Pharmaceutical Care Program for the rational use of drugs in the elderly Users of a Basic Health Unit in the São Paulo State, Brazil

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o impacto de um Programa de Atenção Farmacêutica no uso racional de medicamentos, por idosos atendidos em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde no Centro-oeste de São Paulo, Brasil. Para isso foi realizado um estudo prospectivo com 106 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o Programa de Atenção Farmacêutica desenvolvido promoveu redução significativa no número de medicamentos utilizados por paciente, na prática da automedicação, no uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (PIM) para idosos, segundo o critério de Beers e no número de problemas relacionados a medicamentos (PRM), proporcionando aumento na prescrição de itens constantes da lista de medicamentos essenciais da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) e da Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (Rename). Os resultados permitiram concluir que a implantação do Programa de Atenção Farmacêutica promoveu grande melhoria no uso racional de medicamentos.In this study it was evaluated the impact of a pharmaceutical care program about the rational use of drugs by elderly in Basic Health Unit of a Center-West city in São Paulo state, Brazil. The prospective study was carried out in 106 elderly patients aged over than 60 years. The data obtained showed that the pharmaceutical care program promoted a significant decrease in the following parameters: the number of drugs used per patient, the self-medication practice, the use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) and the drug-related problems (DRP). Indeed, it was observed an increased of prescribed drugs concerned to the recommended essential medicines list of WHO and RENAME. We concluded that the pharmaceutical care program promoted an improvement in the rational use of drugs.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Assessment of drugs purchased in the public health network of the cities in the Ourinhos micro-region, Brazil

This study aims to evaluate the criteria and procedures for the selection of antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs purchased by the public health network of the cities in the Ourinhos Micro-region, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional, multi-center, exploratory, quantitative study was developed in the 12 cities that constitute the Ourinhos Micro-region. The data obtained showed that cities standardize and purchase a large number and diverse range of pharmaceutical specialties, including several drugs that are not included in the 2008 National List of Essential Drugs (Rename), administrative rule No. 3237 issued on December 24, 2007 and the list of drugs of Dose Certa, a medication program by the Sao Paulo State Government. A large variation between costs of interchangeable drug was observed. In conclusion, pharmacoeconomic research in the selection process of drugs, in combination with interventions involving prescribers and Judiciary Power will reduce public spending allocated to medication purchase.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Potential risks in drug prescriptions to elderly: a cross-sectional study in the public primary health care system of Ourinhos Micro-region, Brazil

This research aimed to assess the occurrence of potential risks in drug prescriptions to elderly at the Brazilian public primary health care. A cross-sectional, multicenter research was carried out at the pharmacies of public primary health care in five cities of the Ourinhos Micro-region, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) (according to three DDIs investigation software programs), drugs that act on cytochrome P450 system (CYP450) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for elderly people (according to the Beers criteria (2003)) were selected as indicators of potential risks. A total of 2,627 prescriptions were collected and evaluated. Major DDIs were found in 2.6 % to 3.4 % of the prescriptions, depending on the software used. The prevalence of prescriptions containing drugs that acted on CYP450 was 50.9 %. PIM were found in 26.9 % prescriptions. These data indicate high prevalence of potential risks in drugs prescriptions to elderly at Ourinhos Micro-region public primary health care.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Antiinflammatory activity of Cayaponia podantha crude extract and fractions

The effects of the crude extract and fractions of Cayaponia podantha (Cp) on experimental inflammation models were investigated. Paw edema induced by carrageenan (Cg) and peritonitis induced by Cg, LPS, and LTB4 were evaluated in rats treated orally with different doses of extract. Croton oil (CO) induced ear edema and the determination of MPO activity were evaluated in mice. Crude Cp extract and hexane (HF), ethyl-acetate (AF) and hidromethanol (MF) fractions were topically applied immediately after the application of the CO. Four hours after Cg injection, animals treated with crude extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) displayed significantly decreased paw edema. The Cp extract (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg) decreased vascular permeability and leukocyte migration in the peritonitis model in the 3rd h after induction of the inflammatory reaction. Furthermore, the 500 mg/kg dose of Cp extract also reduced LPS- and LTB4-induced migration. Crude extract and hexane and ethyl-acetate fractions (5.0 mg) significantly inhibited ear edema and MPO activity. Our results showed that Cp crude extract and fractions exhibited anti-inflammatory effects when they are administered orally or topically in animals.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Preliminary studies on gastric anti-ulcerogenic effects of Averrhoa carambola in rats

