Clinical management and disease-modifying treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in African hospital centers: the TROPALS study.

To assess the availability of health workers and medications for clinical management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in African hospital centers. Availability and affordability analyses of disease-modifying treatments were performed. : A multicenter observational study involving African hospitals was conducted.

Availability, affordability, and quality of essential anti-seizure medication in Cambodia.

Objective: Epilepsy is a major neurological disorder that requires long-term medical treatment. Once epilepsy is diagnosed, people with epilepsy face many difficulties in accessing treatment (treatment gap). Our objective was to assess the situation regarding the availability, price, affordability, and quality of anti-seizure medication (ASM), which are major determinants of access to treatment.

Availability, affordability, and quality of essential antiepileptic drugs in Lao PDR.

Objective: Epilepsy is a chronic condition treatable by cost-effective antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but limited access to treatment was documented. The availability and affordability of good quality of AEDs play a significant role in access to good health care. This study aimed to assess the availability, affordability, and quality of long-term AEDs in Lao PDR.

Differences in knowledge about epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs among pharmacy-dispensing workers in Cambodia and in Lao PDR.

Unlabelled: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder encountered in primary care in Southeast Asia. People with epilepsy require long-term therapy management. Nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been identified as a major factor in suboptimal control of epilepsy.

Explanatory factors of adherence to community-based management of epilepsy in Lao PDR.

Relevance: A low level of knowledge about epilepsy among health workers, a context of stigmatizing sociocultural beliefs, and a low availability of antiepileptic drugs in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) are major gaps in the medical management of people with epilepsy in this country.

Objectives: The principal objective of the study was to identify the associated factors of adherence to community healthcare structures in Lao PDR. Specific objectives were to evaluate patients' adherence status, practices and knowledge about epilepsy and its care, and factors influencing decision-making on therapeutic interventions.

Role of Medicines of Unknown Identity in Adverse Drug Reaction-Related Hospitalizations in Developing Countries: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Introduction: The health dangers of medicines of unknown identity (MUIs) [loose pharmaceutical units repackaged in individual bags without labelling of their identity] have been suspected in L/MICs. Using visual and analytical tools to identify MUIs, we investigated the frequency of, and factors associated with, adverse drug reaction (ADR)-related hospitalizations in a central hospital in Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR).

Methods: All unplanned admissions, except for acute trauma and intentional overdose, were prospectively recorded during a 7-week period in 2013, leading to include 453 adults hospitalized for ≥24 h.