PharmacyPub Date : 2025-04-09DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020053
Vasco M Pontinha, Julie A Patterson, Dave L Dixon, Norman V Carroll, D'Arcy Mays, Karen B Farris, David A Holdford
{"title":"Investigating the Time-Varying Nature of Medication Adherence Predictors: An Experimental Approach Using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.","authors":"Vasco M Pontinha, Julie A Patterson, Dave L Dixon, Norman V Carroll, D'Arcy Mays, Karen B Farris, David A Holdford","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medication adherence is a crucial factor for managing chronic conditions, especially in aging adults. Previous studies have identified predictors of medication adherence. However, current methods fail to capture the time-varying nature of how risk factors can influence adherence behavior. This objective of this study was to implement multitrajectory group-based models to compare a time-varying to a time-fixed approach to identifying non-adherence risk factors. The study population comprised 11,068 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older taking select medications for hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and oral diabetes medications, between 2008 and 2016. Time-fixed predictors (e.g., sex, education) were examined using generalized multinomial logistic regression, while time-varying predictors were explored through multitrajectory group-based modeling. Several predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics were identified as risk factors for following at least one non-adherence trajectory. Time-varying predictors displayed an alternative representation of those risk factors, especially depression symptoms. This study highlights the dynamic nature of medication adherence predictors and the utility of multitrajectory modeling. Findings suggest that targeted interventions can be developed by addressing the key time-varying factors affecting adherence.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030111/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-04-02DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020052
Dhakrit Rungkitwattanakul, Ebony Evans, Ewanna Brown, Kent Patterson, Weerachai Chaijamorn, Taniya Charoensareerat, Sanaa Belrhiti, Uzoamaka Nwaogwugwu, Constance Mere
{"title":"Impact of Removing Race Coefficient from Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Equations on Antidiabetics Among Black Patients.","authors":"Dhakrit Rungkitwattanakul, Ebony Evans, Ewanna Brown, Kent Patterson, Weerachai Chaijamorn, Taniya Charoensareerat, Sanaa Belrhiti, Uzoamaka Nwaogwugwu, Constance Mere","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2021, the National Kidney Foundation-American Society of Nephrology (NKF-ASN) recommended the use of the 2021 refit equation without race; however, the effect of the removal is unclear. Our research aimed to examine the implications of antidiabetic dosing and eligibility on the new 2021 equation among Black patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective analysis of patients receiving care at the diabetes treatment center (DTC) of an academic medical center. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) based on serum creatinine were calculated using the 2009 and 2021 CKD-EPI equations. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed to create 10,000 virtual patients. Dosing simulations based on each estimate of kidney function were performed for antidiabetics based on product labeling. The proportion and percentage of patients who were eligible based on the estimates were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The percentages of patients ineligible for metformin based on the estimates from the 2009 and 2021 CKD-EPI equations at the DTC were comparable (8.02% and 8.36%, respectively). In our 10,000 simulated virtual patients, the percentage of ineligibility increased only by 1%. For the GFR cut points of 20 mL/min and 25 mL/min, the rates of ineligibility were similar in our cohort and simulated patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The exclusion of race from the 2021 CKD-EPI equation may slightly reduce medication eligibility among Black patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030107/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-04-02DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020051
Samuel Dyer, Cherie Hyder, Jeff Kraemer
{"title":"Challenges of Key Performance Indicators and Metrics for Measuring Medical Science Liaison Performance: Insights from a Global Survey.","authors":"Samuel Dyer, Cherie Hyder, Jeff Kraemer","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) serve a vital role in facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge between pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals (HCPs), including pharmacists, ensuring the dissemination of accurate, evidence-based information to support clinical decision-making. Evaluating MSL performance is critical for demonstrating their value, yet defining appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) remains challenging due to the combination of scientific engagement, relationship-building, and other activities that are difficult to measure.