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Objectives Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have become one of the most frequently prescribed drugs since their introduction 30 years ago. Effectiveness and safety profile of PPIs has led to their overutilization and has exposed patients to a number of potential risks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of PPIs in a secondary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Methods This prospective observational drug-utilization study was conducted in patients receiving treatment with PPIs and admitted to internal medicine wards of the study site. Electronic patient case records were reviewed and data on PPI prescribing was collected and analysed. Appropriateness of PPI use was assessed as per international guidelines. Key findings Out of 172 patients enrolled, 53.5% were females with median age of 57 years (34.3, 71.0). Four different PPIs were prescribed to study patients, pantoprazole (86.6%), esomeprazole (5.8%), rabeprazole (4.1%) and omeprazole (3.5%). Ninety-two (53.5%) patients were prescribed intravenous PPI, whereas 80 (46.5%) patients were given PPI in oral form. Overall, 103 (59.9%) patients had inappropriate PPI prescriptions. Of these inappropriate prescriptions, 22 patients had no clear indication for PPI use and for 16 patients; PPIs were indicated for stress ulcer prophylaxis in low-risk category. Corticosteroid use [odds ratio (OR): 4.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–15.46; P = 0.023] was significantly associated with greater odds of inappropriate PPI use. Conclusions We report a high prevalence of inappropriate PPI prescribing among the hospitalized patients in our study. Inappropriate PPI prescribing is a concerning issue and collective efforts should be made to check and minimize the same.

Objectives Prescription pattern focused drug utilization is an effective technique which provides an unbiased assessment of the prescribing habits and aids in identifying suboptimal prescribing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate rationality in antihypertensive prescribing and adherence to international treatment guidelines. Methods It was an observational, prospective, cross sectional study carried out in 588 adult patients with hypertension presenting to medicine department of a secondary care hospital in United Arab Emirates. Electronic medical records of the patients were reviewed and demographic, clinical and antihypertensive prescription data were obtained. The antihypertensive prescriptions were assessed for rationality and adherence to the latest Joint National Committee (JNC) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for hypertension. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Results Out of the total 588 patients included in the study, majority (57.1%) of the patients were females. The mean age of the patients was 63.2 ± 14.3 years, with majority of them aged 68 years and above (37.9%). Majority of the patients (67.9%) were on combination therapy receiving multiple drugs for the management of their hypertension. Overall, 69% of our antihypertensive prescriptions were adherent to the JNC 7 recommendations and 80.9% were as per JNC 8 recommendations. Also, 55% of the antihypertensive prescriptions were adherent to the 2011 and 2019 NICE guidelines. Conclusion In conclusion, the antihypertensive prescriptions at the study site mostly adhere to the latest international guidelines for the management hypertension.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs used in a secondary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: It was a prospective, observational study carried out in 588 adult hypertensive patients presenting to medicine outpatient and inpatient departments of Dibba Hospital, Fujairah, UAE. The study was conducted for a period of 6 months from December 2017 to May 2018. Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic patient case records and documented. Prescriptions were studied overall for drug use details and for specific types of antihypertensive drugs. The World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose methodology was further used to calculate utilization. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24.0. Findings: Of the 588 study participants, majority of the patients were on two-drug combination antihypertensive therapy (n = 210, 35.5%) followed by monotherapy (n = 188, 32.1%) and three-drug combination (n = 136, 23.1%). Calcium channel blockers were the most frequently (51%) prescribed class both in monotherapy and in combination therapy while angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (55.9%) were the most preferred agents for monotherapy. Among individual antihypertensive drugs, amlodipine was prescribed the most (266 prescriptions), irrespective of monotherapy or combination therapy. Conclusion: Our study represents the current prescribing trends of antihypertensive drugs in a secondary care hospital in the UAE. The use of antihypertensive drugs largely conforms to international guidelines, but still, there is room for improvement in terms of rational drug utilization.

Systemic inflammation results in physiological changes, largely mediated by inflammatory cytokines. The present investigation was performed to determine the effect of Rhododendron arboreum (RAP) on inflammatory parameters in the animal model. The RAP (100 and 200 mg/kg) were pre-treated for animals, given orally for one week, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Body temperature, burrowing, and open field behavioral changes were assessed. Biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, BIL, CK, Cr, BUN, and albumin) were done in the plasma after 6 h of LPS challenge. Oxidative stress markers SOD, CAT, and MDA were measured in different organs. Levels of inflammatory markers like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) and, interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as VEGF, a specific sepsis marker in plasma, were quantified. The plasma enzymes, antioxidant markers and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly restored (p < 0.5) by RAP treatment, thus preventing the multi-organ and tissue damage in LPS induced rats. The protective effect of RAP may be due to its potent antioxidant potential. Thus, RAP can prevent LPS induced oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory and multi-organ damage as reported in histopathological studies in rats when administered to the LPS treated animals. These findings indicate that RAP can benefit in the management of systemic inflammation from LPS and may have implications for a new treatment or preventive therapeutic strategies with an inflammatory component.

