Clindamycin hydrochloride is a widely used antibiotic for topical use, but its main disadvantage is poor skin penetration. Therefore, new approaches in the development of clindamycin topical formulations are of great importance. We aimed to investigate the effects of the type of gelling agent (carbomer and sodium carmellose), and the type and concentration of bile acids as penetration enhancers (0.1% and 0.5% of cholic and deoxycholic acid), on clindamycin release rate and permeation in a cellulose membrane in vitro model. Eight clindamycin hydrogel formulations were prepared using a 23 full factorial design, and they were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, drug content, drug release, and permeability parameters. Although formulations with carbomer as the gelling agent exerted optimal sensory properties, carmellose sodium hydrogels had significantly higher release rates and permeation of clindamycin hydrochloride. The bile acid enhancement factors were higher in carbomer gels, and cholic acid exerted more pronounced permeation-enhancing effects. Since the differences in the permeation parameters of hydrogels containing cholic acid in different concentrations were insignificant, its addition in a lower concentration is more favorable. The hydrogel containing carmellose sodium as a gelling agent and 0.1% cholic acid as a penetration enhancer can be considered as the formulation of choice.
Background. Attitudes towards conventional and complementary medicine among future healthcare professionals can impact their future pharmacotherapy practice. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors related to self-medication among medical and pharmacy students. Methods. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, on first- and final-year students of medicine and pharmacy. The multivariate Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify the main predictors of self-medication. Results. The overall self-medication prevalence in the past year was 81.3%. Independent risk factors for self-medication identified in the regression analysis were the final study year, housing condition, i.e., living in a leased apartment or in a student dormitory in comparison to living with parents, and cigarette consumption. The conventional drugs were the most frequently used, mostly for the symptoms of cold and pain. Final-year students had more confidence in conventional medicines than in herbal drugs and were more aware of the risks of their concomitant use. Conclusion. Self-medication is highly prevalent among students of medical sciences, especially among final-year students. Increased medical knowledge led to the higher awareness of the drug interaction risks.
Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common disorder in women, with a significant impact on quality of life. Aim: The objective of this academic study was to investigate the severity of dysmenorrhea in female students of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad, to estimate the self-medication prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea, to identify the most commonly used conventional, herbal, homeopathic remedies and manner of their usage, as well as non-pharmacological measures in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Material and Methods: This study was performed on a random sample of 100 respondents from different departments of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad, from December 1st to December 15th, 2016. The data were obtained by using a standardized questionnaire. Results: The sample included 59 female medical students and 41 female students of the other study groups. Most of the respondents had medium expressed symptoms due to dysmenorrhea (48.0%). The most common symptoms were cramps and pain in the lower abdomen, anxiety, and appetite changes. 11% of respondents were absent from classes at the university minimum one day of each menstrual cycle, because of dysmenorrhea. 66% of respondents used drugs due to symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The most commonly used group of drugs were non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (75.76%), primarily ibuprofen (53.03%), and diclofenac (10.61%). Self-medication prevalence was 48.48%. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, dysmenorrhea symptoms significantly impact the quality of life.
According to the World Disasters Report from 2018, 3,751 natural disasters occurred in previous ten years, which affected 2 billion people, and according to the United Nations report, 134 million people required help. COVID-19 pandemic revealed the unpreparedness of humanity for the global catastrophe, and in the first six months of the pandemic, 50 million people faced the consequences of more than a hundred disasters classified as catastrophes. In this paper we aimed to determine which competencies of pharmacists are necessary, as well as to analyze existing and possible options of pharmacists' involvement in the healthcare team, as well as pharmacists' contribution to the healthcare system in crisis situations. In crisis situations, the pharmacist, in addition to traditional, performs a wide range of non-traditional activities. They include drug and medical device supply management, participation in providing emergency medical care, patient care, supervision of therapy, immunization, but also in establishing crisis management policy and implementing adopted principles. The involvement of pharmacists in humanitarian work is still insufficient, although progress has been made. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly opened a new chapter in the development of pharmaceutical profession, which will certainly significantly change after the current crisis, along with other professions. Active involvement of pharmacists in healthcare teams is necessary in order to optimally use their expertise, and they themselves to gain experience. In future, this would enable the formation of good practice standards and improving the outcomes of humanitarian or public health missions.
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