Preparing Pharmacists for the Digital Age: How Pharmacy Courses are Adapting to Challenges and Opportunities.

OBJECTIVE: As the digitalization of health accelerates, the fusion of pharmacy and informatics becomes crucial. Pharmacy education must adapt to equip professionals for this evolving landscape. This study aims to compare pharmacy curricula in Brazil and the United States of America, focusing on health informatics, to uncover challenges and opportunities in training pharmacists for the digital era. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive analysis was conducted on pharmacy curricula from leading Brazilian and American universities in early 2024. Two independent researchers collected data, concentrating on health informatics-related courses. Curriculum analysis used the n-gram technique for linguistic pattern identification in course descriptions. RESULTS: The analysis included curricula from 147 Brazilian and 140 American institutions. American programs had more health informatics courses, with greater integration into pharmacy and higher workloads. Brazilian courses were fewer, less specialized, and less integrated with pharmacy practice. Bi-gram analysis showed that the United States emphasized pharmaceutical practice and technologies, while Brazil focused more broadly on public health. Challenges include Brazil's slower integration of health informatics, impacting competitiveness. The study highlights opportunities to enhance curricula in both countries, emphasizing the importance of health informatics courses. CONCLUSION: US pharmacy programs are further developed by providing specialized, high-quality digital health education with extensive coursework, reflecting a curriculum aligned with digital advancements. This stands in stark contrast to Brazilian programs, which show a need for comprehensive curriculum revision to effectively prepare pharmacists for the digital age. This study underscores the urgency for global pharmacy education reform and its alignment with the rapid evolution of digital health.

Pharmacists' contribution to benzodiazepine deprescribing in older outpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Consolidated and reliable evidence regarding the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions for deprescribing benzodiazepines in older outpatients is lacking. AIM: This study evaluated and summarized the impact of pharmacist interventions on benzodiazepine deprescribing among older outpatients. METHOD: A literature search was conducted until August 2022 in PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The review included randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of pharmacist interventions on deprescribing benzodiazepine in older outpatients. Two independent investigators conducted the study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effect models in the RStudio software. RESULTS: A total of 893 records were identified. Five studies, including 3,879 patients, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. All five studies used health education as an intervention strategy, and three also conducted medication reviews. There was no evidence of the pharmacist's authority to modify prescriptions during benzodiazepine deprescribing. One study was classified as having a low risk of bias, whereas the other had some concerns or a high risk of bias. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis and a significant impact of pharmacist interventions on benzodiazepines deprescribing rates in older outpatients was observed (RR = 2.75 [95%CI 1.29; 5.89]; p = 0.04; I2 = 69%; low certainty of evidence). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists may contribute to deprescribing benzodiazepines in older outpatients. Further studies are needed to increase the reliability of these findings. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022358563.

Situational analysis of the smoking cessation program in a Brazilian capital during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Análise situacional do programa de cessação tabágica em uma capital brasileira na pandemia da COVID-19.

Smoking is a public health problem associated with high morbimortality. Smoking cessation services, although effective, have limited reach and have been compromised by the pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the care for smokers in João Pessoa (PB), Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive, exploratory, and quantitative study was conducted in two phases: a survey of health indicators and an evaluation of sociodemographic profiles of professionals and service clients during the study years. Seven professionals, smoking group coordinators, and 20 clients participated in the research. The results showed low program coverage, with a declining number of smokers treated during the pandemic, down from 419 in 2019 to 129 in 2020. Interviews identified the program's positive aspects and limitations, good effectiveness, and low access, especially in primary health care. Tobacco consumption and risk reduction strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic originated from services and professionals involved. We can conclude that the National Tobacco Control Program has an incipient implementation in primary health care in this region and that the number of services offered was reduced during the pandemic, decreasing demand and actions.

