Views from Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies on Allocation of Clinical Trials in Saudi Arabia-Qualitative Study.

Clinical trials conducted by pharmaceutical companies are essential for bridging local research efforts with broader populations, facilitating the transfer of valuable insights and solutions. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators affecting clinical trials in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of key personnel within the pharmaceutical industry and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine participants, which provided a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping the landscape of clinical trials in the country.

Disposal of Unused Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Introduction: Improper disposal of unused antibiotics poses a significant global challenge, drawing attention from various stakeholders. This discharge of antibiotics into the environment can occur through various means such as industrial production, consumption, and excretion by humans and animals, as well as improper disposal of unused or expired antibiotics. The aim of our study is to investigate the availability of proper disposal of antibiotics in community pharmacies and to explore obstacles and opportunities from pharmacist's point of view.

Examining Physicians' Approaches to Treating Relatives in Primary Health Care Centers: Insights from a Qualitative Study.

Family medicine physicians take care of a diverse population of patients with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. These patients include family, friends, and acquaintances who may ask for direct medical care or help in accessing healthcare products and services within or outside of officially approved procedures. This is ethically challenging due to an ambiguous medical code of ethics, but it is commonly accepted as normal behavior by society.

Dried blood spots for the quantification simultaneous administration of the antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass (LC MS/MS) was used for the determination of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of the three antipsychotics (aripiprazole, quetiapine and olanzapine) and three antidepressants (paroxetine, Escitalopram and sertraline) drugs simultaneously. Both groups of drugs can be concurrently used to treat behavioral disorders. It appears that there is no test for the rapid detection of all six compounds simultaneously using LC MS/M, despite the fact that several analysis publications found these drugs individually.

Patients' views and experiences on the use and safety of directly acting oral anticoagulants: a qualitative study.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are considered high-risk medications and used to prevent thromboembolic events and stroke. This study aimed to examine patients' views and experiences of DOACs use and factors that can promote safety associated with DOACs.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with adult patients who had been prescribed DOACs, identified and invited by local collaborators in three different tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

A Qualitative Study on the Perception of Medication Adherence by the Social Circles of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Introduction: Studies have indicated that half of all patients with diabetes do not take their medication as prescribed. Patient social circles, including professionals (health care providers) and nonprofessionals (family and friends) might contribute to low medication adherence. Therefore, this study explored the point of view of healthcare providers and family members of patients with diabetes on patient medication adherence.

Medication errors in relation to direct-acting oral anticoagulants: a qualitative study of pharmacists' views and experiences.

Background: Despite their effectiveness and ease of use, medication errors have been reported to be highly prevalent with direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC).

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore views and experiences of pharmacists on contributory factors and mitigation strategies around medication errors in relation to DOAC.

Method: This study used a qualitative design.

Qualitative research in the Arabic language. When should translations to English occur? A literature review.

Qualitative studies are a valuable approach to exploratory research. Frequently, researchers are required to collect data in languages other than English, which requires a translation process for the results to be communicated to a wider audience. However, language-embedded meaning can be lost in the translation process, and there is no consensus on the optimum timing of translation during the analysis process.

Views, experiences and contributory factors related to medication errors associated with direct oral anticoagulants: a qualitative study with physicians and nurses.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become preferable for the management of thromboembolic events. Recent publications have however identified high volume of medication errors related to DOACs. There is limited literature on why and how such errors occur or happen in clinical practice.

Physicians' views on cardiovascular disease risk prevention services by pharmacists and potential for collaboration.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early identification and management of modifiable CVD risk factors are highly effective in preventing disease onset and/or improving outcomes in CVD. As highly accessible primary health professionals, pharmacists can assume a role in screening and risk factor management in collaboration with physicians; however, such prevention services are not established practice in Saudi pharmacies.

Quality of diabetes care among patients with schizophrenia. A mixed-methods study.

Objectives: Patients with schizophrenia are at high risk of developing diabetes. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and assess their quality of diabetes care. We further aimed to explore the factors affecting diabetes care in patients with schizophrenia.

Development and Validation of a Simple and Sensitive LC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of Metformin in Dried Blood Spot Its Application as an Indicator for Medication Adherence.

Objective: Metformin (MET), an oral biguanide agent, can improve insulin resistance and decrease hepatic glucose production, leading to a reduction in blood-sugar levels. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method for analysis of MET in dried blood spot (DBS) sample for patient monitoring studies purposes (drug adherence).

Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved with Waters HSS-T3 column using gradient elution of mobile phases of two solvents: 1) solvent A, consisted of 10mM ammonium formate, 0.

