SA Pharmaceutical Journal - Volume 78, Issue 4, May 2011

Combined conference

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Draft CPD regulations

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CPD implementation

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We must be doing something right

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Book clubs

Wow! What a privilege it has been for me to hold the office of the President of the PSSA for the last two years! Many will recall that when my term started, we had major tasks to fulfil, some ongoing and others of a short-term nature. In my inauguration speech, I emphasised the need for us to be one body. This was further emphasised in our goals, as indicated in our strategic plan: that of being a unified body and a trusted voice for pharmacy. I am proud to say that, in my opinion, we diligently strived to live up to these expectations.

In 2009, the Pharmaceutical Society shared the results of an intensive strategic planning exercise with its members. Two years later, the PSSA would like to share the activities that have taken place, to take the plan from being merely words on paper to becoming a reality. Clearly, as time passes, some challenges remain the same, while others change. The PSSA is committed to meeting the evolving needs of the profession and the communities that the profession serves, and will continue to monitor influences and make appropriate changes.

The Pharmaceutical Society : professional indemnity insurance and membership fees. Do we provide good value to members?

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Welcoming new members

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The PSSA/Alpha Pharm Distance Learning Programme 2011 for Pharmacists

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The PSSA/Alpha Pharm Clinical Education Programme 2011 for Pharmacy Staff

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors are effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents that are used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions. The focus of this article is specifically on COX-2 inhibitors, namely celecoxib, etoricoxib, lumiracoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib and valdecoxib. Meloxicam is more COX-2 selective than traditional NSAIDs, but is not regarded as a pure COX-2 selective inhibitor generally. The COX-2 inhibitors have been surrounded by controversy since their introduction to the world market. The findings of well-known clinical trials have resulted in the subsequent withdrawal of some of these products from South African and other worldwide markets. Currently, there are three specific COX-2 inhibitors or coxibs that are available in South Africa, namely celecoxib, etoricoxib and parecoxib. Coxibs are effective analgesics, and compared with other NSAIDs, carry the lowest risk of ulcer formation and gastrointestinal upset. However, some studies suggest that they can be prothrombotic, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and claudication. Although they have potentially serious side-effects, there is a place for COX-2 inhibitors. The benefits and risks should be carefully weighed up for each patient.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability and death in developed and developing countries. The disease accounts for an increased utilisation of healthcare resources, resulting in increased healthcare expenditure. COPD is a respiratory disease, mainly caused by smoking, and characterised by lung hyperinflation, progressive, partially reversible airway obstruction, increasing severity and frequency of exacerbations, and systemic manifestations.

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COPD is associated with various co-morbid diseases such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, malnutrition, anaemia, ischaemic heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and peripheral muscle dysfunction. The rate of recognised depression and anxiety associated with COPD increases with disease severity. Treatment of the disease involves a combination of non-pharmacological methods, as well as pharmacological treatment based on the grade of severity of the disease, and the presenting symptoms and risk factors.

A sore throat is a common complaint, and often an early indication of another medical condition, such as a cold. In the absence of life-threatening conditions or bacterial infection, local symptomatic treatment will ease the pain. This article reviews the common causes and symptoms of sore throats, and provides an overview of some of the sprays and lozenges that are available to treat this problem.

With the advent of corticosteroids, many patients were given hope for the treatment of various diseases, especially those involving inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. However, even though, at one time, these drugs appeared to be a miracle cure, corticosteroids have to be prescribed with caution to prevent an array of unwanted side-effects. Pharmacists should work hand in hand with the prescribing doctors in order to maximise the benefit that can be obtained from the use of these drugs, while minimising the risk of side-effects.

Recently asked questions : drug info

This year, the SAAHIP Conference workshop focused on improving the quality of pharmaceutical services. This should be an aspiration of all SAAHIP pharmacists, and is equally applicable in the varied areas in which SAAHIP members work. This includes pharmacists who work in the public and private sectors, in tertiary and district hospitals, community health centres, and primary care clinics, as well as in management and policy-making settings. Improving the quality of health care is the central purpose of the Department of Health's initiative to introduce National Core Standards for Health Establishments in South Africa.

I always thought that it took a special type of person to be a good public sector hospital pharmacist, especially at a busy, large provincial hospital, but now I am convinced.

As a community pharmacist, you have one of three choices with regard to the imminent introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI).

Human resources in pharmacy are a source of serious concern. Recent research has shown that if South Africa were to achieve the standards established by the World Health Organization, the country would need an additional 12 000 pharmacists. This is double the number of pharmacists that are currently on the pharmacy register.

Pfizer Laboratories (PTY) LTD is proud to announce the launch of Champix^® (varencline tartrate), a nicotine receptor partial agonist for smoking cessation.

It is said that we need twice the number of pharmacists who are currently practising in South Africa. This means that the pharmacist profession is one of the scarcest in South Africa. In recent years, the total number of pharmacists qualifying at all the pharmacy schools in South Africa has scarcely been sufficient to replace those leaving the profession through retirement, immigration, or for other reasons.

Pharmacies for sale

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Job offers

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Pharmacist available

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Locums available

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Practice available

Patient safety

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Awareness

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Skills

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Developments