Specifics of the market of functional foods and food supplements

International processes and general trends in the pharmaceutical sector reflect on changes in the pharmaceutical market and on the user profile.The pharmaceutical industry is in a rapidly changing environment of healthcare reforms and government initiatives aimed at controlling costs. Dynamics are observed both in customers and in the industry as a whole. Some of the current trends that have the greatest impact on the industry are: globalization and consolidation, as well as technology.Due to overestimated health literacy, unequal and limited access to health and pharmaceutical care and services, as well as economic inequality and limitations, people are increasingly resorting to self-medication methods—mainly through over-the-counter drugs (the so-called OTC), food supplements, functional foods, herbal products. This also raises the question of risk management in their use.The aim of this article is to take into account the aspects influencing the market of OTC medicinal products, food supplements, and functional foods

New Approaches To Blood Sugar Monitoring

The treatment of diabetes, like most areas of medicine, has changed significantly over the years as a result of technological advances. From the discovery, purification and mass production of insulin to the development of less painful ways to deliver it to people with diabetes. Although it can be difficult to predict the impact of new technology, there are several interesting trends in how people with diabetes receive medical care or manage their own condition. A relatively new innovation, continuous monitoring of blood sugar, is already changing their daily lives.The aim of the article is to follow the new trends and approaches to blood sugar monitoring in patients with diabetes and the aspects of therapy and quality of life

Views and beliefs of pharmaceutical managers on the trends in over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. An analysis

Достъпът до медикаменти и други лекарствени продукти зависи от способността на определена група хора да контролират количеството и качеството на предлаганите фармацевтични продукти на пазара. От тях зависи решаването на проблеми, които биха ограничили свободния достъп на медикаменти до потребителя. Това могат да бъдат представители на фармацевтични компании, собственици на аптеки, фармацевти, дистрибутори на лекарствени средства или политици, работещи в областта на здравеопазването.The access to medicines and other medicinal products depends on the ability of certain socioeconomic groups to influence the quality and quantity of pharmaceutical products on the market. They have a decisive role in settling issues related to the poor access of patients to medicinal products. These groups comprise representatives of pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy owners, pharmacists, medical distributors and politicians engaged in health care policies

The economic environment and the behavior of patients/consumers in the pharmaceutical market

Зададените принципи от СЗО за финансиране на здравеопазните системи изискват недопускане на зависимост на достъпа до здравни услуги и медикаментозно лечение от икономически бариери, в т.ч. нисък икономически статус. Влошената социално-икономическа среда у нас, според редица изследвания, показва наличието именно на такава връзка. България е сред държавите в ЕС с най-ниско ниво на профилактика и превенция на заболявания. Гражданите не полагат здравни грижи поради липса на средства, бюрократични трудности или недостатъчна информираност.The principles set by WHO for financing health care stipulate free access to health services regardless of any economic barriers such as low socioeconomic status. Nevertheless, various studies evidence the existence of such a relation as a result of the deteriorated socioeconomic environment in the country. Bulgaria in one of the countries within the EU with the lowest level of preventive health care. Bulgarian patients are not actively seeking preventive health care services and products because of financial constraints, bureaucracy and poor informational environment

Methods To Enhance The Metabolic Stability Of Peptide Drugs

Therapeutic peptides have high selectivity, efficacy, and low toxicity. These characteristics, combined with advances in solid-phase peptide synthesis and purification methods, have led to the widespread use of peptide-based drugs. Limitations in the research and development of peptide drugs are related to their short plasma half-life, rapid metabolism, proteolytic degradation and poor penetration through biological membranes. This mini-review examines the advantages of peptide drugs over small molecule drugs and biotechnological proteins, as well as various chemical methods for peptide modifications to increase the metabolic stability, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of peptides

Analysis of factors affecting adherence to therapy in patients with chronic diseases

IntroductionTreatment of chronic diseases is a long-lasting and ongoing process that requires continuous pharmacotherapy. Adherence indicates the extent to which patient behaviour (in terms of medicine intake, diet compliance and change of life) corresponds to the advice received by a medical professional.AimThe aim of this article is to study and analyse the opinion of pharmacists, working in hospital and community pharmacies, on patients’ level of adherence to the prescribed drug therapy and to identify the leading socioeconomic, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacoeconomic factors affecting adherence in patients with chronic diseases. Materials and MethodsThis national study was conducted in May 2020. Anonymous individual questionnaires were distributed to Masters of Pharmacy and assistant pharmacists. The survey was conducted online by a sociological method, using a Google form. Data was processed through software included in the Google forms. Charts were created with MS Excel and MS Word.ResultsThe results confirm the European and global tendency towards a low level of patient adherence to drug therapies—84.7% of pharmacists responded that only half of the patients adhered to the therapy. Respondents reported the high price and low reimbursement rate of medicines as objective reasons for non-purchasing medicinal products (79.8%). Our survey results indicate that adherence to therapy in patients with chronic diseases in Bulgaria remains a significant issue due to various socioeconomic and pharmacotherapeutic factors.ConclusionAdherence to the prescribed pharmacotherapy is crucial for achieving the therapeutic results

