Original Research Article
May 16, 2021
Activities in Namibia to Limit the Prevalence and Mortality from COVID-19 Including Community Pharmacy Activities and the Implications
Dan Kibuule, Lahya Nambahu, Israel Abebrese Sefah, Amanj Kurdi, Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong, Hye-Young Kwon, Brian Godman
Sch Acad J Pharm | 82-92
DOI : 10.36347/sajp.2021.v10i05.001
Abstract
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Considerable differences exist in prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 across countries due to the extent of prevention measures instigated and their timeliness. There has been considerable controversy surrounding hydroxychloroquine, with resultant misinformation increasing medicine prices and suicides. Prices have also increased for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). There are also growing concerns regarding the unintended consequences from COVID-19 including patients with non-communicable diseases. Consequently, a need to investigate key areas and the preparedness of community pharmacists, who play a key role in Namibia and the wider global community to provide future direction. In view of this, we sought to assess changes in utilisation, prices and shortages of relevant medicines early in the pandemic in Namibia combined with the preparedness of community pharmacists to deal with key issues to guide future activities. This was achieved via a questionnaire survey among ’55 pharmacists and assistants from March to end June 2020 including suggestions on potential ways forward and comparisons with other African and Asian countries. We found limited increases in the utilisation of antimalarials and antibiotics in Namibia versus Bangladesh, Ghana, and Nigeria, enhanced by restrictions on self-purchasing in Namibia reflected by limited price rises and shortages. This is encouraging. Higher use of vitamin c and immune boosters in Ghana and Nigeria versus Namibia reflected in higher price rises, with increased utilisation and prices of PPE across a range of African and Asian countries. Encouragingly limited increases in herbal medicine use in Namibia. Future roles of community pharmacists in pandemics include education, good stock control, and screening. More research is needed assessing the unintended consequences of COVID-19.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Left Ventricular Failure
Bonela Meghana, Peer Mahamoodha, Simhavalli.Godavarthi, Olireddi Deepthi, Rallapalli.P.V.S.S.Prasanth
Sch Acad J Pharm | 93-94
DOI : 10.36347/sajp.2021.v10i05.002
Abstract
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Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart muscle disease characterized by left ventricular (LV) or biventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of either pressure or volume overload or coronary artery disease sufficient enough to explain the dysfunction. Cardiomyopathies either are confined to the heart or are part of generalized systemic disorders, often leading to cardiovascular death or progressive heart failure (HF) related disability this case study is about the treatment of pathological heart and also monitoring interactions. DCM is usually a mostly genetically determined disease.