Most drug sellers had fragmentary knowledge regarding drug dispensing and storage, and improper dispensing practices. There is a need to enforce existing legislation with training programmes directed towards drug sellers and to involve the pharmaceutical industry, which plays an important role in influencing pharmacy knowledge and practices.

ObjectivesA high prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C was found among healthcare workers during a province-wide screening in Sindh Province, Pakistan. A follow-up study was undertaken to identify risk factors for this high prevalence in healthcare workers.DesignPopulation based case–control design.SettingPublic sector healthcare facilities in a rural district of Pakistan.ParticipantsHealthcare workers who were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. 178 healthcare workers employed at the public sector clinics and hospitals of the district were approached, of which 14 refused to participate. Cases had detectable serum antibodies against HCV and the presence of HBsAg. Healthcare workers non-reactive to HCV antibodies and with no HBsAg were controls. These were matched in a ratio of 1:1.Outcome measureDetectable serum HBsAg and HCV antibody titer were taken as outcome. OR for various exposures was calculated; those with p<0.25 were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model to find out significant predictors.ResultsNeedle stick injury (OR=6; CI95 1.4 to 23), recapping the needle (OR=5.7; CI95 1.1 to 28), wound care at accident and emergency of a hospital (OR=5.5; CI95 1 to 28), female gender (OR=3.4; CI95 1 to 12) and more than 10 years of formal education (OR=0.25; CI95 0.07 to 0.8) were associated with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B was found to be associated with trying to bend or break a needle after use (OR=4.9; CI95 1 to 24).ConclusionsHealthcare workers in Pakistan are at additional risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bi-dimensional risk factors present at individual and broader health systems levels are responsible. Occupational safety, health trainings and redesigning of the curriculum for allied health professionals are required.

Quality of care provided to thalassemia patients was well below the international standards for the care of thalassemia. There is a need to take urgent action to improve quality of care in the country.

Objective: To estimate the co-morbid depression in the patients of knee osteoarthritis at the tertiary care hospital settings of Rawalpindi/Islamabad.Study Design: Cross sectional Analytical studyMethods: Data of four hundred and four patients (n=404; 307 females and 97 males) was collected. Patients were selected from the OPD of Rheumatology Units of two Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi/Islamabad and were assessed for co-morbid depression using Urdu translated Depression scale (CES-D). Basic demographical data and some variables directly having an impact with depression were assessed.Results: Frequency of co-morbid depression in osteoarthritis patients was 27.7%, of which females were 19.8% and males were 7.9%. Old age, illiteracy, rural residence, employment status, joint family system, obesity, co-morbidity with osteoarthritis, duration of disease and inability in performing routine activities were the variables positively associated with the depression (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Depression is comparatively prevalent in the osteoarthritis patients in Pakistan. Medical practitioners and rheumatologists must be vigilant about this co-morbidity and identify depression timely for the better attributions to life of the patients.