Pharmacy in transition: A work sampling study of community pharmacists using smartphone technology

Introduction

The nature of community pharmacy is changing, shifting from the preparation and distribution of medicines to the provision of cognitive pharmaceutical services (CPS); however, often the provision of traditional services leaves little time for innovative services. This study investigated the time community pharmacists spend on the tasks and activities of daily practice and to what extent they are able to implement CPS-related services in daily practice.

Pediatric Inpatient Headache Therapy: What is Available

Status migrainosus is defined by the international classification of headache disorders (ICHD) criteria as a debilitating migraine lasting more then 72 hours. The epidemiology of status migrainosus is still unknown in adult and children, and frequently underdiagnosed. Children and adolescents often end up in the emergency room with an intractable headache that failed outpatient therapy. Six to seven percent of these children do not respond to acute infusion therapy and require hospitalization. It is imperative that more aggressive therapy is considered when patients are affected by a severe intractable headache to prevent further disability and returning the child to baseline activity. Multiple therapies are available for adults and children. Studies for acute therapy in the emergency room are available in adults and pediatric groups. Small studies are available for inpatient therapy in children and, along with available therapies for children and adolescents, are described in this review. A review of the literature shows growing evidence regarding the use of dihydroergotamine intravenously once patients are hospitalized. Effectiveness and safety have been proven in the last decades in adults and small studies in the pediatric populations.     

Photodynamic therapy in the management of a patient with Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome)

Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome) is a genetically linked disorder characterized by the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) throughout life. Cumulative surgery, cryotherapy and other conventional interventions can result in significant disfigurement by middle age. Radiotherapy is contra-indicated because the mutated gene underlying the syndrome, ‘PTCH’, increases sensitivity to ionising radiation, so there is significant likelihood of inducing further tumours in and around the irradiated area. Photodynamic therapy offers a non-invasive treatment option for patients with this condition, with the added advantage of causing minimal scarring.