Journal of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management

Designing a Human Resource Empowerment Model for Pharmacists in Pharmacies in Tehran

Soodabe Delgosha, Majid Annabi — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Background: One of the most effective strategies to gain a competitive advantage in the current business environment is to enhance the efficiency of employees within organizations. The purpose of this research was to design a human resource empowerment model for pharmacists in pharmacies in Tehran.

Methods: The research's statistical population includes two qualitative and quantitative components. In the qualitative part, 35 elite pharmacists from universities, industry, and the Ministry of Health were included, while the quantitative part involved a statistical sample of 220 individuals. For data analysis, the Grandad process of Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tests, independent one-sample t-test, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were used. SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software were used to analyze the research data.

Results: The findings showed that in the final development model of empowering pharmacists and personnel in Tehran courts, causal factors include psychological characteristics and training. The core category includes cultural and moral competence, as well as professional and technical competence. Background factors include commitment and skill. Intervening factors include moral values. Strategies include efficiency and speed. The consequences include creativity, innovation, and social responsibility.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that continuous training workshops should be organized for pharmacists in Tehran pharmacies to enhance their specialized knowledge. Periodic in-service courses should be provided to these individuals based on their professional activities. The organization should consider social activities and social behaviors as focal points.

Explanation of the Opportunity Identification Model Based on Gender Restrictions Affecting Women's Entrepreneurial Identity

Fariba Ashak, Kambiz Talebi — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Background: Stereotypical beliefs and gender biases play a limiting and discouraging role in the development of women's entrepreneurship, which can have a significant impact on women's willingness to become entrepreneurs.

Methods: This research aims to identify and analyze the gender-based limitations affecting the entrepreneurial opportunities of female entrepreneurs using a mixed-methods approach. This research is applied in terms of its objective. In the qualitative phase, 14 experts were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Data collection was conducted through library studies and semi-structured interviews. In this section, the data were analyzed in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding, which resulted in the identification of 51 indicators and 12 components. The research questionnaire was designed based on these indicators. In the quantitative section, the statistical population was all female entrepreneurs in the pharmaceutical companies under study, which totaled 425 people. Using Cochran's formula and a simple random sampling method, 170 people were selected as the sample size. Data collection was carried out using a researcher-made questionnaire, whose reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89 and validity using expert opinion. Data analysis was performed using SPSS23 and PLS3 Smart software.

Results: Based on the research findings, 12 components of social, cultural, economic, educational, legal, behavioral, personality, individual, commercialization, knowledge enhancement, entrepreneurial awareness, and market recognition limitations were identified under the title of dimensions and components of gender-based limitations affecting women's entrepreneurial opportunities. The results also showed that social limitations (β=-0/578), cultural limitations (β=-0/429), economic limitations (β=-0/408), educational limitations (β=-0/346), legal limitations (β=-0/297), behavioral limitations (β=-0/215), personality limitations (β=-0/189), and individual limitations (β=-0/138) have a negative and significant impact on entrepreneurial opportunities.

A Prospective Cohort Study on Metamorphosis of Peptic Ulcer Dynamics

Ezilkkavia Selvaraj, Bibin Rijo W, Anagha S, Raghul G, Arul Prakasam — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Background: This study explores the epidemiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) among resident students in Komarapalayam, India, with the aim of increasing awareness, identifying influential lifestyle factors, and assessing intervention effectiveness.

Methods: A comprehensive nine-month prospective cohort study involving 404 paramedical students aged 17-28 was rigorously conducted. Data collection included a meticulously validated questionnaire, high-risk subgroup identification, and the implementation of educational interventions. Statistical analyses maintained a significance threshold at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The study findings revealed a striking contrast. While the actual incidence of Peptic Ulcer Disease was lower than anticipated, the prevalence of prodromal symptoms was surprisingly high. This underscores the critical need for early symptom identification. Tailored educational interventions exhibited great promise in improving PUD comprehension. Lifestyle choices played a substantial role in susceptibility, with hostellers experiencing the highest PUD prevalence at 10.3%—the efficacy of symptom-based assessments extended beyond healthcare domains.

Conclusion: This investigation underscores the urgency of early symptom recognition, personalized education, and proactive health-oriented choices to mitigate the onset of Peptic Ulcer Disease. It highlights the merit of symptom-based assessments and emphasizes the essential role of health education within tertiary institutions. This research catalyzes future initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of students in the context of Peptic Ulcer Disease.