Allergic rhinits and its impact on asthma - aria. Control and prevention of respiratory allergies in pharmacy practice

Epidemiological studies on respiratory allergies have shown that allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA) often coexist in the same patient. The premise `one respiratory system, one disease` marks a change in diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of respiratory allergies. Allergic Rhinits and Its Impact on Asthma-ARIA Initiative at WHO aims to spread, educate and implement evidence-based management of allergic rhinitis as a risk factor for development of asthma worldwide. This study reviews current concepts and trends in the management of respiratory allergies in compliance with the recommendations of ARIA

Analysis of the Results of a Survey Among Healthcare Professionals Working with Electronic Medicine Lists

In the current information society, electronic communication technologies are the basis of the most successful economic, administrative, health, and other organizations. A number of countries in Europe and around the world have successfully implemented the model of electronic management and the large-scale use of electronic services. Already in 2017, based on detailed analysis and technological recommendations, the project for the implementation of the first two parallel stages of the construction of the National Health Information System (NHIS) was launched. It covers all participants and main flows of information in the healthcare sector, including: -          Electronic health record (patient file);-          Eluctronic recipe (e-recipe);-          Electronic referrals (e-referrals); The aim of this study is to summarize the opinions of healthcare professionals about working with an electronic medicine list. 87 health professionals (midwives) from a total of 128 states who were directly engaged in the activities of the hospital wards of SHOGAT Prof. Dr. D. Stamatov, Varna, were interviewed during the period May–June 2022. More than half of the respondents (66.7%) prefer the electronic form for prescribing drug therapies. 57.5% believe that the process of work is facilitated by the introduced amendments regarding the work with electronic databases compared to paper media. In conclusion, in the current information society, electronic communication technologies are the basis of the most successful economic, administrative, and health activities that support the processes of diagnosis and treatment in hospital structures. They save time and resources, ensure patient safety, and improve the quality of service

Professional Realization and Satisfaction of Graduate Assistant Pharmacists at Medical College – Varna

Помощник-фармацевтът е специалист, който участва активно в лекарствоснабдяването и лекарстворазпространението, като приготвя, съхранява и отпуска лекарствени форми, билкови смеси, диетични продукти, санитарно-хигиенни материали, козметични средства и др. Специалността „Помощник-фармацевт“ в Медицински колеж – Варна е разкрита през 1961 г. Помощник-фармацевтите се дипломират с образователно-квалификационна степен (ОКС) „професионален бакалавър“. Фармацевтът вече не е само източник на информация за лекарства и тяхното отпускане, а също така член на интердисциплинарния екип, участващ в предоставянето на първични грижи. Силно влияние върху професионалната удовлетвореност и реализация оказват възможностите за кариерно развитие, професионалната ангажираност и заплащането на труда.Целта на настоящата разработка е да се проучи професионалната реализация и удовлетвореност на завършили помощник-фармацевти в Медицински колеж – Варна.Проведено е анонимно анкетно проучване сред помощник-фармацевти, завършили Медицински колеж – Варна. Проучването е проведено онлайн чрез индивидуална анкетна карта, с помощта на Google формуляри.The assistant pharmacist is a specialist who is actively involved in drug supply and drug distribution, preparing, storing and dispensing dosage forms, herbal mixtures, dietetic products, sanitary - hygiene materials, cosmetics, etc. The Assistant Pharmacist program at the Medical College - Varna was established in 1961. The assistant pharmacists graduated with a Professional Bachelor's Degree. The pharmacist is no longer just a source of information on medicines and their dispensing, but also a member of the interdisciplinary team involved in the provision of primary care. Opportunities for career development, professional engagement and pay have a strong influence on professional satisfaction and realization.The purpose of this article is to investigate the professional realization and satisfaction of graduate assistants - pharmacists at the Medical College - Varna.An anonymous survey was conducted among the assistant pharmacists who graduated from Medical College - Varna. The survey was conducted online through an individual questionnaire using Google forms