Can developing countries face novel coronavirus outbreak alone? The Iraqi situation.

Iraq is one of seven Arabic countries (Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) that acquired novel coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) via people who have visited Iran recently. Iraqi outdated public healthcare settings are already overwhelmed with many acute injuries from ongoing unrest. Iraq faces six challenges in controlling COVID-19 [1]: A shortage in number of quarantine facilities [2], the availability of the testing which is limited to one governmental lab only in Baghdad [3], a shortage in personal protective equipment (PPE) and ambulances [4], a low level of public awareness [5], a shortage in hygiene preparations and [6] a high rate of antibiotic resistance in case of secondary bacterial infection.

Direct and indirect immune effects of CMP-001, a virus-like particle containing a TLR9 agonist.

Background: CMP-001, also known as vidutolimod, is a virus-like particle containing a TLR9 agonist that is showing promise in early clinical trials. Our group previously demonstrated that the immunostimulatory effects of CMP-001 are dependent on an anti-Qβ antibody response which results in opsonization of CMP-001 and uptake by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that then produce interferon (IFN)-α. IFN-α then leads to an antitumor T-cell response that is responsible for the in vivo efficacy of CMP-001.

The Pharmacist's Missing Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Wuhan, China, the disease was first identified in December 2019 and has since spread globally, resulting in the ongoing 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic. Several countries across the world are facing a shortage in frontline providers, while pharmacists are asked to cut working hours during this pandemic fight.

Cost-Savings and Patient Experience with a Pharmacy-Led Medicare Part D Consultation Service.

Background: There are many Medicare Part D plans, making it difficult for patients to choose the optimal plan. The decision to remain on current Medicare plans is reinforced by patient inertia and uncertainty associated with plan-switching decisions. By helping patients identify more cost-effective plans, pharmacists and pharmacy personnel have the ability to inform plan-switching decisions resulting in lower out-of-pocket (OOP) costs.

Exploring the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers and general population using health belief model.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Little is known about hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the general population regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, (2) to evaluate factors influencing the acceptance of vaccination using the health belief model (HBM), and (3) to qualitatively explore the suggested intervention strategies to promote the vaccination.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on electronic survey data that was collected in Iraq during December first-19th, 2020.

The Epidemic of Substandard and Falsified Medications in Iraq: Evaluating the Effectiveness of National Pharmacovigilance Alerts to Community Pharmacies.

Background: Assessing Iraqi experience with the impact of substandard and falsified (S/F) medicines can help other countries deal comprehensively with the underlying causes of this multifactorial problem. The tools used in this study to assess strategies to prevent the use of S/F medications can be used in other developing countries. This study investigated the problem of S/F medications at three levels: the Ministry of Health (MOH), pharmaceutical company representatives, and community pharmacists.

Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Service.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacist-led diabetes collaborative drug therapy management services in a family medicine and internal medicine clinic.

Design: Mixed methods of evaluation based on the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Results: 71.

Leveraging a required e-portfolio course to meet multiple needs: Student assessment, curriculum improvement, and accreditation.

Background: Learning portfolios enable student pharmacists to connect program outcomes and related learning experiences to future practice as healthcare providers. Assessment programs also require data to inform decisions regarding curriculum quality and maintain program accreditation. Our goal was to create a portfolio meeting multiple needs, including learning improvement, curricular assessment, and accreditation.

immunization of a TLR9 agonist virus-like particle enhances anti-PD1 therapy.

Background: CMP-001 is a novel Toll-like receptor-9 agonist that consists of an unmethylated CpG-A motif-rich G10 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) encapsulated in virus-like particles. vaccination of CMP-001 is believed to activate local tumor-associated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) leading to type I interferon secretion and tumor antigen presentation to T cells and systemic antitumor T cell responses. This study is designed to investigate if CMP-001 would enhance head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy in a human papilloma virus-positive (HPV+) tumor mouse model.

Emerging local delivery strategies to enhance bone regeneration.

