Ball, P & Pont, L 2013, 'Keep taking the tablets', Australian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 94, no. 1113, p. 26.
Dua, K, Gupta, G, Kumar, D, Sheshala, R & Chakravarthi, S 2013, 'Formulation, characterization, in vitro, in vivo, and histopathological evaluation of transdermal drug delivery containing norfloxacin and Curcuma longa', International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 183-183.
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Objective
In an attempt for better treatment of bacterial infections and burn wounds, semisolid formulations containing norfloxacin (NF) and natural wound healing agent Curcuma longa were prepared. The rationale behind employing combination of NF and Curcuma longa is to obtain synergistic wound healing effect. The prepared formulations were compared with silver sulfadiazine cream 1%, USP.
Materials and methods
Various ointments containing NF and C. longa were prepared using standard procedures. These formulations were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against various strains of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The wound healing property was evaluated by histopathological examination and by measuring the wound contraction.
Results
The significant antimicrobial and wound healing effects were demonstrated by formulations which are comparable with silver sulfadiazine 1% cream (P < 0.05). Various morphological changes were observed by histopathology during the study period (days 1, 4, 8, and 12) which also supported the wound healing process.
Conclusion
Based on the observed antimicrobial and wound healing effects, the formulations containing combination of NF and Curcuma longa could be employed as an alternative to commercial silver sulfadiazine 1% cream. This innovative mode of formulation can be employed for making burn wound healing process more effective.
Dua, K, Sheshala, R, Ying Ling, T, Hui Ling, S & Gorajana, A 2013, 'Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial and Analgesic Potential of Cocos Nucifera Linn.: A Review', Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 158-164.
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At present, approximately 25% of drugs in modern pharmacopoeia are derived from plant sources (phytomedicines) that can be developed for the treatment of diseases and disorders. Many other drugs are synthetic analogues built on the prototype compounds isolated from plants. Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae), which is commonly known as coconut, is a plant possessing a lot of potential as an ingredient in traditional medicines for the treatment of metabolic disorders and particularly as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic agent. This review emphasizes on the recent literature and research findings that highlight the significant biological activities of C. nucifera Linn. such as its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties. This review can help researchers keen on exploiting the therapeutic potential of C. nucifera Linn. which may motivate them to further explore their commercial viability. © 2013 Bentham Science Publishers.
Madan, J, Kadam, V, Dua, K & Bandavane, S 2013, 'Formulation and evaluation of microspheres containing ropinirole hydrochloride using biodegradable polymers', Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 184-184.
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The present work relates with developing long acting sustain release microspheres of ropinirole hydrochloride (RPN) for treatment of Parkinson′s disease, that will sustain drug release up to 1 month. Biodegradable microspheres of RPN were prepared by using two different polymers (poly lactic co glycolic acid [PLGA] 50:50 and PLGA 75:25) employing double emulsion (W/O/W) solvent evaporation method. Preliminary optimization of process parameter was done for concentration of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, stirring speed, temperature of PVA solution, ratio of the drug to polymer (D/P) and ratio of internal phase to external phase volume (IP/EP). All formulations were evaluated for particle size, percentage yield, entrapment efficiency (EE), shape etc. Formulation E3 and E4 shows maximum EE. % in vitro drug release per day of E3 and E4 batch was studied. The RPN was incorporated successfully in microspheres prepared with 0.5% w/v PVA at 8000 RPM stirring speed, 20°C processing temperature, 1:4 drug polymer ratio and 1:30 IP/EP ratio, which provides sustained release up to 4 weeks with better efficacy and patient compliance and can be employed as an alternative to existing oral medications.
Madan, JR, Sagar, B, Chellappan, D & Dua, K 2013, 'Development and Evaluation of Transdermal Organogels Containing Nicorandil', Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 246-252.
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The objective of the study was to formulate a transdermal product containing Nicorandil as a model drug, because it has been first drug of choice to treat angina and hypertension. A further objective was to reduce its side effects. The transdermal product was prepared using various synthetic and natural gelling agents such as Carbopol 934p, Carbopol 974p, HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M. Various penetration enhancers were incorporated to enhance the diffusion across the rat skin. A further objective was to formulate organogels and minimize the concentration of penetration enhancer to 50% of the concentration used in gels and yet to achieve the maximum drug release. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, drug content and freeze thaw cycle. Based on in vitro studies across rat skin and human cadaver skin it was concluded that Nicrorandil transdermal organogel formulation using HPMC K100M with 2% w/w Transcutol-P shows increase in cumulative diffusion of Nicorandil amongst all other formulations.
Margulis, AV, Setoguchi, S, Mittleman, MA, Glynn, RJ, Dormuth, CR & Hernández‐Díaz, S 2013, 'Algorithms to estimate the beginning of pregnancy in administrative databases', Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 16-24.
