Medications

Waleed Sweileh's picture

Discharge Medications Among Ischemic Stroke Survivors

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Vol. 18, No. 2 (March-April), 2009: pp 97-102
Year of Publication: 
2009
Authors: 
Waleed M. Sweileh
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Ansam F. Sawalha
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Sa’ed H. Zyoud
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Samah W. Al-Jabi
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Majd A. Abaas
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the types and cost of medications prescribed at discharge for ischemic stroke survivors.

Methods

This is a descriptive study of medications prescribed for ischemic stroke survivors admitted to Al-watani hospital during a 6-month period.

Results

A total of 95 consecutive stroke patients were included in the study period; 78 (82.1%) survivors were having ischemic stroke subtype and were designated the study group. The average age of the survivors was 66.9 ± 12.7 years. Survivors had prevalent risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (70%), hypertension (68%), and ischemic heart disease (34.6%). On average, survivors experienced a minimum of 0.73 complications (range 0-3) with the most common being infections (n = 35, 44.8%). Forty-two per cent of the ischemic stroke survivors were taking antiplatelet drugs prior to the current attack. At discharge, ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed an average of 4.9 medications from 4.3 different drug classes. All ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed antiplatelet therapy at discharge. Aspirin monotherapy was prescribed for 61 survivors while the combination of aspirin/clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 17 survivors. The average monthly cost for prophylactic therapy and for medications used to treat post-stroke complication was approximately 52 USD per survivor.

Conclusion

Most of the patients in the study group were having the traditional risk factors for ischemic stroke and were suffering form typical post-stroke complications. Lack of medical insurance will impose a heavy financial burden on stroke survivors in Palestine.

Samahjabi's picture

Discharge Medications Among Ischemic Stroke Survivors

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009 Mar-Apr;18(2):97-102
Year of Publication: 
2009
Authors: 
Waleed M Sweileh
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Ansam F. Sawalha
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sa'ed H. Zyoud
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Al-Jabi SW
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Majd A. Abaas
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

BACKGROUND:  The aim of this study was to analyze the types and cost of medications prescribed at discharge for ischemic stroke survivors.
METHODS:  This is a descriptive study of medications prescribed for ischemic stroke survivors admitted to Al-watani hospital during a 6-month period.
RESULTS:  A total of 95 consecutive stroke patients were included in the study period; 78 (82.1%) survivors were having ischemic stroke subtype and were designated the study group. The average age of the survivors was 66.9 +/- 12.7 years. Survivors had prevalent risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (70%), hypertension (68%), and ischemic heart disease (34.6%). On average, survivors experienced a minimum of 0.73 complications (range 0-3) with the most common being infections (n = 35, 44.8%). Forty-two per cent of the ischemic stroke survivors were taking antiplatelet drugs prior to the current attack. At discharge, ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed an average of 4.9 medications from 4.3 different drug classes. All ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed antiplatelet therapy at discharge. Aspirin monotherapy was prescribed for 61 survivors while the combination of aspirin/clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 17 survivors. The average monthly cost for prophylactic therapy and for medications used to treat post-stroke complication was approximately 52 USD per survivor.
CONCLUSION:  Most of the patients in the study group were having the traditional risk factors for ischemic stroke and were suffering form typical post-stroke complications. Lack of medical insurance will impose a heavy financial burden on stroke survivors in Palestine.

Samahjabi's picture

Storage, Utilization And Cost of Drug Products In Palestinian Households

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Jan;48(1):59-67
Year of Publication: 
2010
Authors: 
Sweileh WM
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Sawalha AF
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Zyoud SH
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Al-Jabi SW
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Bani Shamseh FF
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah N. University, Nablus, Palestine
Khalaf HS
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Appropriate storage and use of medications in households may decrease drug wastage and unnecessary hazard. The objective of this study was to investigate storage, utilization habits and cost of medications in households in Palestine.
METHODS:  This is a cross sectional, anonymous, questionnaire-based study of 465 households in northern Palestine. The drug product inventory in the surveyed households was investigated and family members were interviewed.
RESULTS:  A total of 465 households were assessed, 50 were excluded. The total number of drug products in the 415 households was 5,505; the mean + or - SD was 13.3 + or - 7.8. Level of father's education, presence of chronic disease and insurance coverage were the variables that showed a significant relationship with the amount of drug products found in the households. Most of the drug products (43.4%) were stored in relatively unsafe places in the house within the reach of children. Approximately one third (32.5%) of the drug products were not in their original container. The percentages of unused drug products, expired, or those with no clear expiry date were 32.7%, 17.7% and 11% respectively. Estimated drug wastage in the 415 households and nationwide would be 16,100 and 19 million USD respectively. The most common drug categories encountered in households were alimentary, musculoskeletal and anti-infective agents. The most common individual drugs encountered were: paracetamol (8.5%), ibuprofen (4.9%) and diclofenac (3.7%).
CONCLUSION:  Medications were stored in large quantities in Palestinian households, and a large percentage was being wasted. Drug-use assessments and a comprehensive evaluation of the current national drug policies are warranted to curtail this problem.

