Due to COVID-19 and the limitation of face-face teaching, electronic adaptation for formative and continuous assessment methods were greatly used and documented between 2020 and 2021. This study aims to implement a virtual escape room that will help assist and refine problem-solving skills in fifth-year pharmacy students by reviewing Beer’s criteria and selecting the most appropriate management. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted following the implementation of the virtual escape room using google form. Students had to unlock five puzzles using Beer’s criteria. To evaluate pharmacy students’ perception of this method, they completed a survey to identify their views of the game. Of the 128 students enrolled in the geriatric course, all were able to escape (100%). A one-sample t-test indicated statistical significance between gender. Female students escaped statistically faster than male students (p < 0.00002) and were more likely to recommend the game to other students and thought the game encouraged them to think of the material in a new way, whereas male students were more neutral towards it. In conclusion, the geriatric virtual escape room was successfully implemented as a pilot innovative method to assist in virtual learning. However, future studies should investigate virtual gamification in pharmacy education and its impact on learning, as well as identify if there were any gender-specific differences in using these tools.

Following the recently conducted local studies on the growing misuse of pregabalin, Pregabalin misuse has received national attention. These studies have led to the authorities restricting the availability of pregabalin to hospital pharmacies alone. While the recent epidemiological studies and case reports found gabapentin to be misused worldwide, it was previously presumed to be free of any abuse potential. This study assesses the likelihood of there being a diversion to Gabapentin abuse following the Pregabalin restriction in Jeddah, KSA. A cross sectional observational study was conducted between November 2017 and December 2017 using a self-constructed online survey via Twitter and WhatsApp. The survey items included participants’ demographics, additional history, Gabapentin for non-medical use (frequency, concurrent use with other drugs, and motivators), and how the participants knew about the Gabapentin misuse. The data was subjected to a descriptive analysis via the utilization of frequencies and percentages. The analysis was carried out by using SPSS V21. Data of the 370 respondents who took the surveys were collected. Most of the respondents were women (n = 289; 78.1%) and below the age of 30 years (n = 300; 81.1%). A total of 72 respondents (19.5%) had a history of psychoactive drug abuse. Ten of the respondents reported Gabapentin misuse (2.7%). Half of the participants reported prior Pregabalin misuse, and were un-employed. Most of the misusers (n = 8; 80%) came to know about the psychotropic effects of Gabapentin from friends. The most common motives for using it were to ‘have fun’ and ‘peer pressure’ (n = 6; 60%). Half of the misusers used Gabapentin on a weekly basis. The findings of our study suggest a potential diversion from Pregabalin to Gabapentin misuse. Regulations and periodic reviews of the psychoactive prescription medications available in the community pharmacies are essential.

While several studies have explored the barriers to accessing community pharmacies for individuals with physical, hearing, visual, and learning disabilities, most have focused on the perspectives of disabled individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the barriers faced by community pharmacists when serving individuals with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of recommending ways to enhance future healthcare provisions. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional phenomenological study was conducted among community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia between March and April 2022. Both closed- and open-ended questions were utilized to identify themes related to community pharmacists’ barriers and experiences when providing care to individuals with disabilities. Results: A total of 40 community pharmacists participated in this study. Among them, 57.5% reported encountering difficulties when caring for patients with disabilities, with 65% indicating a lack of specialized services at their respective community pharmacies. Three major themes emerged from the findings: the need for pharmacist training and awareness, technology-guided methods for overcoming communication barriers, and improving overall pharmacy accessibility. Conclusion: This study reveals a significant gap in the provision of services for patients with disabilities in Saudi Arabia. Addressing physical accessibility, providing targeted training, and leveraging technology can enhance care delivery and promote inclusivity. Further research is warranted to assess the effectiveness of technological solutions and the integration of artificial intelligence in improving communication and patient-centered care for individuals with disabilities.

