Vol. 1 No. 10 (2012): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy


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Published: October 2012

In this issue:

  • Assessment of Malaysian Clinical Practice Guideline
  • Evaluation of Tablet Splitting Practice Among Malaysian Community Pharmacists
  • Stability of Folic Acid in an Extemporaneously Prepared Oral Suspension
  • Self-Medication Practice Among Malaysian Consumer – a Questionnaire-Based Study

Supplement

  • Abstracts From the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society
    Pharmacy Scientific Conference 2012

Assessment of Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines

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    Abstract

    The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) coordinates the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) in Malaysia, in collaboration with the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM). This study assessed the methodological quality of 29 Malaysian national CPGs which were developed since 2000 to 2003 using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) Instrument. The study showed high score for only domains on Scope & Purpose as well as Clarity & Presentation (68%, 75% respectively).

    Evaluation of the Tablet Splitting Practices among Malaysian Community Pharmacists

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      Abstract

      Tablet splitting practices have been shown to reduce the medication cost in many countries. This study was aimed to evaluate the tablet splitting practices among community pharmacists in Penang, Malaysia. A two-month cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out in forty randomly chosen community pharmacies in Penang. The pharmacists were required to document all their tablet splitting recommendations during the study period. The data collected includes the appropriateness of the tablet splitting recommendations by pharmacists; the extent of communication between pharmacists and physicians when recommending tablet splitting; the physicians‟ and patients‟ acceptance towards the tablet splitting; and the documentation of cost-saving achieved from the tablet splitting. The result showed that the tablet splitting was recommended by 31.0% of the pharmacists who receives prescriptions eligible for this practice. Tablets of patent- protected innovator brands were more likely to be recommended for splitting. Majority (92.9%) of the splitting recommendations were appropriate except two cases which involve unscored combination tablet. The pharmacists requested consent from the physicians for 42.9% of the splitting recommendations and majority (91.7%) of the requests were accepted. Meanwhile, the patients‟ acceptance rate for splitting recommendation was 82.1%. Through acceptance of tablet-splitting, the patients‟ monthly expenses on drugs reduced by 36.5% and this correspond to a monthly saving of RM39.05 (US$10.30, US$1.00 = RM 3.80) per patient. The study concluded that the tablet splitting is not a common practice among the community pharmacists, however both the physicians and patients highly accept pharmacists‟ suggestion on splitting. The findings also revealed that tablet splitting can be used as a cost-containment measure for patient as well.

      Stability of Folic Acid in an Extemporaneously Prepared Oral Suspension

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        Abstract

        Many drugs are not available in suitable dosage forms for paediatric use and have to be extemporaneously prepared by pharmacist for the individual patient. This study is conducted to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological stability of an extemporaneous oral suspension containing 1mg/ml of folic acid. The oral suspension was prepared using commercially available tablets and vehicle from the hospital. The folic acid oral suspension was stored for 60 days at 4°C (refrigeration) and 25°C (room temperature) protected from light. The physical, chemical and microbial stability were examined at day 0, 14, 28 and 60. The content of folic acid was determined using HPLC- UV method. The analytical results showed that the content of folic acid was above 90% in all the samples tested throughout the study period. The visual appearance, colour, odour and pH remained fairly unchanged throughout the study period and the oral suspension was not susceptible to microbial contamination. The results indicated that the extemporaneous formulation was stable at both temperatures and 60 days expiration date could be recommended for this formulation.

        Self-medication practices among Malaysian consumer: A questionnaire- based study

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          Abstract

          This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of self-medication practice among Malaysian consumers who visit to community pharmacies. The data was collected using structured questionnaires which were randomly distributed to 500 consumers who visited to 10 conveniently selected community pharmacies in Sungai Petani, Kedah between August to October 2007. Out of the 500 questionnaire distributed, 105 responses were received for a response rate of 21.0%. Approximately 45% of the respondents have practiced self-medication in the preceding six months. The respondents mainly practiced self-medication for fever (35.2%), colds and flu (35.2%) and cough (31.4%). The most popular classes of medicines used by the consumers were analgesic/NSAIDs (32.4%), cold and flu medicines (23.8%) and antacids (18.1%). Only 27.6% of respondents were confident in self-managing medications or dietary supplements. The consumers mostly agreed that more advice on medications should be given by pharmacist (75.2%) and pharmacist has high level of professionalism on medication (65.7%). The study concluded that the practice of self-medication mostly involved management of minor ailments using non-prescription and over-the-counter medicines.