Article
Microbiology
Aida Bianco, Francesca Licata, Alessandro Trovato, Francesco Napolitano, Maria Pavia
Summary: The study found that despite 93.7% of Italian community pharmacists knowing that DAwP is illegal, about 37.1% claimed to be involved in this practice. Most pharmacists reported always/often asking clients about drug allergies and medication history, with 66.2% warning clients about potential drug side effects and 55% informing them about the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Puig-Molto, Blanca Lumbreras, Elsa Lopez-Pintor
Summary: The study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with upper-gastrointestinal symptoms seeking advice in community pharmacies. The findings showed that more than half of the patients had overlapping symptoms, which were more likely to be associated with dietary habits and had lower scores on the GIS scale. These results contribute to optimizing the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Abdallah Y. Naser, Bayan Saleh Abu Sbeat
Summary: This study investigated patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services in Jordan. The findings showed that patients were moderately satisfied with the store, location, and staff of community pharmacies, and satisfaction varied based on age, marital status, work status, and the presence of chronic diseases.
SAUDI PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Tycho M. T. W. Lock, Kyara Kamphorst, Roderick C. N. van den Bergh, Frans L. Moll, Jean-Paul P. M. De Vries, Rob T. H. Lo, Gerard A. P. de Kort, Rutger C. G. Bruijnen, Pieter Dik, Simon Horenblas, Laetitia M. O. de Kort
Summary: Arterio-ureteral fistula (AUF) is a rare but potentially fatal diagnosis. This research in The Netherlands found an incidence rate of 3.5 AUFs per year, with all patients presenting with hematuria and predominantly treated with endovascular intervention.
WORLD JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pendo M. Ndaki, Martha F. Mushi, Joseph R. Mwanga, Eveline T. Konje, Nyanda E. Ntinginya, Blandina T. Mmbaga, Katherine Keenan, Wilber Sabiiti, Mike Kesby, Fernando Benitez-Paez, Alison Sandeman, Matthew T. G. Holden, Stephen E. Mshana
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of dispensing amoxicillin without prescription in pharmacies and drug dispensing outlets across three regions in Tanzania. Despite existing laws and regulations prohibiting this practice, there is non-compliance by drug providers, highlighting the need for enforcement, surveillance, and education on dispensing practices.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tatsunosuke Gomi, Jun Kitayuguchi, Kenta Okuyama, Masamitsu Kamada, Shigeru Inoue, Hiroharu Kamioka, Yoshiteru Mutoh
Summary: The study found a significant association between distance to the nearest food store and diet variety in rural Japanese elderly, with those farther away having lower diet variety, particularly in relation to supermarkets and convenience stores. Additionally, greater distance was also significantly associated with lower frequency of meat and fruit intake.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Muhammad Majid Aziz, Fatima Haider, Muhammad Fawad Rasool, Furqan Khurshid Hashmi, Sadia Bahsir, Pengchao Li, Mingyue Zhao, Thamir M. Alshammary, Yu Fang
Summary: The study in Punjab, Pakistan revealed that dispensing of non-prescribed antibiotics is a common practice in community pharmacies, with some pharmacy retailers acknowledging the potential issues of antimicrobial resistance, irrational use of antibiotics and public health risks. However, there is still a significant percentage of pharmacy staff who believe they have the authority to dispense these drugs and lack proper knowledge. Immediate actions are necessary to address this inappropriate practice.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Benjamin Penley, Lana Minshew, Hui-Han Chen, Stephen Eckel, Sachiko Ozawa
Summary: The majority of internet pharmacies selling insulin are illegitimate, with significantly cheaper prices compared to legitimate pharmacies and brick-and-mortar stores. Purchasing insulin from these illegitimate pharmacies poses serious risks, including not requiring prescriptions, lacking medication information or warnings, and not providing access to pharmacists.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mohammad Abu Assab, Deema Jaber, Haneen Basheer, Hanadi Abu Assab, Haya Al-Atram
