Mayyada Wazaify

The use of herbal preparations as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of patients with cancer in Jordan.

PURPOSE This study sought to describe the type, frequency, purpose and pattern of herbal preparation use as complementary medicine in a sample of patients with cancer in Jordan. METHOD The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient departments at King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), a specialist cancer centre in Amman. The method was based on using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 1138 patients with cancer were interviewed, out of which 404 (35.5%) reported using botanicals based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) primarily bought form Jordan (85.1%) and used in the crude form as infusions (73.3%). Only 6.8% used herbal products in a dosage form. Most of CAM users were above 40 years of age (63.1%). Recommendation of a friend was the main factor that prompted them to use CAM (41.8%). CONCLUSION This study revealed that CAM use is common among patients with cancer in Jordan.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among Jordanian patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE This study explores the prevalence, type, frequency, purpose and pattern of herbal preparation use as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a cohort of patients with diabetes in Jordan. METHOD The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient departments at The National Centre for Diabetes, Endocrine and Genetics (NCDEG), in Amman. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 1000 diabetes patients were interviewed. Of the participants, 16.6% (n=166) reported using herbs. Most of CAM users were in the age group 51-60 years (n=73, 44.0%) and predominantly female (59.6%). 139 of the CAM users (83.7%) had at least obtained a high school degree. The most common herbal product to be used was green tea (20.5%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed that there is an appreciable prevalence of herbal use among patients with diabetes in Jordan.

Abuse and Misuse of Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs Sold in Community Pharmacies in Jordan

The aim of this study was to investigate abuse/misuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs in community pharmacies in Jordan by random distribution of a structured questionnaire to 405 pharmacies (November 2005–January 2006). Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows (version 14.0). Most respondents (94.1%) suspected that some level of abuse/misuse occurred in their pharmacy, which was highest for decongestants, cough/cold preparations, benzodiazepines, and antibiotics. Abuse/misuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs is present in Jordan, but current methods for controlling the problem are ineffective, and better methods should be developed. The studys limitations are noted..

Physicians' perceptions, expectations, and experience with pharmacists at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicians’ perceptions, and expectations of their experiences with the pharmacists at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at HMC between January and March 2006 using a validated questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 500 physicians who were working at HMC comprising Hamad General Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Rumaila Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, and primary health centers. The questionnaire was composed of four parts, investigating the physicians’ expectations, experiences, and perceptions of the pharmacists. Results: A total of 205 questionnaires were completed (response rate 41%). A total of 183 physicians (89%) expected the pharmacist to educate patients about safe and appropriate use of drugs, whereas 118 (57%) expected the pharmacist to be available for health-care team consultation during bedside rounds. The indices of physicians showing how comfortable they were with pharmacists, and their expectations of pharmacists, were 61% and 65%, respectively, whereas the index on experience of physicians with pharmacists was lower (15%). Conclusions: Physicians were comfortable with pharmacists and had high expectations of pharmacists in performing their duties. However, physicians reported a poor experience with pharmacists, who infrequently informed them about the effectiveness of alternative drugs, patients experiencing problems with prescribed medications, and who took personal responsibility to resolve any drug-related problem.

Perceptions and attitudes of Jordanian paediatricians towards off-label paediatric prescribing

Objective To assess current experiences and attitudes of hospital based paediatricians towards off-label medicine prescribing. Setting Paediatric hospital wards and out-patient clinics. Design A prospective, questionnaire based study. Results A 30 item questionnaire was sent to 300 hospital based paediatricians and 250 (83%) were returned completed. Over 69% of responders were familiar with the term off-label medicines. However, only 28% were knowingly prescribing off-label medicines to children. The majority of respondents (90%) expressed concerns about the safety and efficacy of off-label medicines. Only 15% had observed Adverse Drug Reactions, and 31% a treatment failure. The vast majority of respondents (83%) did not obtain informed consent or tell parents they were prescribing off label medicines to their children. Conclusions Off-label prescribing of medicines to children is a familiar concept to the majority of paediatricians in Jordan although only a smaller number are aware that it is common in their practice. Respondents showed concern about off label prescribing, although the majority do not consider it necessary to inform parents. More comprehensive research is needed in this area in Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries.

