Due to long duration of treatment and use of several agents, tuberculosis can lead to poor health related quality of life among patients. Objective. The present study was designed to assess health related quality of life among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Pakistan. Methodology. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. SF-36 was self-administered to a sample of 382 pulmonary tuberculosis patients receiving self-administered or directly observed types of treatment, in baseline, initial, or continuous phase of treatment. After data collection, data was cleaned, coded, and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results. The results of the current study highlighted a significant impact on several domains of HRQoL of pulmonary TB patients. Highest HRQoL scores had been observed for the domain of physical functioning (60.03, ±25.779) whereas lowest HRQoL scores were observed for the domain of general health (34.97, ±14.286) perceptions of TB patients followed by bodily pain (43.40, ±24.594). Conclusion. The results of the present study concluded that TB patients had poor HRQoL in spite of the new therapeutic strategies and free availability of medicines. The disease had a negative impact on HRQoL of TB patients across all domains.

Health information technology systems have the capacity to improve health outcomes for the patients thus ensuring quality and efficient services. Health information systems (HIS) are important tools in guidance towards patient safety and better outcomes. However, still, morbidity and mortality attributed to medical errors remain an important issue that needs to be addressed. The objective of the present study was to assess the health information system in terms of technological, environmental, organizational and human factors affecting the adoption as well as the perceptions of stakeholders along with barriers and constraints related to successful implementation. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Prospective data was collected from primary sources by self-administering the pre-validated questionnaires as well as by physical verification of the availability of equipment. After data collection, data was analyzed to assess the health information management systems. The results of the present study showed that the health information system in Pakistan is not up to the mark. The equipment was mostly unavailable at the primary healthcare facilities. The staff was also unsatisfied with the available services. Administrative, financial and human constraints were identified as the major barriers towards successful implementation and management of HIS. The present study concluded that the health information system of Pakistan needs to be revamped. Health information management system partially existed at district and sub-district offices, while was completely absent at tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare levels. The poor adoption of health information technology systems at healthcare facilities might largely be attributed to insufficient human resources with limited resources and budget allocation for health in Pakistan. Effective and timely strategies involving all important stakeholders and healthcare professionals must be designed and implemented at the National level to restructure an affordable, resilient and quality healthcare system.

Journal of pharmacology & clinical research is an internationally accepted, peer reviewed journal aiming to communicate high quality

Artemisinin (ART) is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endo-peroxide bridge that is thought to be responsible for its antimalarial activity. It has low oral bioavailability because of aqueous insolubility, which leads to local toxicity at the site of aggregation. The present work focused on increasing its solubility and evaluating its permeation across a model membrane to mimic transdermal delivery that bypasses the hepatic metabolism. For this purpose, physical mixtures (PM), solid dispersions (SD) and lyophilized dispersions (LD) with different drug-polymer ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:9) were prepared using the hydrophilic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Drug-polymer dispersions were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Solubility was measured in three solvents: de-ionized water, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and methanol. The toluene-water partition coefficient was evaluated and compared with the literature and calculated logP values. In vitro diffusion of ART was studied across a polydimethylsiloxane membrane from a saturated solution of drug-polymer dispersions. XRD patterns showed a gradual decrease in crystallinity of ART with increasing polymer concentration, while FTIR confirmed no interactions between ART and PVP. Solubility was increased up to 4-, 5- and 8-fold for LD in water, PBS and methanol, respectively. The logP for toluene-water was 2.65 ± 0.3, which is in good agreement with literature and calculated logP values. Permeation was enhanced, which is attributed to the decrease in crystallinity and increase in wettability of the drug. The ART flux was significantly higher than that of pure ART (0.12 ± 0.01) with increasing PVP concentration for SD and LD formulations. In conclusion, drug-polymer dispersions with PVP improve the pharmaceutical properties of ART in the order LD>SD>PM.

Background: The taboo of menstruation, lack of discussion on puberty, misinformation and poor awareness on menstrual hygiene management and limited access to safe menstrual products can negatively impact the physical and mental health of women and girls residing in low middle income countries.Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management in Pakistan. Moreover, the study also assessed consumer satisfaction towards locally manufactured organic menstrual products.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used with a sample of 400 women and girls selected through convenience sampling from high schools, universities, outpatient department and gynaecological clinics located in 2 cities, i.e., Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to explore experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management. Moreover, each respondent was provided with sample of locally designed and manufactured organic menstrual hygiene & wellness kit by a group of women researchers named “FemPure” including organic sanitary pads, feminine wellness mist and feminine wellness wash. The respondents were asked to use the products and a telephonic follow-up was conducted to assess consumer satisfaction for the products after a period of 1 month. Data was analyzed statistically using SPSS 21.Results: The results of the study reported that 86.2% (n = 345) of the respondents had normal periods. Out of 400 respondents, 58.5% (n = 234) knew about any health conditions related to abnormal menstrual cycle while 88.3% (n = 353) were aware of female menstrual hygiene. Majority of the respondents 78.7% (n = 315) felt ashamed while buying sanitary pads. Out of 400 respondents, 5.4% (n = 22) were interested in getting awareness regarding menstrual hygiene. The results of the study showed that all the respondents (100%, n = 400) were satisfied with FemPure organic menstrual products.Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of women and girls faced menstrual hygiene issues during and after the cycle and were eager to receive information on MHM and use organic rash free menstrual wellness products which could be ordered via mobile app. The respondents were satisfied after the use of FemPure organic menstrual products.

There is plenty of evidence to support that women leaders are needed in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, although most of the leadership positions in global health are predominantly occupied by men. This is a major challenge to global health policy. Gender diversity and inclusion within the pharmaceutical workforce is integral to optimal patient care. Women continue to be underrepresented in senior and leadership positions within pharmacy, despite outnumbering the men in the global pharmacy workforce. This commentary highlights the need towards gender equity and discusses the several key initiatives that are building momentum and making substantial progress towards this agenda in the pharmaceutical workforce.