The rational drug use refers to the correct use of the correct medication, which is obtained from a trustable source and with health assistance. The aim of this study was to describe an experience of active learning by the construction of a public campaign on rational drug use that involved undergraduate pharmacy students and to evaluate the students’ satisfaction and perceptions. The activity started with the creation of an educational flyer using a collaborative online platform. Then, a dramatization session took place before the students’ participation in a public outreach campaign on rational drug use. Written feedback from the students, collected by an open question, evaluated their satisfaction and general perceptions regarding the activities. After evaluating clinical cases, raising key-points on the acquisition, administration, storage and disposal of drugs, creating the flyer and performing a training session, the campaign on rational drug use was successfully performed. Most of the students (96.67%) were satisfied with the active learning activities. The students reported being more aware of their role in their collective learning as well as having their communication, critical thinking and writing skills improved. The campaign itself and the related activities showed the importance of active learning methodologies in pharmacy education.
Introduction: There is no specific treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 yet. The prospective vaccine is the primary prevention and is the promising preventive strategy to gain herd immunity. The study aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among primary health care attendees at Durban, South Africa. Method: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kwadabeka Community Health Centre, Durban, South Africa. Chi-square test and logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptability. P-values <0.05 were reported and considered statistically significant. Results: Almost two-thirds (61.4%) of the participants reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression analysis found that respondents’ attitude on whether “COVID-19 pandemic will be dealt with successfully” was 2.3 times more likely to accept the vaccine (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-3.8, p<0.05) and good practice on “use of a face mask to public places were 3 times more likely to accept the vaccine (OR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.5-6.1, P<0.05). On the contrary, knowledge on “only elderly people die from COVID-19 (False)” revealed that 44% were less likely to accept the vaccine (OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95, P<0.05) and practice on social distance “keep a distance of 1-2 m in public places” was 69% less likely to accept the vaccine (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.15-0.63, p<0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate is comparable with other studies. However, community-based studies and a mass educational and communication campaign to promote the COVID-19 vaccination coverage to the general population are recommended.
A vaccine represents the most promising strategy for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic through primary prevention. No study has been reported on the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa (SA) and in the region. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women. A crosssectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Kwadabeka Community Health Center (KCHC), Durban. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors for vaccine acceptability among pregnant women. About two-thirds of pregnant women (63.3%) may accept COVID-19 vaccination once it becomes available in SA. Participants who were <22 years of age were 72% less likely (OR=0.28, CI: 0.13 -0.62) to accept the vaccine, compared to those who were >39 years old. Women with 0-1 parity were 4.3 times more likely (OR=4.3, CI: 1.98-9.48) to accept the vaccine than those with four or more parity. Single pregnant women were less likely (OR=0.23, CI: 0.100.51) to accept the vaccine than those living with their partners. Employed pregnant women had four times more chances of accepting the vaccine (OR= 4.2, CI: 2.28-7.75) than unemployed pregnant women. It was also found that having a positive attitude towards vaccination increased the chance of accepting the vaccine by four times (OR=4.05, CI: 1.89-8.69). Our study found a 63.3% acceptance of a COVID19 vaccine, but there were noticeable demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice disparities observed in vaccine acceptance among pregnant women. Before a COVID-19 vaccine is introduced to SA, public health officials and policymakers must prioritize effective COVID-19 vaccineacceptance messages and mass education for all South Africans, especially for the most vulnerable.
Purpose: Poorly water-soluble drugs when given orally experience limited dissolution due to their low solubility in aqueous solutions. This study aimed to investigate the dissolution enhancement using self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) for Indapamide, a Biopharmaceutical Classification System Type 2 drug. Stability of SEDDS was also assessed. Methods: Drug containing lipid-based systems that could form SEDDS were prepared with vehicles including Labrafil®M1944CS and Labrasol with or without Capryol™90 or Solutol®HS15. The key quality attributes of SEDDS were determined in terms of size distribution and drug dissolution profiles. Other properties evaluated were critical micelle concentration (CMC), zeta potential and solubility profiles. Results: SEDDS formed negatively charged dispersions of typically 170-250nm and their CMC were <110mg/L. All SEDDS achieved rapid and significantly higher drug release, which were maintained over 90min when compared to unprocessed drug powder. Dissolution enhancement and size distribution profiles of SEDDS stored at 25 and 40oC were preserved. Enhancement effect of SEDDS was contributed to formation of stable nano-sized dispersions, high drug solubility in SEDDS and low CMC that withstood dilution by dissolution medium. Conclusions: Lipid-based systems with Labrasol, Labrafil®M1944CS and Capryol™90 produced SEDDS that led to a significant dissolution enhancement of Indapamide regardless of storage conditions.
A simple, specific, accurate and precise spectrophotometric method was settled for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and orphenadrine citrate in their pure form and in their pharmaceutical formulation. Isoabsorptive point technique has been used in simultaneous determination of both drugs without prior separation. Isoabsorptive point method parameters were validated according to ICH guidelines in which accuracy, precision, repeatability and robustness were found in accepted limits. Advantages and disadvantages of Isoabsorptive point were discussed and statistical comparison between the proposed method and the reference one was also performed.