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Zingerone (ZIN) against lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cytokine storm in rats. For survival study the rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). The control group was treated with normal saline, Group II received an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection (10 mg/kg) of LPS as disease control. Rats in Group III were treated with ZIN 150 mg/kg (p.o) 2 h before LPS challenge and rats in Group IV were given ZIN only. Survival of the rats was monitored up to 96 h post LPS treatment. In another set, the animals were divided into four groups of six rats. Animals in Group I served as normal control and were treated with normal saline. Animals in Group II were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and served as disease control. Group III animals were treated with ZIN 2 h before LPS challenge. Group IV served as positive control and were treated with ZIN (150 mg/kg orally). The blood samples were collected and used for the analysis of biochemical parameters like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Cr, Urea, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, bilirubin (BIL), and total protein. Oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and (DNA damage marker) 8-OHdG levels were measured in different organs. Level of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory markers like TNF-&alpha, IL-1&szlig, IL-1&alpha, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 were also quantified in plasma. Procalcitonin (PCT), a sepsis biomarker, was also measured. ZIN treatment had shown significant (p &lt, 0.5) restoration of plasma enzymes, antioxidant markers and attenuated plasma proinflammatory cytokines and sepsis biomarker (PCT), thereby preventing the multi-organ and tissue damage in LPS-induced rats also confirmed by histopathological studies of different organs. The protective effect of ZIN may be due to its potent antioxidant potential. Thus ZIN can prevent LPS-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and multi-organ damage in rats when administered to the LPS treated animals.

Nowadays, marine microalgae are recognized to be a considerably novel and rich origin of bioactive moieties utilized in the sectors of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. In the present study, Nannochloropsis oculata extract (AME) was associated with a wide variety of pharmacological studies such as in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal and anticancer activity (MDA-MB-231) in cancer cells through in vitro models. In the study, the chemical composition and structure of the bioactive compounds found in the AME extract were studied using the LC-MS technique. The results of the anticancer activity showed a decrease in the percentage of cell viability of the MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (400 &mu, g/mL at 24 h, 300 &mu, g/mL at 48 h, and 200 &mu, g/mL at 72 h). We have also observed morphological changes in the cells that could be associated with treatment with AME extract. Our observation of the AME extract-treated MDA-MB231 cells under light microscopy showed that when the concentration increased, the number of cells began to decrease. As far as LC-MS analysis is concerned, it showed the presence of the bioactive molecules was terpenoids along with carotenoids, polyphenolic and fatty acids. The result revealed that the AME extract exhibited noteworthy in vitro free radical scavenging potential, with an IC50 value of 52.10 &plusmn, 0.85 &micro, g/L in DPPH assay, 122.84 &plusmn, 2.32 &micro, g/mL in H2O2 assay and, 96.95 &plusmn, 1.68 &micro, g/mL in ABTS assay. The activity was found to be highly significant against bacteria (Gram-positive and negative) and moderately significant against fungal strain with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values between 15.63 and 500 &micro, g/mL.