O tabagismo é um problema de saúde pública, está associado a uma elevada morbimortalidade. Os serviços de saúde vigentes para a cessação tabágica, apesar de efetivos, apresentam alcance limitado e foram comprometidos pela pandemia. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o cuidado com a pessoa tabagista em João Pessoa (PB), na pandemia de COVID-19. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, exploratório e quantitativo com duas fases: levantamento dos indicadores de saúde e avaliação dos perfis sociodemográficos dos profissionais e usuários dos serviços nos anos do estudo. Participaram da pesquisa sete profissionais, coordenadores de grupo de tabagismo e 20 usuários. Os resultados apontaram para uma baixa cobertura do programa, além de revelar queda no número de fumantes atendidos na pandemia, de 419 em 2019 para 129 em 2020. As entrevistas identificaram pontos positivos e limitações do programa, boa efetividade e baixo acesso, especialmente na APS, e que as estratégias utilizadas para conter o consumo do tabaco e seus riscos durante a pandemia partiram dos serviços e dos profissionais envolvidos. É possível concluir que, nessa região, o Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo (PNCT) apresenta implantação incipiente na APS e que, durante a pandemia, o número de serviços ofertados foi reduzido, diminuindo a procura e as ações realizadas.

Análise situacional do programa de cessação tabágica em uma capital brasileira na pandemia da COVID-19 / Situational analysis of the smoking cessation program in a Brazilian capital during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo O tabagismo é um problema de saúde pública, está associado a uma elevada morbimortalidade. Os serviços de saúde vigentes para a cessação tabágica, apesar de efetivos, apresentam alcance limitado e foram comprometidos pela pandemia. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o cuidado com a pessoa tabagista em João Pessoa (PB), na pandemia de COVID-19. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, exploratório e quantitativo com duas fases: levantamento dos indicadores de saúde e avaliação dos perfis sociodemográficos dos profissionais e usuários dos serviços nos anos do estudo. Participaram da pesquisa sete profissionais, coordenadores de grupo de tabagismo e 20 usuários. Os resultados apontaram para uma baixa cobertura do programa, além de revelar queda no número de fumantes atendidos na pandemia, de 419 em 2019 para 129 em 2020. As entrevistas identificaram pontos positivos e limitações do programa, boa efetividade e baixo acesso, especialmente na APS, e que as estratégias utilizadas para conter o consumo do tabaco e seus riscos durante a pandemia partiram dos serviços e dos profissionais envolvidos. É possível concluir que, nessa região, o Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo (PNCT) apresenta implantação incipiente na APS e que, durante a pandemia, o número de serviços ofertados foi reduzido, diminuindo a procura e as ações realizadas.

Abstract Smoking is a public health problem associated with high morbimortality. Smoking cessation services, although effective, have limited reach and have been compromised by the pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the care for smokers in João Pessoa (PB), Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive, exploratory, and quantitative study was conducted in two phases: a survey of health indicators and an evaluation of sociodemographic profiles of professionals and service clients during the study years. Seven professionals, smoking group coordinators, and 20 clients participated in the research. The results showed low program coverage, with a declining number of smokers treated during the pandemic, down from 419 in 2019 to 129 in 2020. Interviews identified the program's positive aspects and limitations, good effectiveness, and low access, especially in primary health care. Tobacco consumption and risk reduction strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic originated from services and professionals involved. We can conclude that the National Tobacco Control Program has an incipient implementation in primary health care in this region and that the number of services offered was reduced during the pandemic, decreasing demand and actions.

Quality indicators of pharmacists' services in community pharmacies in Paraná State, Brazil