Background: Hospitalization can contribute to insomnia in many patients and is usually treated symptomatically. However, sedative/hypnotic misuse is associated with complications in this population, especially in the elderly. Such complications include dizziness, falls and over-sedation. Due to the implicit dangers, widespread use of these drugs for insomnia, particularly in older patients, has been discouraged by many hospitals. The aim of this study was to review and evaluate prescribing patterns and to optimize the use of the sedative/hypnotic agents through daily pharmacy interventions at a community hospital. Methods: This was a biphasic before and after study. Data on sedative/hypnotic use was collected retrospectively for a 2-month period and a sample of 100 patients was randomly selected for analysis. A 2-month prospective phase followed, in which daily orders were reviewed by one pharmacy resident and recommendations made to discontinue any unnecessary, newly prescribed sedative/hypnotic orders when appropriate. Finally, results of both phases were compared for any differences in patient demographics, being prescribed more than one sedative/hypnotic, and complications documented. Results: During the prospective phase, pharmacist interventions led to the discontinuation of 25% of a total of 97 sedative/hypnotic orders in 97 patients. The number of patients receiving more than one sedative/hypnotic agents in the intervention group was significantly lower than the retrospective control group (15 Vs. 34, P = 0.0026). The incidence of complications was not significantly different between the control and intervention groups for the following: over-sedation, falls and delirium (p = 0.835, p = 0.185, p = 0.697, respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of sedative/hypnotics in the inpatient units (excluding the critical care unit), is somewhat prevalent, and many patients may be on more than one sedative/hypnotic, which could potentially cause cumulative harm. During the intervention phase, 25% of the total in-hospital orders for sedative/hypnotics were discontinued following recommendations made by a pharmacist, and significantly lower number of patients receiving duplicate sedative/hypnotics was noted. Further efforts should be implemented to avoid unnecessary sedative/hypnotic initiation in hospitalized patients, and to ensure monitoring by pharmacists is optimized.

Introduction: In Saudi Arabia; it is estimated that the elderly (aged 60 and above) would reach up to (22.9%) by 2050, compared to (5.6%) in 2017. Simulation games have proven to be a useful and effective method of education in pharmacy schools, as it actively involves participants in the learning process. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the modified geriatric medication game on community pharmacists’ awareness and attitudes toward older adults with common disabilities. Methods: A modified geriatric medication game was adopted to stimulate both physical and sensory disabilities in older adults. A total of 9 community pharmacists were gathered in 1 room and were asked to play 2 scenarios each. Self-reflection was assessed and ground theories were analyzed. Results: All pharmacists felt frustration and anger playing the game (100%), followed by becoming more aware of the extra time and guidance needed with older adults and realized how disabling chronic diseases could be, and felt they needed to improve common perceived attitude towards the elderly (88.89%). Pharmacists also felt empathy, sympathy, and compassion towards this population, needed improvement of common perceived attitude towards older adults, and felt the need to double check with older adults if they have any disabilities before counseling (77.78%). Finally, over half pharmacists (55.5%) wished they had more training on geriatrics during pharmacy school and the need for further review of Beer’s criteria. All pharmacists were satisfied with the game and recommended it to all community pharmacists. Conclusion: Simulation games are a great way to strengthen awareness and change practice accordingly. Pharmacists improved their awareness and attitude towards the elderly and reported a positive perceived value of this learning activity; with a 100% satisfaction rate. Adding a geriatric course with simulation component is recommended for better geriatric care.

There is a lack of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree programs in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to examine current pharmacy students’ perceptions regarding establishing such a program and the perceived limitations and advantages of pursuing such a degree. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based short survey to assess the feasibility of establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in several randomly selected pharmacy schools in Saudi Arabia. Our cohort consisted of 657 students. Almost 56% were males, and nearly 58% were fourth-year pharmacy students. Close to 85% had a “very well” or “well” understanding regarding the pharmacist’s role in the public health area, and almost 70% stated that they see themselves playing a role in public health as a future pharmacist. Nearly 93% reported that they are either “very likely” or “likely” to enroll in such a program if given the opportunity. Almost 80% felt it would increase their job opportunities. On the other hand, close to 70% felt it would increase workload and stress. This study highlights pharmacy students’ positive perceptions regarding establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in Saudi Arabia. The study results could be utilized as the starting point to propose and establish this program to health education policymakers in Saudi Arabia.