Background Cephalosporins are one of the most commonly used antibiotics in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Few studies have been carried out to evaluate the antibiotic utilization pattern in UAE in spite of the obvious increase in cephalosporins resistance during the past decade. Objective To assess the prescriptions pattern of cephalosporins among physicians at a secondary care hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Method This observational prospective study was carried out during October 2013 to April 2014. The data of in patients were documented in the predesigned patient profile form and was analyzed for patient's, drug's and drug's therapy related parameters. Results The 3rd generation cephalosporins constituted 83.6 % of the prescriptions, with ceftriaxone being the most commonly used one (81.1 %). They were mainly prescribed for the treatment of the lower respiratory tract infections (60.2 %). Seven (3.5 %) different ADRs linked to cephalosporin use were observed ranging from oral thrush to clostridium difficile infection. A total of 1039 antimicrobial and nonantimicrobial medications were prescribed concomitantly with cephalosporins. Conclusion The 3rd generation cephalosporins were commonly prescribed by parenteral route. Thus, there is a strong need for rationalizing their use to preserve their efficacy and prevent the development of resistance in the region.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Not much data are available regarding the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among multiethnic UAE adult population. (1) To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in multiethnic UAE population (2) To compare the Vitamin D status in Arab and non-Arab population (3) To identify the demographic variables associated with hypovitaminosis D. It was a retrospective study conducted at a secondary care hospital. Electronic case records of all the subjects who had checked their Vitamin D levels during the time period of May 2010–October 2012 were considered for the study. Vitamin D severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were defined as serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels < 10 ng/mL, 10–20 ng/mL, 21–30 ng/mL, and > 30 ng/mL, respectively. A total 425 subjects were included for the data analysis. Vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in 208 (48.9%) subjects followed by severe Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in 141 (33.2%) and 63 (14.8%) subjects, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 96.9%. Negative association (r = −0.196, P < 0.01) was observed between body mass index (BMI) and 25(OH)D levels. Ethnicity was not (P = 0.103) a predictor of 25(OH)D levels. Majority of our study subjects had Vitamin D deficiency. There was no substantial difference in 25(OH)D levels of different ethnic groups. Female gender, age, and BMI were the predictors 25(OH)D levels.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the nature, reasons, and consequences of self-medication practice among the general population of Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, survey-based study. Data with respect to knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding self-medication were collected through an interviewer-assisted questionnaire answered by the study participants. Thus, collected data from 413 survey respondents were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The prevalence of self-medication practices among our study respondents was 52.1%. A headache (155 [37.5%]) was the most common clinical condition treated through self-medication practice. Familiarity with the treatment/medication (198 [48%]) was the most common cited reasons, whereas the advertisement and friend's advice were the most (182 [44%]) cited sources of information for self-medication usage. The majority (265 [64.1%]) of the respondents were considered self-medication practice as safe. However, 19 respondents reported side-effects or complications during the due course of self-medication. It was observed that there is a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between age and employment status of this study participants with self-medication practices. Conclusion: The data from this study show that the self-medication practice is very common among the study population. Variables such as younger age group and occupation status were significantly associated with self-medication practice. We emphasize the role of pharmacist in educating the community regarding safe medication practices such as harmful effects of self-medicating and inappropriate practices such as sharing the medications among family members and friends.

Objective: Hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with many serious patient-level consequences including cardiovascular events and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of phosphate binders in ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective observational cohort study including adult ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis at a secondary hospital in United Arab Emirates. Patient characteristics were compared as per type of phosphate binder used. Bivariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine variables that were independently associated with use of different phosphate binders. Results: Phosphate binders used at our study site were sevelamer, calcium carbonate, and a combination of sevelamer and calcium carbonate. Bivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that serum phosphorous (odds ratio [OR]: 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–1.09, P = 0.047; OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.03–0.89, P = 0.042), calcium (OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.86, P = 0.041; OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.01–0.96, P = 0.012), and calcium–phosphorous product (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.06–0.64, P = 0.008; OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05–0.54, P = 0.003) levels were significantly lower in patients on sevelamer per se as well as in patients on combination therapy, respectively when compared to calcium carbonate per se. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that in sevelamer and combination groups, cardiovascular diseases (OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02–0.65, P = 0.022; OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01–0.88, P = 0.038) were significantly lesser compared to calcium carbonate group after being adjusted for other variables in the model. Conclusion: We observed that hyperphosphatemia and related events in our study population were better controlled by sevelamer per se and combination therapy than calcium carbonate per se. Further large scale, multicenter studies are required to confirm and establish these findings.

The aim of this analysis was to describe the pharmacokinetics of oral lamotrigine (LTG) in Indian epileptic patients using a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) modeling approach to confirm that the PK is similar to that of the Caucasian population, and to evaluate and confirm the impact of covariates predictive of inter-individual variability using a simulation platform.Blood samples were obtained from 95 patients, and LTG plasma concentrations were determined. Population PK modeling was performed using NONMEM. A one-compartment PK model with first-order absorption and elimination was used to describe the LTG PK. Log-likelihood profiling and normalized prediction distribution errors (NPDE) were used for model evaluation. A simulation study was performed to investigate dose regimens.Clearance (CL) was estimated to be 2.27 L/h with inter-individual variability (IIV) of 29 CV%. Volume of distribution (V) was estimated to be 53.6 L (31 CV% IIV). Body weight and concurrent use of carbamazepine and valproate were identified as significant covariates on clearance. Log-likelihood profiling indicated that parameters could be estimated with adequate precision, and NPDE indicated that the model adequately described the data observed. The simulation study illustrated the impact of carbamazepine and valproate on LTG PK, and negligible differences in PK between Indian and Caucasian patients.This is the first PK analysis of LTG in Indian patients. The population PK model developed adequately described the data observed. Comparison of identified PK parameters with previous PK analyses in Caucasian patients indicates that CL of LTG is similar, while V is somewhat lower compared with Caucasian patients, but this is not expected to lead to relevant differences in PK profiles during steady state.

