Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced cardiac morbidities have been the leading cause of death among diabetic patients. Recently, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors including empagliflozin (EMPA), which have been approved for the treatment of DM, have gained attention for their cardioprotective effect. The mechanism by which SGLT-2 inhibitors exert their cardioprotective effect remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that EMPA exerts its cardioprotective effect by inhibiting the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), a group of membrane proteins that regulate intracellular pH and cell volume. Increased activity and expression of NHE isoform 1 (NHE1), the predominant isoform expressed in the heart, leads to cardiac hypertrophy. p90 ribosomal s6 kinase (p90 RSK) has been demonstrated to stimulate NHE1 activity. In our study, H9c2 cardiomyoblasts were treated with angiotensin II (ANG) to activate NHE1 and generate a hypertrophic model. We aimed to understand whether EMPA reverses the ANG-induced hypertrophic response and to elucidate the molecular pathway contributing to the cardioprotective effect of EMPA. Our study demonstrated that ANG-induced hypertrophy of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts is accompanied with increased SGLT-1 and NHE1 protein expression, an effect which is prevented in the presence of EMPA. EMPA reduces ANG-induced hypertrophy through the inhibition of SGLT-1 and NHE1 expression.

Background The sustainable development goals were launched by the United Nations in 2015. Its fifth goal was describing the achievement of universal health coverage by 2030. This goal reaffirms the importance of investing in the development and training of the global health workforce. In alliance with this, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has published reports about pharmacy workforce planning in several countries. However, data about Qatar were not included in these reports. In 2017, FIP developed a transformational roadmap of pharmaceutical workforce and education. One systematic framework component of the roadmap is the Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s) that were released in late 2016 and subsequently incorporated into the more comprehensive Global Development Goals1 in 2020, encompassing not only workforce development, but additionally practice and pharmaceutical science development. This study aimed to evaluate the current situation of pharmacy workforce and education in Qatar in relation to the original 13 Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (DG[w]s). The objective was to identify the gaps in pharmacy workforce and education and to recommend evidence-led strategies to be included in both the Ministry of Public Health and the Qatar University College of Pharmacy workforce development plans. Methods Three rounds of conventional Delphi technique were conducted with expert panels of key decision-makers in pharmacy practice from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University and the Ministry of Public Health, utilizing the FIP’s self-assessment survey. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze and prioritize the identified gaps from the collected data. DG[w] was considered “met” if all the provided indicators were achieved, “partially met” if at least one of the indicators were achieved, and “not met” if none of the indicators were achieved Results The lack of competency framework (DG[w]5), workforce data (DG[w]12), and workforce policy formation (DG[w]13) are three major gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical workforce and pharmacy education in Qatar, influencing other DG[w]s. These gaps need to be addressed by the formation of Qatar Pharmaceutical Association through which academic, practice, and policymaking sectors can work together in developing health workforce intelligence system. Conclusion The results indicated that DG[w]s are interrelated and a gap in one goal can negatively influence others. Results and recommendations of this research will facilitate the implementation of strategic plans across leading pharmacy sectors to meet health needs in Qatar and achieve the third pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Introduction: The United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. One of these goals describes achieving a Universal Health Coverage by 2030. This signifies workforce planning in healthcare professions (United Nations, 2015). The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) published reports about pharmacy workforce planning in several countries. However, data about Qatar was not included in these reports. In 2017, FIP developed a transformational roadmap of pharmaceutical workforce and education. One component of the roadmap is the Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (PWDGs) (International Pharmaceutical Federation, 2016). This research aims to conduct a self-assessment of the pharmaceutical workforce and education in Qatar in relation to the FIP’s PWDGs. This will be followed by prioritization of the identified gaps and recommendation of measures to address them. Methods: Three rounds of conventional Delphi technique (Hasson et al., 2000) are conducted with expert panels in the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University and the Ministry of Public Health, utilizing the FIP’s self-assessment survey. Content analysis is used to analyse and prioritize the identified gaps. Results: The lack of competency framework (PWDG5), workforce data (PWDG12), and workforce policy formation (PWDG13) are the three major gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical workforce and pharmacy education in Qatar, influencing other PWDGs. These gaps need to be addressed by the formation of Qatari Pharmaceutical Association through which academic, practice, and policymaking sectors can work together in developing a health workforce intelligence system. Conclusion: The results indicated that PWDGs are interrelated and a gap in one goal can negatively influence others (Bruno et al., 2018). Results and recommendations of this research will facilitate the implementation of strategic plans across leading pharmacy sectors to meet health needs in Qatar and achieve the third pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 “A Healthy Population: Physically and Mentally” (General Secretariat for Development, 2008).