In orthopedics and dentistry there is an increasing need for novel biomaterials and clinical strategies to achieve predictable bone regeneration. These novel molecular strategies have the potential to eliminate the limitations of currently available approaches. Specifically, they have the potential to reduce or eliminate the need to harvest autogenous bone, and the overall complexity of the clinical procedures.

Pharmacist role to enhance the prescribing of hospital discharge medications for patients after heart attack.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the cardiologist adherence with ACC/AHA guidelines on discharge medications for patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), assess the predictors of cardiologist non-adherence and measure the impact of pharmacist intervention on improving guideline adherence.

Methods: The study included two consecutive phases: observation and intervention. It was carried out at Al-Najaf Center for Cardiac Surgery and Catheterization, Iraq, from August through December 2018.

The Status and Adequacy of Preceptor Orientation and Development Programs in US Pharmacy Schools.

To identify current preceptor orientation and development programs at US colleges and schools of pharmacy and propose future initiatives for preceptor programs. An anonymous 28-item survey was administered in January 2017 to 128 experiential education personnel at accredited US schools and colleges of pharmacy. Data from completed survey instruments were tabulated and qualitative responses to open-ended questions were examined using thematic analysis.

Evaluating Factors Related to the Abuse of Oral Corticosteroids among Community Pharmacy Customers: Using Theory of Reasoned Action.

Introduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers.

Influence of Pharmacy Characteristics and Customer Quality of Life on Satisfaction of Community Pharmacy Customers.

Objectives: The study objectives were to evaluate customer satisfaction with community pharmacy services and measure the relationships between customer satisfaction and pharmacy/pharmacist characteristics and customer quality of life.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of customers at 20 community pharmacies in 10 different geographical areas in Baghdad city between May and September 2018. We used the satisfaction items which were developed by Paterson and colleagues in 2013.

Community Pharmacy Medicare Part D Consultations: Plan-Switching Decisions and Chronic Medication Adherence.

Objectives: (1)To compare Part D plan switching for users and nonusers of a pharmacy-led Medicare Part D consultation service and (2) to evaluate the effect of service use on chronic medication adherence.

Methods: This was a longitudinal study, occurring in one independently owned community pharmacy in Iowa. Medicare Part D beneficiaries who used the service were compared to nonusers.

Knowledge, Perception and Attitude Regarding Generic Medicines among Iraqi Physicians.

Objectives: The study aim was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of Iraqi physicians regarding generic and locally manufactured medicines.

Methods: A total of 124 physicians were involved in this cross -sectional study. The convenience sample was collected from five public hospitals in Baghdad.

Best Practices Related to Examination Item Construction and Post-hoc Review.

To provide a practical guide to examination item writing, item statistics, and score adjustment for use by pharmacy and other health professions educators. Each examination item type possesses advantages and disadvantages. Whereas selected response items allow for efficient assessment of student recall and understanding of content, constructed response items appear better suited for assessment of higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy.

Quantitative and Qualitative Factors Associated with Social Isolation Among Graduate and Professional Health Science Students.

To determine the prevalence of social isolation and associated factors in graduate and professional health science students. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered via an online survey from graduate and professional students in the colleges of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health at a Midwestern university. Questions assessed students' demographics, weekly activity hours, support systems, and financial concerns, and included the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale.

Evaluate Factors Influencing Depression in Baghdad: Using Deck-Depression Inventory.

Objective: This study goal was to screen participants from different settings in Baghdad for depression using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale and identify factors influencing the levels of depression.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 313 people from four settings (teaching hospital, college of medicine, college of pharmacy, and high school) in Baghdad, Iraq. The participants were screened using paper survey relying on the BDI scale during spring 2018.

Contrasting qSOFA and SIRS Criteria for Early Sepsis Identification in a Veteran Population.

The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment lacks sensitivity to be an effective replacement for the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome criteria for sepsis screening.