Empowering students in curriculum design and pedagogy: Perceptions of pharmacy students as partners; A qualitative study.

Introduction: The concept of "Students as Partners" (SaP) in curriculum design and pedagogy marks a significant shift towards relational pedagogical approaches in higher education. This study explored pharmacy students' perceptions of the SaP approach, focusing on their involvement in curriculum design and the perceived benefits and challenges of such partnerships.

Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, utilising one-on-one interviews with pharmacy students at a university in Malaysia.

Perspectives of Malaysian community pharmacists on challenges and barriers to smoking cessation programme: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Smoking remains a significant public health concern, necessitating effective smoking cessation interventions. This study explores the barriers community pharmacists face in delivering smoking cessation services in Malaysia and potential solutions to improve their contribution to public health.

Methods: This qualitative study employed purposive and snowball sampling to recruit community pharmacists in Malaysia.

The Therapeutic Effects of Probiotic on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Lupus Mice Models: A Systematic Review.

Increasing evidence suggests the beneficial immunomodulatory effects of probiotics can reduce inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, there is no summary of the existing evidence available. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of probiotics on SLE in a lupus mouse model by examining various markers, including inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells, disease activity, and gut microbiota.

Perspectives of community pharmacists on extended pharmacy services and value-added services in Malaysia: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate patterns of extended pharmacy services (EPS) provided by Malaysian community pharmacists and their willingness to provide value-added services (VAS) in addition to EPS. Additionally, this study examined the barriers to the effective implementation of these two services.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among community pharmacists in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Empowering Sustainable Growth and Workforce: Unveiling Challenges and Strategies for Retaining Community Pharmacists in Malaysia.

Background: Community pharmacists face challenges in job retention due to compensation, work-life balance, and career growth concerns. With pharmacists' evolving roles in healthcare, retaining them becomes crucial for maintaining quality service. Addressing their needs is vital for a skilled healthcare workforce.

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF ANTIVIRAL AGENTS FOR PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF HERPES LABIALIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND NETWORK META-ANALYSIS.

Objective: To compare the relative efficacy and safety of antiviral agents used in the prevention and management of herpes labialis through a network meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in Ovid Medline PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting a comparison of antiviral agents in the management and prevention of herpes labialis in healthy/immunocompetent adults.

A Comprehensive Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and the Management of Herpes Labialis.

Herpes labialis remains exceedingly prevalent and is one of the most common human viral infections throughout the world. Recurrent herpes labialis evolves from the initial viral infection by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) which subsequently presents with or without symptoms. Reactivation of this virus is triggered by psychosocial factors such as stress, febrile environment, ultraviolet light susceptibility, or specific dietary inadequacy.

Comparative Efficacy of Interventions for the Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic premalignant condition and is characterized by fibroblastic change of lamina propria and stiffness of oral mucosa. Though there are several treatment options available, the best agent is not yet identified. This study assessed the comparative efficacy and safety of medical interventions in the management of OSMF.

Emergency Preparedness for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Determinants Predicting the Community Pharmacists' Preparedness and Perceived Response in Malaysia.

Background: Pandemic preparedness of healthcare providers helps to mitigate future threats such as spread and fatality rates, as well as the management of the disease. Pharmacists are key partners with public health agencies, and the role of community pharmacists is becoming increasingly recognised in this COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to explore the emergency preparedness of community pharmacists (CPs) for COVID-19.

Management of Medicines Wastage, Returned Medicines and Safe Disposal in Malaysian Community Pharmacies: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: In supplying medicines to patients and consumers waste can occur in prescribing, dispensing, and leftover stages. Pharmacists in community pharmacies play a crucial role in dispensing and should share information on appropriate medicines disposal with consumers. This qualitative study explored how Malaysian community pharmacists manage medication wastage, returned medicines, and medicines disposal by eliciting their opinions on medicines wastage, the challenges faced, and feasibility of medicine return and safe medicine disposal in the setting of Malaysian community pharmacy.

Genetic biomarkers in multiple sclerosis: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is multifactorial in nature, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease risk. In this umbrella review, we aimed to summarize various non-HLA genes that have been investigated for their association with MS risk in meta-analyses (MAs) of observational studies.

Methods: Medline, Embase, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for MAs up to July 2021.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Antifungal Agents in the Prophylaxis of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis among HIV-Infected Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of antifungal agents used in the prevention of oropharyngeal candidiasis among HIV-infected adults. A systematic search was conducted in four databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Embase) for eligible randomized control trials (RCTs). The network meta-analyses (NMA) were performed using a random-effects model.

