Implementation of virtual clinical pharmacy services by incorporating medical professionals and pharmacy students: A novel patient-oriented system to advance healthcare in India.

The healthcare sector is continuously evolving in pace to meet the medical needs of the society. Even though therapeutic reforms are happening, medication discrepancies are the prime cause of hospitalization. This has generated an invincible demand for clinical pharmacy services.

Tobacco use and clinical leukoplakia lesions among south Indian tribes.

Objectives: Leukoplakia is a white mucosal thickening and perhaps undermining change in the oral mucosa transcendently found in tobacco users. Since the tobacco utilization is extensively higher with the indigenous groups in the Asia Pacific locale, the current examination implicated the prevalence of tobacco consumption and leukoplakial lesions and the relationship between the two.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through six tribal hamlets of Chithalayath Forest range at Wayanad district of Kerala, South India.

Tenofovir-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a patient with acute hepatitis B: A rare case report.

Objective: To report a rare case of a hepatitis B patient who developed the Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) secondary to tenofovir use.

Case Summary: A 61-year-old woman presented with complaints of jaundice, difficulty in swallowing, and burning sensation all over the body along with erythematous polymorphic rash on the face, upper limbs, and trunk. She was diagnosed with SJS secondary to tenofovir.

Clopidogrel-induced hemarthrosis following knee replacement.

Background Clopidogrel is an adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist used in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease to reduce the incidence of ischemic events. Case Presentation A 62-year-old woman developed a spontaneous hemarthrosis of her left knee following clopidogrel treatment. To date, no case of spontaneous hemarthrosis following clopidogrel monotherapy was reported.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Regarding Topical Corticosteroids in a Sample of Pharmacy Students: A Cross Sectional Survey.

Introduction And Background: The abuse and misuse of topical corticosteroids, especially over the face, is an increasing problem encountered by dermatologists in India. Lack of patient awareness and the ease of obtaining topical corticosteroids without a prescription are important underlying factors. As the first point of contact, the pharmacist has an important role in controlling topical corticosteroid abuse.

Prevalence and antibiotic utilization pattern of uropathogens causing community-acquired urinary tract infection in Kerala, India.

Background: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 6 months among the inpatients and outpatients in the departments of general medicine, urology, obstetrics, and gynecology of a tertiary level referral hospital in south Malabar region of Kerala to assess the prevalence of various bacterial isolates and their changing susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and to evaluate the pattern of antibiotic utilization in urinary tract infection (UTI).

Methods: A total of 680 samples were analyzed from December 2015 to May 2016; among them, only 74 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of the 74 patients, 53 were female and 21 were male.

Prevalence, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The widespread misuse of antibiotics over the past several decades has been regarded as the contributing factor in the development of resistance toward them. Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes produced by certain bacteria that can make them resistant to certain antibiotics. Early detection of ESBL strains and judicious use of antibiotics and proper implementation of infection control strategies are essential to prevent the spread of this threat in the community.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and management practices of acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: A prospective study of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), who met the inclusion criteria, was carried out. It was conducted in the cardiology department of tertiary care referral hospital in Kerala. An attempt was made to identify and determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients presenting with ACS and to evaluate the current treatment practice pattern of ACS and to compare it with standard treatment guidelines, thereby improving the quality of life of patients.

Identification and evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in hospitalized geriatric patients using Beers criteria.

Background: The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in geriatric patients using Beers criteria and also to identify adverse drug events (ADEs) due to PIMs and various drug-drug interactions.

Methods: The medications in the prescriptions of patients above 60 years of age, their dosage regimen respective of their diagnosis were analyzed. Each medication was then checked with Beers list tables, and any medication if mentioned in the Beers list, was noted along with its strength of recommendation and quality of evidence.

A prospective drug use evaluation of antihypertensive drugs in in-patients of a tertiary referral care hospital.

Background: Hypertension is a chronic illness associated with high morbidity and mortality. Once hypertension is diagnosed, starting antihypertensive therapy on a long-term basis along with regular follow up is important. Standardizing treatment guidelines and conducting drug utilization studies at regular intervals help physicians to prescribe drugs rationally.

Drug use evaluation of diabetes mellitus in hospitalized patients of a tertiary care referral hospital.

Background: Many drugs are available for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and are sometimes prescribed in combination. Irrational use of drugs is increasing expenditure and strain on health budgets. The aim of this study was to determine patient demographic characteristics, analyze prescription patterns of antidiabetic drugs, distribution of complications of diabetes, distribution of co-existing illnesses, distribution of common symptoms of diabetes and distribution of adverse drug reactions.