Research in Specialization Studies in Industrial Pharmacy benefits pharmaceutical industry

Several research projects in Industrial Pharmacy Specialization Studies have been finalized to the benefit of pharmaceutical industry. B. Sc. in Pharmacy working in pharmaceutical industry have done literature studies and developmental projects related to the topics of their daily work. For M.Sc. in Pharmacy, the research projects have resulted in licentiate thesis (2 scientific publications). The topics of the latest published research projects are development and usage of GMP auditing tool, development of Key Performance Indicators for quality assurance, outsourcing of regulatory affairs as well as effects of moxonidine and atenolol on insulin sensitivity, postmenopausal symptoms and blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women.Peer reviewe

Argumentation and processing knowledge in open-ended assignment tasks : Challenges and accomplishments among pharmacy students

Students in higher education have been shown to have difficulties in developing their critical thinking skills, such as analysis and problem solving, reasoning and argumentation. Open-ended tasks offer opportunities for students to develop their own interpretations of various sources, to critically analyse domain-specific knowledge and utilize that knowledge in their argumentation. This study focuses on the ability of new Master's students (n=37) to utilize pharmaceutical knowledge from different sources in producing written arguments and counter-arguments in the context of open-ended assignment task. The data were analysed by qualitative content analysis. The results showed that there was substantial variation in how students analysed and processed pharmaceutical knowledge as well as how they utilized that knowledge in their argumentation. While some students were able to provide comprehensive analysis of the different sources, others superficially analysed and processed the sources and struggled to generate convincing arguments. Students' written responses were typically one-sided: only a few students provided counter-arguments associated with the pharmaceutical problem-solving situation presented in the task. Understanding the nature of the challenges in argumentation and knowledge processing encountered by pharmacy students can help pharmacy educators to modify their pedagogical practices to better support students' learning. Practitioner Notes 1. University students even in Master program level may have challenges related to argumentation and processing knowledge 2. The challenges in argumentation and processing knowledge should be taken into account and should be enhanced and practiced from the beginning of the studies. 3. Critical thinking and argumentation should be integrated into the intended learning outcomes, learning and teaching activities, the contents of the courses, and assessment.Peer reviewe

Could paper package leaflet be left out from hospital products?

Peer reviewe

Under-Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions in Finland and Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on How to Improve Reporting.

Background: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting has been studied relatively extensively in all the Nordic countries besides Finland, but no definitive solution to decrease under-reporting has been found. Despite many similarities in reporting, the most notable difference compared to other Nordic countries is that ADR reporting is completely voluntary in Finland. Purpose: The purpose was to examine if voluntary reporting influences healthcare professional (HCP) ADR reporting, why HCPs do not report all suspected ADRs, how could reporting be enhanced, and do we need to develop the process for collecting ADR follow-up (F/U) information from HCPs. Methods: An open and anonymous questionnaire was developed and made available online at the e-form portal of the University of Helsinki. Trade and area unions distributed the questionnaire to their respective member physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Two independent coders performed the content analysis of answers to open-ended questions. Results: A total of 149 responses was received. Two fifths (38%) of the HCPs confirmed that they had not always reported suspected ADRs. The main reason for not reporting was that the ADR was already known. HCPs who had no previous ADR reporting experience did not report ADRs mainly because it was not clear how to report them. Seriousness (chosen by 76%) and unexpectedness of the reaction (chosen by 64%) were the most actuating factors in reporting an ADR. Only 52% of the HCPs had received ADR reporting training and only 16% of the HCPs felt that they had enough information about reporting. Most HCPs felt that ADR F/U requests are justified, and these requests did not affect their ADR reporting willingness. Conclusions: As in other Nordic countries, ADR under-reporting occurs also in Finland despite differences in reporting guidance. ADR reporting rate could be enhanced by organizing recurring training, information campaigns, and including reporting reminders to the patient information systems that HCPs use. Training should primarily aid in recognizing ADRs, educate in how to report, and promote a reporting culture among HCPs.Peer reviewe

How does the current dosage forms meet the needs of drug treatment in older adults?

Peer reviewe

Under-Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions in Finland and Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on How to Improve Reporting.