Drug information resources at community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the drug information resources available in community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan.

Evaluation of Outpatient-Pharmacists' Counseling Behavior and Content in a Teaching Hospital in Jordan- An Observational Study

Pharmacists do have a unique opportunity to educate patients about their medications in order to identify, prevent and manage any potential problems they may have faced. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the counseling behavior and content by pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in a sample of outpatient pharmacies in a teaching hospital in Jordan. The study was conducted in 6 outpatient pharmacies at the participating hospital; Endocrinology, Cardiology, Respiratory, Pediatrics, Family Medicine and Emergency staff. The study consisted of observing 60 patient-pharmacist/assistant interactions behaviors and counseling content (if exists) in 6 different outpatient pharmacies at the participating hospital. Observations were conducted by a trained researcher using a pre-validated and piloted data collection form. Out of the 60 observed interactions, only 18 interactions involved patient counseling, the type of which was both verbal and written. The initiator of counseling in 44.4% of the cases was the patient. More than 2/3 (70.0 %) of provided information to patients in all interactions was conducted using written labels only. The overall observed rate of counseling at the participating hospital pharmacies is low. There is a need to train pharmacists to offer more counseling to patients and have better communication and counseling skills.

Storage and wastage of drug products in Jordanian households: a cross‐sectional survey

Appropriate household storage and use of drug products can reduce drug wastage and unnecessary hazards. We aimed to quantify the amounts and types of medications that were stored in Jordanian households and the extent of drug wastage in terms of the amount and cost of these medications.

Jordanian community pharmacists’ experience regarding prescription and nonprescription drug abuse and misuse in Jordan – An update

ABSTRACT Background: The problem of prescription and nonprescription drug abuse and misuse is well known worldwide. It has been 8 years since this problem has been investigated in Jordan. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the abuse/misuse of drugs sold with or without a prescription in community pharmacies in Jordan in 2014 and to document any changes that may have aroused in the past 8 years. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire based on one used previously in 2006 was sent to a stratified random sample of 320 community pharmacies. Data were managed and analyzed in SPSS. Results: A total of 290 questionnaires were completed (response rate = 92.4%). The pharmacists named 727 nonprescription and 372 prescription drugs as being suspected of abuse, each classified into 6 categories. New products have appeared on the list such as: ophthalmic drops (n = 39, 13.4%) and the anti-epileptic; Lyrica (pregabalin; n = 19, 6.5%). Other drugs previously on the 2008 list like misoprostol have retracted in 2014 (from 7.1% to 1.3%). Conclusion: Patterns of suspected prescription and nonprescription drug abuse/misuse have slightly changed in Jordan over time, with new drugs emerging and previous ones disappearing from the list.

Ophthalmic drops abuse in community pharmacy setting: A cross-sectional study from Jordan

ABSTRACT Background: The abuse of ophthalmic medications is rare and under-researched worldwide. Ophthalmic antimiscarinic drugs are abused by people who seek to feel euphoria or induce hallucinations. This is the first study of its kind in Jordan to investigate the abuse of ophthalmic drugs. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the abuse of ophthalmic drugs sold with or without a prescription in community pharmacies in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured, validated, and piloted questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was delivered by hand to a sample of community pharmacists working in four cities in Jordan. Data were managed and analyzed in SPSS. Results: A total of 220 questionnaires were completed (response rate = 95.8%). A total of 178 respondents (80.9%) reported ophthalmic drug abuse. Respondents indicated that most of the ophthalmic products requests were not accompanied by prescriptions (n = 136; 61.8%). The respondents identified five nonprescription and two prescription-only ophthalmic drugs that they believed to be commonly abused. Conclusions: Abuse of ophthalmic drugs is prevalent and perceived to be possibly escalating in the community pharmacy setting in Jordan. Research into methods to effectively deal with such drug abuse is needed and legislation that would require stricter inspections of pharmacies should be enacted.