Pharmacist supply of non-prescription sildenafil in Norway: a simulated patient mixed-method study.

Background: Pharmacist supply of non-prescription sildenafil was initiated in Norway in 2019, and continuous evaluation of the service is warranted.

Objectives: To map how the service checklist is used, evaluate the counselling and information given in consultations, get an insight into pharmacist assessments during consultations, and explore the pharmacists' experiences with the service.

Methods: A mixed-method approach of simulated patient visits with feedback combined with qualitative interviews was used.

Risk of antidepressant initiation among users of cardiovascular agents and metformin. Findings from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) and Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), Norway: Findings from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) and Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), Norway.

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are risk factors for depression, yet the relationship between the drug treatments for these diseases and the risk of antidepressant initiation remains unclear. This study aimed to examine possible associations between the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), beta-blockers (BB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), diuretics, or metformin and risk of antidepressant initiation. The Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3), Norway, was linked to the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD).

Associations of Cardiovascular Agents and Metformin with Depression Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the HUNT Study, Norway.

Background: Cardiovascular agents, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor inhibitors, acetylsalicylic acid, statins, and metformin, have demonstrated benefits for depression. However, there is scant evaluation of these drugs' antidepressant properties in large population settings.

Objective: This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations between depression symptoms and the use of cardiovascular agents and metformin in populations with cardiovascular diseases or diabetes mellitus.

Older Adults Living in Sheltered Housing's Experiences of Involvement in Pro Re Nata Decisions. A Narrative Positioning Analysis.

Decisions regarding pro re nata medications might be challenging due to the complex nature of the practice. The aim of this study was to expand our understanding of the experiences of older people living in sheltered housings with regard to shared decision-making concerning pro re nata medications. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with residents living in Norwegian sheltered housings.

Psychological Distress and Use of Psychotropic Drugs Among University Students-the SHoT Study, Norway.

Students pursuing higher education are struggling with psychological distress, which in turn may negatively affect their academic self-efficacy and study progress. Although psychotropic drug use is widespread and increasing, patterns of psychotropic drug use among students are not well-known. To describe prevalence and gender differences in psychotropic drug use among Norwegian students in higher education, and to examine associations with level of psychological distress.

Prevalence trends of depression and anxiety symptoms in adults with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes 1995-2019: The HUNT studies, Norway.

Background: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in adults with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes mellitus (DM). The literature on depression and anxiety in CVDs and DM populations is extensive; however, studies examining these relationships over time, directly compared to adults without these conditions, are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate trends in depression and anxiety symptom prevalence over more than 20 years in adults with CVDs and DM compared to the general population.

Experiences and perceptions of foreign-language customers on medication information received in the pharmacy - a focus group study.

Background: In pharmacies, communication is essential for providing information about medicine and counselling customers on the correct use of medications. Previous studies have described pharmacists experiencing language and cultural barriers in communication with foreign-language (FL) customers.

Objective: This study aimed to explore FL customer experiences and perceptions of medication information received in the pharmacy.

'To give or not to give medication, that is the question.' Healthcare personnel's perceptions of factors affecting pro re nata medication in sheltered housing for older adults - a focus-group interview study.

Background: Residents living in sheltered housing depend on help from healthcare personnel (HCP) with medication management, regarding regular long-term and pro re nata (PRN) medication. The HCP assess the need for PRN medication prior to administration to the residents. The purpose of this study was to describe HCP's perceptions of factors affecting PRN medication management in sheltered housing for older adults.

Impact of pictograms on medication adherence: A systematic literature review.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the potential effect of pictograms on patient adherence to medication therapies.

Method: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL were searched for relevant articles. Experimental studies testing the use of pictograms in patient counselling regarding medication therapy, which quantitatively measured adherence, were included.

PRN Medicines Management for Psychotropic Medicines in Long-Term Care Settings: A Systematic Review.

Many medications are prescribed and administered PRN (, as needed). However, there are few integrative reviews to inform PRN psychotropic medication use in long-term care facilities and nursing or care homes. Accordingly, this integrative systematic review aimed to improve our understanding of PRN medicines management with a focus on psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, sedatives, anxiolytics, and hypnotics) in long-term care settings.

Adverse Drug Reactions in Norway: A Systematic Review.

Prescription medicines aim to relieve patients' suffering but they can be associated with adverse side effects or adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs are an important cause of hospital admissions and a financial burden on healthcare systems across the globe. There is little integrative and collective knowledge on ADR reporting and monitoring in the Norwegian healthcare system.

PCR-based plasmid typing in Enterococcus faecium strains reveals widely distributed pRE25-, pRUM-, pIP501- and pHTbeta-related replicons associated with glycopeptide resistance and stabilizing toxin-antitoxin systems.

A PCR-based typing scheme was applied to identify plasmids in an epidemiologically and geographically diverse strain collection of Enterococcus faecium (n=93). Replicon types of pRE25 (n=56), pRUM (n=41), pIP501 (n=17) and pHTbeta (n=14) were observed in 83% of the strains, while pS86, pCF10, pAM373, pMBB1 or pEF418 were not detected. Furthermore, 61% of the strains contained the axe-txe (n=42) or/and the omega-epsilon-zeta (n=18) plasmid stabilization loci.