Provision of community pharmacy services during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study of community pharmacists' experiences with preventative measures and sources of information.

Background An infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (later called COVID-19) reached pandemic levels in 2020 and community pharmacists were involved in responding to this pandemic, also in Kosovo. Objectives To explore the experiences of community pharmacists in relation to provision of community pharmacy services during COVID-19 pandemic. Setting Community pharmacists in Kosovo. Methods This was a cross-sectional study where data was collected via a self-administered online questionnaire, from 264 pharmacists actively practicing in Kosovo during the pandemic. The questionnaire consisted of a combination of closed and open-ended questions, optional statements and statements on a five-point Likert scale, derived at least in part from the Transtheoretical Model. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze differences in responses to Likert-type items whereas categorical variables were analyzed using Chi square testing. Main outcome measures Community pharmacists' perceptions on COVID-19 related preventative measures. Results A response rate of 40.6% was achieved. Sufficient and adequate COVID-19-related preventative measures were being implemented by a majority of pharmacies (n = 232; 87.9%), and over two-thirds of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that their pharmacies were sufficiently prepared with protective equipment for their personnel. Implementation of preventative measures was associated with respondents' perception that pharmacists and the pharmacy profession were valued more by patients during the pandemic and to a lesser degree, by other health professionals. Most commonly stated pros dealt with employee and patient safety, while key cons dealt with increased costs and running out of the necessary protective equipment. Key barriers to pharmacy activities were price increases by wholesalers, and patients' panic and excessive buying, whereas drivers dealt with professional obligation to assist and opportunity to prove inseparable to other health professionals. The most popular means of accessing COVID-19 related information by pharmacists was via mobile devices and information from professional organizations was considered most useful by pharmacists. Conclusions Community pharmacies actively implemented various measures as precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Our findings highlight the value of continuous provision of information by professional organizations and use of mobile devices as key means to access information by pharmacists.

Association between student characteristics and rankings when applying for a residency in health-system pharmacy administration.

PURPOSE: Results of a study to identify characteristics associated with pharmacy residency applicant success in obtaining an invitation to interview and a top candidate ranking are reported. Subsequent development and initial validation of a predictive model based on those characteristics are described. METHODS: Bivariable analyses were performed for planned stratifications of applicants to a health-system pharmacy administration residency program according to whether they were offered an on-site interview or were among the 8 top candidates by final candidate ranking. A Random Forest algorithm was created to identify predictors of the likelihood of an applicant being offered an on-site interview. RESULTS: Applicants who were offered interviews had a higher median pharmacy school grade point average (GPA) than those not invited to interview: 3.63 (interquartile range [IQR], 3.46-3.79) versus 3.35 (IQR, 3.2-3.49); p < 0.001. Invited applicants also received more scholarships during pharmacy school (median, 2 [IQR, 1-3) versus 1 [IQR, 0-2]; p = 0.002). Applicants with prior work experience as a hospital pharmacy intern were also more likely than those without such experience to be offered an interview (70.0% versus 37.8% were invited, p = 0.001), as were applicants who presented a poster at a national meeting during pharmacy school (80% versus 60%, p = 0.02) or who served in a national pharmacy organization leadership position (41.4% versus 20%, p = 0.03). Pharmacy school GPA was associated with final candidate ranking; top-ranked candidates had a significantly higher median GPA than lower-ranked applicants (3.68 [IQR, 3.51-3.8] versus 3.48 [IQR, 3.23-3.7]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Objective criteria within the realms of academic performance and prior work experience may be used to streamline the applicant screening process when determining candidates to invite for an on-site interview. Pharmacy school GPA was the only characteristic found to be associated with applicant final ranking.

