Background: The pharmacovigilance system in the Philippines aims to ensure the safe use of medicines, including herbal products. However, there is a lack of reporting on adverse events related to herbal products, indicating a need for an improved monitoring system. Objectives: This study seeks to develop a community-based adverse event reporting system for herbal products in Calamba and Los Baños Laguna to enhance pharmacovigilance practices in the Philippines. The primary objectives include assessing consumer knowledge, willingness to report adverse events, and evaluating the feasibility of implementing such a system in community pharmacies. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving surveys with herbal product consumers and focus group discussions with community pharmacists. Data analysis utilized Likert scaling for surveys and thematic analysis for discussions, providing a comprehensive understanding of consumer perceptions and pharmacist experiences. Results: The study revealed limited consumer awareness of herbal safety risks but with a positive attitude towards reporting adverse events through community pharmacies. The developed algorithm, tailored to consumer and pharmacist preferences, demonstrated potential benefits in enhancing pharmacovigilance and promoting the rational use of herbal products. Conclusion The proposed community-based adverse event reporting system for herbal products in the Philippines offers a practical and accessible solution to improve pharmacovigilance, empower consumers, and ensure the safe utilization of herbal products. Implementation of this system has the potential to significantly enhance public health outcomes and contribute to the overall well-being of the Filipino population.
Pharmacovigilance ; Pharmacies ; Pharmacists

Antibody-based drugs are prepared by cell and genetic engineering technology, which are widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors. According to the structural characteristics, antibody-based drugs currently on the market can be divided into several categories, including monoclonal antibody drugs, bispecific antibody drugs and antibody drug conjugates. Until June 1, 2022, 39 anti-tumor antibody drugs have been approved in China. Since the pharmaceutical characteristics, in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetic characteristics of anti-tumor antibody drugs are different from those of traditional small molecule drugs, the pharmaceutical care of anti-tumor antibody drugs in clinical application has distinct features. To regulate pharmaceutical care of these drugs, promote the rational use of antibody drugs in China, this guideline has been made by Cancer Pharmacists Branch of Chinese Pharmacists Association, with the guidance of the National Cancer Center. We used the Delphi method and expert interview and discussion, to build the key problems. The contents in this guideline are based on clinical evidence, domestic pharmaceutical management regulations and pharmaceutical care practice. This guideline covers the whole process of pharmaceutical care system, includes the using of before, during and after drug administration. It provides a scientific basis for pharmacists to carry out pharmaceutical care for this kind of drugs.
Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Pharmaceutical Services ; Pharmacists ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; China

The discovery, resolution, intervention and evaluation of drug-related problems (DRPs) are core processes for pharmacists to perform pharmaceutical care. Based on the literature and data of foreign DRPs classification system and current pharmaceutical practice experience, the Chinese DRPs classification system was initially established after selection and integration, and then gradually improved through multiple rounds of public verification method. Finally, a standard for the use of the "Chinese Drug-related Problems Classification System" that conforms to the Chinese population and medical model was formed. The Chinese DRPs classification system includes six parts, i.e., problem, DRP evaluation, cause, intervention plan, acceptance of intervention plan, and DRP status. It aims to provide a basis for Chinese pharmacists to carry out standard and standardized pharmaceutical care and improve the quality of clinical drug treatment management.
China ; Humans ; Pharmacists

Objectives. The patient medication counseling (PMC) services at Philippine General Hospital (PGH) started 21 years ago. While several changes have been incorporated into the program, no formal evaluation has been conducted to date. The objective of this evaluation was to assess the relevance, usefulness, responsiveness, acceptability, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the service using the context, input, process (CIPP) model of Stufflebeam.

Methods. The study utilized a mixed-methods study design. Interviews and surveys were conducted on pharmacist-counselors, a purposive sample of doctors, nurses, and other stakeholders. A review of records from the Department of Pharmacy of UP College of Pharmacy (UPCP) and PGH, such as patient and student satisfaction surveys and monthly reports of counseled patients served from 2015 to 2019, was conducted. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data.