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ABSTRACTPurposeThe role of administrative databases for research on drug safety during pregnancy can be limited by their inaccurate assessment of the timing of exposure, as the gestational age at birth is typically unavailable. Therefore, we sought to develop and validate algorithms to estimate the gestational age at birth using information available in these databases.MethodsUsing a population‐based cohort of 286,432 mother–child pairs in British Columbia (1998–2007), we validated an ICD‐9/10‐based preterm‐status indicator and developed algorithms to estimate the gestational age at birth on the basis of this indicator, maternal age, singleton/multiple status, and claims for routine prenatal care tests. We assessed the accuracy of the algorithm‐based estimates relative to the gold standard of the clinical gestational age at birth recorded in the delivery discharge record.ResultsThe preterm‐status indicator had specificity and sensitivity of 98% and 91%, respectively. Estimates from an algorithm that assigned 35 weeks of gestational age at birth to deliveries with the preterm‐status indicator and 39 weeks to those without them were within 2 weeks of the clinical gestational age at birth in 75% of preterm and 99% of term deliveries.ConclusionsSubtracting 35 weeks (245 days) from the date of birth in deliveries with codes for preterm birth and 39 weeks (273 days) in those without them provided the optimal estimate of the beginning of pregnancy among the algorithms studied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Okuyan, B, Sancar, M & Izzettin, FV 2013, 'Assessment of medication knowledge and adherence among patients under oral chronic medication treatment in community pharmacy settings', Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 209-214.
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ABSTRACTPurposeThis study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between the lack of medication knowledge and the self‐reported rates of patient medication adherence.MethodsPatients eligible to participate in the study had been taking oral medication at least once daily over the course of a minimum of three consecutive months before recruitment to the study. All participants were older than 18 years. The level of each patient's knowledge of his or her medication was randomly assessed by a trained fifth‐year pharmacy student through an adapted questionnaire. In addition, patient adherence was evaluated via utilization of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.ResultsOf the 765 study participants (mean ± SD age = 55.45 ± 15.05 years, range = 20–91 years, 56.2% women), 58.0% reported adherence to their medication regimen and 64.5% professed optimal knowledge of their medication. The mean duration of medication utilization was 26.77 ± 40.62 months (range = 3–504 years). A statistically significant correlation exists between the total medication knowledge score on the questionnaire and the level of medication adherence (r = −0.964, p < 0.001).ConclusionImprovement in the patient's knowledge of medications taken would bear a positive effect on medication adherence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sheshala, R, Ying, L, Hui, L, Barua, A & Dua, K 2013, 'Development and Anti-microbial Potential of Topical Formulations Containing Cocos nucifera Linn.', Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 253-264.
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In order to achieve better treatment for local wounds and bacterial infections, topical formulations containing Cocos nucifera Linn. were developed. These formulations were evaluated for their physicochemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy against various strains of microorganisms. Semisolid formulations containing 5% w/w of Cocos nucifera Linn. were prepared by employing different dermatological bases and were evaluated for their physical appearance, pH, rheological properties, FTIR-spectroscopic analysis, thermodynamic stability and stability studies. The antimicrobial activity of each prepared formulation was determined using disk-diffusion method against various strains of microorganisms. All the prepared formulations were found to be stable and exhibited suitable physicochemical characteristics including pH, viscosity and spreadability which are necessary for an ideal topical preparation, in addition to strong antimicrobial activity. Carbopol gel base was found to be the most suitable dermatological base for Cocos nucifera Linn. in comparsion to other bases. Cocos nucifera Linn. formulations showed great potential for wounds and local bacterial infections. Moreover, carbopol gel base with its aesthetic appeal was found to be a suitable dermatological base for Cocos nucifera Linn. semisolid formulation as it had demonstrated significant physicochemical properties and greater diffusion when assessed using disk- diffusion method.
Smith, JD, White, C, Roufeil, L, Veitch, C, Pont, L, Patel, B, Battye, K, Luetsch, K & Mitchell, C 2013, 'A national study into the rural and remote pharmacist workforce', Rural and Remote Health, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1-11.
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Introduction: As for many health professionals, distance presents an enormous challenge to pharmacists working in rural and remote Australia. Previous studies have identified issues relating to the size of the rural and remote pharmacist workforce, and a number of national initiatives have been implemented to promote the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural and remote locations. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the current rural and remote pharmacy workforce, and to identify barriers and drivers influencing rural and remote pharmacy practice. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, which comprised a qualitative national consultation and a quantitative rural and remote pharmacist workforce survey. Semi-structured interviews (n=83) and focus groups (n=15, 143 participants) were conducted throughout Australia in 2009 with stakeholders with an interest in rural and remote pharmacy, practising rural/remote pharmacists and pharmacy educators, and as well as with peak pharmacy organizations, to explore the issues associated with rural/remote practice. Based on the findings of the qualitative work a 45-item survey was developed to further explore the relevance of the issues identified in the qualitative consultation. All registered Australian pharmacists practising in non-urban locations (RRMA 3-7, n=3,300) were identified and invited to participate in the study, with a response rate of 23.4%. Results: The main themes identified from the qualitative consultation were the impact of national increases in the pharmacist workforce on rural/remote practice; the role of the regional pharmacy schools in contributing to the rural/remote workforce; and the perceptions of differences in pharmacist roles in rural/remote practice. The survey indicated that pharmacists practising in rural and remote locations were older than the national average (55.8 years versus 40 years). Differences in their professional role were seen in different phar...
Gregoire, J-P, Gross, R, Lauzier, S, Choudry, N & Pont, L 1970, 'Looking for Efficient Solutions to Optimize Adherence to Drug Treatment: The Clinical, Health Services Research and Economics Perspectives', PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, WILEY-BLACKWELL, pp. 209-209.
Pont, LG, Cheng, A, Stevens, G & McLachlan, AJ 1970, 'Warfarin Safety in a Residential Aged Care Setting', PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, WILEY-BLACKWELL, pp. 16-16.
Pont, LG, Jomaa, H, Stevens, G & McLachlan, AJ 1970, 'Non-Prescription Medicines - The Missing Pieces of the Drug Utilization Puzzle', PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, WILEY-BLACKWELL, pp. 487-487.