Disclosure of payments by pharmaceutical companies to healthcare professionals in the UK: analysis of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's Disclosure UK database, 2015 and 2016 cohorts.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the section of Disclosure UK that pertains to healthcare professionals (HCPs) in order to provide insight into the database's structure and content and suggest ways to improve its transparency. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cohort study of drug companies and HCPs in the 2015 and 2016 versions of Disclosure UK. RESULTS: Companies report transfers of value (ToVs) to named HCPs or, where an HCP declines to consent, in aggregate. Only a limited number of variables describe the recipient HCP and the ToV, precluding refined analyses. In 2015, 107 companies reported 54 910 ToVs worth £50 967 728. In 2016, 109 companies reported ToVs but spending decreased by 7.3%. The spending was concentrated: the top 10 spenders reported about 50% of the total value, with consultancy-related payments comprising over 70%, and the rest being costs for events. In 2015, 55.5% (30 478) of ToVs worth £24 428 619 (47.9%) were disclosed at the individual HCP level, increasing to 64.5% (32 407) and £28 145 091 (59.2%) in 2016. Despite increased individual-level disclosure in 2016, the median number of ToVs reported by each company at the individual level was only 57.7%, with 25% of companies reporting less than 38.6%. We found little agreement (62%-48% in 2015 and 46%-30% in 2016) between HCP consent rates that we calculated based on information in the database and those provided by companies. CONCLUSIONS: Key deficiencies in Disclosure UK include: insufficient information on payments and recipients, a relatively low HCP consent rate for individual-level disclosure, differences in consent rates across companies and payment types, and reporting ambiguities or inconsistencies. We employ these findings to develop recommendations for improving transparency, including an easily interpretable consent rate statistic that allows for comparison across years, firms and countries. If deficiencies remain unresolved, the UK should consider introducing legislation requiring mandatory disclosure to allow for adequate tracking of industry payments.

ASHP national survey on informatics: assessment of the adoption and use of pharmacy informatics in U.S. hospitals-2013.

PURPOSE: Results of the 2013 ASHP national survey on informatics are presented. METHODS: Pharmacy directors from all types and sizes of U.S. hospitals were included in the sample of 4893 individuals invited to participate in an online survey. The survey contained over 600 data elements that addressed the adoption and use of a variety of pharmacy informatics and technology. Data were analyzed by hospital type and size, accounting for sampling procedures and differences in response rate. RESULTS: Of the 4893 surveys distributed, 465 usable surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 9.5%. Nearly 33% of hospitals reported having a complete electronic health record (EHR) (i.e., no paper charts). Adoption rates for computerized prescriber order entry, clinical decision support, electronic prescribing, and bar-code-assisted medication administration indicated that these technologies are clear priorities. Nearly half of respondents indicated using solely paper-based medication reconciliation processes, while almost as many reported using processes that combined electronic and paper methods. Overall, automated dispensing cabinets were more common in U.S. hospitals than were carousels and dispensing robots. The adoption of patient portals and personal health records is becoming common. Technologies identified as enablers of the Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI) were found in at least 25% of hospitals. The average total number of pharmacy information technology full-time equivalents was 3.12. CONCLUSION: This survey found widespread use of pharmacy informatics and technology across the entire medication-use process. Considerable progress was demonstrated in meeting meaningful-use measures for EHRs and meeting the recommendations of the ASHP PPMI.

National survey on continuous and extended infusions of antibiotics.

PURPOSE: A national survey was conducted to evaluate the use of continuous and extended infusions for administering ß-lactams and vancomycin. METHODS: The survey was sent to a random sample of 1000 acute care hospital pharmacists in the United States to evaluate the use of continuous and extended infusions of antibiotics. In addition, the same survey was sent to members of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) to assess the adoption of these infusion strategies. RESULTS: In the random-sample survey, 29 (11.2%) and 15 (5.8%) hospitals reported using continuous and extended infusions, respectively. Common rationales for adopting continuous and extended infusions were greater efficacy, equal or less toxicity, and cost savings. The SIDP survey revealed that 30 (50%) and 21 (35%) of responding pharmacists have initiated continuous and extended infusions, respectively. Common rationales for adopting continuous and extended infusions were greater efficacy, equal or less toxicity, and cost savings. Both surveys found that penicillins were the antibiotics most frequently administered as continuous and extended infusions. CONCLUSION: The results of a survey sent to a random sample of hospital pharmacists and to SIDP members indicated that the majority did not use either continuous or extended infusions of antibiotics. SIDP survey respondents more frequently reported the use of both continuous and extended infusions than the respondents of the random-sample survey, and the percentage of time above the minimum inhibitory concentration was the most frequently assessed pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameter for both groups.

