Ball, P & Pont, L 2011, 'Addressing the gap', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 92, no. 1096, p. 42.
Ball, P & Pont, L 2011, 'Divided we fail', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 92, no. 1088, p. 23.
Ball, P & Pont, L 2011, 'Rural solution can lead change', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 92, no. 1094, p. 43.
Ball, P & Pont, L 2011, 'Time to move on eHealth', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 92, no. 1098, p. 36.
Chaar, BB, Brien, JA, Hanrahan, J, McLachlan, A, Penm, J & Pont, L 2011, 'Experimental education in Australian pharmacy: Preceptors' perspectives', Pharmacy Education, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 166-171.
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Background: Experiential education is key to students understanding their future practice settings. The quality and success of experiential education rest largely on volunteer preceptors, who are an essential asset to the education of pharmacy students in Australia. This asset needs constant support and nurturing. Aims: This study aims to explore the perceptions of Australian preceptors' and their needs regarding their role in training future generations of pharmacists. Method: Five focus groups of pharmacist preceptors were conducted, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were thematically analysed to identify major themes related to pharmacy experiential education. Results: Thirty seven pharmacists participated in the focus group interviews, representing diverse demographics and workplace settings. Pharmacists reported enjoying the role of preceptor however, lack of insight into education techniques, increased workload, lack of time and space, and increased stress levels were identified by participants as obstacles to achieving good educational outcomes. Conclusion: Preceptors are role models for novice practitioners, and the relationships between universities and preceptors need to be robust, supportive and relevant to changing professional and health sector environments. © 2011 FIP.
Dua, K & Pabreja, K 2011, 'Investigation on Dissolution Pattern and Mathematical Modeling of Drug Release of UDCA by Complextaion with b-Cyclodextrin-Choline Dichloride Coprecipitate', Journal of Liver, vol. 01, no. 01, pp. 1-10.
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The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of presence of choline dichloride (CDC) in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on in vitro dissolution of Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) from molecular inclusion complexes. The molecular inclusion complexes of UDCA with β-CD coprecipitated with CDC were prepared using kneading method. In vitro dissolution of pure drug, physical mixtures and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (UDCA-β-CD- CDC) were carried out. Molecular inclusion complexes of Ursodeoxycholic acid with coprecipitated β-CD showed considerable increase in the dissolution rate in comparison with physical mixture and pure drug in 0.1 N HCl, pH1.2 and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Inclusion complexes with 1:2M ratio showed maximum dissolution rate in comparison to other ratios. FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated no interaction between UDCA and β-CD-CDC in complexes in solid state. Dissolution enhancement was attributed to the formation of water soluble inclusion complexes with the precipitated form of β-CD. The in vitro release from all the formulations was best described by first order kinetics followed by Higuchi release model. In conclusion, dissolution of Ursodeoxycholic acid can be enhanced by using the β-CD-CDC coprecipitate as a host st molecolec.
Dua, K, Pabreja, K & Ramana, MV 2011, 'Enhancement of Dissolution Behavior of Aceclofenac by Complexation with β-Cyclodextrin-Choline Dichloride Coprecipitate', Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 1477-1484.
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Dua, K, Pabreja, K, Ramana, MV & Bukhari, NI 2011, 'Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation of Aceclofenac PVP-Solid Dispersions', Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, vol. 32, no. 8, pp. 1151-1157.
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Dua, K, Pabreja, K, Ramana, MV & Lather, V 2011, 'Dissolution behavior of β-cyclodextrin molecular inclusion complexes of aceclofenac', Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 417-417.
