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- Ensuring safety in cytotoxic drug preparation: A systematic review of guidelines addressing education for pharmacy professionalsPublication . Moreira, Fernando; Jesus, Ângelo; Pinho, Cláudia; Santos, Marlene; Serdoura, Mélanie; Cruz, Agostinho; Moreira, Fernando; Jesus, Ângelo; Pinho, Cláudia; Santos, Marlene; Cruz, AgostinhoChemotherapy preparation involves the use of specific techniques and equipment, given the need to maintain preparation sterility and its strict prescribed composition, and avoid occupational exposure to cytotoxic agents. This study aims to identify the most relevant contents for pharmacy professionals' education and training programs and to elucidate the evaluation procedure these professionals should follow when handling cytotoxics. We adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in conducting and reporting this systematic review. We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane, and LILACS to identify guidelines on cytotoxic drug preparation published between 2004 and 2024. Inclusion criteria included guidelines written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese that addressed the education, training, and/or evaluation of pharmacy professionals involved in handling cytotoxic drugs. We excluded guidelines developed for other health professionals (e.g. nurses) and guidelines exclusively addressing the manipulation of oral dosage forms. Citation searching was also performed to avoid search biases. Three researchers independently selected 20 guidelines that met the inclusion criteria, out of 3781 unique references identified. Four appraisers assessed the guidelines using the AGREE-II tool. Recommendations for training in cytotoxic drug handling generally included pre-initiation and periodic assessment. Personal protective equipment and engineering controls use, spill management, and aseptic technique were the most frequently mentioned specific training contents. We have developed a training proposal based on the guidelines, with four training levels that address the specific identified content. Each level presents potential competency assessment strategies. Included publications frequently recognized that conducting educational programs before and during the preparation of cytotoxic drugs was important and the combination of theoretical and practical learning seems of the utmost relevance. The development or update of guidelines in this area should prioritize their effective applicability to facilitate their implementation.
- Knowledge of vulvovaginal candidiasis characteristics, signs, symptoms, and appropriate treatment among portuguese pharmacy professionalsPublication . Oliveira, Tiago; Jesus, Ângelo; Martins, João P.; Correia, Patrícia; Moreira, Fernando; Moreira, Fernando; Oliveira Martins, João Paulo; Correia, Patrícia Carla dos Santos CorreiaVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common cause of vaginitis. Over-the-counter drugs are usually dispensed by pharmacy professionals to treat this condition without prior medical consultation. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of Portuguese pharmacy professionals regarding VVC. An online questionnaire including questions about the symptoms and treatment of VVC was distributed between March and April of 2024. A total of 376 professionals participated in this study. There was a significantly lower proportion of men (p = 0.007) and pharmacy technicians (p = 0.005) who correctly identified the main causative agent of VVC when compared to women and pharmacists. Only 30% of women correctly identified the number of VVC episodes in the same year they classified as complicated, but this was significantly higher (p = 0.038) than the proportion of men who identified complicated VVC (20%). Topical clotrimazole preparations were the more frequently identified medicines for the treatment of uncomplicated VVC, and fluconazole-containing medicines were the preferred choice for the treatment of complicated VVC. This study highlights the need to improve education and training for pharmacy professionals. By addressing these knowledge gaps, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can provide more accurate and effective advice to patients.