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines the current and perceived ideal use of quantitative and qualitative metrics for MSL performance evaluation, the difficulties in measuring MSL impact, and the perceived effectiveness of existing KPIs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A global survey of 1023 medical affairs professionals across 63 countries was conducted, gathering data on which KPIs are currently used versus which should be used, the preferred weighting of qualitative vs. quantitative metrics, and opinions on measurement difficulty and KPI effectiveness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results reveal a strong preference for qualitative metrics (52%) over quantitative metrics (7%), though most organizations primarily use activity-based metrics such as the number of key opinion leader (KOL) engagements (92%). Despite these practices, many respondents believe that MSL KPIs should focus more on impact-based qualitative metrics, such as the quality of KOL/HCP relationships and/or engagements (70%) and the quality of actionable insights gathered (67%). Furthermore, 67% of participants reported it is \"difficult\" or \"very difficult\" to measure MSL performance accurately, and only 3% revealed current KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance are \"very effective\". These findings highlight a disconnect between the way MSLs are evaluated and the value they provide.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates the need for a balanced KPI framework that integrates both qualitative and quantitative measures. A more refined performance evaluation system (incorporating stakeholder feedback, insight quality, and strategic impact) can ensure fair assessments and drive MSL effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030051/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144052861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020050
Anwar A Alghamdi
{"title":"Medication Safety in Saudi Arabia: Evaluating the Current Situation and Identifying the Areas for Improvement.","authors":"Anwar A Alghamdi","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drug safety is crucial in healthcare, ensuring the secure and effective administration of medications to protect patient welfare. Drug and medication safety is a major concern among Saudi healthcare providers, with numerous studies outlining the incidence of medication errors and the need for enhanced safety standards. This review will examine the existing level of drug-related safety in Saudi Arabia, categorizing the areas for improvement and highlighting concepts to improve safety practices. The overview discusses the history and evolution of pharmaceutical safety procedures, the present regulatory framework, major stakeholders, and the types and origins of prescription errors. It also examines the role of healthcare personnel and the use of technology and patient education in promoting pharmaceutical safety. The data reveal that the rate of pharmaceutical errors in Saudi hospitals is shockingly high, ranging from 13 to 56 per 100 medication orders, highlighting the urgent need for effective medication safety standards. Despite the formation of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Centre, issues such as poor understanding among healthcare providers and the need for more effective reporting methods remain a challenge. The evaluation highlights the deficiencies in ongoing education, such as real-world case scenarios and related trainings, inadequate incorporation of skills in assessment methods, and deficiency in standardized protocols for error reporting. To address these gaps, it is proposed to implement structured competency-based training, simulation exercises must be preferred for periodic skill assessments, and a safe reporting culture should be encouraged for the sake of transparency and learning from errors. We recognize the use of technology, such as electronic health records and computerized physician order input systems, as an important technique for improving medication safety. Future directions include creating national guidelines, establishing a centralized pharmaceutical error reporting system, and fostering a safety culture inside healthcare organizations. By addressing these obstacles and capitalizing on the opportunities indicated, we may improve pharmaceutical safety and, ultimately, patient care and outcomes in Saudi Arabia.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030464/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-03-26DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020049
Ioana Popovici, Manuel J Carvajal
{"title":"Is Pharmacy a Friendly Profession for Everyone in the U.S.? A Probe into Gender and Other Income Disparities.","authors":"Ioana Popovici, Manuel J Carvajal","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The literature shows that women persistently earn less than men for similar roles and qualifications; yet, pharmacy has been portrayed as an egalitarian profession, with a small gender earnings gap relative to other occupations. There is a lack of recent studies, and some evidence suggests a significant gender gap when earnings are estimated separately for male and female pharmacists. This study compared the nature and magnitude of gender income disparities using two alternative methodological procedures and evaluated the evidence for policy implications. The study was based on 2019-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The sample consisted of 12,450 pharmacists (61.5% women) ages 25-64 years practicing in the U.S. Ordinary least-squares models calculated pharmacist annual incomes as functions of work input, human-capital, and job-related covariates. Results estimated a gender earnings gap of up to 18.6%. Differences across sociodemographic groups suggested that pharmacy is only friendly to selected segments of the profession. The empirical evidence reported here is expected to be used by healthcare managers and policymakers to inform ongoing discussion regarding the need for policy changes and cultural shifts to promote gender equity.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-03-25DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020048
