American Pharmacists Association

About: American Pharmacists Association is a other organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pharmacist & Pharmacy. The organization has 2413 authors who have published 1969 publications receiving 30470 citations. The organization is also known as: APhA & American Pharmaceutical Association.

Seizure Induced by Ropivacaine

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To report development of a seizure after administration of ropivacaine.CASE SUMMARY:A 26-year-old woman was scheduled for a cesarean section because of a stagnation of the uterine neck dilatation after 4.5 hours. After peridural administration of 279 mg of ropivacaine (total dose) over five hours, she presented with oculogyric movements and slurred speech that preceded convulsions of the face and of the upper limbs.DISCUSSION:Convulsions are well-known complications of local anesthetics. Ropivacaine, a relatively new agent, is considered safer for the central nervous system. Currently, there are only four published reports that implicate ropivacaine as being associated with convulsions. The likelihood that ropivacaine caused the seizure in our patient was possible based on the Naranjo probability scale.CONCLUSIONS:Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of seizures as an adverse effect of ropivacaine.

Public Compliance with Face Mask Use in Honolulu and Regional Variation.

Abstract: Infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus are increasing in Hawai'i at alarming rates. In the absence of a SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccine, the options for control include social distancing, improved hygiene, and face mask use. There is evidence that mask use may decrease the rates of viral transmission. The rate of effective face mask use has not yet been established in Hawai'i. The authors performed an observational study at 2 locations in Honolulu and evaluated outdoor face mask use compliance in 200 people. Simultaneous observations were performed in a downtown Honolulu business area and in Waikiki, an area focusing on tourism. Overall, 77% of all subjects used face masks in an appropriate fashion, covering their nose and mouth, while 23% were either incorrectly masked or not masked. The rate of compliance with correct public mask use in downtown Honolulu (88%) was significantly higher than in Waikiki (66%) (P=.0003, Odds Ratio [95% Confidence Interval]=3.78 [1.82, 7.85]) These findings suggest that there are opportunities for improvement in rates of public face mask use and a potential decrease in the spread of COVID-19 in our population. Four proposed actions are suggested, including a reassessment of the face mask exemption requirements, enhanced mask compliance education, non-threatening communication for non-compliance, and centralization of information of the public compliance with face mask use.

Treatment of opioid dependence with depot buprenorphine (CAM2038) in custodial settings.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Opioid agonist treatment is effective but resource intensive to administer safely in custodial settings, leading to significant under-treatment of opioid dependence in these settings world-wide. This study assessed the safety of subcutaneous slow-release depot buprenorphine in custody. SETTING: This is an open-label, non-randomized trial conducted in correctional centres in New South Wales, Australia. Sixty-seven men and women, aged ≥ 18 years of various security classifications with a diagnosis of moderate to severe DSM-5 opioid use disorder currently serving a custodial sentence of ≥ 6 months were recruited between November 2018 and July 2019. Patients not in opioid agonist treatment at recruitment commenced depot buprenorphine; patients already stable on oral methadone treatment were recruited to the comparison arm. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Depot buprenorphine (CAM2038 weekly for 4 weeks then monthly) and daily oral methadone. Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) monitoring and physical examinations at every visit. Participants were administered a survey assessing self-reported diversion and substance use at baseline and weeks 4 and 16. FINDINGS: Retention in depot buprenorphine treatment was 92.3%. Ninety-four per cent of patients reported at least one adverse event, typically mild and transient. No diversion was identified. The prevalence of self-reported non-prescribed opioid use among depot buprenorphine patients decreased significantly between baseline (97%) and week 16 (12%, odds ratio = 0.0035, 95% confidence interval = 0.0007-0.018, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This first study of depot buprenorphine in custodial settings showed treatment retention and outcomes comparable to those observed in community settings and for other opioid agonist treatment used in custodial settings, without increased risk of diversion.

Impact of a Medication Card on Compliance in Older People

Abstract: Medication compliance is often poor amongst older people, and this can contribute to adverse drug reactions, therapeutic inefficiency and associated increase in morbidity. This study was conducted among outpatients to assess the impact of a medication card as a counselling aid to increase knowledge about medications and increase drug compliance. Patients were randomly assigned to Group A, which received counselling only, from a pharmacist, or to Group B, which received both counselling and a medication card from the pharmacist. Knowledge improvement for patients in Group B was significant, compared with patients in Group A, t = 9.82, p < 0.001. The compliance of patients in Group A and in Group B, were respectively, (mean ± S.D) 87.5 ± 15.1 v 92.5 ± 11.9, t = 1.76, p = 0.082. The results of this study show that a medication card can increase medication knowledge and may aid compliance. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved