Public hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccine and the role of pharmacists in addressing the problem and improving uptake.

COVID-19 is one of the worst pandemics in recent human history, causing huge health, economic, and psychosocial damage. Since the pandemic hit, several unsubstantiated claims regarding exposure, transmission and management have been disseminated. Misinformation and associated public confusion now extend to the COVID-19 vaccines, spanning from claims based on possible links between some vaccine types and rare blood clots, to baseless claims.

Medication non-adherence in chronic kidney disease: a mixed-methods review and synthesis using the theoretical domains framework and the behavioural change wheel.

Objective: Medication non-adherence is a well-recognised issue in chronic diseases but data in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) remains limited. This review summarised the prevalence of medication non-adherence and assessed determinants and outcomes associated with it in adults with CKD, not on KRT.

Method: We searched PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and Cochrane (CENTRAL) for studies published until January 2020.

Strategies to increase the pharmacist workforce in rural and remote Australia: a scoping review.

Introduction: Despite reports suggesting an oversupply of pharmacists, there is currently an inadequate supply in rural and remote Australia. This can lead to a reduction in pharmaceutical services for an already vulnerable population. The objective of this study was to identify strategies for increasing the pharmacist workforce and factors associated with retention in rural and remote Australia Methods: Database searches of Ovid Medline (Medline and Embase), CINAHL and Scopus were conducted.

When fear and misinformation go viral: Pharmacists' role in deterring medication misinformation during the 'infodemic' surrounding COVID-19.

The world has faced an unprecedented challenge when coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged as a pandemic. Millions of people have contracted the virus and a significant number of them lost their lives, resulting in a tremendous social and economic shock across the globe. Amid the growing burden of the pandemic, there are parallel emergencies that need to be simultaneously tackled: the proliferation of fake medicines, fake news and medication misinformation surrounding COVID-19.

Medication Adherence, Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

This study examines the associations between medication adherence and burden, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). A prospective study targeting adults with advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m) and not receiving renal replacement therapy was conducted in Tasmania, Australia.

Medication-Related Factors and Hospital Readmission in Older Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease.

This study aimed to examine the association between medication-related factors and risk of hospital readmission in older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A retrospective analysis was conducted targeting older CKD ( = 204) patients admitted to an Australian hospital. Medication appropriateness (Medication Appropriateness Index; MAI), medication regimen complexity (number of medications and Medication Regimen Complexity Index; MRCI) and use of selected medication classes were exposure variables.

The effect of hospitalization on potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is a paucity of data on how hospitalization affects PIM use in older adults with CKD. Therefore, we aimed to measure the impact of hospitalization on PIM use in older CKD patients, and identify factors predicting PIM use.

Medication Regimen Complexity and Hospital Readmission in Older Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by high rates of hospital admissions and readmissions. However, there is a scarcity of research into medication-related factors predicting such outcomes in this patient group.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of medication regimen complexity at hospital discharge on subsequent readmissions and their timing in older adults with CKD.

Inappropriate prescribing in chronic kidney disease: A systematic review of prevalence, associated clinical outcomes and impact of interventions.

Introduction: Adjusting doses of renally cleared medications and/or avoidance of nephrotoxic medications are standard clinical practices in chronic kidney disease (CKD), albeit the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing (IP) in these patients remains high. Therefore, this work sought to systematically review the prevalence of IP and compare the relative effectiveness of available interventions in reducing IP in CKD.

Methods: Studies were identified searching PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, IPA, Web of Science, Ovid/Medline, CINAHL, and PsychINFO databases.

Self-reported adverse drug reactions and their influence on highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV infected patients: a cross sectional study.

Background: Patients on antiretroviral therapy have higher risk of developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The impact of ADRs on treatment adherence, treatment outcomes and future treatment options is quiet considerable. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the common self-reported ADRs and their impact on antiretroviral treatment.