Pharmaceutical Marketing Management in India

Syed Saif Imam — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Abstract:

In order to identify key tactics and their gaps, the researcher self-designed questionnaire responses from 80 respondents (who either work at manging level in a pharmaceutical company or own their own firm) on Google through convenience sampling across several areas in India. Additionally, the researcher solicited consumer input on marketing assistance, strategies, and tools. We are going to present a research on how pharmaceutical firms' marketing tactics change over time as they transition from one to other. It will additionally shine light on the many marketing techniques and tools that pharmaceutical businesses use.

Validation of Albumin Prescription in Vali Asr and Ayatollah Musavi Zanjan Hospitals

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Background: Human serum albumin (HSA) is a versatile protein exclusively produced by hepatocyte cells in the liver, constantly released into the bloodstream. Substantial quantities of HSA are employed to ameliorate a variety of clinical conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of albumin serum administration as recorded in the patient files of Valiasr and Ayatollah Mousavi Hospitals in Zanjan, Iran.

methods: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of albumin prescriptions in adult departments of Ayatollah Mousavi and Valiasr hospitals from March 2013 to March 2019. Collected data on albumin consumption and patient information were carried out through reviewing medical records of patients, resulting in a selection of 316 cases. The study developed a reference framework for assessing albumin administration accuracy. A scoring mechanism was used to categorize prescriptions into appropriate, inappropriate, questionable, and ambiguous classes. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software.

Results: The findings indicated that the average patient age was 62.2 years. Among 316 patients, 60.4% were male. The mean serum albumin level measured 3.14 g/dL. The collective volume of albumin administered to patients across both hospitals was 5016 units, averaging 15.77 units per patient, and this was utilized over a total of 2253 days. Among the studied patients, 197 passed away during treatment, 110 were discharged, and 9 were transferred to other wards. Based on the established reference, it was observed that 5.5% of prescriptions were accurate, 51.9% were inaccurate, 26.4% were debatable, and 0.6% were undetermined. The total cost of prescribing this quantity of albumin in both hospitals amounted to 9,274,584,000 Rials, distributed as 8,347,125,600 Rials and 927,458,400 Rials in their respective proportions.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the study highlighted that physician-prescribed albumin, guided by provided instructions, contained numerous errors necessitating vigilant and ongoing oversight. After a comprehensive review of all the data presented, it is apparent that there is no conclusive evidence supporting the existence of a formalized strategy for consistent reduction in albumin consumption within the hospitals.

Economic Burden of Treatment-Resistant Depression

Swati Sucharita Dash, Merlin Roshma Sherin, Jignesh Bhate, Guruprasad KS Rao — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0330

Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a highly prevalent condition and is generally referred to as the failure of at least two or more prior treatments with antidepressants or augmentation therapy with adequate dose and duration. TRD affects the overall health and social life of the individual, in addition to the economic impact associated with the illness. Therefore, this review is focused to examine the financial burden of illness among patients with TRD across different countries and to identify the key drivers for the incremental costs and healthcare resource utilization (HRU).

Methods: Literature search was carried out in the PubMed database using relevant MeSH terms. Relevant studies published between 2019 and 2024 were included in this review.

Results and Discussion: Overall 22 studies were included in this review, with majority based of the United States (n=15). The majority of the patients were females, ranging from 53.1% to 77% and the mean age of patients with TRD ranged from 37.7±14.4 to 73.1±6.5 years. The mean annual all-cause healthcare cost per patient ranged from $3,190 to $40,040. The mean annual all-cause indirect costs per patient ranged from $4,199 to $6,342. Outpatient visits were the frequently utilized healthcare services, especially psychiatric visits and visits to the general practitioners or family physician. The incremental costs were primarily driven by worsening symptom severity, presence of comorbidities, advancing age, and frequent visits to specialists.

Conclusion: Regardless of the factors influencing cost burden, TRD generally accounts for higher healthcare use and costs, compared to individuals with major depressive disorder or without any mental illness. This underscores the need for fostering newer interventions and implementation of multidisciplinary approaches to lessen the cost burden of this condition, in addition to managing it effectively.