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The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of-cyclodextrin (-CD) on the in vitro dissolution of aceclofenac (AF) from molecular inclusion complexes. Aceclofenac molecular inclusion complexes in 1:1 and 1:2 M ratio were prepared using a kneading method. The in vitro dissolution of pure drug, physical mixtures, and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes was carried out. Molecular inclusion complexes of AF with-CD showed a considerable increase in the dissolution rate in comparison with the physical mixture and pure drug in 0.1 N HCl, pH 1.2, and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Inclusion complexes with a 1:2 M ratio showed the maximum dissolution rate in comparison to other ratios. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated no interaction between AF and-CD in complexes in solid state. Molecular modeling results indicated the relative energetic stability of the-CD dimer-AF complex as compared to-CD monomer-AF. Dissolution enhancement was attributed to the formation of water soluble inclusion complexes with-CD. The in vitro release from all the formulations was best described by first-order kinetics (R 2 = 0.9826 and 0.9938 in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer, respectively) followed by the Higuchi release model (R 2 = 0.9542 and 0.9686 in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer, respectively). In conclusion, the dissolution of AF can be enhanced by the use of a hydrophilic carrier like-CD.
Gu, P, Williams, KA, Aslani, P & Chaar, BB 2011, 'Direct–to–Consumer Advertising of Prescription Medicines on the Internet: An Australian Consumer Perspective', Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 196-202.
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ABSTRACTBackgroundIn Australia there are strict regulations in place to protect the consumer from direct–to–consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines. However, the degree of infallibility of these restrictions is unclear.AimTo investigate the DTCA encountered by Australian consumers when searching the Internet for common health‐ or medicine‐related questions.Method2 health topics, weight loss and impotence, were chosen and explored from 2 perspectives – the health condition and a commonly used medicine (brand name). Key words were chosen to simulate the language and search style of a consumer. The first 10 hits from each search were evaluated using the validated DISCERN scale, and a descriptive report of each web site was conducted with a specific focus on evidence for DTCA.ResultsOf the 70 web sites visited, 10 sites originating from the USA or New Zealand exhibited DTCA. The scale and intensity of DTCA varied between search topics and strategies and ranged in appearance from simple, pictorial advertising to subtle forms of persuasive language. DTCA of some pharmaceuticals was often hidden within disease awareness campaigns, ePharmacy web pages and online communities.ConclusionAustralian consumers are exposed to DTCA of prescription medicines on the Internet. Clearly, DTCA restrictions in Australia are not infallible. Australian policy makers in the interests of public health must take measures to address the gaps.
Kelly, F, Sare, AT, Williams, KA & Benrimoj, SI 2011, 'Non-prescription medicine supply: protocols and practice', International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, vol. 10, no. Supplement_1, pp. R72-R72.
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Abstract Focal points
Lyn, L, Sze, H, Rajendran, A, Adinarayana, G, Dua, K & Garg, S 2011, 'Crystal modifications and dissolution rate of piroxicam', Acta Pharmaceutica, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 391-402.
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Crystal modifications and dissolution rate of piroxicam Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with low aqueous solubility which exhibits polymorphism. The present study was carried out to develop polymorphs of piroxicam with enhanced solubility and dissolution rate by the crystal modification technique using different solvent mixtures prepared with PEG 4000 and PVP K30. Physicochemical characteristics of the modified crystal forms of piroxicam were investigated by X-ray powder diffractometry, FT-IR spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Dissolution and solubility profiles of each modified crystal form were studied and compared with pure piroxicam. Solvent evaporation method (method I) produced both needle and cubic shaped crystals. Slow crystallization from ethanol with addition of PEG 4000 or PVP K30 at room temperature (method II) produced cubic crystal forms. Needle forms produced by method I improved dissolution but not solubility. Cubic crystals produced by method I had a dissolution profile similar to that of untreated piroxicam but showed better solubility than untreated piroxicam. Cubic shaped crystals produced by method II showed improved dissolution, without a significant change in solubility. Based on the XRPD results, modified piroxicam crystals obtained by method I from acetone/benzene were cube shaped, which correlates well with the FTIR spectrum; modified needle forms obtained from ethanol/methanol and ethanol/acetone showed a slight shift of FTIR peak that may be attributed to differences in the internal structure or conformation.
Pabreja, K, Dua, K, Sharma, S, Padi, SSV & Kulkarni, SK 2011, 'Minocycline attenuates the development of diabetic neuropathic pain: Possible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant mechanisms', European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 661, no. 1-3, pp. 15-21.
