University of Malta. Department of Pharmacy & The Malta Pharmaceutical Association
Abstract
Objective: To develop and implement an online
bulletin intended to provide information on locally
available medicinal products undergoing variation in their
Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and inclusions
of medicinal products in the Government Formulary List
(GFL) and to evaluate the usefulness of the bulletin among
healthcare professionals and students.
Method: Lists of locally available medicines that had
undergone variations and medicinal products added to the
GFL during a 6-month time frame were compiled. Additional
information was obtained from regulatory authorities and local
agents. A concise article was written on each drug, reviewed
by a panel of experts and subsequently published in the online
bulletin. Following completion of the contents and layout, the
material was uploaded on the website of the Department of
Pharmacy, University of Malta. A pilot study was carried out to
identify shortcomings in the online bulletin design. The launch
of the online bulletin started the promotional process which
was mainly focused on electronic mail marketing. The data
obtained from the validated questionnaire was coded and
analysed using SPSS® v.20 and Microsoft® Excel Vista®.
Key findings: Sixty seven per cent (n=223) of the
respondents returned the questionnaire. The online bulletin
was evaluated by 27 medical practitioners, 34 pharmacists,
37 medical students and 51 pharmacy students; of which
35% (n=52) were male and 65% (n=97) were female. The
respondents agreed that the bulletin was up-to-date,
clear and concise (91%, n=136), user-friendly (97%, n=144),
useful (95%, n=142), well-designed (91%, n=136) and easy
to access (87%, n=130). Ninety seven per cent (n=145) of
the respondents stated that the information present in the
bulletin was new to them, whilst 97% (n=144) agreed that
the bulletin helped to keep them informed.
Conclusion: The online bulletin provided an accessible
means to deliver unbiased information about the introduction of
recent medicinal products on the GFL and variations in SmPCs of
products available on the local market. It was positively received
by both healthcare professionals and students.peer-reviewe