Results. Context evaluation revealed that the establishment of PMC resulted from informal interactions with hospitalized patients due to incorrect use of prescription medicines. Correct information was envisioned to address the irresponsible use of medicines. The input evaluation revealed that only 24% (N=75) of the pharmacists are involved in PMC, which comprise only 10% of their workload. There was also a lack of comprehensive training for counseling and insufficient physical facilities. The process evaluation identified lack of time (94%) as a significant limiting factor for the involvement of pharmacists in PMC. The interns became an additional workforce for the service, but scheduling and the consistent availability of both students and faculty-preceptors were experienced. The product evaluation revealed positive perceptions among the pharmacists, faculty, and student interns. From the patient satisfaction survey records of 5,071 patients counseled, 98 to 100% expressed high service satisfaction, and 100% were likely to recommend PMC to other patients. The pharmacists, interns, and faculty-preceptors suggested that PMC improved their confidence, communication skills, and decision-making.

Conclusion. The PMC service is relevant and valuable to ensure patients' rational and quality use of medicines. As a value-added service to existing hospital pharmacy services, it serves as a venue for enhancing soft skills among pharmacists and students alike. However, physical and human resources and current processes need to be upgraded to improve efficiency, ensure sustainability, and expand service coverage to more patients.

Introduction: Frequent diabetes medication therapy adherence clinic (DMTAC) appointments may lead to more rapid glycaemic control. This study aimed to evaluate the association between appointment intervals and glycaemic control (haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] level) along with blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile (LP) during DMTAC appointments. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed all recorded baseline and completed DMTAC data, including HbA1c level, LP and BP, of 318 eligible participants from 29 DMTACs across Perak. The participants were divided into shorter appointment interval (SAI) (≤30 days) and longer appointment interval (LAI) groups. Results: The majority of the baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics did not significantly differ between the SAI and LAI groups (p>0.05). Ischaemic heart disease (Odds ratio, OR=3.457; 95% CI=1.354–8.826; p=0.009) and hypertension (OR=0.521; 95% CI=0.276–0.992; p=0.044) were significantly associated with the appointment intervals. Upon completion of eight DMTAC visits, the HbA1c and FBS levels and DBP significantly improved (p<0.05). However, the mean HbA1c level (1.35±2.18% vs 0.87±2.11%, p=0.548), FBS level (1.25±4.82mmol/L vs 2.29±6.23mmol/L, p=0.538), SBP (3.28±21.82mmHg vs 3.65±18.35mmHg, p=0.343) and LDL level (0.09±0.98mmol/L vs 0.07±1.13mmol/L, p=0.246) did not significantly differ between the SAI and LAI groups. Conclusion Longer DMTAC appointment intervals had similar improvement in glycaemic controls, blood pressure and lipid profiles as compared to shorter appointment intervals. A longer interval can be scheduled for lower-risk patients to optimise the use of human resources and minimise costs.
Appointments and Schedules ; Diabetes ; Pharmacists

COVID-19 ; Humans ; Medical Informatics Applications ; Pandemics ; Pharmacists ; Pharmacy Service, Hospital/methods* ; Professional Role ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Safety Management/methods*

The ongoing pandemic in Singapore is part of a global pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, 'circuit breaker' measures were introduced between 7 April and 1 June 2020 in Singapore. There is thus a crucial need for innovative approaches to the provision and delivery of healthcare in the context of safe-distancing by harnessing telemedicine, especially for patients with chronic diseases who have traditionally been managed in tertiary institutions. We present a summary of how the Virtual Monitoring Clinic has benefited the practice of our outpatient rheumatology service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual consultations address the need for safe-distancing by limiting face-to-face appointments and unnecessary exposure of patients to the hospital where feasible. This approach ensures that the patients are monitored appropriately for drug toxicities and side-effects, maintained on good disease control, and provided with patient education.
Ambulatory Care/methods* ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19 ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Nurse Practitioners ; Pharmacists ; Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy* ; Rheumatology/methods* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore ; Telemedicine/organization & administration* ; Tertiary Care Centers