Nikhil Verma, Shanmugapriya Vinayagam, Niti Mittal, Rakesh Mittal, Neeraj Bansal
{"title":"Prescription Audit in Outpatient Pharmacy of a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Haryana Using World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD) Core Prescribing Indicators: A Step Towards Refining Drug Use and Patient Care.","authors":"Nikhil Verma, Shanmugapriya Vinayagam, Niti Mittal, Rakesh Mittal, Neeraj Bansal","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The evaluation of internationally comparable indicators of medicine use is important to devise strategies to promote the rational use of medicines (RUM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from January to June 2024. Prescriptions were collected from the outpatient pharmacy using systematic random sampling and analyzed for WHO/INRUD core prescribing indicators, index of rational drug prescribing (IRDP) and completeness (general, treatment and prescribers' details).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 844 prescriptions collected, 607 were analyzed. A total of 1837 drugs were prescribed, with a mean (SD) of 3.03 (1.51) drugs per prescription; 1378 (75%) drugs were prescribed as generic names; 125 prescriptions (20.59%) had an antibiotic prescribed; and injectables were given in 7 (1.15%) prescriptions. Of the total 1837 drugs, 1018 (55.4%) were mentioned in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022, while 934 (50.8%) were included in the Haryana state essential medicines list (2013-2014). The IRDP was calculated as 3.86. The mean (SD) completeness score of the prescriptions was 10.33 (0.8) (range 5 to 11).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There was a high incidence of polypharmacy, brand name and non-essential drug prescribing, while antibiotic and injection use were in accordance with WHO standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12030712/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Timing of Naldemedine Initiation and Occurrence of Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Strong Opioid Analgesics: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Takuma Matsumoto, Takuya Mura, Tsubasa Wada, Yuki Tsugo, Naoko Mukai, Terutaka Hamaoka, Shuji Horita, Yasushi Semba, Shinichi Watanabe","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020047","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pharmacy13020047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Naldemedine, a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist, is used to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC). However, it causes diarrhea as an adverse effect. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether the occurrence of diarrhea was dependent on the timing of naldemedine treatment initiation. Inpatients who were initially treated with naldemedine at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, NHO Iwakuni Medical Center, Japan, between 1 December 2017 and 31 March 2021 were included in this study and divided into the simultaneous combination group, in which naldemedine was introduced at the same time as strong opioid analgesics, and the non-simultaneous combination group, in which naldemedine was introduced after the initiation of treatment with strong opioid analgesics. This study included 45 patients, 15 (33.3%) of whom developed diarrhea. Among the patients in the simultaneous combination group and non-simultaneous combination group, diarrhea occurred in 2 (11.1%) and 13 (48.1%) patients, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the delayed introduction of naldemedine was significantly associated with the development of diarrhea (odds ratio: 6.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.220-36.700, <i>p</i> = 0.028). Our analysis reveals that the simultaneous administration of naldemedine and oxycodone may prevent the development of diarrhea associated with naldemedine use for OIC.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932305/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-03-19DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020046
Josiah Moore, Ndidi Iheme, Nicholas S Rebold, Harriet Kusi, Constance Mere, Uzoamaka Nwaogwugwu, Earl Ettienne, Weerachai Chaijamorn, Dhakrit Rungkitwattanakul
{"title":"Factors and Disparities Influencing Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Initiation in the United States: A Scoping Review of Evidence.","authors":"Josiah Moore, Ndidi Iheme, Nicholas S Rebold, Harriet Kusi, Constance Mere, Uzoamaka Nwaogwugwu, Earl Ettienne, Weerachai Chaijamorn, Dhakrit Rungkitwattanakul","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020046","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pharmacy13020046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Health disparities affecting minority populations and resulting in poorer outcomes for disadvantaged groups have been documented in the literature. Sodium/glucose-cotransporter 2 (SGLT2i) inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) markedly decrease mortality from kidney and cardiovascular events. However, little is known about the factors and disparities that lead to differences in SGLT2i and GLP-1RA initiation across different ethnic groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This scoping review queried databases using key terms related to disparities in the initiation of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA among high-risk populations. Relevant data from eligible studies were extracted, organized, and analyzed thematically to identify key trends and patterns in the literature.