Determination of pharmacy students' patient safety approach using the theory of planned behaviour: a mixed-method study.

Objectives: To investigate pharmacy students' attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intentions and their behaviour towards patient safety using a theory of planned behaviour framework.

Design: Mixed-methods research.

Setting: Private university in Malaysia.

Comparative Efficacy of Antifungal Agents Used in the Treatment of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis among HIV-Infected Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this study was to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of different antifungal agents used for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in adult patients with HIV. A systematic search was performed on the four major databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and Scopus) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of antifungal agents in HIV patients with OPC. A network meta-analysis was performed from the data extracted from the selected studies.

Efficacy of Oral Cryotherapy in the Prevention of Oral Mucositis Associated with Cancer Chemotherapy: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

Background: This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral cryotherapy in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis using meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, as well as to assess the quality of the results by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Methods: A comprehensive search of three databases including Medline, Embase and Central was performed to identify randomized controlled trials that used oral cryotherapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. The primary outcome was the incidence of oral mucositis for trials employing oral cryotherapy as the intervention for the prevention of oral mucositis.

Use of Psychotropic "Pro Re Nata" Medications by Patients Attending the Outpatient Clinic in a Hospital: A Qualitative Exploration.

Administration of psychotropic (PRN) medications is influenced by diverse factors such as legal use of PRN medications, the attitude of patients, personal bias, and stigma toward such medication use. While PRN prescriptions increase the efficiency of care and encourage patients to participate in self-care, the use of psychotropic PRN medications by outpatients has raised concerns about its risks of harm, especially for the outpatients. This study explored the use of psychotropic PRN medications by patients attending the outpatient clinic in a hospital.

Efficacy of Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Cancer Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis.

Oral mucositis is a debilitating complication of chemotherapy, characterized by erythema, ulcers and oedema of the oral mucosa. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Photobiomodulation in the treatment of oral mucositis using meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, and also to assess the quality of the results by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). A comprehensive search of three databases, including Embase, Medline and Central, was performed to identify randomized controlled trials studying the efficacy of Photobiomodulation in the treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Impact of Pharmacists' Interventions and Patients' Decision on Health Outcomes in Terms of Medication Adherence and Quality Use of Medicines among Patients Attending Community Pharmacies: A Systematic Review.

Community pharmacists are responsible for providing the appropriate information on the use of medications to patients, which may enhance their medication adherence. The extent of control that patients have on their health care preferences creates many challenges for community pharmacists. This study aimed to determine the impact of pharmacist interventions and patient decisions on health outcomes concerning medication adherence and the quality use of medicines among patients attending community pharmacies.

Effects of qigong on systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: The benefits of qigong for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) reduction have been noted in previously published systematic reviews; however, the data on its effectiveness has been at best scarce. We aimed to update the evidence of qigong on blood pressure reduction after taking into consideration the risks of random error and reliability of data in the cumulative meta-analysis using trial sequential analysis (TSA).

Methods: Included trials were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias instrument.

Antiviral Agents for the Prevention and Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Infection in Clinical Oncology: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Cancer therapy may be complicated and compromised by viral infections, including oral herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. This network meta-analysis aimed to identify the best antiviral agent to prevent or treat oral HSV infection in patients being treated for cancer. A search was conducted for trials published since inception until the 10th of May 2020 in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Social Determinants Predicting the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Women Toward Zika Virus Infection.

To investigate the factors predicting knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) toward Zika virus infection among women population in Cebu City, Philippines. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2018 to May 2018. Ethical practices were followed.

Impact of oral mucositis on quality of life in patients undergoing oncological treatment: a systematic review.

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most prominent side effects of cancer treatment and is believed to have a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of the affected patients. However, measurements for the investigation of OM is plagued by heterogeneity in symptoms that varies with the type of cancer or the treatment. We aimed to carry out a qualitative assessment of the current evidence on the impact of OM on QoL in patients undergoing oncologic treatment.

Zika Outbreak Emergency Preparedness and Response of Malaysian Private Healthcare Professionals: Are They Ready?

Zika virus has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines reminding healthcare workers about the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of Zika virus, how to test and isolate patients suspected of carrying the Zika virus, and how to protect themselves from infection. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for healthcare professionals to be fully aware of Zika virus preparedness, and response measures should an outbreak occur in Malaysia in order to quickly and efficiently contain the outbreak, ensure the safety of individual or healthcare personnel safety, as well as to prevent further spreading of the disease.