Evelina Gavazova

Ms. Evelina Gavazova


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 July 2024 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
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Radiana StaynovaRadiana Staynova
Radiana Staynova
EGEvelina Gavazova
Evelina Gavazova
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide and the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall. Most women with breast cancer have a good prognosis if the cancer is detected at an early stage and the patients have access to the appropriate treatment and disease management. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on breast cancer management and health outcomes. A literature review was carried out through the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using predefined keywords. Only full-text original articles written in English that investigated the role of the pharmacist in the management of breast cancer were included in the final analysis. No publication date limits were set. A total of 1625 articles were retrieved from the electronic databases, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. The current scoping review consists of different study types, including randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, pre-post studies, retrospective cohort studies, quality improvement projects, case-control studies, and one pharmacoeconomic study. Pharmacists commonly provided the following interventions: consultations regarding chemotherapy treatment, risk assessment and patient education, adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions detection, and adherence assessment. This scoping review highlights the beneficial effects of the involvement of pharmacists in breast cancer management, such as better quality of life, reduced drug interaction risk, greater adherence rates, and improved patient knowledge. This confirms the importance of including the pharmacist in the oncology team caring for patients with breast cancer.

30 April 2024 in Folia Medica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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EGEvelina Gavazova
Evelina Gavazova
Radiana StaynovaRadiana Staynova
Radiana Staynova
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
Inappropriate polypharmacy is a common occurrence in elderly patients, resulting in increased adverse drug reactions, nonadherence, and increased healthcare costs. Medication review and deprescribing are the primary strategies described in the literature for dealing with problematic polypharmacy. To effectively carry out the medication review, various tools have been developed. These tools can support medication review in a variety of ways. Some tools include a list of medications requiring detailed attention, while others guide medical professionals with principles and algorithms for reviewing and prescribing medicines. A third category of tools focuses on tracking and identifying symptoms that may be due to drug-related problems. This article aims to present the medication review support tools used in the management of polypharmacy in the geriatric population, emphasizing their advantages and disadvantages.

25 July 2025 in Pharmacia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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EGEvelina Gavazova
Evelina Gavazova
JBJan Bashev
Jan Bashev
KAKiril Atliev
Kiril Atliev
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as vital contributors to healthcare systems, with expanding clinical roles and responsibilities. This study aims to evaluate the well-being, job satisfaction, and stress levels among pharmacists in Bulgaria, a country where the pharmaceutical profession is undergoing transformation in alignment with European standards. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured, self-administered 16-item questionnaire distributed online to licensed pharmacists across various practice settings. The survey collected demographic data and explored domains such as job satisfaction, work-related stress, salary perception, and work-life balance. A total of 401 pharmacists participated. Statistical analyses revealed a weak but significant negative correlation between job satisfaction and stress levels and a moderate negative correlation between stress and both work-life balance and salary satisfaction. No significant correlation was found between stress levels and either age or workplace setting. These findings suggest that systemic workplace factors, rather than demographic variables, are the primary drivers of stress among pharmacists. The study concludes that targeted strategies such as improving compensation, promoting job flexibility, and supporting work-life balance are crucial to enhancing pharmacists’ well-being and mitigating burnout. These interventions are essential not only for workforce sustainability but also for maintaining high standards in pharmaceutical care and public health outcomes.

