinco dimensiones y diez aspectos. Resultados: El municipio Cerro fue el menos favorable con menos dimensiones cumplidas. Para los dos municipios la dimensión de menor afectación fue la de recursos materiales y la de mayor la de servicios. Otras dimensiones afectadas fueron las de equipamiento, infraestructura y la de recursos humanos. La farmacia 710 de Diez de Octubre cumplió con la mayoría de las dimensiones evaluadas, excepto el acceso al Portal de la red Infomed. Conclusiones: Las farmacias comunitarias de los municipios Diez de Octubre y Cerro no tienen las condiciones básicas estructurales para implementar el servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico(AU)

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy follow-up is one of the activities aimed to patients that must develop the community pharmacies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated to medications use. Its implementation represents an opportunity to optimize pharmacotherapy and to improve the quality of life for patients receiving the service. Objective: To evaluate the basic structural conditions for the implementation of the service of pharmacotherapy follow-up at the community pharmacies of 10 de Octubre and Cerro municipalities in Havana province. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the period from February to April 2016. 44 community pharmacies were assessed in 10 de Octubre municipality and 22 in Cerro municipality. It was used a guide for the assessment validated by experts according to Moriyama, that explored five dimensions and ten aspects. Results: Cerro municipality was the least favourable with fewer dimensions accomplished. For both municipalities, the dimension with less affectation was the material resources and the one with greater affectation was services. Other affected dimensions were the equipment, infrastructure and human resources. The pharmacy #710 in 10 de Octubre municipality complied with most of the dimensions assessed, except for the access to INFOMED network´s web page. Conclusions: Community pharmacies of 10 de Octubre and Cerro municipalities do not have basic structural conditions to implement the service of pharmacotherapy follow-up(AU)

[Education facing risk consumption of alcoholic beverages - A proposal for interdisciplinary action from the health care professional]. / La educación ante el consumo de riesgo de bebidas alcohólicas: propuesta de actuación multidisciplinar desde el profesional de la salud.

INTRODUCTION: Educating and increasing awareness in the consumer to achieve a moderate alcohol consumption is key to promote a healthy lifestyle. Health care professionals (HCP), in particular community pharmacists and Primary Care (PC) physicians and nurses, are key influencers in the education to prevent risk behaviors. A consumer's poor knowledge of concepts such as standard unit, the recommendations on alcohol use, or the alcohol equivalence in the drinks consumed, can lead to a high-risk use, since "alcohol is alcohol" no matter what beverage contains it. Moreover, HCPs are usually not familiar with these concepts and with early detection tools such as the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). We propose a multidisciplinary approach (PC physicians and nurses, community pharmacy, dietists-nutritionists) to educate consumers on the risks associated with the use of alcohol, supported by the development of a protocol of action subscribed by the scientific societies of these professional groups, with the main objective of contributing to optimal and updated training for HCPs. Thus, this protocol of action aims to prevent risk behaviors through consumer education, and to detect high-risk alcohol use. Moreover, this multidisciplinary and coordinated approach should help to boost communication between the different collectives involved when providing relevant information to tackle risky alcohol use from PC.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Educar y sensibilizar al consumidor para moderar el consumo de alcohol es clave para potenciar un estilo de vida saludable. Los profesionales de la salud (PS) en general, y los farmacéuticos comunitarios o los médicos y enfermeros de Atención Primaria (AP) en particular, son influenciadores clave en la educación para prevenir conductas de riesgo. El desconocimiento por parte del consumidor de conceptos como la unidad de bebida estándar, las recomendaciones de consumo, o las equivalencias de alcohol en las bebidas consumidas, puede generar consumos de riesgo alto, dado que el alcohol es alcohol y no depende de la bebida que lo contiene. Asimismo, los PS no suelen estar familiarizados con estos conceptos y con el uso de herramientas para la detección precoz, como puede ser el cuestionario AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Proponemos un abordaje multidisciplinar (médicos y enfermeros de AP, farmacia comunitaria, dietistas-nutricionistas) para educar al consumidor sobre el riesgo asociado al consumo de alcohol, sustentado en la elaboración de un protocolo de actuación consensuado entre las sociedades científicas de estos colectivos profesionales, cuyo objetivo fundamental es contribuir a la formación óptima y actualizada de los PS. Este protocolo de actuación pretende, por tanto, prevenir conductas de riesgo mediante la educación del consumidor y la detección de hábitos de consumo de alto riesgo. Asimismo, este abordaje multidisciplinar y coordinado debe servir para impulsar la comunicación entre los distintos colectivos a la hora de proporcionar información relevante para abordar el consumo de riesgo desde la AP de Salud.