Summary: This study assessed the patient safety culture among community pharmacies in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed an overall positive patient safety culture, but issues were observed in staffing, work pressure, and pace.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Liora Sahar, Vanhvilai L. Douangchai Wills, Ka Kit Liu, Ella A. Kazerooni, Debra S. Dyer, Robert A. Smith
Summary: The study found that the majority of adults aged 55 to 79 in the United States have easy access to lung cancer screening registry facilities, but there are variations in access across different regions. It is recommended to calculate accessibility at a more detailed level of geography and to pay attention to geographic disparities in order to identify areas in need of interventions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Georges Bucyibaruta, Marta Blangiardo, Garyfallos Konstantinoudis
Summary: One year after the start of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in England, geographical differences and vaccine hesitancy still exist. Deprivation, ethnic diversity, age, and vaccine accessibility are associated with vaccination uptake. There is evidence of inequalities in uptake, particularly affecting minorities and marginalized groups. Strategies are needed to reduce these differences, including active outreach and improving vaccine accessibility.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fanxing Du, Tracey Chantler, Mark R. Francis, Fiona Yueqian Sun, Xuan Zhang, Kaiyi Han, Lance Rodewald, Hongjie Yu, Shiyi Tu, Heidi Larson, Zhiyuan Hou
Summary: This study in China investigated the associations between vaccination information sources and vaccine confidence or hesitancy. The majority of caregivers had multiple sources, with professional, media, and peers being the most common. Caregivers who received information from professional sources were more confident in vaccine safety, while those who relied on media sources were more hesitant.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nouf Al-Kahtani, Sumaya Alruwaie, Bnan Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Rahaf Ali Abumadini, Afnan Aljaafary, Bayan Hariri, Khalid Alissa, Zahra Alakrawi, Arwa Alumran
Summary: This study examines the readiness for digital health transformation in different hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The results show that private healthcare facilities have higher scores in digital health transformation indicators, while predictive analytics is the least implemented dimension. The findings are valuable for creating a strategic action plan and promoting policymakers' understanding of the level of digital health transformation.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Christian Kunow, Moulika Aline Bello, Laura Diedrich, Laura Eutin, Yanneck Sonnenberg, Nele Wachtel, Bernhard Langer
Summary: The study aims to investigate information gathering, recommendation, availability, and pricing for oral emergency contraception in German community pharmacies, using a nationwide observational study based on the simulated patient methodology.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Felix Heinrich, Isabell Cordts, Rene Guenther, Benjamin Stolte, Daniel Zeller, Carsten Schroeter, Ute Weyen, Martin Regensburger, Joachim Wolf, Ilka Schneider, Andreas Hermann, Moritz Metelmann, Zacharias Kohl, Ralf A. Linker, Jan Christoph Koch, Florentine Radelfahr, Erik Schoenfelder, Pavel Gardt, Tara Mohajer-Peseschkian, Alma Osmanovic, Thomas Klopstock, Johannes Dorst, Albert C. Ludolph, Oliver Schoeffski, Matthias Boentert, Tim Hagenacker, Marcus Deschauer, Paul Lingor, Susanne Petri, Olivia Schreiber-Katz
Summary: This study conducted an economic evaluation of Motor Neuron Diseases (MND) in Germany, finding that these rare diseases have a significant impact on patients and society. Therapeutic and supportive measures can reduce the personal burden and long-term costs for patients.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Piaopiao Li, Ping Zhang, Dawei Guan, Jingchuan Guo, Yongkang Zhang, Meda E. Pavkov, Kai McKeever Bullard, Hui Shao
Summary: From 2005 to 2018, racial and ethnic disparities persisted in newer glucose-lowering drugs (GLD) use and quality of care in glucose management among US adults with diabetes. Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and other race/ethnicity groups had lower rates of using newer GLDs, lower non-insulin GLD adherence, higher glycated haemoglobin A1c, and similar insulin adherence compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Socioeconomic and health status were identified as the main contributors to these disparities.