ABSTRACT Pharmacists and their pharmacies have been evolving in their roles as health promoters in Brazil. Some examples are the recent legislation reaffirming the role of Brazilian pharmacies as health institutions, rather than having only a commercial profile, giving greater clarity to pharmacists about their roles as health care providers. This evolution came with the recognition that is already seen in other developed countries, confirming the need for the pharmacist as a health promoter, and not simply a dispenser of drugs in society. This study has obtained the profile and activities of community pharmacists, as well as the quality indicators of private community pharmacies throughout the State of Paraná through the application of an online survey sent to pharmacists in the state. Out of all pharmacists surveyed, 533 were part of the final analysis, being the pharmacists to complete the survey in full. Participants were mostly female (69.4%) and were, on average, 35.2 ± 9.2 years old. Of these, 60% worked in pharmacy chains and just 37% of all pharmacist respondents were issuing the Declaration of Pharmaceutical Services. The current study showed that many pharmaceutical services are not adopted by pharmacies as these services bring no significant financial reward. Regarding the structure, the Paraná State showed that pharmacies present a good overall structure. The kind of pharmacy (chain or independent) influenced the pharmaceutical services provided and the available structure, where the independent pharmacies provide a wider range of services and have better structure. This study was able to identify the profile and behaviors of pharmacists and also the quality indicators of pharmacies in Paraná State.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing and the risk of adverse drug reactions in critically ill older adults

Background: Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in the elderly is associated with increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but there is limited information regarding PIM use in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Objective: The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence and factors associated with the use of PIM and the occurrence of PIM-related adverse reactions in the critically ill elderly. Methods: This study enrolled all critically ill older adults (60 years or more) admitted to medical or cardiovascular ICUs between January and December 2013, in a large tertiary teaching hospital. For all patients, clinical pharmacists listed the medications given during the ICU stay and data on drugs were analyzed using 2012 Beers Criteria, to identify the prevalence of PIM. For each identified PIM the medical records were analyzed to evaluate factors associated with its use. The frequency of ADRs and, the causal relationship between PIM and the ADRs identified were also evaluated through review of medical records. Results: According to 2012 Beers Criteria, 98.2% of elderly patients used at least one PIM (n=599), of which 24.8% were newly started in the ICUs. In 29.6% of PIMs, there was a clinical circumstance that justified their prescription. The number of PIMs was associated with ICU length of stay and total number of medications. There was at least one ADR identified in 17.8% of patients; more than 40% were attributed to PIM, but there was no statistical association. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of PIM used in acutely ill older people, but they do not seem to be the major cause of adverse drug reactions in this population. Although many PIMs had a clinical circumstance that led to their prescription during the course of ICU hospitalization, many were still present upon hospital discharge. Therefore, prescription of PIMs should be minimized to improve the safety of elderly patients (AU)

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Comparing medication adherence tools scores and number of controlled diseases among low literacy patients discharged from a Brazilian cardiology ward.

Background Adherence to prescribed drug therapy is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular causes of death. In view of the relevance for public health, it is important to understand the relation between medication adherence tools' scores, especially in low literacy patients discharged from a cardiology ward. Objectives We aimed to assess: (a) the association between number of controlled clinical conditions and adherence tools scores, and (b) the correlation between the scores of three instruments to assess adherence. Methods We conducted a prospective study and included patients discharged from a specialized cardiovascular ward in Brazil. The results of the Beliefs about Medicines questionnaire (BMQ), the Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS) and the MedTake test were compared. Results Of 53 included patients, most of them were elderly, and did not complete primary school. On average, there were six health conditions per patient, where two of them were not controlled. ARMS was the only tool that was associated with number of controlled health conditions (r = -0.312, p < 0.05). Moreover, ARMS (average score 15.6 ± 3.4) had significant correlation with MEDTAKE (r = 0.535, p < 0.01) and BMQ (r = 0.38, p < 0.01). BMQ and MEDTAKE were also positively correlated (r = 0.311, p < 0.05). Conclusions Clinically, higher ARMS scores (>12) suggest assumed non-adherence. It is also negatively correlated with the number of controlled clinical conditions in low literacy elderlies with cardiovascular diseases.

