An important factor that will help in advancement of the pharmacy services in any country would be to understand the public needs, expectation and satisfaction. There are limited published studies conducted in Sultanate of Oman regarding the perception and satisfaction of public on the role and services provided by pharmacists. The present study was conducted to assess the perception and satisfaction of general public in Sultanate of Oman on the roles, and services received from the pharmacists. The survey was conducted among public in the Governorates of A'Dahera and Muscat in Oman during 2013. The questionnaire had items to assess two aspects: perception on the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and satisfaction on the services provided. The responses to the questions marked in a five point Likert scale were assessed using a scoring scheme. Accordingly, the median perception, and satisfaction score and median total score for the participants were estimated. The median scores of the participants were related with the demographics of the participants and frequency of visit to pharmacy. A total of 390 completed questionnaires were obtained. The median total score of the participants based on all the questions was 79 (Inter Quartile Range (IQR), 12) which represents a moderate score. The median perception and satisfaction scores were 44 (IQR 5) and 34 (IQR 7) which represent a good and moderate score, respectively. Perception of the participants differed based on employment status, frequency of visit to pharmacy and governorate represented by participants while satisfaction was influenced by educational qualification and frequency of visit to pharmacy. Public had a good perception regarding the roles of the pharmacists while they were only moderately satisfied with the services provided. Steps have to be taken to improve the services and relationship of pharmacists, and thereby improve the satisfaction of the customers. An extended study in a broader population involving more governorates will provide an enhanced representation regarding this important aspect.

Chronic diseases constitute a significant threat to health. Worldwide, medication adherence in chronic diseases remains unsatisfactory. Understanding factors affecting adherence is essential. This study examined medication adherence by characteristics of patients with chronic diseases. This cross-sectional study included 800 patients. The Adherence to Chronic Diseases Scale was used to measure adherence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was used to examine factors influencing medication adherence. Low adherence was found in 19.5% of the patients, 45% had medium adherence, and 35.5% had high adherence. Logistic regression showed that retired (OR 0.496, 95% CI [0.33–0.75]), having COPD (OR 0.460, 95% CI [0.32–0.67]) and duration of disease ≤5 years (OR 1.554, 95% CI [1.11–2.17]) remain independent predictors for high adherence. Mixed findings regarding the relationship between medication adherence and patients’ characteristics were noticed. Patients’ characteristics should be examined with the individual population when examining and attempting to improve medication adherence in clinical practice.

Many barriers contribute to the underutilization of hydroxyurea (HU) in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), and adherence to its use is often reported to be suboptimal. It is important to have information on the safety of HU in patients with SCD. Our study assessed the pattern of use, patients' adherence to medication, discontinuation of use, and safety of HU in patients with SCD. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of medicine of a referral hospital in Oman over five months and included a review of patient files and patient interview. Approval was obtained from the Regional Research and Ethics Committee of the A'Dakhiliyah Governorate and the hospital administration. The parameters were compared between groups using the chi-square test. Of 298 patients studied, 128 (43.0%) had used HU at some points. The difference in the prevalence of HU use was statistically significant based only on age (p = 0.014), with younger patients more likely to be currently using HU or used HU in the past. The majority of patients were adherent (82.5%) based on self-reported adherence. The prevalence of discontinuation (temporary or permanent) of HU use was high (57.0%), and suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) was the most common reason. Among those who had never used HU, 33.7% of patients had an indication for the initiation of HU. A quarter of patients who used HU developed a suspected ADR, with blood abnormalities being the commonest. The duration of HU use influenced ADR prevalence (p = 0.015). Among the current users of HU, the majority of the patients were adherent based on self-reported medication adherence. The prevalence of discontinuation of HU use and instances of non-initiation of HU among those indicated were high. A larger study, ideally of a prospective nature, in various governorates of Oman, would provide a wider picture at the national level.

This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence, pattern and predisposing factors for hepatic adverse effects with statins in a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman. A retrospective review of the patient files in Department of Medicine during the year 2011 was done to evaluate any hepatic dysfunction possibly related to statins among the patients. For each case of suspected statin induced hepatic effect, additional details on temporal relationship, pattern of presentation, management, final outcome and any contributing factors were obtained. Difference in the occurrence of hepatic effects based on the patient demographics and drug characteristics was additionally evaluated. A total of 927 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included for the study. Mean age of the evaluated patients was 63.1 ± 11.37 and median duration of use of statin in months was 22 (IQR, 43.25). In 40 (4%) of the 927 patients, there was presence of a hepatic effect considered to be statin related and only in 12 (1%) patients a significant transaminase rise (>3 times) was observed. Median duration of use of statin among those patients who developed suspected statin induced hepatic effects and those who did not was 45 (IQR,52) and 21 (IQR, 43) months, respectively and the difference observed was statistically significant. A significant difference in the prevalence of hepatic effects was observed only based on the duration of statin use. There was an infrequent occurrence of significant hepatic effects associated with statins in the study population. Our results support the latest recommendations including from United States Federal Drug Administration (US FDA) that statins appear to be associated with a very low risk of serious liver injury and that routine periodic monitoring of transaminases does not appear to detect or prevent serious liver injury in association with statins.