Analysis of enquiries to the National Pharmacy Association following major changes to controlled drug legislation in the UK.

OBJECTIVES: The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) provides an advice service to community pharmacists in the UK, and keeps a database of the enquiries it receives. The aim of this research was to analyse the database for the period of October 2007 to March 2008 to gain an insight into how well pharmacists coped with legislative changes directly affecting pharmacy by identifying which changes generated the most enquiries during these 6 months and ascertaining in which months these queries were at their highest levels. METHODS: Anonymised telephone enquiries regarding controlled drugs (CDs) received by the NPA from pharmacists during a 6-month period were reviewed and categorised according to the legislative change or other CD issue to which they related. A Poisson model was applied to determine whether there was a significant difference in the total number of CD queries generated each month. KEY FINDINGS: Altogether 6082 queries regarding CDs were received, of which 57% related to legislative changes. The three legislative changes that took place during the 6-month period all generated a significant increase in numbers of queries around the time of the change. Queries regarding the new form of CD register comprised the largest single category. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists seek information regarding legislative changes when such changes come into force to a greater degree than when the legislation is drafted, consulted upon or enacted. The high number of queries received by the NPA does reflect that there was a difficulty in applying the various legislative changes in practice.

Relationship between student leadership activities and prepharmacy years in college.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a relationship exists between the number of years of college completed before entering pharmacy school and students' leadership involvement. METHODS: All pharmacy students from 2004-2007 were classified based upon their educational level at time of matriculation: Early Assurance Program (EA); 2 years of college, but not EA (2Y); 3 or more years of college but no degree (3Y+); and bachelor's degree or higher (BD). In terms of leadership positions, students were classified as holding any office, total number of offices, and Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) membership. RESULTS: Students who entered the pharmacy program as EA students held 27.1% or 71 offices compared to 31.9% or 45 for 2Y, 26.8% or 39 for 3Y+ and 30.2% or 80 for BD students. Students selected for PLS were 12.1% for EA, 15.3% for 2Y, 16.1% for 3Y+ and 13.5% for BD. There was no significant relationship between prepharmacy education and leadership measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Although no relationship was found between pharmacy students' involvement in leadership activities and number of prepharmacy years of education, the importance of predictive factors and approaches to evaluate students' leadership activities and involvement merits further research.

[Professional views of pharmacy faculty graduates]. / Poglady zawodowe absolwentów wydzialu farmaceutycznego.

The purpose of this study was to define new professional ideals of pharmacists and to prove or refute a hypothesis stating that role model of the representatives of this profession is currently changing. In a survey a group of Pharmacy Faculty graduates were asked about the motives for the choice of their pharmacy studies, constancy of the conviction of this choice's validity, the desired place of work, expectations concerning their professional function, the opinion on the future of that profession in Poland, the attitude to pharmacists' chamber and to the phenomenon of self-therapy. The responses collected provided information on the professional views of the queried group. The author also defined the notion of professional views themselves, vocation, professional attitude and professional model. The results show that the respondents in their majority wish to become pharmacists (64%). High estimation of this profession influenced their choice of studies (71%). Only 18% felt called to do it. The queried group, as a whole, are not satisfied with their pharmacy studies, and only 38% would firmly undertake to study it again. The subjects declare to be fairly active in performing their civic duties (58% take part in elections), yet remain relatively passive within the context of their own professional government (15%). From their professional activity they expect personal satisfaction and money. Most subjects predict that adverse changes are going to take place in pharmacy (to 2005): pharmaceutical concerns will buy out pharmacies, the number of pharmaceutical wholesale stores will decrease considerably, pharmaceuticals will be delivered straight to patient's door, the system of obtaining drugs on doctor's prescription will decline. However, they doubt that the physicians are going to take over the sale of pharmaceuticals, that the number of new pharmacies is going to increase, that few will become owners of most pharmacies, and that the Polish pharmaceutical industry will collapse. Pessimistic views of the respondents outnumber the optimistic ones, however only 4% are doubtful about their own, professional success. In evaluating the phenomenon of self-therapy the respondents show judiciousness, perceiving more negative than positive aspects of it. The views of the studied group are precise and clear, while in the assessment of own professional role the pro-social attitude prevails.