ansam's picture

Discharge Medications Among Stroke Survivors

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Journal Of Stroke And Cerebrovascular Diseases V.18, I.2, P:97-102
Year of Publication: 
2009
Authors: 
Ansam F. Sawalha
Poison Control And Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Waleed M. Sweileh
College Of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Sa'ed H. Zyoud
Poison Control And Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Samah W. Al-Jabi
Poison Control And Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University. Nablus, Palestine
Majd A. Abaas
College Of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the types and cost of medications prescribed at discharge for ischemic stroke survivors.
Methods: This is a descriptive study of medications prescribed for ischemic stroke survivors admitted to Al-watani hospital during a 6-month period.
Results: A total of 95 consecutive stroke patients were included in the study period; 78 (82.1%) survivors were having ischemic stroke subtype and were designated the study group. The average age of the survivors was 66.9 6 12.7 years. Survivors had prevalent risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (70%), hypertension (68%), and ischemic heart disease (34.6%). On average, survivors experienced a minimum of 0.73 complications (range 0-3) with the most common being infections (n 5 35, 44.8%). Forty-two per cent of the ischemic stroke survivors were taking antiplatelet drugs prior to the current attack. At discharge, ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed an average of 4.9 medications from 4.3 different drug classes. All ischemic stroke survivors were prescribed antiplatelet therapy at discharge. Aspirin monotherapy was prescribed for 61 survivors while the combination of aspirin/clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 17 survivors. The average monthly cost for prophylactic therapy and for medications used to treat post-stroke complication was approximately 52 USD per survivor.
Conclusion: Most of the patients in the study group were having the traditional risk factors for ischemic stroke and were suffering form typical post-stroke complications. Lack of medical insurance will impose a heavy financial burden on stroke survivors in Palestine.

Waleed Sweileh's picture

Storage, Utilization and Cost of Drug Products in Palestinian Households

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Jan;48(1):59-67
Year of Publication: 
2010
Authors: 
Sweileh WM
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Sawalha AF
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Zyoud SH
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Al-Jabi SW
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Bani Shamseh FF
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Khalaf HS
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Appropriate storage and use of medications in households may decrease drug wastage and unnecessary hazard. The objective of this study was to investigate storage, utilization habits and cost of medications in households in Palestine.
METHODS: This is a cross sectional, anonymous, questionnaire-based study of 465 households in northern Palestine. The drug product inventory in the surveyed households was investigated and family members were interviewed.
RESULTS:  A total of 465 households were assessed, 50 were excluded. The total number of drug products in the 415 households was 5,505; the mean + or - SD was 13.3 + or - 7.8. Level of father's education, presence of chronic disease and insurance coverage were the variables that showed a significant relationship with the amount of drug products found in the households. Most of the drug products (43.4%) were stored in relatively unsafe places in the house within the reach of children. Approximately one third (32.5%) of the drug products were not in their original container. The percentages of unused drug products, expired, or those with no clear expiry date were 32.7%, 17.7% and 11% respectively. Estimated drug wastage in the 415 households and nationwide would be 16,100 and 19 million USD respectively. The most common drug categories encountered in households were alimentary, musculoskeletal and anti-infective agents. The most common individual drugs encountered were: paracetamol (8.5%), ibuprofen (4.9%) and diclofenac (3.7%).
CONCLUSION:  Medications were stored in large quantities in Palestinian households, and a large percentage was being wasted. Drug-use assessments and a comprehensive evaluation of the current national drug policies are warranted to curtail this problem.

Syndicate content