Background: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting has been studied relatively extensively in all the Nordic countries besides Finland, but no definitive solution to decrease under-reporting has been found. Despite many similarities in reporting, the most notable difference compared to other Nordic countries is that ADR reporting is completely voluntary in Finland. Purpose: The purpose was to examine if voluntary reporting influences healthcare professional (HCP) ADR reporting, why HCPs do not report all suspected ADRs, how could reporting be enhanced, and do we need to develop the process for collecting ADR follow-up (F/U) information from HCPs. Methods: An open and anonymous questionnaire was developed and made available online at the e-form portal of the University of Helsinki. Trade and area unions distributed the questionnaire to their respective member physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Two independent coders performed the content analysis of answers to open-ended questions. Results: A total of 149 responses was received. Two fifths (38%) of the HCPs confirmed that they had not always reported suspected ADRs. The main reason for not reporting was that the ADR was already known. HCPs who had no previous ADR reporting experience did not report ADRs mainly because it was not clear how to report them. Seriousness (chosen by 76%) and unexpectedness of the reaction (chosen by 64%) were the most actuating factors in reporting an ADR. Only 52% of the HCPs had received ADR reporting training and only 16% of the HCPs felt that they had enough information about reporting. Most HCPs felt that ADR F/U requests are justified, and these requests did not affect their ADR reporting willingness. Conclusions: As in other Nordic countries, ADR under-reporting occurs also in Finland despite differences in reporting guidance. ADR reporting rate could be enhanced by organizing recurring training, information campaigns, and including reporting reminders to the patient information systems that HCPs use. Training should primarily aid in recognizing ADRs, educate in how to report, and promote a reporting culture among HCPs.Peer reviewe

Regulation Awareness and Experience of Additional Monitoring Among Healthcare Professionals in Finland

Background: Challenges in post-marketing adverse event reporting are generally recognized. To enhance reporting, the concept of additional monitoring was introduced in 2012. Additional monitoring aims to enhance reporting of adverse events (AE) for medicines for which the clinical evidence base is less well developed. Purpose: The purpose was to get a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons why additional monitoring has not increased AE reporting as much as initially hoped. We examined how healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Finland perceive additional monitoring, why they do or do not report AEs more readily for these medicines and how they interact with patients treated with additionally monitored medicines. Methods: An anonymous, open questionnaire was developed and made available online at the e-form portal of University of Helsinki. Physicians, nurses, and pharmacists were invited to complete the questionnaire via their respective trade or area unions. Content analysis of answers to open-ended questions was performed by two independent coders. Results: Pharmacists have the best understanding about additional monitoring but at the same time do not recognize their role in enhancing monitoring. Only 40% of HCPs working with patients knows always or often if a specific medicine is additionally monitored. Half (53%) of HCPs do not tell or tell only rarely patients about additional monitoring. 18% of HCPs reported having received additional monitoring training whereas 29% had received general AE reporting training. AE reporting was more common among HCPs who had received training. Conclusions: Additional monitoring awareness among HCPs and patients should be increased by organizing regular educational events and making additional monitoring more visible. Educational events should emphasize the significance additional monitoring has on patient safety and promote a reporting culture among HCPs.Peer reviewe

Medicines, environment and clinical pharmacology

Medical associations and other societies have announced their theses on protection of the climate and environmental aspects in medicine. The challenges with climate change and sustainability are complex, and no quick solutions are to be found. However, basic knowledge on these issues should be available to everyone, and environmental aspects of drugs are important to all healthcare professionals. We present here a study with medical students who were introduced for the first time to environmental aspects of medicines. The results confirmed the suitability and feasibility of the approach to introduce this subject to students, and we propose that the same method can be used also when explaining the issue to medical professionals. We would like to encourage particularly clinical pharmacologists, pharmacologists and pharmacists to take a more apparent position in this field and to participate in the discussions where the strategies for the choice of medicines are considered.Peer reviewe

Virtual reality as a new teaching method in pharmacy education?

Non peer reviewe

Generation Green – A holistic approach to implementation of green principles and practices in educational programmes in pharmaceutical and medical sciences at the University of Helsinki

Solving the environmental and sustainability challenges associated with drug development, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end -of -life requires comprehensive change in the mindset of healthcare professionals on all fronts. Besides current professionals, the faculty teachers and students have a critical role in facilitating the implementation of green principles and practices in educational programs, but no change occurs unless the need and the tools are properly established and their impact understood. This article describes the evolution of green pharmacy practice in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki, following a previously published framework for change management. Furthermore, the article describes the dissemination of the principles and good practices into medical education.Peer reviewe