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Perceptions of quality and value in state and local pharmacy professional organizations.

Officer and member perceptions of the quality and value of the services provided by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) state affiliates and local chapters were studied. A survey was mailed in December 2000 to all 249 state society and local-chapter officers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, and Illinois and a random sample of 1191 members. The survey solicited ratings of the quality and value of programs and services related to continuing education, communications, community service, and membership benefits. Of 1440 surveys mailed, 26 were returned as undeliverable; 308 were returned in usable form, for a total response rate of 22%. The most frequent job categories were hospital staff pharmacist (n = 74), hospital pharmacy manager (n = 66), and hospital clinical pharmacist (n = 49). Overall, members perceived lower quality than officers in clinical and administrative continuing-education programs offered by their local chapters. Members also perceived less value in administrative continuing-education programs than did officers. Member and officer perceptions were similar in the areas of communication and community services. Neither members nor officers appeared to value social functions highly as a membership benefit. A survey of state and local affiliates of ASHP in five states identified several areas where officers and members had different perceptions of the quality and value of services provided by these organizations.

Continuing Medical Education in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics: report of a questionnaire survey.

AIMS: To seek the views of medically qualified members of the Clinical Section of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) on their perceived needs for Continuing Medical Education (CME); on how and by whom these needs should be addressed; and on how the outcome of any educational intervention might best be assessed. METHODS: A structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 233 recipients, 140 (60%) responded, but only 123 of these fulfilled the criteria for analysis. A large majority of respondents were clinicians, most of whom devoted at least 25% of their working week to their NHS commitment. There was widespread reliance on textbooks and journals as sources of CME, supplemented by discussions with specialist peers at national and international meetings. Many felt that fulfilling even this agenda was stretching their commitment to the limit, and their greatest need was for protected time in which to learn. There was a desire among 49% of all respondents for the BPS Clinical Section to take some responsibilty for addressing the future needs of its members, and 75% took the view that academic departments should contribute to the development and updating of materials. There was no clear agreement about what these should comprise, but around half of all respondents favoured web-based, journal-based or computer-assisted educational material offering self-assessment opportunities; and CME symposia or workshops at BPS meetings. Almost half (46%) felt that assessment of CME should be integrated with a well-organized appraisal system and the use of portfolios. Six out of 10 respondents were already, or were about to be, regularly appraised at their place of work. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire survey revealed a broad canvas of views and little evidence of consensus except for a general plea for more time in which to learn. The aim of the Clinical Section should be to facilitate and help its members to organize their learning, in a way that is consistent with national trends in Continuing Professional Development. The Clinical Section should co-ordinate the setting up of an electronic library of appropriate published material, compiled by academic and industrial sources, that would guide members seeking up-to-date knowledge of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (BJCP) should commission review articles on recent developments where no suitable published material exists. Academic departments should also be invited to identify or develop self-assessment material that members could use to reinforce their learning, and demonstrate their knowledge to relevant professional bodies. The Clinical Section should organize Symposia and Workshops at which contentious issues in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics can be discussed and resolved.

Guia de colegio de bioquímica y farmacia / sss

El presente texto pretende dar un servicio real a la población sobre la actualidad de las diferentes ramas de la bioquímica y farmacia. Esta guía pretende ser un aporte a la población entre la cual se ha detectado la necesidad de un mayor conocimiento de las acciones y objetivos del Colegio Departamental de Bioquímica y Farmacia. Aquí se conoce el aporte de todos los profesionales del ramo, tanto del sector público como privado y en el área rural y urbana. Mediante D.S. No. 10083/72 del 14 de enero de 1972 se constituye la colegiación de los profesionales Bioquímicos-Farmaceúticos Bolivianos. Contiene el estatuto Orgánico, Reglamento, Código de Etica y Moral, Reglamento del Código de Etica del Colegio de Bioquímica y Farmacia de Bolivia, además de los profesionales del Colegio, Profesionales registrados al Diciembre de 1994 al 1995