Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting among the General Public in Lithuania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Despite the fact that for over ten years, Lithuanian consumers have been able to report adverse drug reactions (ADR) directly to the competent authority, reporting rates remain low. A comprehensive understanding of consumer perceptions and experiences regarding ADRs is needed to ascertain further factors impacting their engagement in ADR reporting. This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge of, attitude toward, and practice of reporting ADRs. Methods: A questionnaire-guided cross-sectional survey among 404 consumers between October 2021 and June 2022 was conducted. The semi-structured questionnaire comprised open-ended and closed-ended questions to explore the sociodemographic characteristics and general knowledge of ADRs and pharmacovigilance. Other question items evaluated attitudes toward ADR reporting and ADR reporting practice. The data were summarised using descriptive statistics, while the chi-square test was used to assess categorical variables at p < 0.05. The overall percent score in the knowledge and attitude domains was divided into groups of "poor", "moderate", and "good" knowledge, as well as "positive" and "negative" attitudes. Results: While having a generally poor understanding, this study demonstrates that Lithuanian consumers have a favourable attitude toward pharmacovigilance, particularly regarding issues involving the requirement for reporting. The data also revealed the justifications for reporting and not reporting ADRs. Conclusions: The current study provided the first understanding of consumer awareness and ADR reporting intentions, which can help to develop educational campaigns and interventions addressing pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting.

Cyano-Phycocyanin: Mechanisms of Action on Human Skin and Future Perspectives in Medicine.

Cyano-phycocyanin is one of the active pigments of the blue-green algae and is usually isolated from the filamentous cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis Gomont (Spirulina). Due to its multiple physiological functions and non-toxicity, cyano-phycocyanin may be a potential substance for the topical treatment of various skin diseases. Considering that the conventional medicine faces drug resistance, insufficient efficacy and side effects, the plant origin compounds can act as an alternative option. Thus, the aim of this paper was to review the wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimelanogenic and anticancer properties and mechanisms of cyano-phycocyanin topical activities on human skin. Moreover, possible applications and biotechnological requirements for pharmaceutical forms of cyano-phycocyanin for the treatment of various skin diseases are discussed in this review.

[Study of biopharmaceutic characteristics of cromoglycate eye drops]. / Natrio kromoglikato akiu lasu biofarmaciniu charakteristiku tyrimas.

One of the factors influencing the release of active substance from the drug formulation is presence of polymeric substance resulting in increase of viscosity of eye drops. Diffusion of sodium cromoglycate from polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%, 3% solutions and hypromellose 1% aqueous solution was investigated using in vitro method and diffusion coefficients were evaluated. Release of sodium cromoglycate from polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%, 3% solutions and hypromellose 1% aqueous solution was slower than the release from aqueous solution of sodium cromoglycate. The sodium cromoglycate diffusion from ophthalmic vehicle process kinetics was influenced by viscosity of these solutions and nature of the used polymers. The diffusion process of sodium cromoglycate from 1.4% PVA solution was more intensive if compared to diffusion from 1% hypromellose solution. The influence of excipients on sodium cromoglycate diffusion from eye drop formulation was evaluated when polymeric solutions have been used as vehicles.