Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could experience multiple coinfections, and judicial antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is paramount to treat these coinfections. This study evaluated physicians’ perception, attitude, and confidence about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial prescribing in patients with COVID-19.Methods: A self-administered and validated online questionnaire comprised of six sections was disseminated among physicians working in public sector hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, using the convenience sampling method from April to May 2021. The study also assessed the validity and reliability of the study questionnaire using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha. In addition, the descriptive and inferential statistics present survey results.Results: A total of 387 physicians participated in this study. The study showed that the questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). Most physicians (n = 221, 57.1%) believed that AMR is a considerable problem in Pakistan. Less than a quarter of respondents (n = 91, 23.5%) consulted with local antibiotic resistance data to prescribe antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. However, the respondents were confident to select a suitable antibiotic (n = 229, 59.2%). More than three-quarters of the respondents believed that advice from a senior colleague (n = 336, 86.8%), infectious disease (ID) physician (n = 315, 81.4%), and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) could facilitate appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that physicians with more than 10 years of experience had higher odds of consulting local guidelines for antibiotic therapy (OR, 4.71 95% CI: 1.62–13.73, p = 0.004) than physicians with less than 5 years of experience. Similar trends were found for consulting national guidelines and local resistance data to select an empiric antibiotic therapy.Conclusion: AMR-related awareness was optimal among physicians. Only a few physicians looked up local antibiotic resistance data before prescribing antibiotics to COVID-19 patients empirically. The significant approaches advised by physicians to reduce AMR risk among COVID-19 patients were the implementation of ASPs combined with advice from ID physicians.

Aims: The objective of the current study was to compare the In Vitro efficacy of regionally produced brands of ceftriaxone with that of the global innovator brand. Therefore, a fact-based conclusion at the end of the study will serve to dispel any uncertainty regarding the efficacy of medications produced locally, whether they are inferior or equal in their comparative activity. Study Design:  This study was In Vitro Lab based study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed in Riphah International University, Department of Pharmacy from July 2021 to August 2021. Methodology: Five regional brands and one international parent brand (Rocephin) were chosen. The multinational product was regarded as the standard. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aurogenosa were the four bacterial strains against which activities were tested. Antibiotics' zone of inhibition was measured using the agar well method, and their minimum inhibitory concentration was identified using the broth dilution method. Results: All tested brands showed effectiveness against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aurogenosa.Some of the brands at some point showed more In Vitro efficacy than the standard brand. Conclusion: Health care professionals can be confident in prescribing locally manufactured brands that have equivalent efficacy to their international counterparts based on the findings of the study. Healthcare professionals can suggest the generic brand in population where medicine cost is directly affecting the patients adherence to therapeutic regimen.

Background: The purpose of this study was to find out how well-informed health care professionals and the general population in Pakistan are about Tuberculosis. Methods: A systematic review of all published articles until Apr 2021 was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, UpToDate, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant published studies using related MESH terms and keywords. Results: Finally, thirteen papers were chosen as meeting the inclusion criteria. In all of the research, there was a lack of information and awareness. Private practitioners lacked the ability to maintain follow-up, educate the public, motivate patients, and stick to the therapeutic regimen. Tuberculosis had an impact on a person's personal and social life. A negative outcome occurred from a delay in diagnosis. Conclusion: Community mobilization to spread general awareness is necessary eradicating tuberculosis. The establishment of a national training programme for health-care professionals is required. Incorporating the pharmacist's involvement in the launch of community-based awareness initiatives are critical, if Pakistan is to be Tuberculosis-free country.