The pharmaceutical suitcase trade and the need for multisectoral regulation-unproven COVID-19 (Ivermectin and HCQ remedies unmask an insidious health danger in a Caribbean Island).

This article seeks to highlight an aspect of the illegal pharmaceutical trade in the Caribbean. With the advent of COVID-19 there has been a shortage of a number of drugs in the formal sector. This is largely due to restrictions on foreign exchange, importation delays and sensationalized reporting of unrecommended drugs having a curative effect on COVID-19 patients.

The Prevalence of Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Trinidad and Tobago.

Background: Abuse of healthcare workers (HCWs) and lack of public trust threaten the foundation of the physician-patient relationship. This growing global problem creates an even more difficult professional environment and hinders the delivery of high-quality clinical care.

Objective: The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of violence against Trinbagonian HCWs in the public sector.

Experiences with SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in Trinidad and Tobago, a small island developing state: realities and opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant global challenges that are expressed in a variety of socio-politico-economic scenarios, depending upon individual countries' preparedness and resilience. The impact COVID-19 in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), most of which are categorized as Lower and Middle-Income Countries, has been pronounced. Furthermore, many of these SIDS possess specific vulnerabilities to global threats.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Antibiotic Dispensing amongst Pharmacists in Trinidad and Tobago: Exploring a Novel Dichotomy of Antibiotic Laws.

The inappropriate consumption, use, and dispensing of antibiotics are problems faced globally, with a pattern of inappropriate consumption differing in higher-income countries due to the ease of accessibility of antibiotics. The main drivers of consumption and inappropriate use are the over-the-counter sales of antibiotics by pharmacies. Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), a twin island state in the Caribbean, has two Acts of Parliament that regulate antibiotics: the Antibiotics Act and the Food and Drug Act, yet the Over-the-Counter (OTC) sale of antibiotics still exists.

Antimicrobial Consumption from 2017 to 2021 in East Trinidad and Tobago: A Study in the English-Speaking Caribbean.

An antimicrobial consumption (AMC) study was performed in Trinidad and Tobago at the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA). A retrospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1 November 2021 to 30 March 2022. Dosage and package types of amoxicillin, azithromycin, co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nitrofurantoin and co-trimoxazole were investigated.

Leveraging research, community and collaboration towards robust COVID-19 mental health response in the Caribbean.

The CARICOM region has experienced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, one being issues surrounding mental health. This article seeks to highlight that mental health was a major issue prior to the pandemic and the situation could be potentially worst. Therefore we suggest supporting communities remains a pivotal tool in the armamentarium in dealing with diseases that have psychosocial aspects.

Assessment of Risk Factors, Prehospital Measures and Clinical Needs of Patients Admitted With Snake Envenomation at a Rural Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago.

Objective: This study assessed the risk factors for sustaining a snake bite, the prehospital measures employed, and the clinical needs of patients admitted with confirmed envenomation.

Methodology: Data was collected at a single center, a rural secondary care hospital in Trinidad and Tobago. A cross-sectional method was used that enrolled all consenting patients requiring admission following clinical confirmation of snake envenomation during the period 2017-2019.

Effect of cocoa ( L.) on platelet function testing profiles in patients with coronary artery disease: ECLAIR pilot study.

Introduction: This prospective pharmacodynamic nutraceutical study assessed the effect of a 1-week trial of 30 g/day of 65% cocoa (dark chocolate) ( L.) consumption intervention on platelet reactivity.

Methods: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (n=20) who were on maintenance dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin (ASA) 81 mg/day and clopidogrel 75 mg/day were recruited.

The Effect of Dapagliflozin on Platelet Function Testing Profiles in Diabetic Patients: The EDGE Pilot Study.

Introduction: This prospective pharmacodynamic (PD) study assessed the effect of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), dapagliflozin, on platelet reactivity.

Methods: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 27) who were on maintenance dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) of aspirin 81 mg daily, and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was evaluated with the VerifyNow™ P2Y assay (Werfen, Bedford, MA, USA) and assessed prior to initiation of and after 10 days of treatment with dapagliflozin 10 mg once-daily dose regimen.

Polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions in emergency department patients in the Caribbean.

Background Potential Drug-Drug Interactions (DDI) account for many emergency department visits. Polypharmacy, as well as herbal, over-the-counter (OTC) and combination medication may compound this, but these problems are not well researched in low-and-middle-income countries. Objective To compare the incidence of drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy in older and younger patients attending the Emergency Department (ED).