Cardiovascular disease risk prevention services by pharmacists in Saudi Arabia: what do policymakers and opinion leaders think?

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an emerging contributor to national morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia. CVD risk prevention services are limited, particularly with an over-utilised public health sector and an under-utilised and under-resourced primary care sector. Globally, there is evidence that community pharmacists can play a key role in CVD prevention within primary care.

Factors impeding the supply of over-the-counter medications according to evidence-based practice: A mixed-methods study.

Objective: Despite the positive attitudes pharmacists have toward evidence-based practices (EBPs), its application in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and assess EBPs by community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia when they dispense over-the-counter (OTC) medications for three minor ailments: diarrhea, cough, and the common cold.

Research Design And Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach consisting of two study parts.

Health consumer engagement in developing novel preventive health community pharmacy roles in cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative analysis.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of key leading causes of mortality worldwide. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to the development of CVD. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise are increasing in prevalence in Saudi Arabia but may be mitigated using pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.

Cardiovascular disease risk screening by pharmacists: a behavior change wheel guided qualitative analysis.

Background: In common with many developed countries, Saudi Arabia is currently experiencing an increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. However, systematic screening programs for early identification and minimization of CVD risk within community or general clinical settings are limited. Globally, research suggests that pharmacists can play an effective role in identifying, assessing, managing and referring people at risk of CVD in the community as well as in the hospital setting.

Medication adherence among patients with Type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods study.

Objective: Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) are highly effective in managing Type 2 diabetes if taken appropriately. This study assessed adherence to OHAs among patients with Type 2 diabetes and explored factors associated with adherence behaviour.

Research Design And Methods: Mixed methods were used comprising a cross-sectional study using the Arabic version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale followed by semi-structured interviews using the Theoretical Domain Framework to explore key determinants of adherence.

Knowledge and willingness of physicians about deprescribing among older patients: a qualitative study.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the physician's knowledge and identify the perceived barriers that prevent family medicine physicians from engaging in deprescribing among older patients.

Methods: This qualitative study was designed and conducted using an interpretive theoretical approach. Purposive sampling was undertaken, whereby family medicine physicians of King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were invited to participate in the study.

What is the epidemiology of medication errors, error-related adverse events and risk factors for errors in adults managed in community care contexts? A systematic review of the international literature.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of medication errors and error-related adverse events in adults in primary care, ambulatory care and patients' homes.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Source: Six international databases were searched for publications between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015.

Development of a risk-prediction model for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in dialysis patients.

Introduction The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection can cause transmission clusters and high mortality in hemodialysis facilities. We attempted to develop a risk-prediction model to assess the early risk of MERS-CoV infection in dialysis patients. Methods This two-center retrospective cohort study included 104 dialysis patients who were suspected of MERS-CoV infection and diagnosed with rRT-PCR between September 2012 and June 2016 at King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah and King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.

Factors associated with recovery delay in a sample of patients diagnosed by MERS-CoV rRT-PCR: A Saudi Arabian multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Research evidence exists that poor prognosis is common in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) patients.

Objectives: This study estimates recovery delay intervals and identifies associated factors in a sample of Saudi Arabian patients admitted for suspected MERS-CoV and diagnosed by rRT-PCR assay.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted on 829 patients admitted between September 2012 and June 2016 and diagnosed by rRT-PCR procedures to have MERS-CoV and non-MERS-CoV infection in which 396 achieved recovery.

Early identification of pneumonia patients at increased risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The rapid and accurate identification of individuals who are at high risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection remains a major challenge for the medical and scientific communities. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a risk prediction model for the screening of suspected cases of MERS-CoV infection in patients who have developed pneumonia.

Methods: A two-center, retrospective case-control study was performed.

Monitoring metformin in cardiac patients exposed to contrast media using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry.

Background: There is no evidence that the use of contrast media (CM) in diabetic patients with serum creatinine <130 μmole/L leads to metformin accumulation and subsequent lactic acidosis. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to monitor cardiac patients for the effects of CM on their metformin plasma concentration and serum creatinine clearance (ClCr).

Methods: Metformin plasma concentrations were measured by a new, fully validated specific, precise, and accurate ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometric assay.

Determination of free and total warfarin concentrations in plasma using UPLC MS/MS and its application to a patient samples.

Warfarin is routinely monitored by assessing its pharmacologic effects on the international normalized ratio. However, having a patient with INR not responding to increasing warfarin dose mandates a direct measurement of warfarin concentrations (total and free) for better patient clinical management of warfarin therapy. Therefore, a new fully validated specific, precise and accurate ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of free and total warfarin in human plasma.