El potencial antiúlcera del extracto hidroalcohólico de las hojas de Averrhoa carambola (ACE) fue investigado en los modelos experimentales de úlcera: lesiones inducidas por etanol acidificado, indomethacin y estrés agudo. ACE a las dosis de 800 y 1200 mg/Kg, sólo mostró actividad antiúlcera significante en el modelo inducido por etanol-acidificado. ACE en modelos experimentales de ulcera inducidos por la indometacina y por el estrés agudo no han demonstrado effectividad. Los resultados indican que la actividad antiúlcera del extracto es baja y presenta diferentes mecanismos de acción.In this study we investigated the anti-ulcerogenic potential of the water-alcohol extract of leaves of Averrhoa carambola (ACE). The acute effects of ACE administered by oral gavage on anti-ulcer activity were investigated in the following ulcer models in rats: lesions induced by acidified ethanol, indomethacin and acute stress. ACE, at doses of 800 and 1200 mg/Kg, p.o., only showed significant anti-ulcer activity in the acidified-ethanol-induced ulcer model in rats. ACE tested by indomethacin and acute stress ulcerogenic models did not show this activity. The results suggest low anti-ulcer activity with different mechanisms of action for the anti-ulcerogenic activity observed for ACE.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Preliminary studies on gastric anti-ulcerogenic effects of Averrhoa carambola in rats

El potencial antiúlcera del extracto hidroalcohólico de las hojas de Averrhoa carambola (ACE) fue investigado en los modelos experimentales de úlcera: lesiones inducidas por etanol acidificado, indomethacin y estrés agudo. ACE a las dosis de 800 y 1200 mg/Kg, sólo mostró actividad antiúlcera significante en el modelo inducido por etanol-acidificado. ACE en modelos experimentales de ulcera inducidos por la indometacina y por el estrés agudo no han demonstrado effectividad. Los resultados indican que la actividad antiúlcera del extracto es baja y presenta diferentes mecanismos de acción.In this study we investigated the anti-ulcerogenic potential of the water-alcohol extract of leaves of Averrhoa carambola (ACE). The acute effects of ACE administered by oral gavage on anti-ulcer activity were investigated in the following ulcer models in rats: lesions induced by acidified ethanol, indomethacin and acute stress. ACE, at doses of 800 and 1200 mg/Kg, p.o., only showed significant anti-ulcer activity in the acidified-ethanol-induced ulcer model in rats. ACE tested by indomethacin and acute stress ulcerogenic models did not show this activity. The results suggest low anti-ulcer activity with different mechanisms of action for the anti-ulcerogenic activity observed for ACE.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

The New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A Comprehensive Review on Immunity and the Application of Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling to the Discovery of Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the outbreak caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic. The rapid spread of the disease surprised the scientific and medical community. Based on the latest reports, news, and scientific articles published, there is no doubt that the coronavirus has overloaded health systems globally. Practical actions against the recent emergence and rapid expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 require the development and use of tools for discovering new molecular anti-SARS-CoV-2 targets. Thus, this review presents bioinformatics and molecular modeling strategies that aim to assist in the discovery of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Besides, we reviewed the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity, since understanding the structures involved in this infection can contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets. Bioinformatics is a technology that assists researchers in coping with diseases by investigating genetic sequencing and seeking structural models of potential molecular targets present in SARS-CoV2. The details provided in this review provide future points of consideration in the field of virology and medical sciences that will contribute to clarifying potential therapeutic targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 and for understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis and virulence of SARS-CoV-2