Background: The incidence of hypertension and its complications continue to increase in the Philippine Army due to non-adherence resulting in poor health outcomes. Objective: This study implemented a Medication Counseling Program (MCP) for hypertensive soldiers, and assessed the effects of the program on knowledge of disease and treatment (Knowledge), attitude towards medication (Attitude), adherence to treatment (Adherence), and blood pressure (BP). It identified and categorized pharmacist interventions applied during the counseling sessions. The perceptions of patients and physicians on pharmacist's clinical roles were also determined. Methodology: The program was implemented from March to October 2015 in a government hospital for the Philippine Army. Knowledge, attitude, adherence, and BP (converted as mean arterial pressure or MAP) were measured at baseline, 30, 60, and 90th day after initial counseling. Data for pharmacist interventions were collected from patient's documentary form. The interview was conducted to patients after their 90-day counseling period and physicians after the 8-month duration of the program. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the program, but only 13 patients completed the study. Of the 62 counseling sessions conducted by the pharmacist for the 8-month period, a total of 252 pharmacist interventions were administered. Knowledge, attitude, adherence, and MAP scores improved, and 100 % of the patients achieved normal/controlled BP after the 90-day counseling period. Conclusion A pharmacist MCP intervention may improve a patient's knowledge, attitude, adherence, and BP. The program enabled the pharmacist to apply pharmacist interventions to identified drug-therapy problems of the patients and resolved these through collaboration with the physicians and cooperation of the patients.
Pharmacists ; Military Personnel ; Pharmaceutical Services ; Medication Adherence ; Pharmacies ; Hypertension ; Counseling

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of pharmacist-led anticoagulation monitoring service for warfarin anticoagulation therapy in patients during hospitalization. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 421 patients receiving warfarin anticoagulation therapy during hospitalization between April, 2016 and December, 2017. Of these patients, 316 received daily pharmacist-led anticoagulation monitoring service including checking the patients' International Normalized Ratio (INR) and other pertinent laboratory test results and reviewing medication changes and the patients' clinical status (monitoring group); the other 105 patients receiving warfarin anticoagulation therapy without pharmaceutical care served as the control group. The data including compliance rate of anticoagulant indicators, incidence and rate of prompt management of INR alert, thrombosis and bleeding events during hospitalization were analyzed among these patients. RESULTS: Compared with the control patients, the patients in the monitoring group showed a significantly higher percentage time within target INR range [(73.20±9.46)% (46.32±17.11)%, < 0.001] and a higher qualified rate of INR before discharge (98.42% 60.95%, < 0.001) as well as a higher proper INR-monitoring frequency (97.15% 66.67%, < 0.001). The patients in the monitoring group showed a significantly lower incidence of INR alert than the control patients (8.23% 20.00%, < 0.001) with also a much higher rate of prompt management (96.15% 33.33%). The two groups had similar incidences of clinical events except that the control group reported a higher incidence of minor bleeding episodes (9.52% 2.53%, =0.005). CONCLUSIONS Pharmacist-led anticoagulation monitoring service can significantly improve the effectiveness and safety of warfarin anticoagulation therapy for patients during hospitalization.
Anticoagulants ; Drug Monitoring ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Pharmacists ; Retrospective Studies ; Warfarin

Background: Community pharmacists play a central role in the management of minor ailments and their clinical knowledge is vital in improving treatment outcomes of these ailments. The provision of minor ailment service in developed countries has been successful yet the practice in the Philippines has not been documented. Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the involvement of community pharmacists in the management of minor ailments, the practices, and the perceived challenges in the provision of pharmacy service. Methods: This was an exploratory descriptive study. Using qualitative research technique, a guided interview questionnaire was employed for data gathering. The practices employed and perceived challenges encountered by pharmacists were interpreted using conventional content analysis. Results: Colds, cough, skin allergy, diarrhea were the four most common ailments managed by community pharmacists. Pharmacists had underdeveloped roles in consultation. Community pharmacists were knowledgeable on the causes of the minor ailments and the medications dispensed were compliant with approved product indications. The absence of institutional guidelines (66%), lack of ailment-specific training (100%), insufficient clinical skills (76.7%), and a dominant patient self-selection behavior for OTC medicines (73.3%) were perceived as challenges in the provision of minor ailment services. Conclusion Community pharmacists managed common ailments with non-prescription medicines however consultation roles were found to be underdeveloped.
Pharmacists ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Philippines