This study investigates the views of general medical practitioners (GP) to the extended role of the community pharmacists (CP). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all private clinics (n=438) run by GPs in the state of Penang. The questionnaire asked GP’s views on ideas for new services provided by community pharmacists. Three hundred and twenty-seven questionnaires were collected, giving a response rate of 74.5%. More than 50% of respondents were in favour of the community pharmacist involvement in activities of providing public health education (58.7%), contacting GPs on matters related to prescribing and prescription errors (56.0%), and referring patients who exhibit drug-related problems (53.0%). However, the respondents had a mixed opinion regarding the roles of CPs in smoking cessation programme (34.8%) and providing drug information to physicians (43.0%). Additional research is needed to explain GPs attitudes towards the acceptability of the new role of the pharmacist.

Background: Client characteristics provide useful information for designing programs that target individuals with risk factors for substance use and for determining client retention. Therefore, this study examined the profiles of clients attending a methadone clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of clients of a methadone clinic was conducted through a survey to obtain a profile of methadone clients. Results: Of the 51 patients who responded (response rate: 66.2%), the mean (SD) age at which they started substance use was 19.8 (5.1) years. Friends were cited as the most regular source of drugs (82.4%), and heroin was the most commonly used drug (98%). Daily substance use was reported by 72.5% of the respondents; 23.5% admitted to having stolen money to purchase drugs; 92.2% tried quitting substance use on their own and 98% stated that the main reason for registering at the clinic was that they wanted to stop their drug dependence. Approximately 60% of clients were receiving methadone doses of less than 60 mg/day. Conclusion: Heroin is still the most popular drug of abuse and most clients still receive methadone doses below the recommended level, despite evidence of poor patient retention rates associated with these low doses.

Prayers, spiritual healing, yoga, meditation, t’ai chi, qigong and support groups are classified as mind body complementary therapies (MBCTs). The study aimed to examine the prevalence of MBCTs use and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on 184 cancer patients at the oncology clinic of Penang general hospital, Malaysia. MBCTs was assessed using a self- administered questionnaire while the HRQoL of the participants was assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: Among the complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) users, 75(40.7%) patients self-reported using MBCTs while having cancer. Majority of MBCTs users were female 60(80%, p=0.01), aged between 38 and 57 (58%), and were of Malay ethnicity (61%). Socio-demographic factors including age (r=0.15, p=0.03) and monthly house-hold income (r= -0.25, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with MBCTs use. Prayers for health reasons was the most frequently practised MBCTs modality, followed by spiritual practices 20(10.8%), meditation 7(5.9%), t’ai chi 7(3.8%), music therapy 4(2.1%), qigong 1(0.5%), hypnotherapy 1(0.5%), and reiki 1(0.5%). Recommendations from friends and family members 53(70%) were the most common reasons of MBCTs use followed by patient’s own will 22(29.3%). Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores showed significant difference in all functional and symptoms scores among MBCTs users and non-users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study helps to identify numerous MBCTs commonly practised by a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Prayers specifically for health reasons and spiritual practices were somewhat common among patients. Viewing MBCTs, not as alternative but to complement conventional cancer therapies may help to address cancer patients’ emotional and psychological needs.

Introduction: In understanding of the general public’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on the returning and disposal of unused medications is imperative towards the designing of better educational materials and policy development. The objectives of this study was to validate the Malay version of the Return and Disposal of Unused Medications (ReDiUM) questionnaire for use among Malaysian as well as to gain an understanding on these patterns of behaviour among Malaysians. Methods: The English version of the ReDiUM was translated into Malay language according to international guidelines. Content and face validity of the questionnaire was examined by experts. Subsequently, the questionnaire was pilot tested in 10 native speakers. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. The test-retest reliability was measured with Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient and Cohen’s κ coefficient. Public were recruited through convenient sampling for the study. Results: The study recruited 319 respondents. For test-retest reliability, all the correlation coefficient values were >0.5 indicating strong reliability (26 respondents). Except few items, most of the kappa coefficients were >0.61 indicating substantial to almost perfect agreement. Cronbach’s alpha of the KAP domains were 0.585, 0.770 and 0.759, respectively. The median knowledge score was only 50% with some negative attitudes and practices found. Conclusions: The translated questionnaire was valid and reliable for use in Malaysia with acceptable to strong internal consistency and most items with substantial to almost perfect agreement. The findings from the study provide supporting evidence for policy makers to develop interventions to help with reducing wastage and optimize healthcare expenditure.