COVID-19-positive cancer patients undergoing active anticancer treatment: An analysis of clinical features and outcomes.

Background: Cancer patients, particularly those on active anticancer treatment, are reportedly at a high risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and death. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 whilst on anticancer treatment in a developing country.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of all adult cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Pakistan, from March 15, 2020 to July 10, 2020, diagnosed with COVID-19 within 4 weeks of receiving anticancer treatment, where a purposive sampling was performed.

Clinical Response to CHOP vs. R-CHOP in Adult Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to address the question of “superiority of R-CHOP versus CHOP”, with addition of Rituximab to CHOP, regarding survival of patients suffering from DLBCL. Patients and methods: A cohort retrospective design was used to conduct this study in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 patients (50 in each group) were randomly selected.

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C infection imposes a high economic burden globally. It has been estimated that in 2012, the healthcare cost of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was $6.5 billion.

Effects of multidisciplinary teams and an integrated follow-up electronic system on clinical pharmacist interventions in a cancer hospital.

Background The aim of drug therapy is to attain distinct therapeutic effects that not only improve patient's quality of life but also reduce the inherent risks associated with the therapeutic use of drugs. Pharmacists play a key role in reducing these risks by developing appropriate interventions. Whether to accept or reject the intervention made by the pharmacist is a relevant consultant's decision.

Impairment of liver synthetic function and the production of plasma proteins in primary breast cancer patients on doxorubicincyclophosphamide (AC) protocol.

Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC protocol) combination is usually considered as a first line therapy in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Thus, a retrospective observational study was conducted to monitor the effect of AC protocol on liver synthetic functions and production of plasma proteins in breast cancer patients, reporting to specialized cancer care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 75 patients (n=75) on AC protocol with breast cancer were observed in this study.

Reduction in chemotherapy order errors with computerised physician order entry and clinical decision support systems.

Background: Medication errors in chemotherapy are frequent and lead to patient morbidity and mortality, as well as increased rates of re-admission and length of stay, and considerable extra costs. Objective: This study investigated the proposition that computerised chemotherapy ordering reduces the incidence and severity of chemotherapy protocol errors.

Method: A computerised physician order entry of chemotherapy order (C-CO) with clinical decision support system was developed in-house, including standardised chemotherapy protocol definitions, automation of pharmacy distribution, clinical checks, labeling and invoicing.

Development of an in-house hospital information system in a hospital in Pakistan.

Objectives: To review our experience of development and implementation of an electronic hospital information system, its costs and return on investment as well as incorporation of some key quality standards.

Methods: Cost and saving trends of the project were calculated using different tools including project expense, cost saving through cessation of printing radiology films and paper. Net present value with payback period was utilized to evaluate the efficiency of the health information systems.

A prospective study of cefepime versus ticarcilline/clavulanate as empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia in lymphoma patients.

Objective: To check the effectiveness of ticarcillin clavulanate versus cefepime as monotherapy in febrile neutropenia in lymphoma patients and also to check tolerability profile of both drugs.

Methods: We randomly assigned 107 neutropenic patients to receive either cefepime or ticarcillin/clavulanate. The clinical efficacy and tolerability profile of both drugs were compared using either cefepime or ticarcillin clavulanate (TC) as an empirical treatment for management of febrile neutropenia in lymphoma patients only with same characteristics at time of presentation.

Comparative immunogenicity of a genetically derived and a plasma pooled hepatitis B vaccine in normal adult volunteers.

Objective: This study compares the seroconversion rate after vaccination with genetically derived and plasma pooled vaccine in normal healthy adult volunteers.

Population And Methods: Forty volunteers of either sex were randomly divided into two groups comprising equal numbers of subjects. The mean (+/- SD) age and weight of the subjects in group A were 27.