Asra Hameed

Knowledge of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Pharmacy Students

A motor neuron disease, known as (ALS) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in which neuronal muscles becomes atrophic. There is a loss of control of the brain on voluntary muscles occurs. Signs and symptoms of the disease vary according to the condition of a patient. There is no specific diagnostic test and treatment yet for this disease. Our survey aimed to find out its awareness among the university students of Karachi, Pakistan. Data of 50 university students was collected and analyzed. A cross-sectional and random method was used to collect data. Different questions were asked the awareness regarding the disease among university students. Only 10% students have basic information regarding this disease. 2% students have information about the signs and symptoms, 2% students have information about the diagnosis, and 4% students have information regarding the treatment strategies of this motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in our survey. This survey proved that there is no awareness about ALS or only a negligible awareness among university students in the Karachi city. Even there were many students who heard this term “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)” first time in their lives.

Consumption of Tea in Professionals and Non-professionals

Tea is an important part of our daily life and culture. People consume it for refreshment especially during breakfast or after breakfast. It tastes good and is the cheapest drink consumed worldwide. It contains fluoride which is very helpful in our physiological and some of the pathological conditions. It also contains caffeine, which is a CNS stimulant and causes addiction of it. Now it has become a need for its users due to its addiction. Our study aimed to find out its consumption and its addiction in different age groups and genders belonging to different professions. A cross-sectional method was used to collect data from different universities, offices and other public places in Karachi city. According to our survey tea consumption is prevalent among all age groups. 2-3 cups of tea is the mostly consumed amount of tea. People (around 49%) mostly consume 2-3cups of tea daily. The consumption of tea is more prevalent in males than in females. It causes addiction so the common symptoms found in people were headache and sedation. Tea consumption in the professional class is greater as compared to the non-professionals. While some other consume tea but they are not addicted of it. According to our survey 17% people had never consumed tea.

Pharmaceutical Equivalent Study of Losartan Potassium Formulation available in Karachi, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to check pharmaceutical equivalence of altered brands of Losartan Potassium tablets available in Karachi, Pakistan. Two different brands of Losartan Potassium tablets (50 mg) were investigated in the study. Five Quality Control (QC) parameters: Weight variation, thickness test, hardness, friability and disintegration tests were carried out as specified by BP/USP (British Pharmacopoeia and United State Pharmacopoeia). The result of study revealed that all above mentioned tests are in accordance with BP/USP. Both brands of Losartan Potassium tablets are Pharmaceutical Equivalent.

Awareness about Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma or glioblastoma multiforme abbreviated as GBM is the most common and most aggressive type of glioma. Glioblastoma tumors arise from astrocytes (star shaped cell) that make glue like tissues of the brain. Astrocytomas are a type of cancer of the brain and GBM is grade four tumors & the most malignant form of astrocytoma. Our survey aimed to find out its awareness among the pharmacy undergraduates at Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan. A random and cross-sectional method was to collect the data in the month of May- June, 2014. After our survey we have concluded that the awareness of glioblastoma multiforme is very less in pharmacy undergraduates. There were only 12% students who know about the glioblastoma multiforme. There were only 3% students who know about the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, whereas only 2% pharmacy undergraduates who knows the types of glioblastoma multiforme, difference between primary and secondary type of glioblastoma multiforme and the causes of glioblastoma multiforme. This result shows that almost there is no awareness about the grade 4 tumor, glioblastoma multiforme.