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Painful neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes mellitus is characterized by allodynia and hyperalgesia. Recent studies emphasized on the role of non-neuronal cells, particularly microglia in the development of neuronal hypersensitivity. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of minocyline, a selective inhibitor of microglial activation to define the role of neuroimmune activation in experimental diabetic neuropathy. Cold allodynia and thermal and chemical hyperalgesia were assessed and the markers of inflammation and oxidative and nitrosative stress were estimated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Chronic administration of minocycline (40 and 80 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 weeks started 2 weeks after diabetes induction attenuated the development of diabetic neuropathy as compared to diabetic control animals. In addition, minocyline treatment reduced the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, lipid peroxidation, nitrite and also improved antioxidant defense in spinal cords of diabetic rats as compared to diabetic control animals. In contrast, minocycline (80 mg/kg, per se) had no effect on any of these behavioral and biochemical parameters assessed in age-matched control animals. The results of the present study strongly suggest that activated microglia are involved in the development of experimental diabetic neuropathy and minocycline exerted its effect probably by inhibition of neuroimmune activation of microglia. In addition, the beneficial effects of minocycline are partly mediated by its anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and in part by modulating oxidative and nitrosative stress in the spinal cord that might be involved in attenuating the development of behavioral hypersensitivity in diabetic rats.
Pont, L & Ball, P 2011, 'In the face of adversity', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 92, no. 1090, p. 36.
Queddeng, K, Chaar, B & Williams, K 2011, 'Emergency contraception in Australian community pharmacies: a simulated patient study', Contraception, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 176-182.
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Background: Australia joined the worldwide movement to increase the availability of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) by rescheduling from Prescription to Pharmacist Only status in 2004. However a protocol developed to aid in the provision of the ECP placed extensive requirements on the pharmacist. This study investigated the provision of the ECP by community pharmacists in Sydney, Australia. Study Design: Using a simulated patient methodology, 100 community pharmacies were visited over a five week period (AugOct 2008). The simulated patient specifically requested the ECP, and details of the consultation were recorded on a standardised data collection form. Results: The ECP was supplied in 95% of the pharmacies visited. Patient privacy was observed in 90% of consultations, which in general were succinct and friendly. Clinical assessment of the patient that met all the requirements was observed in 18%, partial assessment in 69%, and inadequate assessment in 13% of consultations. Provision of required information to the patient was sufficient in 42%, partial in 55%, and inadequate in 3% of consultations. Conclusions: This study highlighted a need to standardize procedures in regard to the ECP service to present a more consistent level of service to the public. Suggestions to improve the service include complete revision and simplification of the current protocol and improved training. Additionally, mandatory provision of private consultation areas and continuing professional education may facilitate and enhance quality counselling.
Williams, KA, Emmerton, LM, Taylor, R, Werner, J & Benrimoj, SI 2011, 'Non-prescription medicines and Australian community pharmacy interventions: rates and clinical significance', International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 156-165.
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AbstractObjectiveTo quantify pharmacy intervention rates for non-prescription medications (pharmacist-only and pharmacy medicines), to document the clinical significance of these interventions and to determine the adverse health consequences and subsequent health care avoided as a result of the interventions.MethodsNon-prescription medicines interventions undertaken by community pharmacy staff were recorded in two field studies: a study of all Australian pharmacies to determine incidence rates for low-incidence, highly significant interventions, and a study of a sample of pharmacies to collect data on all non-prescription interventions. Recorded interventions were assessed by a clinical panel for clinical significance, potential adverse health consequence avoided, probability and likely duration of the adverse health consequence.Key findingsThe rate of professional intervention that occurs in Australia for pharmacist-only and pharmacy medicines is 5.66 per 1000 unit sales (95% confidence interval 4.79–6.64). Rates of intervention varied by clinical significance. When considering health care avoided, the main impact of the interventions was avoidance of urgent general practitioner (GP) visits, followed by avoidance of regular GP visits and accident and emergency treatment. The most common adverse health consequences avoided were exacerbations of an existing condition (e.g. hypertension, asthma) and adverse drug effects.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the way in which community pharmacy encourages appropriate non-prescription medicine use and prevents harm through intervening at the point of supply. It was estimated that Australian pharmacies perform 485 912 interventions per annum when dealing with ...