Analysis of the discrepancies identified during medication reconciliation on patient admission in cardiology units: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: this observational study aimed to describe the discrepancies identified during medication reconciliation on patient admission to cardiology units in a large hospital. METHODS: the medication history of patients was collected within 48 hours after admission, and intentional and unintentional discrepancies were classified as omission, duplication, dose, frequency, timing, and route of drug administration. RESULTS: most of the patients evaluated were women (58.0%) with a mean age of 59 years, and 75.5% of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index score between 1 and 3. Of the 117 discrepancies found, 50.4% were unintentional. Of these, 61.0% involved omission, 18.6% involved dosage, 18.6% involved timing, and 1.7% involved the route of drug administration. CONCLUSION: this study revealed a high prevalence of discrepancies, most of which were related to omissions, and 50% were unintentional. These results reveal the number of drugs that are not reincorporated into the treatment of patients, which can have important clinical consequences. OBJETIVOS: este estudo observacional teve como objetivo descrever discrepâncias encontradas na realização de conciliação medicamentosa de pacientes admitidos em unidades de cardiologia de um hospital de grande porte. MÉTODOS: a história de medicação dos pacientes foi coletada dentro de 48h após a admissão, e as discrepâncias, identificadas como intencionais ou não intencionais, foram classificadas como de: omissão, duplicidade, dose, frequência, intervalo e via. RESULTADOS: a maioria dos pacientes incluídos pertençia ao sexo feminino (58,0%), com idade média de 59 anos, e com índice de comorbidades de Charlson entre 1 e 3 (75,5% dos casos). Das 117 discrepâncias encontradas, 50,4% foram não intencionais. Dessas, 61,0% foram de omissão, 18,6% de dose, 18,6% de intervalo e 1,7% de via de administração. CONCLUSÃO: o estudo mostra a alta prevalência de discrepâncias, principalmente de omissão, sendo quase metade não intencionais. Esse dado remete ao número de medicamentos que não são reincorporados ao tratamento dos pacientes, podendo repercutir em consequências clínicas importantes. OBJETIVOS: este estudio observacional tuvo como objetivo describir discrepancias encontradas en la realización de la conciliación medicamentosa de pacientes admitidos en unidades de cardiología de un hospital de gran porte. MÉTODOS: la historia de medicación de los pacientes fue recolectada dentro de 48h después de la admisión, y las discrepancias, identificadas como intencionales o no intencionales, fueron clasificadas como: omisión, duplicidad, dosis, frecuencia, intervalo y vía. RESULTADOS: la mayoría de los pacientes incluidos pertenecía al sexo femenino (58,0%), con edad promedio de 59 años, y con índice de comorbilidad de Charlson entre 1 y 3 (75,5% de los casos). De las 117 discrepancias encontradas, 50,4% fueron no intencionales. De estas, 61,0% fueron de omisión, 18,6% de dosis, 18,6% de intervalo y 1,7% de vía de administración. CONCLUSIÓN: el estudio muestra la alta prevalencia de discrepancias, principalmente de omisión, siendo casi mitad de ellas no intencionales. Ese dato nos indica el número de medicamentos que no son reincorporados al tratamiento de los pacientes, lo que puede repercutir en consecuencias clínicas importantes.

Analysis of the discrepancies identified during medication reconciliation on patient admission in cardiology units: a descriptive study / Análise das discrepâncias encontradas durante a conciliação medicamentosa na admissão de pacientes em unidades de cardiologia: um estudo descritivo / Análisis de las discrepancias encontradas durante la conciliación medicamentosa en la admisión de pacientes en unidades de cardiología: un estudio descriptivo

ABSTRACT Objectives: this observational study aimed to describe the discrepancies identified during medication reconciliation on patient admission to cardiology units in a large hospital. Methods: the medication history of patients was collected within 48 hours after admission, and intentional and unintentional discrepancies were classified as omission, duplication, dose, frequency, timing, and route of drug administration. Results: most of the patients evaluated were women (58.0%) with a mean age of 59 years, and 75.5% of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index score between 1 and 3. Of the 117 discrepancies found, 50.4% were unintentional. Of these, 61.0% involved omission, 18.6% involved dosage, 18.6% involved timing, and 1.7% involved the route of drug administration. Conclusion: this study revealed a high prevalence of discrepancies, most of which were related to omissions, and 50% were unintentional. These results reveal the number of drugs that are not reincorporated into the treatment of patients, which can have important clinical consequences.