26 June 2024 in Pharmacia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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VGVeselina Goranova-Marinova
Veselina Goranova-Marinova
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
KAKalina Andreevska
Kalina Andreevska
VGVania Georgieva
Vania Georgieva
Yana GvozdevaYana Gvozdeva
Yana Gvozdeva
VPValentina Petkova
Valentina Petkova
Summary: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a pluripotent hemopoietic stem cell malignancy characterized by the presence of a BCR-ABL1 fusion gene derived from a balanced translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 [t(9;22) (q34; q11)] known as the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. CML is an acquired hematopoietic stem cell disease common to myelo- and lymphopoiesis, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of granulopoiesis (Shuvaev et al. 2015; Yordanov and Varbanova 2019). Relevance and goals: Second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib) have an advantage over imatinib (first-generation) in the frequency and speed of achieving cytogenetic and molecular responses in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), but they cause severe adverse effects and are much more expensive than imatinib, especially if we compare them to the prices of the registered generic products of Imatinib and Dasatinib. “Novartis Tasigna® trial shows superior results to Glivec® in patients with early-stage chronic myeloid leukemia”, reported on 10/20/2021 by Pierre Perrin-Montlouis. In the first direct comparison of these two oral therapies back in 2009 (Тasigna (nilotinib) 2009), as first-line treatment for CML, the results of Tasigna showed statistically significant improvement over Glivec in every measure of efficacy, including major molecular response (MMR), complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and prevention of progression to accelerated or blast phase, with responses achieved faster in the Tasigna group than in the Glivec group. Furthermore, in the last ten years, CML patients who have achieved a stable deep molecular response for at least 2 years have been included in clinical trials for the management of treatment-free remission (TFR) (Kim et al. 2013; Saußele et al. 2016). On the other hand, the ever-increasing costs of diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the response of CML to the various therapeutic strategies require conducting pharmacoeconomic analyses of the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility types in order to evaluate which are the cost-effective strategies with a view to introducing them into therapeutic practice. The present study aims to analyze the pharmacoeconomic efficiency of the TKI inhibitors used by the patients with CML-CP in the first and second lines, treated in the hematology clinic at UMHAT “St. George”, MU- Plovdiv during the period 2018–2022. Methods: An economic analysis of the medicinal use of TKIs for a 5-year period (2018–2022) was performed at the national level according to data from the National Health Insurance Fund and the availability, accessibility, and usability of original and generic TKIs in Bulgaria were evaluated. The direct medical costs for the therapy of all patients were calculated, including the costs of the TKI therapy, laboratory tests, and monitoring of the molecular response for the entire treatment period from the appointment of the TKI therapy until the end of 2022. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of the different therapeutic strategies with TKIs on the first and second lines of treatment of patients with CML-CP in the hematology clinic at UMHAT “St. George” Medical University, Plovdiv, using the decision analysis method and conducting one-way and probalistic sensitivity analyses. Results: The sensitivity analyzes of all pharmacoeconomic models showed the robustness and reliability of the obtained results. The threshold limits of medical costs and the frequency of achieving a deep molecular response determining the choice of first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first- and second-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase have been determined. Prescribing doctors prefer the original MPs to generic analogues, which is also assumed by the current regulations, according to which even for expensive MPs dispensing by protocols, the prescription is by trade and not by international non-proprietary names (INN), which is why the use of the much cheaper generic MPs is negligibly low compared to original MPs. A personalized approach to the patient’s therapy and monitoring the patient’s molecular response to it, as well as stopping therapy in 25–30% of patients suitable to stop it safely when in TFR phase with a probability of more than 50% of not having a relapse will save additional costs that, by improving the cost-effectiveness of therapy for patients with CML, will be directed towards the treatment of new patients with this or other diseases. Conclusion: These pharmacoeconomic models can be applied to improve diagnostic and therapeutic standards in clinical practice and for the efficient use of the very limited resources for health care in countries like Bulgaria. The conducted cost-effectiveness analyses confirmed that the hematologists at the University Center in Plovdiv adhere to the recommendations of Leukemia Net and the Bulgarian Medical Society of Hematology and achieve not only good therapeutic but also pharmacoeconomic efficiency in the treatment of CML-СР patients in first- and second- line therapy.

30 June 2022 in Folia Medica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EGEvelina Gavazova
Evelina Gavazova
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
Introduction: Headache cephalalgia is the condition in which individuals feel pain in different parts of the head. It is one of the most common disorders believed to be amenable to self-treatment. The pharmacist can provide significant support to patients.Aim: The aim of this study was to present the role of pharmacists in the prevention of headaches.Materials and methods: We reviewed the available information in the biggest databases on the problem.Results: Drug therapy is only part of an effective approach to the management of headaches. In many cases headache triggers can be identified and lifestyle changes instituted that reduce the frequency of attacks. Rest, sleep, and adequate hydration are often important components of successful management regimes. Patient education and detailed information for their disease can play an active role in the treatment. The reviewed literature shows the importance of the involvement of community pharmacists of the treatment of headache disorders.As the most easily approachable healthcare providers pharmacists can assist patients in finding appropriate relief of headaches and ensure rational and safe headache treatment.Conclusions: Pharmacists have a crucial role in optimizing the results of the medical therapy.

3 February 2026 in Pharmacy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EGEvelina Gavazova
Evelina Gavazova
KAKiril Atliev
Kiril Atliev
DGDaniela Grekova-Kafalova
Daniela Grekova-Kafalova
Optimizing medication management and improving patient health outcomes depend primarily on the strength of primary healthcare services, where collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists plays a critical role. This scoping review aimed to identify the main facilitators and barriers influencing pharmacist–GP collaboration. The review was conducted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies published in English between January 2019 and May 2025, of which twenty met the inclusion criteria. Key facilitators of collaboration included pharmacist co-location within GP practices, clearly defined professional responsibilities, access to shared electronic health records, and supportive government policies. Barriers most frequently reported were limited communication pathways, insufficient interprofessional training, and financial constraints. Overall, the findings suggest that effective pharmacist–GP collaboration relies on structural integration, professional trust, and policy initiatives that enable sustained cooperation. Long-term investment in collaborative infrastructure and workforce development will be essential to strengthen primary care, support patient outcomes, and ensure more efficient use of healthcare resources.