BackgroundA blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure in manyinstances. An adequate supply of safe blood is ensured byexercising donor deferral criteria and screening forTransfusion Transmitted Infections (TTI). The aim of thispaper is to study the profile of blood donors and reasons fordonor deferral in coastal South India.MethodThe study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital inMangalore. All those who donated between 1 January 2008and 31 December 2008 were included in the study. Datawas collected using a pre-tested semi-structured proformaand analysed using SPSS version 11.5.ResultsMost of the donors were under the age of 25 (42.92%).Donors were predominantly male (95.20%). In terms ofoccupation, most subjects were students (28.01%) followedby businessmen (18.61%). Slightly more than three-quartersof the donors (77.20%) were replacement donors. The mainreasons for deferral were consumption of medication in thepast 72 hours (15.15%), hypertension (13.18%), a lowhaemoglobin level (12.34%) and alcohol intake in the past72 hours (12.20%). Among the TTIs identified, most sampleswere positive for Hepatitis B surface Antigen – HBsAg(0.87%) or tested positive for Anti-Hepatitis C (HCVantibodies (0.36%).ConclusionFrom the study it was concluded that the majority of thedonor population was young and educated. The reason fordonation was mainly replacement rather than voluntary.This issue needs to be addressed by exercising proactivemeasures to increase the number of voluntary, nonremunerated,low-risk donors.

Fluoroquinolones are one among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in hospital set up. Only few published studies are available which tried to characterize the nature of ADRs to fluoroquinolones encountered in a hospital set up. The present study was aimed at analyzing the pattern of ADRs implicated to fluoroquinolone antibiotics reported spontaneously to the ADR reporting unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. ADRs reported over a period of 4 years and 6 months were analyzed. Evaluation was done for patient demographics, drug and reaction characteristics, predisposing factors, and outcome of reactions. Analysis for causality, severity and preventability was also done. Eighty ADRs associated with fluoroquinolones were notified during the evaluation period, which accounted for 5.4% of the total ADRs reported in the ADR reporting unit and 30.2% of all reports to antibacterials. Type A reactions (58.8%) accounted for majority and more were described to be common (48.8%) in the literature. Levofloxacin (48.8%) occupied the major share of the reactions reported. Pattern of ADRs observed was comparable to that reported in literature. The organ system most commonly affected was skin and appendages (32.5%) and the most frequently reported reaction was skin rash (21.3%). Interestingly, no report of reactions affecting musculoskeletal system was observed while rare reaction like nephrotoxicity was noticed. The proportion of nervous system adverse reactions noticed were higher than that observed with antibacterial agents in general. Drug dechallenge was instituted in majority (73.8%) for management of the reactions, while additional treatment was instituted in 50% of the reactions. More of the reactions were probable (52.5%) in nature on causality assessment and were of moderate (72.5%) severity. Many (23.8%) of the reactions were deemed to be preventable on evaluation. Drug-drug and drug-disease interaction were the most important factors which contributed to preventability. Even though ADRs to fluoroquinolones are considered mainly to be mild in severity, our eval- uation revealed considerable number of reactions of moderate severity. The present evaluation has revealed opportunities for interventions especially for the preventable ADRs which will help in promoting safer use of this important group of antibiotics. Cautious use of these agents especially in patients with predisposing factors and proper monitoring is warranted. Spontaneous reporting programs in spite of its limitations are useful in identifying pattern of ADRs in a hospital set up. Similar hospital based evaluation will provide valuable information which would help in promoting safe use of these medications.

