International Journal of Pharmacy Practice最新文献

{"title":"Pharmacist-led optimization of modifiable cardiorenal risk factors in a neighbourhood-based diabetes clinic.","authors":"Ciara Doherty, Shannon Garth, Anna Hodgkinson, Alice Rickford, Maya Allen-Taylor, Klaudia Sokolowska, Jessica Webb, Mark Chamley, Janaka Karalliedde","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riag052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the impact of a specialist pharmacist on modifiable cardiorenal risk factors in a community diabetes clinic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively reviewed 246 people (54% male) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from February 2023 to October 2023 (median follow-up of 6 months).</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>There were significant improvements in HbA1c mean (standard deviation) [84.5 (18.2) to 77.6 (20.0) mmol/mol], systolic and diastolic blood pressure [151.4 (12.8) to 140.4 (16.3) and 87.7 (5.3) to 82.1 (9.2) mmHg], and total cholesterol [5.2 (0.9) to 4.9 (1.2)], P < .01 for all.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A specialist pharmacist within a community diabetes clinic can improve modifiable cardiorenal risk in people with T2D.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147673382","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":"Folic acid awareness and usage among Syrian women of pregnancy age, impact of education, socioeconomic status, and source of information: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.","authors":"Mohammed Al Khateeb, Bara'a Shawaqfeh, Maha Rustom, Louna Almounajed, Lujain Sahloul, Ayat Mozeh, Taher Hatahet","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riag044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Syria, a country under crisis since 2011, suffers from deterioration of its healthcare system especially social services for population subgroups such as infants and pregnant women. In the last decade, research was mainly focusing on health and disease of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This revealed higher rates of neural tube defects compared to hosting populations. However, very limited research has investigated women's health and heath awareness inside Syria during times of conflict. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and awareness of folic acid use during pregnancy among Syrian women living in Syria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional questionnaire, distributed through online and offline means between December 2024 and January 2025, was administered to women (≥18 years) living in Syria.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>In total, 238 out of 480 respondents were aware of folic acid importance among pregnant females. Women taking folic acid after pharmacist consultation were more aware than women getting folic acid based on friends and family advice. Less educated females showed lower score levels compared those with higher education.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lower awareness of folic acid usage in pregnancy was evident in less educated females. Healthcare professionals' community engagement sessions to educate females on the importance of folate, mainly pharmacists, could potentially be an effective route to improve women's knowledge, especially those with lower educational status. Those sessions could be led by local community pharmacies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147645183","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":"Potentially inappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy in older adults with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective observational study.","authors":"Iarlaith Doherty, Anna Seoighe, Cathal A Cadogan, Christine McAuliffe","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riag043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe and assess the appropriateness of prescribing for older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) presenting to a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective observational study of medical records of patients who attended a specialist AF outpatient clinic over a 1-year period. Prescribing was assessed using the STOPP/START Criteria (Version 2). Direct oral anticoagulant prescribing was assessed separately. Risk factors for Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) and Potential Prescribing Omissions (PPO) were assessed through multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>One hundred and sixty-eight patients (median age: 74 years; range: 65-94 years; 59.4% male) were included. Patients had a median of six comorbidities (IQR 4-9) and were prescribed a median of six medications (IQR 4-9). Minor polypharmacy (5-9 medications) was found in 53.0% (n = 89), and major polypharmacy (>9 medications) was found in 21.4% (n = 36). Potentially inappropriate prescribing was present in 75.6% (n = 127). The majority (60.1%, n = 101) had at least one potentially inappropriate medication, and 46.4% (n = 78) had a potential prescribing omission. Anticoagulants were inappropriately dosed in 11.6% (n = 13) of patients. There were positive associations between number of medications prescribed and PIM (P = < .001), and number of comorbidities and PPO (P = < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing were prevalent in this population of older adults with AF. Interventions are needed to optimize prescribing in this cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147633491","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":"AI in pharmaceutical marketing: societal implications and strategic implementation.","authors":"Majid Ali","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riag041","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147633437","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":"Multicompartment compliance aids: scoping barriers to their use in practice.","authors":"Melissa Barker, Selina Taylor, Beverley Glass","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf097","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Multicompartment compliance aids (MCAs) are widely used to assist patient medication adherence. However, there is limited evidence on the challenges associated with use. The aim of this review was to determine the barriers to the use of MCAs and propose how they can be overcome.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A methodical search strategy was conducted across Medline, Emcare, CINAHL, and Scopus (inception to June 2024), with articles screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was guided by a multilevel, socio-institutional lens of mega-, macro-, meso-, and micro-perspectives.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>Eleven studies were included in the review reporting on use in clinical and experimental settings, including in residential aged care, community pharmacy, independent at home use, and laboratory settings. At the mega-level, barriers have emerged including lack of guidelines and government funding, while at the macro-level miscommunication between prescribers and the pharmacy were identified. The lack of patient involvement in the decision to commence use and the perceived loss of autonomy, which increases a lack of adherence has been confirmed at the meso-level. The actual device which is neither designed to adequately protect the medicines from the environment nor fully consider the physical and cognitive impediments associated with advancing age and technological complexity has emerged as a barrier at the micro-level.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This review has identified that there are barriers to the use of MCAs. Current recommendations call for revision of multicompartment compliance aids service guidelines and remuneration to enhance their use through optimising multi-disciplinary communication, alongside device remodelling to improve medication stability and user uptake.