RESUMO Objetivos: este estudo observacional teve como objetivo descrever discrepâncias encontradas na realização de conciliação medicamentosa de pacientes admitidos em unidades de cardiologia de um hospital de grande porte. Métodos: a história de medicação dos pacientes foi coletada dentro de 48h após a admissão, e as discrepâncias, identificadas como intencionais ou não intencionais, foram classificadas como de: omissão, duplicidade, dose, frequência, intervalo e via. Resultados: a maioria dos pacientes incluídos pertençia ao sexo feminino (58,0%), com idade média de 59 anos, e com índice de comorbidades de Charlson entre 1 e 3 (75,5% dos casos). Das 117 discrepâncias encontradas, 50,4% foram não intencionais. Dessas, 61,0% foram de omissão, 18,6% de dose, 18,6% de intervalo e 1,7% de via de administração. Conclusão: o estudo mostra a alta prevalência de discrepâncias, principalmente de omissão, sendo quase metade não intencionais. Esse dado remete ao número de medicamentos que não são reincorporados ao tratamento dos pacientes, podendo repercutir em consequências clínicas importantes.

RESUMEN Objetivos: este estudio observacional tuvo como objetivo describir discrepancias encontradas en la realización de la conciliación medicamentosa de pacientes admitidos en unidades de cardiología de un hospital de gran porte. Métodos: la historia de medicación de los pacientes fue recolectada dentro de 48h después de la admisión, y las discrepancias, identificadas como intencionales o no intencionales, fueron clasificadas como: omisión, duplicidad, dosis, frecuencia, intervalo y vía. Resultados: la mayoría de los pacientes incluidos pertenecía al sexo femenino (58,0%), con edad promedio de 59 años, y con índice de comorbilidad de Charlson entre 1 y 3 (75,5% de los casos). De las 117 discrepancias encontradas, 50,4% fueron no intencionales. De estas, 61,0% fueron de omisión, 18,6% de dosis, 18,6% de intervalo y 1,7% de vía de administración. Conclusión: el estudio muestra la alta prevalencia de discrepancias, principalmente de omisión, siendo casi mitad de ellas no intencionales. Ese dato nos indica el número de medicamentos que no son reincorporados al tratamiento de los pacientes, lo que puede repercutir en consecuencias clínicas importantes.

Proportion of Brazilian diabetes patients that achieve treatment goals: implications for better quality of care.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and its complications are substantial causes of morbidity and mortality, and caused approximately 5.1 million deaths worldwide in 2013. Early detection and treatment of diabetes complications can prevent their progression. OBJECT: This study compared the proportions of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively) who achieved the goals of good clinical control. METHODS: Adults and elderly patients with T1DM and T2DM at a public outpatient endocrinology service in Brazil were retrospectively evaluated between 2012 and 2013. Clinical and socio demographic data were obtained from medical records and evaluated in accordance with the Brazilian Diabetes Society Guidelines. Care process measures, outcomes indicators, and supporting process measures were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1031 records were analyzed: 29 and 71 % of patients had T1DM and T2DM, respectively. T2DM patients had significantly higher BMI than T1DM patients (overweight and obesity in 85.1 vs. 47.5 %, p < 0.01). The follow-up periods for diabetes and number of clinical visits to the endocrinology service were significantly greater among T1DM patients than T2DM patients (p < 0.01). However, T2DM patients required significantly more other (i.e., non-endocrinological) healthcare services (p < 0.01). HbA1c was significantly lower in T2DM patients (p < 0.01). Moreover, blood pressure and triglycerides were significantly higher in T2DM patients (p < 0.01), whereas total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were significantly lower in T2DM patients (p < 0.01). Only 0.5 % of the patients achieved all targets, and 1.1 % did not achieve any. CONCLUSIONS: The achievement of goals of good clinical practice varies among the parameters evaluated. Almost no patients achieved all targets. Many patients are overweight and do not achieve targets for HbA1c, lipid profile, or blood pressure control.