Occupational poisoning with pesticides is common in developing countries because farmers are often under trained, illiterate and consider it impractical and expensive to use safety equipment, especially in tropical climates. Greater benefit of education programs on prevention can be obtained if initiated in areas having higher occurrence of poisoning. Hence, the present study evaluated occurrence of poisoning and effectiveness of educational interventions among pesticide handlers in areas having high occurrence of occupational poisoning.Two villages of Udupi district of South India were identified by spot mapping and targeted for a public education program on safe handling of pesticides, the impact of which was assessed using a knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. Education was provided using a structured individualized training program to 74 pesticide handlers. Three point KAP assessments were carried out at baseline, immediately after training and after 1 month of training. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests and Friedmann tests were used to compare scores at different time points and between groups.Occurrence of occupation related poisoning was 33% and common in three villages of the district. The average baseline KAP score of 30.88 +/- 10.33 improved after education significantly (P0.001) at first follow-up 45.03 +/- 9.16 and at second follow-up 42.9 +/- 9.54. A decline of score between the first and second follow-up may be attributed to decline in knowledge retention. Demographics like gender, literacy and presence of children affected KAP score and there was no influence of geography, age or frequency of pesticide use.Educational intervention among pesticide handlers improved the KAP score for safe pesticide handling. We recommend that continuous education and training programs for agricultural workers will promote awareness and minimize the hazards of occupational pesticide exposure.

A systematic chemical investigation of Coronopus didymus was undertaken. A new flavone glycoside, viz., chrysoeriol-(6?-OAc)-4'-s-D-glucoside, along with free chrysoeriol and stigmastanol, were isolated and characterized on the basis of chemical and spectral studies. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the whole plant were subjected to antiinflammatory and wound healing activity studies. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts showed statistically significant wound healing activity, whereas only the aqueous extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.

In India, very few reports on the cost of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are available. There is a need to study this aspect of health care in order to understand the economic burden imposed by ADRs. The aim of the current work was to study the costs associated with documented ADRs in a tertiary care teaching hospital. This study was conducted in medical wards of a south Indian tertiary care teaching hospital over a 6-month period. The study protocol was assessed and approved by the institutional ethics committee. A total of 317 ADRs from 246 patients were identified during the study period. The present study used an intensive monitoring method to detect ADRs and assessed an incidence of 32.7% adverse reactions in the monitored group. The causality, severity, predictability, and preventability of the documented ADRs were assessed. The total cost to the hospital due to ADRs was found to be Rs. 1,567,397 (US$36 451). The average cost per patient hospitalized with an ADR was Rs. 4,945 (US$115). The cost per reaction was found to be higher in the Indian context, as the per capita annual expenditure on health in this country is around US$109.

Self-poisoning with organophosphorus (OP) compounds is a major cause of morbidity and mortality across South Asian countries. To develop uniform and effective management guidelines, the severity of acute OP poisoning should be assessed through scientific methods and a clinical database should be maintained. A prospective descriptive survey was carried out to assess the utility of severity scales in predicting the outcome of 71 organophosphate (OP) and carbamate poisoning patients admitted during a one year period at the Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India. The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) scores, predicted mortality rate (PMR) and Poisoning severity score (PSS) were estimated within 24h of admission. Significant correlation (P

Accurate information about safety of drugs is very essential for health care professionals in identifying, preventing and managing Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), thereby ensuring safe use of medications. The objective of the present study was to assess the pattern of drug information (DI) queries related to ADRs received by the Drug Information Center (DIC) of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Retrospective evaluation of the DI queries received in the DIC over a period of three and a half years (January 2002-July 2005) was done for various parameters such as purpose and type of query, characteristics of the drugs and reactions involved, and references used. Out of 2312 DI queries received, 600 (25.9%) were related to ADRs. Majority of the queries were from the department of medicine (80.5%) and was received during ward rounds (76%). In most of the queries, the information was sought for better patient care (66.3%) and the enquirer wanted the information immediately (59.5%). The category of ADR queries most commonly asked was regarding identification of an ADR (54.3%). Considering the reaction characteristics, the organ system most commonly involved in the queries was nervous system (14.7%) and the reaction was fever and skin rash (14%). Most of the queries were on uncommon reactions. Drug class most commonly involved in the queries were antibacterials for systemic use (18.6%) and the most frequently involved drug was phenytoin (35%). MICROMEDEX system was used as the reference in answering most (57.1%) of the queries. Information on ADRs is among the most sought information on drugs by the health care professionals. Evaluation of pattern of these queries could reveal opportunities for educational and other interventions in promoting safer drug use in a health care setting. DICs could play a major role in promoting drug safety and it needs to be well equipped to respond to these needs.

