Australasian Medical Journal
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An educational intervention’s effect on healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards pharmacovigilance
Get PDFBackgroundPharmacovigilance concerns the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. Consumer pharmacovigilance is the involvement of consumers in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting. Assessing healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge of and attitude towards pharmacovigilance and consumer pharmacovigilance is integral to strengthening adverse drug reaction reporting systems. AimsTo study knowledge of and attitude towards pharmacovigilance and consumer pharmacovigilance among HCPs from KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal, and to plan an appropriate educational intervention to address deficiencies noted.Methods The study was conducted from February 2013 to December 2013 at KIST Medical College using a self-administered, pretested, structured questionnaire. The maximum possible scores for knowledge, attitude, and total were 100, 95, and 195, respectively. Baseline knowledge and attitude were studied. Two months after the questionnaire, an intervention that used a combination of methods about pharmacovigilance and consumer pharmacovigilance was undertaken. Knowledge and attitudes were studied immediately after the intervention. Scores before and after the intervention were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results A total of 105 HCPs participated. The median (interquartile range) knowledge, attitude, and total scores before the intervention were 56 (7), 72 (9), and 127 (16), respectively. After the intervention the scores increased significantly to 72 (8), 75 (11.5), and 146 (16.5) (
Reversible lower limb deep vein thrombosis following haemotoxic snakebite--a case report.
Get PDFHaemotoxic snakebite, presenting with coagulopathy and bleeding manifestations, is quite common. Thrombotic manifestations are infrequently observed. We describe the unusual case of a young male who developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left lower limb following snakebite, despite an ongoing coagulopathy. Investigations revealed leucocytosis, prolonged 20-minute whole blood clotting time (20’WBCT), prolonged prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Doppler study revealed thrombosis of common femoral vein, superficial femoral, and profunda femoris veins. The patient underwent 2 fasciotomies and received anticoagulation after which patency of the veins was restored. Doppler sonographic imaging in patients with haemotoxic snakebite who present with increasing local swelling may assist with early anticoagulation therapy that has a potential to be limb-saving.
Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a school-going child: A rare case report
Get PDFHymenolepis diminuta (H. diminuta) is a common parasite of rats and mice. It is very rare among humans. The life cycle of this parasite is completed in two hosts. Human beings are accidentally infected due to ingestion of infected fleas. Most of the time human infections are asymptomatic. We report a case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a school-going 10-year-old girl from a coastal village in south Tamil Nadu. Demonstration of H. diminuta eggs in the stool is the important diagnostic tool. Absence of polar filaments confirms the Hymenolepis diminuta. Praziquantal is the drug of choice
Congenital Middle Mesocolic Hernia: A Case Report
Get PDFInternal hernia is herniation of a viscus, usually in the small bowel, through a normal or abnormal aperture within the peritoneal cavity. Its incidence has been reported to be 1–2 per cent. Internal hernias are classified based on location, and the hernial orifice can be either congenital or acquired. Paraduodenal hernias are the most common type (53 per cent). Paraduodenal hernia is often a misnomer and is referred to as a mesocolic hernia. Left and right mesocolic hernias are common, while middle and transverse types are rare. We are reporting a rare congenital middle mesocolic hernia presenting as a complete transection of the small intestine due to blunt injury to the abdomen
Dengue co-infection in a blood stream infection caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A case report
Get PDFStenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is an emerging opportunistic bacterial pathogen with resistance to several commonly used antibiotics. Owing to its multidrug resistance (MDR), management of S. maltophilia blood stream infection (BSI) is challenging and requires the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy. The presence of thrombocytopenia and shock are independent risk factors associated with increased mortality in patients with S. maltophilia BSI. We describe an unusual case of S. maltophilia BSI in a middle-age female complicated by dengue fever. We highlight the importance of early recognition of both dengue and S. maltophilia infection in management of such cases
Pharmacy Practice and its challenges in Yemen
Get PDFBackground Pharmacy practice in Yemen was established in 1875 in Aden. Objectives To describe current pharmacy practice as it currently exists in Yemen, the challenges it faces, and to recommend changes that will improve pharmaceutical care services. Methods This study has two parts. Part 1 comprised a literature search performed between May and July 2011 to identify published studies on pharmacy practice in Yemen. Full text papers, abstracts, and reports in Arabic or English between 1970 and 2011 were reviewed. Part 2 entailed a qualitative study consisting of face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of pharmacists, staff from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), and patients. Results The analysis revealed several issues that plaque pharmacy practice in Yemen: 1) Fewer than 10 per cent of pharmacists working in pharmacies and drug stores are graduates of government-recognized colleges; 2) Most Yemeni pharmacists are dissatisfied with their work conditions and opportunities; 3) Medicines are expensive and hard to access in Yemen, and counterfeit medicines are a serious problem; 4) Few regulations and standards exist for pharmacists and pharmaceutical care; 5) Pharmaceutical marketing plays an important role in marketing and selling products in Yemen; and 6) A dearth of standards, regulations, and laws are hurting pharmacy practice in the country and potentially endangering peoples’ lives.Conclusion In order to improve pharmacy practice in Yemen, many changes are needed, including updating the pharmacy curriculum taught, implementing industry standards for pharmacy practice, implementing and reinforcing laws, and integrating pharmacists more fully in the healthcare industry. Additionally, the quality of the pharmacy workforce needs to be improved, and there needs to be increased awareness by the public, physicians, other healthcare professionals, and policy makers about the value of pharmacists.