Analysis of clinical pharmacist interventions in a tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical pharmacist interventions performed during the review of prescription orders of the Adult Intensive Care, Cardiologic Intensive Care, and Clinical Cardiology Units of a large tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The analysis took place daily with the following parameters: dose, rate of administration, presentation and/or dosage form, presence of inappropriate/unnecessary drugs, necessity of additional medication, more proper alternative therapies, presence of relevant drug interactions, inconsistencies in prescription orders, physical-chemical incompatibilities/solution stability. From this evaluation, the drug therapy problems were classified, as well as the resulting clinical interventions. RESULTS: During the study, a total of 6,438 drug orders were assessed and 933 interventions were performed. The most prevalent drug therapy problems involved ranitidine (28.44%), enoxaparin (13.76%), and meropenem (8.26%). The acceptability of the interventions was 76.32%. The most common problem found was related to dose, representing 46.73% of the total. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that up to 14.6% of the prescriptions reviewed had some drug therapy problem and the pharmacist interventions have promoted positive changes in seven to ten of these prescriptions.

Análise das intervenções de farmacêuticos clínicos em um hospital de ensino terciário do Brasil / Analysis of clinical pharmacist interventions in a tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical pharmacist interventions performed during the review of prescription orders of the Adult Intensive Care, Cardiologic Intensive Care, and Clinical Cardiology Units of a large tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The analysis took place daily with the following parameters: dose, rate of administration, presentation and/or dosage form, presence of inappropriate/unnecessary drugs, necessity of additional medication, more proper alternative therapies, presence of relevant drug interactions, inconsistencies in prescription orders, physical-chemical incompatibilities/solution stability. From this evaluation, the drug therapy problems were classified, as well as the resulting clinical interventions. RESULTS: During the study, a total of 6,438 drug orders were assessed and 933 interventions were performed. The most prevalent drug therapy problems involved ranitidine (28.44%), enoxaparin (13.76%), and meropenem (8.26%). The acceptability of the interventions was 76.32%. The most common problem found was related to dose, representing 46.73% of the total. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that up to 14.6% of the prescriptions reviewed had some drug therapy problem and the pharmacist interventions have promoted positive changes in seven to ten of these prescriptions.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as intervenções realizadas por farmacêuticos clínicos durante a revisão de prescrições médicas das Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Adulto, Terapia Intensiva Cardiológica e de Cardiologia Clínica de um hospital universitário terciário do Brasil. MÉTODOS: A análise de prescrições foi realizada diariamente com avaliação dos seguintes parâmetros: dose, intervalo de administração, apresentação e/ou forma farmacêutica, presença de medicamentos inapropriados/desnecessários, necessidade de medicamento adicional, alternativas terapêuticas mais adequadas, presença de interações medicamentosas relevantes, inconsistências nas prescrições, incompatibilidades físico-químicas/estabilidade da solução. A partir dessa avaliação, os problemas relacionados aos medicamentos foram classificados, bem como as intervenções farmacêuticas resultantes, conforme estabelecido pelo manual de farmácia clínica do hospital. RESULTADOS: Durante o estudo, um total de 6.438 prescrições foi avaliado e foram realizadas 933 intervenções farmacêuticas. Os medicamentos mais envolvidos nos problemas foram: ranitidina (28,44%), enoxaparina (13,76%) e meropenem (8,26%). A aceitação das intervenções foi de 76,32%. O problema mais comumente encontrado foi relacionado à dose, representando 46,73% do total. CONCLUSÃO: Até 14,6% das prescrições avaliadas apresentaram algum problema relacionado a medicamentos. As intervenções farmacêuticas promoveram mudanças positivas em sete a cada dez dessas prescrições.