[Characteristics of private and irregular prescription for oral antibiotics in Spanish community pharmacies]. / Perfil de las solicitudes de antibióticos en farmacia comunitaria con receta privada y prescripción irregular.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the proportion of oral antibiotics through private prescription (PP) and irregular prescription (IP) in the Community Pharmacy (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional multicentre study carried out in Spanish community pharmacies over a 4week period, one in each season of the year. An analysis was made of private and irregular prescriptions of oral J01 antibacterials for systemic use (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical [ATC] classification). The study variables used were prescription and consultation characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 3569 PP (71% followed legislation) and 833 IP were recorded by 365 pharmacists working in 247 CP. PP were prescribed by dentists (43.7%), general practitioners (GP) (26.20%), and paediatricians (10.3%), to treat teeth infections (39.8%), upper respiratory infections (25.6%), lower respiratory infections (10.3%), and urinary infections (7.7%). The most prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin (27.9%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic (25.2%). IP came from Emergency Departments (32.8%), oral/phone prescriptions (20.4%), and patient demand due to insufficient quantity of antibiotic to complete treatment (10%). Prescriptions came from GP (25.2%), dentists (24.7%), and paediatricians (12%) to treat upper respiratory infections (32.5%), teeth infections (25.8%), urinary infections (14.2%), and lower respiratory infections (10.8%). The most prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin-clavulanic (27.4%) and amoxicillin (21.6%). Since every patient with IP was referred to the GP, 45.4% of them accepted the recommendations of the pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: This study obtained PP and IP characteristics, unknown and needed data in Spain for future health policy plans.

Automedicación en estudiantes de la Sede Neiva de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia / Self-medication in the students from Neiva Campus of the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

RESUMEN La automedicación es una práctica riesgosa cuyas consecuencias incluyen enmascaramiento de una enfermedad, aparición de reacciones adversas, interacciones medicamentosas, aumento de la resistencia a ciertos tipos de fármacos y fármaco dependencia. La Organización Mundial de la Salud contempla la posibilidad de educar a la población en prácticas de automedicación responsable, señalando al profesional farmacéutico como figura clave de este proceso educativo. El presente trabajo analiza las conductas de automedicación en una población encuestada de 600 estudiantes de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Campus Neiva. Los resultados de la encuesta han sido analizados en forma global y diferenciando a los encuestados en subgrupos de: a) programa académico y b) variables sociodemográficas. Los resultados indican que la automedicación es una práctica común en estudiantes de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Campus Neiva que no siempre se lleva a cabo de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la OMS para poder considerarse una práctica responsable y segura.

SUMMARY Self-medication is a dangerous practice with consequences including masking of disease, adverse reactions to medications, drug interaction, resistance to certain types of therapeutic agents and drug dependence. The World Health Organization has considered the possibility of educating population in practices of responsible self-medication, pointing at the pharmacist as a key figure in this educational process. In the present work we have analyzed the self-medication conducts of 600 surveyed college students of the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Sede Neiva (UCC). The overall results of the survey have been analyzed; we have also divided the surveyed population in subgroups of: a) Academic program and b) Sociodemographic variables. Results indicate that self-medication is a common practice among college students of UCC, and that it is not always practiced according to WHO recommendations for responsible, safe self-medication.

[Diagnostic validity of the isolated measurement of blood pressure in the community pharmacy. Optimum cut-off points]. / Validez de la medida aislada de la presión arterial en farmacia comunitaria. Puntos de corte óptimos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic validity of blood pressure measurement in the community pharmacy (CPBP), and to set the cut-off points in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in order to maximise the aforementioned validity, using 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) as the reference method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with consecutive selection of patient users of the community pharmacy in Andalusia. The CPBP was measured, followed by 24-hour ABPM, which assessed the diagnostic validity of the CPBP. The AUC of the ROC curve was also calculated for SBP and DBP, along with the positive and negative predictive values, for different prevalences and the variation of sensitivity and specificity for the different cut-off points for SBP/DBP. RESULTS: A total of 167 community pharmacy participated with 1,170 patients, of which 1,110 were valid. The CPBP showed a sensitivity of 60.41% (95% CI: 56.40-64.29), and a specificity of the 79.77% (95% CI: 76.12-82.99), a positive predictive values of 76.96% (95% CI: 72.89-80.57), and a negative predictive values of 64.31% (95% CI: 60.55%-67.90%). By using the ROC curve method, the optimal cut-off points are 134/81mm Hg, the point where the sensitivity and specificity and are balanced and the Youden index is maximised. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity is relatively low. To improve it tends to lower the cut-off points of SBP and DBP. The calculated optimum is 134/81mm Hg. This provides data on the desirability to review the current cut-off points (140/90), as proposed by the ACC/AHA 2017.