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"102-116"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145389566","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":"Bridging the gap: virtual clinical placements as a catalyst for quality, equity, and workforce readiness in health professional postgraduate education.","authors":"Joon Soo Park, Manorika Ratnaweera","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf130","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf130","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"99-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145932799","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":"The impact of policy changes on the sales of the environmentally harmful drug diclofenac in Sweden.","authors":"Christina Ljungberg Persson, Sebastian Aronsson, Helle Håkonsen","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf092","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In Sweden, oral formulations of diclofenac became prescription-only in 2020, and over the counter (OTC) topical forms were placed behind the counter in 2023. This study investigated the effect of these policy changes on diclofenac dispensed or sold.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Aggregated data on diclofenac dispensed against prescription or sold OTC from January 2019 to February 2024 were analysed descriptively.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>The volume fell substantially after oral formulations became prescription-only. Placement of topical formulations behind the counter had a more modest effect.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Policy changes have had a significant effect on the volume of diclofenac dispensed or sold in Sweden, especially the prescription requirement.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"212-215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145274584","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":"Transforming pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria: a call for reform.","authors":"Ifunanya Ikhile, Adaobi Uchenna Mosanya, Blessing Onyinye Ukoha-Kalu","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag011","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riag011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, faces major challenges in delivering equitable healthcare due to workforce shortages, weak regulation, and inadequate training structures. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals, are uniquely positioned to address these gaps, but pharmacy education and practice frameworks require reform.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This report provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacy education, career pathways, regulatory structures, research culture, and future directions in Nigeria, with a view to aligning the profession with global standards and national health needs.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>The pharmacy undergraduate programme of study in Nigeria is undergoing a transition from the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, aiming to enhance clinical competence. However, training remains largely focused on basic science rather than clinical practice, and research capacity is underdeveloped outside academia. Postgraduate opportunities exist, including Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy, and fellowships, though structured clinical residencies are scarce. Pharmacists pursue careers in community, hospital, academic, industrial, and regulatory settings, but face limitations in scope of practice, particularly around MTM and prescribing. A national research strategy is absent, and clinician-researcher roles remain undefined. Regulatory functions are fragmented, and reimbursement models for pharmaceutical services are lacking.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To advance pharmacy's role in healthcare delivery, a context-sensitive, systems-level approach is essential to unlocking the profession's full potential and improving population health outcomes.Nigeria must adopt a dual-competency educational model that prepares pharmacists as both clinicians and researchers. This will require curriculum reform, interprofessional collaboration, structured postgraduate pathways, and investment in research infrastructure.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"182-189"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149645","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":"Pharmacy education, practice, and research in Northern Ireland: current status and future directions.","authors":"Kingston Rajiah, Lezley-Anne Hanna, Lisa Smith, Roisin O'Hare, Aaron Courtenay, Deborah Lowry","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag005","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riag005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"162-172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149662","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":"Exploring climate-conscious pharmacy: considerations for community pharmacists.","authors":"Jamie Y Park, Sarah Semchism, Claire V Moyana, Fiona A Miller, Zubin Austin","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf095","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ijpp/riaf095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Climate change threatens health and the safe and effective operation of health services, including pharmacy care. Given the critical and increasing role of community pharmacy in providing accessible and community-based care, their role in addressing climate risks and pollution impacts warrants investigation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To catalogue actionable resources available to support community pharmacists and learn about opportunities for incorporation into climate-conscious pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used a multi-method sequential design, with an environmental scan of resources for climate-conscious pharmacy practice across selected international jurisdictions, followed by qualitative interviews with key informants in Canada, UK, Ireland, and Norway. Resources identified through the environmental scan were categorized based on frequency of appearance and similarity of considerations seen across sources. Semi-structured interviews generated feedback on the resources identified, their categorization, and identified opportunities for implementing climate-conscious pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>115 sources were included from the environmental scan and 12 key informants were interviewed. Resources were initially classified into clinical and operational considerations they implied for practice and further sub-classified into mitigation and/or adaptation strategies. Key informants supported or did not disagree with the considerations that were identified. They shared resource constraints as a challenge in implementing climate-conscious practice and highlighted the importance of a patient-centred approach to support the implementation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, actionable considerations for climate-conscious community pharmacy have been identified internationally. Pharmacists are continuing to contribute to planetary health as they are already engaged in many of the suggested considerations. Raising awareness of potential co-benefits may help further equip pharmacists to incorporate climate-conscious pharmacy practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":"147-153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354529","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}