{"title":"Guideline adherence for controlling incidence of medication errors: a systematic mixed-method review.","authors":"Fatemeh Bakhshi, Rebecca Mitchell, Afifeh Khosravi, Mahnaz Antikchi","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The article reviews the factors that affect healthcare professionals' adherence to safe medication therapy guidelines, which are important for patient safety and quality of care. The purpose of this review was to further our knowledge on the factors and interventions that contribute to medication guideline adherence among healthcare professionals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review employed a systematic, mixed-methods approach. The authors searched five databases for mixed studies (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) from 2011 to 2023 and appraised them using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT). They extracted and synthesized the data using narrative synthesis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria. We found that the factors influencing medication guideline adherence vary by the roles and settings of healthcare professionals. We classified these factors into four categories: guideline level, personnel level, system level, and leadership level. Guideline-level factors refer to the clarity and consistency of the medication guidelines, policies, or protocols. Personnel-level factors involve the behavior, education, and practice of healthcare professionals. System-level factors relate to the institutional and systemic aspects that support and maintain medication guideline adherence. Leadership-level factors concern the planning and management of medication guideline implementation by healthcare managers. We also discussed the interventions that can improve guideline adherence, including (i) educational programs, (ii) pharmacist-based interventions, and (iii) computerized prescribing programs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review provides a typology of factors to help organizations enhance medication safety adherence. The findings highlight the important role of hospital pharmacists in building multifaceted and multidisciplinary programs to address guideline adherence issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144618076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sam Keast, Ashlea Shaune, Kate Wang, Julia Gilmartin-Thomas
{"title":"'There has to be a better way of doing this': hospital pharmacists' perspectives on optimizing medication management during hospital-to-home transitions of care.","authors":"Sam Keast, Ashlea Shaune, Kate Wang, Julia Gilmartin-Thomas","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Undertake a pilot study to explore hospital pharmacists' perspectives of factors contributing to medication-related problems during transitions of care from hospital to home, and opportunities for pharmacist optimization.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A focus group of hospital pharmacists from a large Australian tertiary care health service.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>Six pharmacists identified communication-related factors as contributing to medication-related problems, including poor communication between healthcare providers and with patients, limited patient understanding of medication-related information, and fragmented care networks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A more empowered role for hospital pharmacists in transitions of care is needed, to address verbal communication limitations contributing to medication-related problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144608322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily Kennedy, Karen Vint, Alpana Mair, Iain Wilson, Lesley Rose, Fiona Eastop, Stuart Law
{"title":"Quality prescribing strategy for respiratory conditions in Scotland: improving patient care and promoting environmental sustainability.","authors":"Emily Kennedy, Karen Vint, Alpana Mair, Iain Wilson, Lesley Rose, Fiona Eastop, Stuart Law","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The respiratory prescribing strategy previously published by the Scottish Government did not include any environmental sustainability information and required updating to incorporate this. It was recognized that ~3% of the carbon footprint of NHS Scotland results from the use of pressurized metered dose inhalers due to the high global warming potential of inhaler propellants. The aims of the guide were to support clinicians and people with respiratory illness in the appropriate use of medicines, while applying the principles of value-based health care and realistic medicine, including environmental sustainability. Person-centred medication review, including optimising appropriate inhaler use, is promoted using the 7-step methodology described in the Scottish polypharmacy guidance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Stakeholders, including people with lived experience, third sector patient organizations and multidisciplinary team representatives from across primary and secondary care were invited to update the respiratory guide. Open consultation was undertaken before publication. Tools and resources to assist in implementation of the recommendations were developed, including data and patient facing resources.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>The 'Quality Prescribing Strategy for Respiratory Conditions: a guide for improvement (2024-2027)' was published by the Scottish Government in April 2024. It highlights key recommendations for respiratory prescribing, to improve care of people living with respiratory conditions and to reduce environmental impact of respiratory care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The guide supports the implementation of national UK-based guidance, including the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, together with the indicators and tools to drive improvement in prescribing and patient care by assisting clinicians with practical guidance and prescribing resources. It also supports healthcare organizations and sustainability committees to prioritize actions.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prescriber's checklist: filling the GABPS in adult WARDDS!","authors":"Ahmed Abdeldayem","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf055","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marta Kučan Štiglić, Tea Strbad, Andrej Belančić, Jasenka Mršić Pelčić, Dinko Vitezić
