Impact of a pharmaceutical care programme for patients with chronic disease initiated at the emergency department on drug-related negative outcomes: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The resolution of potential drug-related problems is a priority of pharmaceutical care programmes.

Objectives: To assess the clinical impact on drug-related negative outcomes of a pharmaceutical care programme focusing on the resolution of potential drug-related problems, initiated in the emergency department for patients with heart failure (HF) and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Controlled trials, in which older adults (≥65 years) receiving four or more medications admitted to the emergency department for ≥12 hours for worsening of HF and/or COPD were randomised (1:1) to either a pharmaceutical care programme focusing on resolving potential drug-related problems initiated at the emergency department (intervention group (IG)) or standard care (control group).

[The clinical relevance of drug interactions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: update 2009-2014].

Objective: To update information about drug interactions in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Comprehensive literature review in MEDLINE/PubMed database from May of 2009 to December of 2014, using the Mesh terms: Anti-retroviral agents and drug interactions or herb-drug interactions or food-drug interactions. Publications with drug interactions in humans, in English or Spanish, and with full text were retrieved.

Effectiveness of the Dader Method for Pharmaceutical Care on Patients with Bipolar I Disorder: Results from the EMDADER-TAB Study.

Background: Bipolar I disorder (BD-I) is a chronic illness characterized by relapses alternating with periods of remission. Pharmacists can contribute to improved health outcomes in these patients through pharmaceutical care in association with a multidisciplinary health team; however, more evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is needed to demonstrate the effect of pharmaceutical care on patients with BD-I.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical intervention using the Dader Method on patients with BD-I, measured by the decrease in the number of hospitalizations, emergency service consultations, and unscheduled outpatient visits from baseline through 1 year of follow-up.

[Reliability and external validity of a questionnaire to assess the knowledge about risk and cardiovascular disease and in patients attending Spanish community pharmacies].

Objectives: To determine the test-retest reliability of a questionnaire, with a validation preliminary, to assess knowledge of cardiovascular risk (CVR) and cardiovascular disease in patients attending community pharmacies in Spain. To complement the external validity, establishing the relationship between an educational activity and the increase in knowledge about CVR and cardiovascular disease.

Design: Sub-analysis of a controlled clinical study, EMDADER-CV, in which a questionnaire about knowledge concerning CVR was applied at 4 different times.

Prevalence and detection of neuropsychiatric adverse effects during hepatitis C treatment.

Background: Current treatment combinations for chronic hepatitis C virus infection still include pegylated interferon and ribavirin despite the new therapeutic options available. Interferon-based treatments are associated with a high incidence of adverse effects. Central nervous system events are among the most frequent adverse drug reactions and their influence on treatment adherence and effectiveness is controversial.

Effect of a pharmacist intervention on asthma control. A cluster randomised trial.

Introduction: Achievement and maintenance of good asthma control is a major objective in asthma management. However, asthma control in many patients is suboptimal, due to improper use of asthma medications and non-adherence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pharmacist intervention on asthma control in adult patients.

Impact of a community pharmacists' hypertension-care service on medication adherence. The AFenPA study.

Background: One of the main factors associated with the inadequacy of blood pressure control is patients' non-adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy.

Objectives: To determine the effect of an intervention program on antihypertensive medication adherence in the community pharmacy setting.

Methods: Treated hypertensive patients were enrolled in a 6-month controlled study involving thirteen Spanish community pharmacies.

Effect of a pharmacist intervention in Spanish community pharmacies on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.

Purpose: The effect of a protocol-based pharmacist intervention on blood pressure (BP) control among treated hypertensive patients who use community pharmacies was studied.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted at 13 community pharmacies in Jaén and Granada in Spain. Hypertensive patients over age 18 years who were receiving antihypertensive treatment were eligible for participation.

The antioxidant effect of β-caryophyllene protects rat liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation.

Plant-based whole foods provide thousands of bioactive metabolites to the human diet that reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. β-Caryophyllene (CAR) is a common constituent of the essential oil of numerous plants, vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs, and has been used as a flavouring agent since the 1930 s. Here, we report the antioxidant activity of CAR, its protective effect on liver fibrosis and its inhibitory capacity on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation.

Terms used in patient safety related to medication: a literature review.

Purpose: There is a lack of homogeneity in the terminology used in the context of patient safety related to medication. The aim of this review was to identify the terms and definitions used in patient safety related to medication within the scientific literature.

Methods: Original and review articles that were indexed between 1998 and 2008 in MEDLINE and EMBASE and contained terms used in patient safety related to medication were included.

Effectiveness of Dader Method for pharmaceutical care on control of blood pressure and total cholesterol in outpatients with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk: EMDADER-CV randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although some studies have demonstrated that pharmacist intervention can improve drug therapy among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), more evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is needed, including assessment of the effect of community pharmacist interventions in patients with CVD.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the Dader Method for pharmaceutical care on achieving therapeutic goals for blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), and both BP and TC (BP/TC) in patients with CVD and/or high or intermediate cardiovascular (CV) risk attending community pharmacies in Spain.

Methods: Patients aged 25 to 74 years attending community pharmacies with a prescription for at least 1 drug indicated for CVD or CV risk factors were randomized to 2 groups: an intervention group that received pharmaceutical care, which was provided by specially trained pharmacists working in collaboration with physicians, and a control group that received usual care (routine dispensing counseling) and verbal and written counseling regarding CVD prevention.

[Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for clinical decisions making].

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in hypertensive patients. ABMP is a technique in which multiple blood pressure (BP) measurements are taken over a 24-48-hour period, providing a continuous BP record during the patient's normal daily activities. By more reliably measuring BP, ABPM has been shown to be a better predictor of end-organ damage and cardiovascular outcome than BP measured in the clinic setting.

[Barriers for the implementation of cognitive services in Spanish community pharmacies].

Objective: To identify and assess barriers for dissemination, implementation, and sustainability of different cognitive services in Spanish community pharmacies.

Design: Qualitative study through semi-structured interviews followed by a descriptive analysis.

Method: Two groups of experts related to Spanish community pharmacy were chosen.

[Clinical relevance of drug interactions].

The identification, prevention, and solution of drug interactions are a critical aspect to achieved desired pharmacotherapy goals. The purpose of this review was to organize information about drug interactions, and to develop an approach to identify and evaluate drug interactions considered clinically relevant. Data for this review were identified by search of MEDLINE and PubMed and references cited in relevant articles.

Providing patient care in community pharmacies in Spain.

Objective: To review the current status of Spanish community pharmacy, both in practice and research terms, and analyze its future trends.

Findings: Spain has a social security system where all citizens receive health care, social services, and pensions. All medical care and surgery are free for citizens; however, community pharmacies in Spain are privately owned.