Analysis of participant satisfaction in the Barcelona colorectal cancer screening programme: Positive evaluation of the community pharmacy. / Análisis de la satisfacción de los participantes en el Programa de detección precoz de cáncer colorrectal de Barcelona: valoración positiva de la farmacia comunitaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Population-based bowel screening programmes with faecal occult blood (FOB) tests need to achieve high uptake rates and offer quality services. We invited participants in the Barcelona Programme to complete a satisfaction survey, in order to explore factors influencing uptake and respondents' opinion and satisfaction with each step of the screening process. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Telephone survey using an ad hoc questionnaire (see annex) administered to a final sample of 1189 people: 310 non-participants in the programme (NoP), 553 participants with a negative test result (PNeg), and 326 participants with a positive result (PPos). RESULTS: High scores were obtained for the clarity of the information provided by the programme (mean 8.9 on a scale 0-10), and for the accessibility and attention at the pharmacy as well as its role as the point for collection and return of FOB test cards (mean >9.3). Aspects that were not so highly rated were: preparation for the colonoscopy (41.6% reported quite a lot or a lot of discomfort), and to a lesser extent telephone accessibility (27.1% reported some difficulties). Participants also expressed concern about receiving a positive test result by telephone (78.9% reported some concern). CONCLUSIONS: Respondents' opinion of the programme was positive overall, and supports the pharmacy as the point for distributing and collecting FOB test cards, as well as the role of the pharmacist in the context of the programme. Some aspects of the screening process will be reviewed in order to improve participant satisfaction and eventually increase uptake.

[The Community Pharmacy in the Early Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Warning Signs]. / La farmacia comunitaria en la detección del deterioro cognitivo leve. Signos de alerta.

Cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly population constitute a significant health problem due to their magnitude and seriousness. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at increased risk of developing some form of dementia, including Alzheimer disease. Epidemiological studies support the existence of preventable risks for cognitive impairment: vascular factors and lifestyle-related factors. The aim is to detect possible cases of cognitive impairment in people aged over 55 years in the community pharmacy area. Community pharmacists work in close contact with the population, especially chronic patients who periodically collect their medication in community pharmacies. Consequently, these health professionals can be trained to detect the most frequent warning signs and symptoms and to refer these individuals to the doctor for an early diagnosis of MCI.

Detection of people at risk of diabetes in community pharmacies of Pontevedra (Spain) (DEDIPO). / Detección de personas en riesgo de padecer diabetes en farmacias comunitarias de Pontevedra (DEDIPO).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect people at risk of suffering diabetes or changes in carbohydrate metabolism and to refer them for possible diagnosis to health care centres. The number of diagnoses and costs for the pharmacy were recorded. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in community pharmacies in Pontevedra in September-October of 2014. The Findrisc questionnaire was completed by pharmacy users over 18 years old. If Findrisc score was ≥ 15, capillary blood glucose was measured, and the participant was referred to a physician if the value was ≥110mg/dL. The main variables included score in the Findrisc questionnaire, number of diabetes diagnosed, and cost of the service. Differences between the groups were calculated using a Chi-squared test, a Student's t test, and/or a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: This study was conducted in 180 pharmacies on a sample of 4,222 users, including 992 (23.5%) with a high or very high risk of diabetes (F≥15). In the 1,060 basal capillary blood glucose tests performed, mean glucose level was 110.2 (SD=20.4)mg/dL (56-254). The Galician Health Service sent information about 83 of the 384 (9.1%) subjects referred to a physician: 28 (33.7%) of them were diagnosed with diabetes (3.1% of the sample), and 26 (31.3%) were diagnosed with prediabetes (2.8% of the sample). Cost per diagnosed subject was € 184.22 per subject with diabetes and € 96.86 per subject with prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of subjects with new diagnosis of diabetes (3.1%) shows the high efficiency of a screening program for hidden diabetics implemented at community pharmacies as the one presented here.

