The aim of this study is to determine the level of need for pharmacists to ensure optimal functioning of pharmacy organizations, as well as to analyze the current state of workforce planning and its impact on the effectiveness of pharmaceutical structures. Materials and methods. A survey of 121 employees of the pharmacy organization in Almaty city (Kazakhstan) using Likert scale was conducted. Pearson's χ² criterion was used to analyze the data. The methodology was based on adaptation of Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), “WISN” method, “360° degree” assessment and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data. The study was approved by the local ethical committee of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Protocol No. IRB-A871). Results. The analysis revealed that staff turnover, workforce replenishment and seasonal shortage of staff are the key problems of retail pharmacy organizations. Significant factors affecting the stability of the workforce composition were identified, and their association with the workplace environment was statistically confirmed. Conclusions. The article examines the factors contributing to staff turnover in retail pharmacy organizations. A structured employee survey was conducted, identifying the primary reasons for resignation, including low wages (18.43%), limited opportunities for career advancement (19.22%), and unfavourable working conditions (31.37%). The findings also indicate that the work environment and management practices significantly influence employee satisfaction. Dynamics highlighted the impact of turnover, workplace conditions, and career prospects on organisational stability. Statistical analysis (χ²=13.96; p=0.00019) confirmed a significant association between the work atmosphere and human resource policies.policies. Optimizing HR strategies is essential to enhanceemployee satisfaction and reduce turnover

Background/Objectives: Intestinal diseases constitute a significant global public health issue and encompass a broad spectrum of inflammatory, functional, and infectious disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to sex-related differences in epidemiology, clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify publications addressing sex-related differences in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal diseases. The aim of the study was to examine sex-based differences in the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal diseases. Results: The development of intestinal diseases is determined by the interaction of genetic, immunological, hormonal, microbial, and environmental factors. Sex-related differences were identified in disease prevalence, clinical course, and progression and are associated with hormonal regulation, immune response characteristics, and gut microbiota composition. Diagnosis of intestinal diseases is based on a combination of laboratory biomarkers, endoscopic, and imaging techniques, and diagnostic accuracy may vary according to biological sex. Video capsule endoscopy, balloon-assisted enteroscopy, and advanced imaging methods, including computed tomography colonography, improve the evaluation of small bowel diseases, whereas chromoendoscopy, colonoscopy, and cross-sectional imaging play important roles in the assessment of colonic disorders. Treatment includes pharmacological, dietary, microbiota-based, endoscopic, and surgical approaches. Current evidence suggests that biological sex may influence treatment response, adverse event profiles, and clinical outcomes; however, the available evidence remains limited or inconsistent for several therapeutic strategies, highlighting the need for further sex-specific clinical research. Conclusions: Sex-related differences should be considered to improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize treatment strategies, and support individualized clinical management. Although evidence remains limited in several areas, current findings support the integration of biological sex into clinical decision-making. Further research is needed to establish sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Relevance.In the context of healthcare system modernization in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the effectiveness of pharmacy organizations increasingly depends on the level of managerial and communication competencies. Insufficient staff motivation, unsystematic HR policies, and limited professional development mechanisms negatively affect organizational stability.Aim.To identify current challenges in workforce management within pharmacy organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and to substantiate a competency-based continuing professional development (CPD) program for pharmacy managers based on empirical findings.Materials and methods:The study involved 385 pharmaceutical specialists from 19 regions of Kazakhstan. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire developed based on the conceptual domains of the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and principles of workforce planning in pharmacy organizations. Associations between variables were assessed using Pearson’s chi-square (χ²) test (p<0.05)Results.Statistically significant associations were identified between the presence of HR policy and the development of organizational HR practices. In organizations with formal HR policy, additional training activities were implemented in 82.3% of cases compared to 47.7% in organizations without HR policy (χ² = 51.26; p < 0.001). Recruitment and retention activities were reported in 76.7% versus 40.5%, respectively (χ² = 51.47; p < 0.001). A significant associationwas also found between HR policy and the availability ofsocial benefits (χ² = 36.73; p < 0.001).Conclusion.The findings demonstrate that the institutional implementation of HR policy significantly strengthens organizational stability and workforce development indicators. Based on the empirical results, a 120-hour modular CPD program aimed at developing managerial competencies was designed. The program covers workforce management, leadership, and organizational effectiveness domains.Keywords:pharmacy organization,HR policy,managerial competencies,continuing professional development,workforce planning,HR management.

Background/Objectives: Intestinal diseases are a major global health problem due to their high prevalence, chronic course, and significant impact on quality of life. Increasing attention has been given to the extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D, particularly its role in immune regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and modulation of the gut microbiota. The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence regarding the role of vitamin D in immune regulation, intestinal barrier function, and the pathogenic mechanisms of intestinal diseases, including inflammatory and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify publications addressing the role of vitamin D in intestinal diseases. The literature search was updated in May 2026 and included studies published between 2004 and 2026. The aim of this review was to summarize current evidence on the effects of vitamin D on immune regulation, intestinal barrier integrity, gut microbiota, and their clinical relevance in intestinal diseases. Results: The included studies demonstrated that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis through regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, preservation of epithelial barrier integrity, and modulation of gut microbiota composition. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with impaired VDR-dependent signalling, increased intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and enhanced pro-inflammatory immune responses, which may contribute to the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the important role of vitamin D in immune regulation, intestinal barrier protection, and maintenance of gut microbial balance. Further clinical studies are required to better understand its therapeutic potential in intestinal diseases.

This paper presents a systematic analysis of chitosan as a biodegradable polymer possessing intrinsic antimicrobial activity, positioning it as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics amid rising antibiotic resistance. The main methods of chitosan production are considered – chemical, enzymatic, biological, and combined biotechnological – with a comparative evaluation based on degree of deacetylation, environmental impact, and suitability for biomedical use. The hierarchical relationship between chitosan's key physicochemical parameters – degree of deacetylation and molecular weight – and its antimicrobial mechanism of action, driven by the cationic nature of protonated amino groups, is analyzed. The anti - inflammatory role of chitosan, mediated through NF -κB inhibition and cytokine modulation, is demonstrated, and its biomedical applications are discussed in relation to the balance between bioactive and mechanical properties. The development of hybrid systems combining chitosan's bioactivity with the mechanical characteristics of other materials is identified as a promising direction for future research.