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Nineteen studies were included in this review. Key risk factors influencing uptake included age, provider type, race, sex, education, comorbidities, insurance, and income, with minority patients consistently showing lower rates of initiation due to systemic barriers and socioeconomic disparities. Patients who were younger, male, had higher education or income levels, and received care from specialists were more likely to use these therapies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The adoption of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA remains suboptimal despite their proven kidney and cardiovascular benefits. Targeted efforts to reduce socioeconomic and racial inequities based on the factors identified should be encouraged.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932303/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-03-18DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020045
Etsuko Arita, Yuko Masamura, Rieko Takehira
{"title":"A Qualitative Study on Ethics Education at Pharmacy Colleges in Japan Based on a Survey of Ethics Educators.","authors":"Etsuko Arita, Yuko Masamura, Rieko Takehira","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020045","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pharmacy13020045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: In pharmacy education in Japan, efforts continue to develop a model for ethics education that fosters high ethical standards and the problem-solving skills essential for medical professionals. This study qualitatively analyzed the attitudes of ethics educators-those who teach ethics classes-to establish a model of ethics education for pharmacy colleges in Japan. <b>Methods</b>: This study analyzed open-ended responses from 32 universities to the question, \"What do you think about ethics education provided by faculties of pharmaceutical sciences?\" <b>Result</b>: The qualitative analysis revealed that ethics educators at pharmacy colleges in Japan believe in the potential of ethics education to nurture problem-solving skills and logical thinking. However, the educator's question whether or not the students would be able to apply ethics content in clinical settings as medical professionals. Another issue is that faculties of pharmaceutical sciences lack the staff and expertise to teach ethics. In other words, the educators lack the wherewithal to break the logjam in ethics education through their efforts; hence, they are desperate for an ethics education model. <b>Conclusions</b>: Based on our findings, further research is needed to design strategies that can enhance the quality of pharmacy education in Japan.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PharmacyPub Date : 2025-03-18DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13020044
Derar H Abdel-Qader, Alia Saleh, Abdullah Albassam, Esra' Taybeh, Nadia Al Mazrouei, Khalid Awad Al-Kubaisi, Rana Ibrahim, Reham Aljalamdeh, Salim Hamadi, Sahar Jaradat, Shorouq Al-Omoush
{"title":"Patterns and Appropriateness of Psychotropic Medications Prescribing in Primary Healthcare in Jordan.","authors":"Derar H Abdel-Qader, Alia Saleh, Abdullah Albassam, Esra' Taybeh, Nadia Al Mazrouei, Khalid Awad Al-Kubaisi, Rana Ibrahim, Reham Aljalamdeh, Salim Hamadi, Sahar Jaradat, Shorouq Al-Omoush","doi":"10.3390/pharmacy13020044","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pharmacy13020044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although psychotropic medications (PMs) have enormous adverse events and may cause serious harm if administered inappropriately, there is a scarcity of research concerning the patterns and appropriateness of prescribing these medications in primary care in Jordan. This study aimed to investigate the patterns and appropriateness of PM prescription in primary care, as well as the types and frequency of pharmacist interventions in community pharmacies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study was conducted in 16 community pharmacies across Jordan. A data reporting sheet was developed, validated, piloted to ensure its applicability, and filled out over 12 weeks (April to June 2023), covering three regions in Jordan.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 426 patients with 469 prescriptions containing 919 PM orders were observed. Among the PMs prescribed, 19.4% were prescribed inappropriately. Among the PMs, 78.7% were dispensed by pharmacists. The inappropriate prescription categories (n = 178) were overprescribing (45, 25.3%), underprescribing (19, 10.7%), inappropriate medication choice (39, 21.9%), inappropriate duration of medication therapy (64, 36.0%), and inappropriate medication dosage (11, 6.2%). The top therapeutic category requested was anti-epileptics (23.9%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study evaluated the prescribing patterns and appropriateness of PMs in Jordan, revealing notable instances of inappropriate PM prescriptions alongside varied and extensive pharmacist interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":30544,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}