Dataset Information

A qualitative study to explore the role of pharmacists in healthy weight management in adults in Pakistan: current scenario and future perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pharmacists possess significant potential for providing health services to the public when it comes to issues of weight management. However, this practice has not been observed in most parts of the world including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Pakistan. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of pharmacists in providing healthy weight management (HWM) services to adults in Pakistan, and the barriers associated with the implementation of this type of role.

Methods

This descriptive qualitative study was set in seven hospitals (public and private) and three chain pharmacies in Lahore, Punjab - a province of Pakistan. Data was collected from in-depth individual interviews with pharmacists (n = 19) and medical doctors (n = 15). Purposive sampling techniques were applied to recruit both types of study participants. Telephone contact was made by the trained data collectors with the pharmacists to set the date and time of the interview after explaining to them the purpose of the study and obtaining their willingness and verbal recorded consent to participate. Registered medical doctors were recruited through snowball sampling techniques. The sample size was determined by applying the point at which thematic saturation occurred. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed to draw conclusions using inductive thematic content analysis.

Results

Through inductive qualitative analysis eight themes emerged; potential role for community pharmacists, collaborative approaches, barriers, ideal pharmacist-based weight management program, professional requirements and need for training, potential for implementation, current scenario in pharmacies and level of trust of pharmacists. The first six themes were common to both pharmacists and medical professionals. The unique theme for doctors was the 'level of trust of pharmacists', and for the pharmacists was the 'current scenario in pharmacies'.

Conclusion

The majority of participants in our study had strong convictions that Pakistani pharmacists have the potential for provide effective HWM services to their communities. Of concern, none of the participating pharmacies were offering any sort of weight management program and none of the medical professionals interviewed were aware of HWM programs taking place. Medical doctors were of the opinion that pharmacists alone cannot run these programs. Doctor participants were firm that after being adequately trained, pharmacists should only carry out non-pharmacological interventions. To implement a HWM pharmacy model in Pakistan, it is necessary to overcome barriers outlined in this study.

SUBMITTER: Atif M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7296957 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Triple negative tumors represent 15% of breast cancer and are characterized by the lack of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptor, and HER2 amplification or overexpression. Approximately 25% of patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer carry a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. They have an aggressive biology, and chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for a long time. Despite intensive therapies, prognosis is still poor, and many patients will eventually relapse or die due to cancer. Therefore, novel targeted agents that can increase the treatment options for this disease are urgently needed. Recently, a new class of molecules has emerged as a standard of care for patients with triple negative breast cancer and germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation: poly (ADP-ribose) (PARP) inhibitors. In the first part of the review, we summarize and discuss evidence supporting the use of PARP inhibitors. Currently, two PARP inhibitors have been approved for triple negative metastatic breast cancer-olaparib and talazoparib-based on two phase III trials, which showed a progression-free survival benefit when compared to chemotherapy. Safety profile was manageable with supportive therapies and dose reductions/interruptions. In addition, other PARP inhibitors are currently under investigation, such as talazoparib, rucaparib, and veliparib. Subsequently, we will discuss the potential role of PARP inhibitors in the future. Clinical research areas are investigating PARP inhibitors in combination with other agents and are including patients without germline BRCA mutations: ongoing phase II/III studies are combining PARP inhibitors with immunotherapy, while phases I and II trials are combining PARP inhibitors with other targeted agents such as ATM and PIK3CA inhibitors. Moreover, several clinical trials are enrolling patients with somatic BRCA mutation or patients carrying mutations in genes, other than BRCA1/2, involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway (e.g., CHECK2, PALB2, RAD51, etc.).

Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study was conducted to assess current situation of medicines shortages in Pakistan and to identify its impact, reasons and possible solutions to overcome the barriers. DESIGN:A qualitative study. SETTING:The study was conducted between May 2018 and July 2018 in three cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi and Bahawalpur, depending on the availability of most relevant key informants. PARTICIPANTS:Health regulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical distributors and pharmacists. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURE:Study primarily explored current situation, reasons and potential solutions of medicines shortages in Pakistan. Secondary outcome was the issue of particular brand shortage. METHOD:Semistructured interviews were conducted. Sample size was determined by using saturation point criteria. Convenient sampling techniques were used to recruit the participants. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS:A total of 41 stakeholders including 12 health regulators, 6 pharmaceutical manufacturers, 8 pharmaceutical distributors and 15 pharmacists participated in this study. Data analysis yielded 4 themes, 16 subthemes, 51 categories. Essential and life-saving medicines were in short supply. The major reasons of short supply of medicines were active pharmaceutical ingredient and raw material availability issues, lack of traditional distribution system and sudden demand fluctuation. Among proposed solutions, three most common were the facilitation and regulation of manufacturers, reasonable price fixation and improvements in the inventory control system. CONCLUSION:Medicines were short in supply, and this may have clinical and financial impact on the patients in Pakistan. There were multiple and complex reasons of medicines shortages. Mandatory government leadership is required to resolve the issue on priority basis for improving the access of medicines to the patients.

Project description:BackgroundIn oncology, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is not yet widely implemented due to uncertainties such as the required infrastructure and expertise, costs and reimbursements, and unknown pan-cancer clinical utility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate possible future developments facilitating or impeding the use of WGS as a molecular diagnostic in oncology through scenario drafting.MethodsA four-step process was adopted for scenario drafting. First, the literature was searched for barriers and facilitators related to the implementation of WGS. Second, they were prioritized by international experts, and third, combined into coherent scenarios. Fourth, the scenarios were implemented in an online survey and their likelihood of taking place within 5 years was elicited from another group of experts. Based on the minimum, maximum, and most likely (mode) parameters, individual Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) probability density functions were determined. Subsequently, individual opinions were aggregated by performing unweighted linear pooling, from which summary statistics were extracted and reported.ResultsSixty-two unique barriers and facilitators were extracted from 70 articles. Price, clinical utility, and turnaround time of WGS were ranked as the most important aspects. Nine scenarios were developed and scored on likelihood by 18 experts. The scenario about introducing WGS as a clinical diagnostic with a lower price, shorter turnaround time, and improved degree of actionability, scored the highest likelihood (median: 68.3%). Scenarios with low likelihoods and strong consensus were about better treatment responses to more actionable targets (26.1%), and the effect of centralizing WGS (24.1%).ConclusionsBased on current expert opinions, the implementation of WGS as a clinical diagnostic in oncology is heavily dependent on the price, clinical utility (both in terms of identifying actionable targets as in adding sufficient value in subsequent treatment), and turnaround time. These aspects and the optimal way of service provision are the main drivers for the implementation of WGS and should be focused on in further research. More knowledge regarding these factors is needed to inform strategic decision making regarding the implementation of WGS, which warrants support from all relevant stakeholders.