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuna Choi, Araniy Santhireswaran, Cherry Chu, Katie J. Suda, Inma Hernandez, Jared W. Magnani, Mina Tadrous
Summary: This study examines the effects of the global valsartan recall and shortage in July 2018 on antihypertensive medication use in 83 countries. The results show a significant decrease in global valsartan utilization, while purchases of other ARBs and ACEIs increased. The opposing trends in developed and developing countries raise concerns about the distribution of contaminated medications.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Emelia J. Benjamin, Kevin L. Thomas, Alan S. Go, Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, Christine M. Albert, Alvaro Alonso, Alanna M. Chamberlain, Utibe R. Essien, Inmaculada Hernandez, Mellanie True Hills, Kiarri N. Kershaw, Phillip D. Levy, Jared W. Magnani, Daniel D. Matlock, Emily C. O'Brien, Carlos J. Rodriguez, Andrea M. Russo, Elsayed Z. Soliman, Lawton S. Cooper, Sana M. Al-Khatib
Summary: The contributions of social determinants of health to atrial fibrillation (AF) have received little attention. Social determinants of health affect access to care and management decisions for AF, increasing the likelihood of adverse outcomes among individuals who experience systemic disadvantages. Research is needed to eliminate the substantive inequities in health care delivery and outcomes in AF.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zachary A. Marcum, Nico Gabriel, Adam P. Bress, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: The use of antihypertensive medications that stimulate type 2 and 4 angiotensin II receptors is associated with a lower risk of dementia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nasser A. Sharareh, Ching-Yu A. Wang, Andrea S. A. Wallace, Jorie A. Butler
Summary: This study analyzed the content of phone calls to the 211 community referral system regarding food-related issues, and explored the indications of food insecurity during these calls. The results revealed the complex social environment, lack of knowledge about available food resources, and indications of food insecurity in these calls. Therefore, these calls can be used as a proxy measure for food insecurity. Interventions should be designed to increase awareness about available resources and address the co-existing social needs with food insecurity.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Huilin Tang, Weihan Chen, Jiang Bian, LaToya J. J. O'Neal, Daniel T. T. Lackland, Desmond A. A. Schatz, Jingchuan Guo
Summary: Hispanic populations have a higher risk of developing diabetes and related diseases compared to non-Hispanic White populations. However, there is limited evidence regarding the generalizability of the cardiovascular and renal benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists to Hispanic populations.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jingchuan Guo, Sean Dickson, Lucas A. Berenbrok, Shangbin Tang, Utibe R. Essien, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: Using ArcGIS Network Analyst and a national transportation dataset, we calculated the driving distance to the closest health care facility for a representative sample of the U.S. population and found that Black residents have a longer driving distance than White residents. There were significant geographic variations in racial disparities in access to health care facilities, with concentrated disparities in the Southeast and a concentration of overall population >5 miles to the closest facility in the Midwest. This geographic variation highlights the importance of using spatially explicit data in designing equitable health care facility establishments.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jing Luo, Robert Feldman, Katherine Callaway Kim, Scott Rothenberger, Mary Korytkowski, Inmaculada Hernandez, Walid F. Gellad
Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the association between high out-of-pocket costs and the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The study found that patients with the highest out-of-pocket costs were 13% less likely to initiate a GLP-1 RA and 20% less likely to initiate an SGLT2 inhibitor compared to those with the lowest out-of-pocket costs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sean R. Dickson, Nico Gabriel, Walid F. Gellad, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: Insulin list prices have increased since 2010, but net prices have declined due to manufacturer discounts, resulting in a growing gross-to-net bubble. It is unclear to what extent this bubble is due to voluntary commercial discounts or mandatory discounts under various healthcare programs. This study aimed to decompose the gross-to-net bubble of leading insulin products into different discount types.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dawei Guan, Motomori O. Lewis, Piaopiao Li, Yichen Zhang, Ping Zhang, Shichao Tang, Joshua Brown, Jingchuan Guo, Yongkang Zhang, Hui Shao
Summary: This study quantified the incremental burden of cognitive impairment (CI) on health and economics among non-institutionalized individuals aged 65 and above with diabetes in the United States. The findings showed that CI was associated with worse health-related quality of life, higher healthcare service utilization and expenditures. The results can be used to monitor the burden of CI in older individuals with diabetes.
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nasser Sharareh, Taiwo P. Adesoba, Andrea S. Wallace, Sara Bybee, Lindsey N. Potter, Hilary Seligman, Fernando A. Wilson
Summary: Food insecurity often co-exists with other social risk factors. The association between food insecurity and other social risk factors across different income levels and before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, hindering the ability to design effective interventions.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Giovanni Appolon, Shangbin Tang, Nico Gabriel, Jasmine Morales, Lucas A. Berenbrok, Jingchuan Guo, Inmaculada Hernandez
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Sean R. Dickson, Nico Gabriel, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: This study examines the recent list and net prices of Humira with rebates, comparing them with the announced prices of interchangeable biosimilar formulations of Humira.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Inmaculada Hernandez, Nico Gabriel, S. Dickson
Summary: This study identifies the maximum negotiated price for the 10 drugs expected to be negotiated by Medicare in 2026. The results show that minimum discounts will only apply to 4 of the 10 drugs likely subject to negotiation, and achieving the projected savings will require negotiated prices to fall below the established ceiling.
JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE & SPECIALTY PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sean Dickson, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: Based on the criteria and spending data, it is estimated that Medicare will negotiate the prices of 40 drugs in 2026-2028, including inhalers, antidiabetics, kinase inhibitors, and oral anticoagulants. This has the potential to reduce healthcare costs.
JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE & SPECIALTY PHARMACY
(2023)