[Reliability and external validity of a questionnaire to assess the knowledge about risk and cardiovascular disease and in patients attending Spanish community pharmacies]. / Fiabilidad y validez externa de un cuestionario de conocimiento sobre riesgo y enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes que acuden a farmacias comunitarias de España.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the test-retest reliability of a questionnaire, with a validation preliminary, to assess knowledge of cardiovascular risk (CVR) and cardiovascular disease in patients attending community pharmacies in Spain. To complement the external validity, establishing the relationship between an educational activity and the increase in knowledge about CVR and cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Sub-analysis of a controlled clinical study, EMDADER-CV, in which a questionnaire about knowledge concerning CVR was applied at 4 different times. LOCATION: Spanish Community Pharmacies. PARTICIPANTS: There were 323 patients in the control group, from the 640 who completed the study. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient to assess the reliability in 3 comparisons (post-educational activity with week 16, post-educational activity with week 32, and week 16 with week 32); and the non-parametric Friedman test to establish the relationship between an oral and written educational activity with increasing knowledge. RESULTS: For the 323 patients in the 3 comparisons, the intraclass correlation coefficient values were 0.624; 0.608 and 0.801, respectively (fair-good to excellent reliability). So, the Friedman test showed a statistically significant relationship between educational activity and increased knowledge (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the intraclass correlation coefficient, the questionnaire aimed at assessing the knowledge on CVR and cardiovascular disease has a reliability between acceptable and excellent, which added to the previous validation, shows that the instrument meets the criteria of validity and reliability. Furthermore, the questionnaire showed the ability to relate an increase in knowledge with an educational intervention, feature that complements its external validity.

Propuesta de indicadores de resultados y de recursos para farmacias comunitarias cubanas / Proposal of result indicators and of resource indicators for Cuban community drugstores

Introducción: los farmacéuticos cubanos están convocados por los principales dirigentes del país a utilizar con eficiencia los recursos existentes. Para cumplimentar lo anterior, y con el objetivo de implementar futuros estudios de eficiencia en las farmacias comunitarias, es imprescindible determinar los parámetros que pueden ser utilizados como indicadores de recursos y de resultados. Objetivos: identificar indicadores de resultados y de recursos para las farmacias comunitarias. Métodos: se desarrolló una investigación observacional. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica y documental y la consulta a expertos. Se definieron como variables a Indicadores de resultados: aquellos que reflejen la consecución tangible del objeto social de la institución e Indicadores de recursos: conjunto de recursos materiales, humanos y financieros que se consume en el logro de un resultado específico. Resultados: la propuesta de indicadores de resultados para las farmacias comunitarias es la siguiente: satisfacción de la población, ventas, supervisiones satisfactorias, faltantes o sobrantes, abastecimiento de medicamentos, abastecimiento de medicamentos naturales, abastecimiento de medicamentos químico dispensariales. La propuesta de indicadores de recursos para las farmacias comunitarias resultó en: salario mensual devengado, costo de adquisición de mercancías, otros gastos. Conclusiones: se identificaron indicadores de resultados y de recursos para las farmacias comunitarias sustentados en la información disponible y ajustada a las características propias de estas unidades en el contexto sanitario cubano(AU)

Introduction: the Cuban pharmacists are called upon by the main leaders of the country to efficiently use the existing resources. For attaining the above-mentioned and for implementing future efficiency studies in the community drugstores, it is indispensable to determine the parameters that may be used as result and resource indicators. Objectives: to identify the result and the resource indicators for the community drugstores. Methods: observational research, literature and documentary review and expert consultation. Result indicators were defined as those reflecting the tangible attainment of the social object of the institution and resource indicators were a set of material, human and financial resources that are consumed in fulfilling a specific result. Results: the proposal of result indicators for the community drugstores is the following: population's satisfaction, sales, right supervisions, shortages and surpluses, drug provision, natural drug supply,and supply of chemical drugs. The proposal of resource indicators for the community drugstores were monthly salary paid, cost of product purchase and other costs. Conclusions: several result and resource indicators were determined for the community drugstores based on available information, according to the characteristics inherent to these units in the Cuban health care setting(AU)

