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BackgroundThe elderly are frequently exposed to drug related problems causing hospitalizations and increased costs of care. Information about Romanian prescribing practices among the elderly and potential medication associated- risks is lacking. The objective of this study was to identify and compare the most frequent potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) recommended to ambulatory and institutionalized Romanian elderly, through an observational retrospective design.MethodsAll reimbursed medications prescribed to a sample of ambulatory elderly accessing two community pharmacies and all medications recommended to a group of institutionalized elderly (urban facilities, Romania, same month) were analyzed. The STOPP/START criteria and the PRISCUS list were used for PIM identification and for classification as misprescribed, underprescribed or overprescribed -subtypes.ResultsThe analysis involved 345 prescriptions recommended to ambulatory elderly and 91 medical files available for the institutionalized patients. The ambulatory elderly had a mean age of 74.8 years old and were daily exposed to a median number of 3 prescribed medications. The institutionalized elderly were older (mean age 80.77) received 8 medications daily and 69 % of them were functionally dependent. Cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric indications were the most frequent: 64.34 % and 18.55 % of the ambulatory prescriptions, 93.40 % and 41.75 % of the institutionalized patients’ medical files. 159 PIM were identified on 34.49 % of the ambulatory prescriptions. 82.41 % of the institutionalized patients’ medical files contained 140 PIM. The potential underprescribing of cardiovascular therapies was the most frequent PIM category on the ambulatory prescriptions (55.34 % of all PIM), while for the institutionalized patients’ medical files, the misprescribed and overprescribed PIM were those predominantly represented (62.14 % and 27.14 % of all PIM). In both subgroups of data, NSAIDs (56.66 % of ambulatory prescriptions and 35.63 % of institutionalized patients’ data) and benzodiazepines (26.66 % of ambulatory prescriptions and 24.13 % of institutionalized patient’s data) were predominantly misprescribed. Anticholinergics were rarely used (0.62 % of total PIM from ambulatory prescriptions, 2.14 % of total PIM from institutionalized patients’ data).ConclusionsThe PIM identified in both elderly groups suggested potential risks for the occurrence of adverse events specific to the elderly population. Larger studies, both observational and interventional, are needed to ensure a safer therapeutic approach.

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In this modification of the title compound, 5-(4-[(2-pyridylamino)sulfonyl]phenyldiazenyl)salicylic acid, C(18)H(14)N(4)O(5)S, the molecule is present in the amide tautomeric form. Two azo-bridged phenyl rings render the bulk of the molecule planar, with the carboxylic acid group at one terminal and the pyridylamino residue at the other. The repeating unit in the crystal is a centrosymmetric dimer containing two identical R-2/2-(8) hydrogen-bonded ring systems, each involving the carboxylic acid and pyridylamino moieties. Additional stabilization is due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the 2-hydroxyl group and the carbonyl O atom of the carboxylic acid group, as well as intermolecular pi-pi stacking.

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Background and aimsPatient education is a critical task that may be carried out by the pharmacists, especially in the context of contemporary pharmacists’ roles, which tend to be closer to patients and their needs. This study aimed to evaluate the counseling provided by the pharmacist in the community pharmacy, from the patient’s perspective.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective, non-interventional study in 520 pharmacies from 10 Romanian counties across the country. The first 10 visitors of the pharmacy on a given day were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the counseling provided by the pharmacist during the visit.ResultsMore than 90% of patients received advice from the pharmacist on the route of administration, use in relation to meals, dosage and length of treatment. More than 80% of the patients were counseled on the medicine contraindications and precautions, interactions with other medicines and food, side effects, additional changes in lifestyle and diet appropriate to the condition and the necessity to immediately consult a doctor/pharmacist in case of adverse drug reactions. Lower percentages were registered for advising the patient on the obligation to return to pharmacy the unused psychotropic drugs (38.04%) and the ability of the drug to modify the laboratory results (47.66).ConclusionsThe results of the present study showed that the counseling activity in the community pharmacy is carried out by the pharmacists in a high proportion, according to the patients’ feedback.

Objectives: Reference values are fundamental for the interpretation of laboratory results, which are useful for medical decisions. Each laboratory has to have its own reference values classified according to age groups in order to interpret test results correctly. The expression "normal values