Browsing by Subject "medicines information"

The aged are the biggest age group of using psychotropics. The most used ones of these drugs are hypnotic and sedatives that consists mainly of benzodiazepines and related drugs. However, the aged are extremely sensitive for these drugs that are also noted as potentially inappropriate drugs for the aged in the national, but also in the various international recommendations and care guidelines. Despite the care guidelines, benzodiazepine compounds are usually used for years and often concomitantly. Research material of this longitudinal, observational study with two cohorts was collected from structured interviews at two similar acute wards in Pori City Hospital during one month in 2015. The research protocol of an early similar study which was conducted in 2004 was followed. Results of the two studies (2004 and 2015) were compared. Interviews were conducted among patients aged ≥ 65 years. Users of benzodiazepines or related drugs (2004: n=38, 2015: n=32) were further interviewed. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the usage of benzodiazepine compounds in the aged between the years 2004 and 2015. In particular the medicines information sources and amount of information on these drugs i.e. knowledge on adverse drug reactions was studied and compared. Additionally a systematic review was conducted to explore the current evidence on interventions to rationalize the use of benzodiazepines and related drugs in the aged. In 2004, 54% of the interviewed patients (n=64) were using benzodiazepine compounds. However, in 2015 there were 34% (n=36) using. In 2015 regular usage of these drugs was decreased and irregular usage (given on an as-needed basis) was increased compared to the year 2004. None of the patients used long-acting benzodiazepines in 2015. Medicines information is provided notably more by doctors and pharmacies to 2004, but still the information focused more on benefits of drug other than adverse drug reactions. However, the patients' knowledge about the adverse drug reactions of benzodiazepine compounds has increased. The patients got presented adverse drug reactions known on mean of five in the year 2015, while the same value in 2004 was three. In the both years, the most of the patients were aware of the dependence these drugs may cause. The usage of benzodiazepine and related drugs in the aged has become better, but there is still need to improve multi-professional cooperation and applicate new interventions for rationalize the usage of benzodiazepinecompounds.

Herbal preparations are widely used nowadays and the information given has developed a lot during the last decades. Herbal preparations haven`t been acknowledged as medicines and therefore their efficacy and adverse effects are still often underrated. In 2005 along the changes in legislation differently legislated group of herbal preparations was retired. Nowadays herbal preparations are divided to drugs and food products. The aim of the study was to make oneself familiar with the legislation of these products and the evolution of the pharmaceutical information given. The aim also was to compare warnings, prohibitions, contraindications and their evolution to prevalent legislation. The material of the study consisted of product information summaries, patient information leaflets and labeling of herbal medicines, traditional herbal medicines and their predecessors. In addition to this there was also other legislative material. Only herbal medicines and traditional herbal medicines according to directive 2004/24/EY of the European parliament and the council`s definition were taken in to account. According to 2004/24/EY herbal medicinal products is any medicinal product, exclusively containing as active ingredients one or more herbal substances or one or more herbal preparations, or one or more such herbal substances in combination with one or more such herbal preparations. There were all together 194 products included in the study. Documentation of 184 products was found on paper in Fimea`s archives. Of the remaining five out of ten products it was found some basic information in electronic rohdos-register and of one product on an on paper final act. Data of these six products was only used partly because of its deficiencies. The data of four products wasn`t found. Under a more detailed study there was all together 184 products between 1964 and 2011. The material was divided to time periods 1964 - 1983, 1984 - 1987, 1988 - 1995, 1996 - 2005 and 2006 - 2011 by the changes in legislation. The information given of herbal preparations was the most affected by the changes in legislation in 1994 and 2005. The amount of new licenses was increasing until the time period 1988 - 1995. Licenses were granted the most during 1988 - 1955. After 1996 the amount of warnings, prohibitions and contraindications rose and many of the products that got the license in previous time period 1966 - 1955 left the market or transferred under the food legislation. As well many products with less consumption left the market because new studies demanded were expensive and cumbersome. In 2005 along the changes in legislation a clear change in attitudes came true, when a vague group of herbal preparations was removed and herbal preparations were divided into pharmaceuticals and food products. Along this change it has become easier for health care professionals to assess the risks and benefits of herbal preparations and advise the clients while making the decisions.

It was given a task to the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) to prepare a national Medicines Information Strategy. The strategy process can be divided into four stages: 1) the collection and analysis of the information, 2) the determination of the strategy and the vision, 3) the realization and 4) the follow-up stage of the strategy. In the European Union (EU) the High Level Pharmaceutical Forum has drawn up the criteria for the high quality medicines information (MI) and the recommendations to improve the quality and availability of the MI directed to the consumers. The most significant medicines related political actions in Finland in the 21st century are the Medicine policy 2010 -document, the strategies of the National Agency for Medicines and the TIPPA-project. The objective of the Master's thesis was to produce the information to Fimea's MI work. The electric questionnaire was drawn up in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. After a pilot test, the questionnaire was sent by email to all national Medicines Authorities in EU (n=27) in November 2009. The purpose of the questionnaire was to find out 1) the significance of the medicine information in the national legislation, 2) the possible MI strategies and 3) the control mechanisms of the medicine information directed to the consumers. The medicines information strategies were found in the United Kingdom (UK), Italy and Germany. Furthermore, the strategy process was unfinished in four countries. In the strategy of the UK 25 concrete actions were presented during a three-year strategy period to improve the quality and availability of the MI and to improve the cooperation between public and private actors. The information and communication technology (ICT) was in the centre of the medicines information offered to the consumers. ICT was utilised by publishing Patient Information Leaflets in Internet and by developing medicines information web pages, digitally patient counseling services and quality certificates. The results of the survey can be utilised as a part of the Fimea's Medicines Information Strategy process. Further studies, for example an analysis of the interest groups, are needed before the preparation of the national strategy. Furthermore, experiences of the implementation of the strategy and the results reached in the UK should be clarified.