How Prepared Are the Health Care Professionals for Disaster Medicine Management? An Insight from Pakistan

Countries need healthcare professionals who are competent first responders with a positive attitude and prepared to deal with catastrophes. The study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and readiness of the practice of healthcare professionals towards disaster management. A survey was carried out among hospital healthcare professionals using a self-administered validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised knowledge, attitude, and readiness to practice items. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, correlation and regression tests) at alpha = 0.05 were used in the analysis. The mean (SD) score of knowledge was 12.25 (4.27) (range: 3.00 to 20.00), attitude (39.32 ± 9.55; range: 18.00 to 61.00), readiness to practice (32.41 ± 6.69; range: 21.00 to 61.00), and KArP (83.99 ± 12.21; range: 60.00 to 124.00). The average knowledge score was moderate, low attitude score, moderate readiness to practice score, and an average score of overall KArP. Attitude is a significant predictor of readiness to practice (p = 0.000). The levels of knowledge, attitude, and readiness of the practice of healthcare professionals were not satisfactory. The educators and health policymakers should build a robust curriculum in disaster medicine management and preparedness to prepare for the future of competent healthcare professionals for the nation.

Efektivitas Pengendalian Internal Persediaan Obat-Obatan Penanggulangan Covid-19 Di Instalasi Farmasi Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Jambi

This research aim to analyze effectiviness of internal control of Covid-19 medicine management avalibility at pharmaceutical installation of Jambi Health Departement. This research is case study research with qualitative approach. The results showed that the pharmaceutical installation of the Jambi Health Office had carried out internal controls well to protect its assets and efforts to increase its managerial activities. The Jambi Health Office Pharmacy Installation has implemented internal control based on COSO standards in managing supplies of special medicines for Covid-19 prevention properly and effectively. This can be proven by the fulfillment of the implementation of 13 indicators (87%) of the 15 COSO indicators that have been carried out by the Pharmaceutical Installation of the Jambi Health Office.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF AGNIKUMARA RAS IN DUSHTA PRATISHYAYA

In Ayurveda, the disease sinusitis can be co-related with “Dushta Pratishyaya” which arises as a complication of the disease “Pratishyaya”. A detailed description of Pratishyaya has been mentioned in Sushruta Samhita (Su. Ut 24/4). While explaining the complication of Pratishyaya, Dushta Pratishyaya has been mentioned. The features of the disease Dushta Pratishyaya, in general, is similar to that of Chronic Sinusitis in modern science. In modern medicine, management of Sinusitis includes Antibiotics, analgesics, Nasal steroids, Nasal Irrigation, Surgery etc. Even then there is no complete cure for Chronic Sinusitis through modern management. Hence to find out a solution through Ayurveda, Agnikumara Ras has been selected for the present study. Agni kumara Ras has been selected from the text Basavarajeeyam. It consists of five ingredients- Shuddha Vatsanabha, Maricha, Kushta, Mustha and Vacha. Keywords: Dushta Pratishyaya, Agnikumara Ras, Clinical evaluation

The impact of pharmacist shortage on the inventory management of medicines at primary healthcare centres in East Java, Indonesia

Background: Pharmacists are the only people authorised to manage the medicines inventory. However, in the case of pharmacist shortage, other personnel may take over this function. This is particularly the case in most primary healthcare centers (puskesmas) in Indonesia. Aim: To compare the outcome of medicine inventory management between pharmacists and non-pharmacists in primary healthcare centres (PHCs). Methods: A survey of 146 puskesmas in East Java was conducted involving 73 pharmacists and 73 non-pharmacist staff. This study was conducted from July to January 2020. Each respondent completed a questionnaire focusing on the inventory aspects of medicine management. Results: Purchasing accuracy is higher for pharmacists (90%) than for non-pharmacists (68%). Pharmacists manage the inventory more efficiently with only 2% of the drugs expired and wasted while non-pharmacist staff wasted 16% of the drugs and 18% of the drugs expired. Conclusion: The role of pharmacists in medicine inventories is vital as they carry out more efficient and accurate medicine management.

Medicine management in districts and primary health care centres (PHC) in the national health insurance (JKN) programme

Objective: This study aimed to identify medicine management in district health offices and primary health care centres (PHCs) after the national health insurance (JKN) programme implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting documents related to medication management and in-depth interviews with the head of the PHC officials and JKN medicine management officers at the PHC in four provinces of Indonesia. Results: The results showed no regional policies related to medicine management; all policies were based on central policies. Medicine management in districts follows the procurement planning suggested by PHCs, which relies on disease patterns. Medicine procurement at PHCs is done by e-purchasing using an e-catalog. Medicines above IDR 200 million are purchased through catalogs provided by the procurement service unit (ULP), and those under IDR 200 million are obtained through a direct appointment. Conclusion: The storage of medicine requires more space and air humidity controlling. The reporting and monitoring of medications e-logistic system are based on 20 indicators and have not been carried out regularly. It is necessary to improve reporting and monitoring systems.