To study the impact of guidelines on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in clinical practice, barriers involved in adherence to guidelines and how to overcome the same.Literature pertaining to prophylactic antibiotic usage was searched. Medscape, Medline, Cochrane, Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP) project databases were reviewed. Recent articles from relevant journals, texts, and standard guidelines were also studied.Local guidelines seem more likely to be accepted and followed than those developed nationally. Major barriers involved in adherence to guidelines include lack of awareness about the guidelines, general perception of guideline as a bureaucratic rather than educational tool. Some practitioners perceive guidelines as "cookbook medicine" that does not permit them to make their own medical decisions. Other barriers are complex, multi-step systems that create confusion, decrease accountability. Methods for guideline adherence include surveillance and data analysis, new systems to facilitate documentation and improving workflow, education regarding current evidence-based guidelines and promoting the development of local guidelines or protocol, development and implementation of reminders to facilitate adherence to the local guidelines.A multidisciplinary steering team of surgeons, infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, anesthesiologists, microbiologists and nurses should develop local guidelines suitable to their institution and methods for adherence to prevent the surgical site infections. The gap between evidence-based guidelines and practice must be addressed in order to achieve optimal practice in this domain.

In 1948, soon after India achieved independence, the Pharmacy Council of India drafted the nation’s first standards for pharmacy practice. In 1953, the diploma of pharmacy (D.Pharm.) degree became the minimum qualification for pharmacy practice in community, industry, and hospital settings. During

Objective: To evaluate the various drug information queries received, and to assess the quality of services provided by the drug information center of the pharmacy practice department. Materials and Methods: The drug information queries received during ward rounds, by telephone, direct access, intranet etc. were documented in the drug information request and documentation forms prepared by the department. These forms were evaluated retrospectively for a period of 12 months, from July 2003 to June 2004, for various parameters like status of the enquirer, specialty of practice, mode of receipt of query, purpose of query, type of query etc. The quality of drug information services provided was assessed both from the receivers' as well as from the providers' perspective. The receivers' perspective was evaluated on the basis of the feedback questionnaire circulated, and the providers' perspective was evaluated by using the guidelines from the DSE/WHO seminar. Results: A total of 666 drug information queries were received during the study period. Upon evaluation, it was found that most of the beneficiaries of the service were the physicians (82%) and postgraduate students (16%) of the department of medicine. The analysis of the feedback questionnaire showed that most of the enquirers (92.5%) utilized the drug information service regularly and appreciated the quality of services provided by the drug information center. Evaluation of queries answered by the center from the providers' perspective revealed that they were within the acceptable limits of quality. Conclusion: The drug information services provided by the pharmacy practice department of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, caters to the need of health care professionals and eventually towards better patient care.

Formulary is a continually revised compilation of pharmaceuticals (plus important ancillary information) that reflects the current clinical judgment of medical staff. Kasturba Hospital is a 1400 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital with different specialties, having more than 3000 brands and ancillary products in use. The hospital does not have a formulary of any kind. Present study involved development of a formulary for the hospital and comparing it with WHO Model Formulary. Monographs of the drugs were prepared as per the recommendation of Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee of the hospital. Prepared hospital formulary consisted of 476 generic drugs of various categories and 95 fixed dose combinations. Availability of brands varied from single to many. About 75 medicines recommended by the essential medicine list were not present in the prepared hospital formulary. The drugs to be avoided or used with caution in renal failure, hepatic failure and in pregnancy were categorized and included in the formulary as additional information. The prepared hospital formulary was recommended for implementation in the hospital, which could thereby help as a tool to promote rational drug use.

The present study emphasizes on implementation of the adverse drug reaction reporting and monitoring system, in the Dermatology department of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, by a clinical pharmacist, using different promotional activities. Documented adverse drug reactions were assessed and analyzed for incidence, purpose of visit, types, drug classes, individual drug causing adverse drug reactions, type of cutaneous reaction, and various predisposing factors. Management and outcome of the adverse drug reactions were also studied. Adverse drug reactions were also assessed for causality, using Naranjo's scale, severity, and preventability, using Hartwig et al. scale. Adverse drug reaction attributes to 77% of the hospital visit. Incidence of reported cutaneous adverse drug reactions, were 2.85%. Majority of the adverse drug reactions (96%) were of type B. Antibiotics (30%), were the common class of drugs, causing a cutaneous adverse drug reactions. Maximum number of adverse drug reactions were due to Acetaminophen, Amoxicillin, antitubercular drugs, and Phenytoin. Most of the adverse drug reactions were managed by withdrawal of drug (81%), and 58% patients were recovered from the reaction. Naranjos scale classifies, 29 as probable, 21 as possible, and 3 as definite adverse drug reactions. Most of the adverse drug reactions were of moderate severity, however 13 adverse drug reactions were severe. All the adverse drug reactions were probably preventable on extreme caution.