No abstract

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a condition characterized by serous detachment of the neurosensory retina in the posterior pole. Corticosteroids administered by various routes is reported as a possible cause of CSC. We report the cases of two patients who developed CSC after receiving a corticosteroid injection in the epidural space for the treatment of back pain. In both patients, the accumulation of subretinal fluid spontaneously resolved within several weeks. Patients who develop CSC after epidural analgesia with corticosteroids should be alerted to the possible relationship between CSC and this treatment. Clinicians should advise all patients with CSC to avoid systemic corticosteroids administered by any route, unless they have a compelling medical indication. Pharmacists should advise patients to seek evaluation if visual changes occur during or after corticosteroid therapy.

Objective. To develop and assess the effectiveness of a medical mission elective course used to facilitate student integration of didactic knowledge and clinical experience to provide pharmaceutical care. Design. This elective course was designed to provide classroom activities, entrench pharmacy students directly into clinical practice during a medical mission, encourage a team approach to patient care while providing a service for an indigent population, and promote reflective activities using daily discussions and a writing component. Assessment. Student performance was assessed based on assignments, oral presentations, and quizzes, and participation in team discussions and patient care activities. An evaluation form was utilized for student assessment of personal experience, the instructors, and the course. Conclusion. Participation in the course resulted in the students having a better understanding of the role of a pharmacist and an increased confidence level in their ability to collaboratively develop and recommend therapeutic interventions as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Background: Flawed judgments about medication risks potentially jeopardize efforts to protect the public. It has been shown that positive risk/benefit perceptions by patients and providers lead to better patient outcomes, higher acceptance of drug therapy, and higher adherence rates. Objective: To explore consumers' level of familiarity with 10 best-selling over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug products, correlate familiarity with risk perceptions regarding those agents, and ascertain common sources of information regarding the medications studied. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the major metropolitan tri-county area of south Florida using a facilitator-administered survey instrument. Data collection involved asking consumers about the extent to which they agreed with statements related to risk perceptions, familiarity, and sources of information for 10 best-selling medications. Participants were recruited from a convenience sample of 1,035 south Florida residents. Results: When ranking the drugs by familiarity, 972 respondents reported a higher level of familiarity with OTC than prescription medications. Overall, prescription agents were perceived to be riskier than OTC products (p < 0.01); however, individual respondents tended to perceive the listed drugs as either risky or not regardless of their OTC or prescription status. Direct-to-consumer advertisements were mentioned most frequently as information sources. Conclusions: As shown in this study, marketing status, provider interaction, and effects of an undefined health risk are variables that contribute to consumers' decision-making regarding the medication use process.

Two formulations of topical alprostadil are in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of FSAD. Initial results of clinical trials have demonstrated some beneficial effects on arousal success rates and other subjective measures of sexual arousal; however, these results have been inconsistent and not reproducible in all trials. The results of ongoing clinical studies are needed to further define the role of topical alprostadil in the treatment of FSAD.