[Impact of pharmaceutical intervention in preventing relapses in depression in Primary Care]. / Impacto de una intervención farmacéutica en la prevención de recaídas en depresión en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term impact of a brief pharmacist intervention (PI) compared with usual care (UC) on prevention of depression relapse. DESIGN: randomised controlled clinical trial SETTING: Primary Care PARTICIPANTS: Of the 179 depressed patients initiating antidepressants, the 113 whose clinical symptoms had remitted (main definition) at 6 months assessment were selected for this secondary study (PI=58; UC=55). INTERVENTION: PI was an interview to promote medication adherence when patients get antidepressants from pharmacy. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Baseline, 3 months, and six-months follow-up assessments were made. The severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated with PHQ9. Patients presenting a remission of symptoms were selected. The patient medical records were reviewed to identify a relapse in the following 12 months by using 4 indicators. RESULTS: There was a lower proportion of patients that relapsed in the PI group than in the UC group 18 months after initiation of treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant either in the intent-to-treat analysis (OR=0.734 [95%CI; 0.273-1.975]) or the per-protocol analysis (OR=0.615 [95%CI; 0.183 -2.060]). All the sensitivity analyses showed consistent results. The sample size and adherence to the protocol in the intervention group were low. CONCLUSION: PI group showed a non-statistically significant tendency towards presenting fewer relapses. This could be related to the improvement in adherence among patients that received the intervention.

[Pharmacist perception of the use of analgesics and their practice on mild-moderate pain. DOLOR-OFF survey]. / Percepción farmacéutica del uso de analgésicos y su práctica en dolor leve-moderado. Encuesta DOLOR-OFF.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of analgesics, from the perspective of the pharmacist community, and pharmaceutical practice in mild-moderate pain. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed between April and September 2013. SETTING: 696 community pharmacies in 20 Spanish provinces. PARTICIPANTS: Community pharmacists with a minimum professional experience of one year. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Characterisation of the demand for analgesics, analgesic users, and pharmaceutical intervention for mild-moderate pain from the perspective of the pharmaceutical community. RESULTS: The main reason why a patient with mild-moderate pain visits a pharmacy is to receive a drug with prescription (45.5%), and the most common condition is headache (35.2%). Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the most commonly used drugs for mild-moderate pain. More than one-third (38.9%) of pharmacists follow a protocol for counselling. A correlation was found between the pharmacist's professional experience and the application of counselling process (Fisher P<.05). Some 87.8% of pharmacists checked two indicators from the dispensing service, and only 1.3% did not check any. Referral to a physician was made by 14.8% of pharmacists, with the main reason being the detection of alarm indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Protocols need to be designed and adapted to the characteristics of the 3 profiles identified, in order to increase the efficiency of pharmaceutical services in mild-moderate pain relief. Practical and specific training in pain are required to implement services to ensure the correct and systemic use of analgesics and positive clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of an Internet-based continuing education program on pharmacy-based minor ailment management: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of an internet-based continuing education (CE) program on pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes (PMASs). A controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted in community pharmacies in Brazil. Community pharmacists (CPs) were enrolled in two groups: intervention (n = 61) and control (n = 60). CPs who were enrolled to the intervention group participated in an Internet-based CE program. CPs in the control group received no educational intervention. We evaluated participant perception, learning outcomes, and practice performance. Learner satisfaction with the CE program was high for every point evaluated (mean ± standard deviation = 4.2 ± 0.4). Posttest learner outcome scores and practice performance in the intervention group after the conclusion of the CE program significantly improved compared with pretest scores (p < 0.001) and were significantly better compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The present Internet-based CE program is a viable educational strategy for improving participant perception, learning outcomes, and practice performance in PMASs.

RESUMO O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a efetividade de um programa de educação continuada (EC) à distância, relacionado ao gerenciamento clínico de problemas autolimitados de saúde em farmácias comunitárias. Realizou-se um ensaio clínico controlado randomizado em farmácias comunitárias no Brasil. Os farmacêuticos comunitários foram alocados em dois grupos: intervenção (n = 61) e controle (n = 60). Os farmacêuticos comunitários do grupo intervenção participaram de um programa de EC à distância. Os farmacêuticos comunitários do grupo controle não receberam intervenção educativa. A percepção dos participantes, os resultados de aprendizagem e hábitos de prática foram avaliados. A satisfação dos estudantes com o programa de CE foi elevada em todos os momentos avaliados (média ± desvio padrão = 4,2 ± 0,4). Os escores de aprendizagem e prática aumentaram significativamente ao final do estudo em relação ao início do estudo (p < 0,001) e foram significativamente melhores que os do grupo controle (p < 0,001). O presente programa de EC à distância é uma estratégia educacional viável para melhorar a percepção dos participantes, os resultados da aprendizagem e hábitos de prática relacionados ao gerenciamento clínico de problemas autolimitados de saúde em farmácias comunitárias.