{"title":"Trends in publicly and privately prescribed anxiolytics in Croatia: do we need a new regulatory framework.","authors":"Marta Kučan Štiglić, Tea Strbad, Andrej Belančić, Jasenka Mršić Pelčić, Dinko Vitezić","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to analyse changes in the prescribing trends of anxiolytics in Croatia over the past 15 years, focusing on changes in prescribing patterns and the average cost per defined daily dose (DDD) and to evaluate how frequently patients covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) received private prescriptions for anxiolytics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on total consumption of anxiolytics in Croatia were obtained from two sources: the IMS database and the CHIF database for the period from 2006 to 2022.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>The total usage of anxiolytic drugs increased from 61.13 DDD/1000 in 2006 to 82.78 DDD/1000 in 2022, an increase of 35.42%, while the financial expenditure in the same period decreased by 15.57%. Diazepam is the anxiolytic drug with the highest prescription rate, with an increase of 67.42%. The highest increase overall was in the total consumption of alprazolam, despite a decrease from 21.22% in 2011 to 16.53% in 2022 in private prescriptions, indicating a substantial increase in prescriptions covered by insurers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite being either not recommended by clinical guidelines or of doubtful efficacy in many cases, prescribing of anxiolytics is common. There is a noticeable increase in anxiolytic drug use in Croatia during the investigated period, while the total financial expenditure has decreased due to price pressure on medications imposed by the national insurer. The high rate of private prescription of anxiolytics is observed. An enhanced national regulatory framework for prescribing anxiolytics in Croatia is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144560086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vinci Mizranita, Bruce Sunderland, Jeffery David Hughes, Tin Fei Sim
{"title":"A cross-sectional study of pharmacy academics' perspectives on the scope of minor ailments in Indonesia and implications for pharmacy education.","authors":"Vinci Mizranita, Bruce Sunderland, Jeffery David Hughes, Tin Fei Sim","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe pharmacy academics' perceptions of scopes of practice, knowledge, and skills required for the education of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the management of minor ailments (MMAs) in Indonesia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Online surveys were designed for academic staff teaching pharmacy and pharmacy technician students from all 30 institutions in Central Java, Indonesia. Those teaching both courses received both questionnaires. Percentage of common responses (PCR) described the level of similarity of perceived scopes of practice. Descriptive analyses described respondents' demographics and characteristics.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>No clear consensus was evident regarding the scopes of MA practice from academics teaching each group of students. The majority of academics teaching pharmacy students perceived that MAs such as migraine and indigestion (with the PCR >80%) should be exclusively managed by pharmacists, showing a strong consensus on the role of pharmacists in managing these ailments. Only a 50%-60% consensus was achieved on the scopes of MAs managed by pharmacy technicians. Some academics perceived pharmacy technicians were not competent to manage any MA. Notably, 52.9% of academics teaching pharmacy students taught management of MAs as a separate course, compared to 26.7% who taught pharmacy technician students.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Discord in the scope of practice perceptions between academics teaching pharmacy and pharmacy technician students requires resolution, including the diverse nature of training involving MMAs. Clearly defined scopes of practice are required to achieve consistent education of MAs for pharmacy and pharmacy technician students.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144553476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ella Cocoman, Juliette O'Connell, Ana Šešelja Perišin, Josipa Bukić, Doris Rušić, Mihaela Grgić, Dario Leskur
