Medication use review: does it have a future and potential in Latvia? The opinion of pharmacists after the pilot project.

Background: Given that the Medication Use Review (MUR) can be used as a tool to improve the quality, safety, and appropriate use of medications, it has been implemented in several countries around the world. The MUR pilot project was carried out in Latvia, followed by this study to identify obstacles, favorable factors, and benefits of this service from the perspective of pharmacists, being one of the key stakeholders.

Methods: Qualitative data were obtained through a semi-structured focus group interview with pharmacists participating in the project.

Correction to: Medical, pharmacy and nursing students in the Baltic countries: interactions with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that the publication is missing a link to the data repository.

Medical, pharmacy and nursing students in the Baltic countries: interactions with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Background: Interactions between pharmaceutical and medical device industries and students can lead to commercial influences on educational messages, with a potential to bias future treatment choice. This is the first study in the Baltic countries describing exposure and attitudes of medical, pharmacy and nursing students towards cooperation with industry.

Methods: A cross-sectional on-line survey of current medical, pharmacy and nursing students (n = 918) in three Baltic countries was carried out.

Use of generic medicines in Latvia: awareness, opinions and experiences of the population.

Background: To stimulate use of generic medicines a combination of supply and demand side mechanisms are employed in the Latvian reimbursement system. It is reported that patients have high out-of-pocket pharmaceutical spending and that they overpay by not choosing generic medicines. Patient preferences may be an important obstacle in implementing generic policy.

Disease awareness campaigns in printed and online media in Latvia: cross-sectional study on consistency with WHO ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion and European standards.

Background: European legislation prohibits direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines, but allows drug manufacturers to provide information to the public on health and diseases. Our aim was to measure the frequency of disease awareness campaigns in Latvian media and assess their compliance with international and European standards.

Methods: Materials on health/disease and treatments were collected between April and September 2015 from 12 newspapers and magazines and six online portals.

'I had to help my child!': The role of emotions, risk, and trust in use of nasal decongestants in children.

Recent studies suggest that a number of common cold medicines, including nasal decongestants are not suitable for small children. In Latvia nasal decongestants are primarily over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and patient information leaflets generally permit use of these medicines for small children. The previous studies in Latvia investigating the use of medicines in cases of common cold demonstrated extensive use of decongestants in children less than six years of age, marking a necessity for more profound research.