{"title":"Community pharmacists' counselling practices for topical corticosteroid therapy in the management of atopic dermatitis-a cross-sectional survey.","authors":"Ella Cocoman, Juliette O'Connell, Ana Šešelja Perišin, Josipa Bukić, Doris Rušić, Mihaela Grgić, Dario Leskur","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Safe and effective use of topical corticosteroids (TCS) relies heavily on appropriate pharmacist counselling in community pharmacies, to optimize treatment and improve outcomes for patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. This study aimed to investigate community pharmacists (CPs)' counselling practices on TCS and their attitudes towards the fingertip unit (FTU) method, patients' knowledge, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among CPs in Croatia. A questionnaire was developed, which explored CPs' counselling practices on TCS, their awareness and implementation of the FTU method, and their experience with ADRs. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>A total of 351 participants engaged with the survey. Over half (57.5%, CI: 52.2%-62.8%) of CPs use a combination of verbal and written counselling, and the majority (>96.6%) explain the dose, method of administration, frequency, and duration of topical corticosteroid therapy to most of their patients. Most (75.2%) are familiar with the FTU method; however, less than half (43.9%) routinely explain it in their counselling. Approximately half of CPs (49%) believe that patients have insufficient information knowledge on the correct TCS application (dose, frequency, and duration of treatment).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CPs' counselling practices focus primarily on the method of administration, frequency, and duration of treatment. CPs have a good awareness of the FTU method, however, are less likely to explain it routinely in practice. Additional education around TCS and ADR training may be beneficial for CPs to enhance their counselling practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144553509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nancy A Alvarez, Wendy DeBano, Jason Agundez, Rion Poland, Brian L Erstad
{"title":"A systematic analysis of medicine information pertaining to race and ethnicity terms for 100 top selling medicines in the USA.","authors":"Nancy A Alvarez, Wendy DeBano, Jason Agundez, Rion Poland, Brian L Erstad","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The primary objective of the study focused on the analysis of the terminology used to describe race and/or ethnicity in package inserts for the 100 top-selling medicines in 2021 and to the evaluation of this data based on overall terminology use frequency, terminology use frequency by medication class, and frequency of terminology appearance under specific insert headings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data collection involved reviewing package inserts for 100 top-selling medicines approved in the USA starting with the top 10 medicines followed by the remaining 90 medicines on the list. For the initial 10 medicines, a sample package insert was obtained from the DailyMed website, a resource supported by the US National Library of Medicine and analyzed for the explicit use of race or ethnicity terminology. Identified terms were coded and a list of relevant terms was compiled. A sample package insert for each of the other 90 medicines was analyzed using the list of relevant terminology. A final list to represent the use and quantification of race and ethnicity terminology was compiled.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>This qualitative study revealed that some of the terminology in US medicine information labeling is not consistent with the current wording recommended in FDA guidance for race and ethnicity data collection during clinical trials and other studies. Another finding of this analysis is variation in the frequency of use of race and ethnicity terminology relative to the medicine category and sections of the package insert.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Healthcare providers must be cautious when evaluating package inserts, especially race/ethnicity-related terminology that may not reflect current medicine development requirements or when changes occur to tools previously influenced by information used in clinical trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kathleen M Bergin, Emily K Black, Andrea L Murphy, Deborah V Kelly, Kyle John Wilby
{"title":"Pharmacists' acceptability of provision of sexually transmitted infection services: a scoping review.","authors":"Kathleen M Bergin, Emily K Black, Andrea L Murphy, Deborah V Kelly, Kyle John Wilby","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Pharmacists are taking on more roles in helping to close the gap in care for sexually transmitted infection (STI) management services. The acceptability of pharmacists to perform these services is not yet well understood. The objective of this review was to map, characterize, and explicate the acceptability of pharmacist-delivered STI services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A scoping review was conducted. Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL) were searched up to July 2024 for articles relating to the acceptability of pharmacists to independently assess and manage issues relating to STIs. The results were then mapped to the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA).</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>A total of 2181 publications were identified. 22 studies met inclusion criteria and assessed at least one outcome aligning within the constructs of the TFA. Services relating to pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing, point-of-care testing, chlamydia (and gonorrhea) testing and treatment, and human papillomavirus vaccine prescribing were identified. The overall acceptability of pharmacist-delivered STI services was high across the constructs of the TFA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This review outlines that the acceptability of pharmacists to provide STI management is high and pharmacists are willing to take on accountability for these services. Pharmacists believe that they have a moral obligation to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients, while, decreasing the burden on the broader health care system.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144284319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}