Class of 2016 Abstract & Report / Specific Aims: This study aims to evaluate the use and rationale of dietary supplement use by pharmacists and to assess whom pharmacists are recommending them to. Methods: Arizona licensed pharmacists were surveyed using Qualtrics software. The survey consisted of questions starting with listing common vitamin, mineral and herbal products used personally. Respondents were then asked to indicate a purpose for use and if they would recommend personally used products to patients, family or friends. Demographics such as area of practice, gender and age were also collected. Data were analyzed by calculating summary frequency and percentages with a priori alpha level of 0.05. Main Results: Of the 10,899 surveys sent, 528 respondents completed the survey. The average respondent age was 46.6 ± 14.4, 40% were male and 42% practiced in community pharmacy Overall use was: multivitamin (95.54%), vitamin C (78.24%), vitamin D (73.31%), calcium (73.13%), and B vitamin(s) (70.03%). The most common reasons for use were “general health and wellness” and “to treat or cure a specific disease or health problem.” Overall use of supplements was lower; 58% for fish oil while only 25% used chondroitin. More community pharmacists used all types of dietary supplements (p < 0.05). Most pharmacists would recommend the products to patients. Conclusions: (39) Pharmacists use dietary supplements at rates similar to the general public and would recommend the noted products to patients. This is particularly relevant because existing well designed studies evaluating efficacy and safety of the products in question are limited.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate consumers’ knowledge about over the counter (OTC) products containing acetaminophen (APAP). Methods: Doctor of pharmacy student researchers set up a booth at consenting community pharmacies and invited consumers to participate in a 10-15 minute knowledge assessment. The booth contained a table displaying several OTC medication bottles/packages. Adult participants: a) answered baseline questions verbally about their APAP knowledge and associated risks; b) identified OTC products at the booth that contain APAP; and c) calculated and demonstrated dosing of APAP. The researchers asked follow-up questions and assessed the accuracy of the dosing. Participants received APAP educational brochures upon completion. Main Results: Eighty percent of subjects reported not knowing what the abbreviation “APAP” means, and almost half of those who said that they knew what it means were incorrect. Very few participants were able to correctly identify the products containing APAP even with the product packaging information, with the percentage of incorrect responses as to whether a product contains APAP or not varying from 4.9% to 31.6%. More than 40% of the pediatric doses were incorrectly dosed for both of the pediatric formulations, even with the majority of subjects being parents. Conclusions: Consumers are not able to identify which over-the-counter products contain APAP even with the product packaging before them, and they do not know what the abbreviation “APAP” means. Better packaging and product ingredient information should be developed, and the abbreviation “APAP” should be avoided. Pediatric APAP products should be re-evaluated regarding safety and dosing.

Class of 2007 Abstract / Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine if there was a link between the amount of OTC medications consumed and the knowledge of these products. With approximately 100,000 OTC products are available to the consumer this study focused on the most common class sold over the counter, analgesics. This study also determined if there was a correlation between the elderly and their frequency and knowledge of these products. Specific demographic characteristics including gender and education level were also evaluated to determine if these factors had an impact. Methods: A 21 question survey on OTC analgesics was distributed to retail pharmacy customers. It consisted of questions on amount of OTC analgesics regularly consumed, general knowledge of these products, and basic demographic questions. The initial questions assessed the amount of OTC analgesic regularly consumed by the participant. The remaining questions were designed to determine the participant’s knowledge of these products. They were either multiple choice or true false questions covering basic information on OTC analgesics Results: It was found there was no correlation between the amount of OTC analgesics consumed and the knowledge of these products. A person who consumed analgesics on a regular basis was not significantly more knowledgable about these products then a person who had never taken them. There was also no link between age and amount of OTC analgesics taken or knowledge of these products. It was found that women have more knowledge of OTC analgesics then men. Females answered an average 63.6% of the survey questions correct, compared to males who answered 51.8% correct. This project also demonstrated there was a correlation between the amount of the participant’s education level and their knowledge of OTC analgesics. Participants who had a high school education or less, answered 53.6% of the questions correct, and those who had a college degree or post graduate answered 73.5% correct. Conclusions: Although OTC analgesics don’t require a prescription, it is still important to counsel patients taking these medications. This should be considered a necessary part of the job of a pharmacist to ensure the general population has adequate knowledge of these products and is taking them safely. These products can offer a significant benefit and improve a person’s quality of life when utilized correctly. Providing patient education can ensure this can be done.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate consumers’ knowledge about over the counter (OTC) products containing acetaminophen (APAP).   Methods: Doctor of pharmacy student researchers set up a booth at consenting community pharmacies and invited consumers to participate in a 10-15 minute knowledge assessment. The booth contained a table displaying several OTC medication bottles/packages. Adult participants: a) answered baseline questions verbally about their APAP knowledge and associated risks; b) identified OTC products at the booth that contain APAP; and c) calculated and demonstrated dosing of APAP. The researchers asked follow-up questions and assessed the accuracy of the dosing. Participants received APAP educational brochures upon completion.      Main Results: Eighty percent of subjects reported not knowing what the abbreviation “APAP” means, and almost half of those who said that they knew what it means were incorrect. Very few participants were able to correctly identify the products containing APAP even with the product packaging information, with the percentage of incorrect responses as to whether a product contains APAP or not varying from 4.9% to 31.6%. More than 40% of the pediatric doses were incorrectly dosed for both of the pediatric formulations, even with the majority of subjects being parents. Conclusions: Consumers are not able to identify which over-the-counter products contain APAP even with the product packaging before them, and they do not know what the abbreviation “APAP” means. Better packaging and product ingredient information should be developed, and the abbreviation “APAP” should be avoided. Pediatric APAP products should be re-evaluated regarding safety and dosing.

Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: To assess the prevalence of mothers asking pharmacists for pediatric dosing and mothers’ knowledge of pediatric OTC use. Subjects: Mothers with ≥ one child under 6 years old in a local mothers’ support group in Tucson. Methods: Questionnaires were sent out weekly for a month by the group’s listserv and social media website to determine the prevalence of mothers that ask pharmacists questions and assess their knowledge of OTC medications and what medical sources they use. Data on ages, ages of children, number of children, race/ethnicity, pharmacy visited, education, insurance coverage, and children’s chronic diseases were collected. Main Results: Twenty-six people responded. About 46% of the participants were 30 - 34 years old. Forty-six percent of mothers had 2 children; 42% had 1 child. About 54% of mothers have asked a pharmacist for pediatric OTC dosing. The reasons mothers gave for not asking pharmacists dosing information were that they hadn’t needed to ask (25%), they asked a doctor (16%), they used an online resource (8%), and they didn’t think about asking (8%). Three questions assessed OTC knowledge; 50% of participants got all questions correct, 38.5% got two questions correct, and 11.5% got one question correct. There wasn’t a difference in OTC knowledge and whether they asked a pharmacist questions (p=0.373). Conclusion: More than half of mothers asked pharmacists dosing information, but this percentage could still be higher. Fifty percent got all three questions right, 38.5% got two questions correct, and 11.5% of mothers got only 1 question correct.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to create, implement, and evaluate an interactive educational program for older adults on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. METHODS: This was a prospective, interventional study in which all subjects received a 40-minute session covering 12 OTC topics tailored to older adults and delivered by pharmacy students. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from five independent senior living communities in Arizona. Following the program, participants completed a questionnaire to address the helpfulness and share their intentions of behavior change. RESULTS: Of 88 older adults who attended the program, 64 met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily completed the anonymous survey. 91.8% of the participants indicated the intervention was either “very helpful” or “moderately helpful”. Upon score conversion, the average score for helpfulness among men and women were 2.35 and 2.37, respectively (p=0.922). 95.2% of the participants agreed they have better understanding about OTCs, and 98.3% reported they would recommend this program to a friend. The majority of the subjects stated they will make changes to the way they use OTCs (79.3%), talk with their pharmacist before purchasing OTCs (86.8%), and discuss OTC use with their providers (88.3%). The three most beneficial topics identified included vitamins/minerals, reading a drug label, and sleep medications. CONCLUSION: An interactive educational program on the safe use of OTC medications, tailored to older adults and delivered by pharmacy students, was helpful and generated positive intentions regarding behavior change in OTC use among participants.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To assess older adults’ knowledge of prescription pain and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, to determine if age influences older adults’ choice of OTC pain agents, and to determine if education by a pharmacist about prescription and OTC pain medications impacts the score on a medication knowledge indicator. Methods: This is a descriptive survey study. Participants received a recruitment email with a consent link in order to participate in the secure, online Qualtrics survey. The survey consists of 10 knowledge-based items on pain medications and 12 demographic items. The primary outcome of this study is the knowledge about pain medications of adult 75 years and older. Knowledge scores were analyzed using a Chi square test to compare the proportion of respondents in each age group who score 50% or more. The secondary outcome is the purchase pattern of OTC pain medications based on age. OTC purchasing data was analyzed using a nonparametric regression test. The tertiary outcome is the effect of pharmacist counseling on patients knowledge of prescription and OTC medications. The knowledge indicator scores were compared in patients who reported as either being educated by a pharmacist or not using a one-way ANOVA test. Results: The questionnaire was completed by a total of 50 people, but three were excluded due to not meeting the age requirement of 50 years and older. Forty-seven participants were used in the analysis with mean age of 68.3 years (range 55 to 90) and 72% female. Of 44 participants who completed the entire survey those 75 years and older scored better on the knowledge indicator (71% scored ≥50%) compared with those 74 years and younger (54% scored ≥50%); however, no significant difference was found (p = 0.28). In addition, purchasing pattern based on percentage of both prescription and OTC medications between both groups appeared to be insignificantly different (p = 0.31 and 0.51 respectively). The mean number of OTC medications purchased equaled the mean number of OTC medications purchased for adults less than 75 years of age (Y = 1.2 vs. 1.2 medications per patient, p=0.51). Finally, all patients age 75 and older that reported being educated by a pharmacist scored 50% or greater on the knowledge indicator (100%) while 52% of participants 74 years and younger scored 50% or greater (p = 0.673). Conclusions: Adults ages 75 years and older possess the same basic knowledge of pain medications when compared to adults age 50 to 74. In addition, adults age 75 years and older purchase over-the-counter (OTC) at the same rate as adults age 50 to 74. Finally, adults age 75 years and older benefit most from pharmacist consultation compared to adults age 50 to 74.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: Accidental ingestions of medications in children under five years old are an increasing problem faced by parents and caregivers. This study will determine which medications are most commonly ingested and which cause more harmful side effects. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed by obtaining data from electronic patient charts from the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (APDIC). Subjects were selected if they were younger than five years old and had ingested a medication during 2009. Age and gender were analyzed by calculating percentages and means and comparing them using an independent t-test. Adverse effects of medications were compared using a Chi Square test. RESULTS: A total of 4,373 cases met inclusion criteria for analysis, including 2,019 females and 2,354 males. The average age of patients was 2.2 years. Of 3,275 cases (74.4%) involving OTC medications, 119 patients (3.6%) developed minor effects and 20 patients (0.6%) developed moderate effects. Of 1,129 children (25.6%) ingesting prescription medications, 78 patients (6.9%) developed minor effects, 35 patients (3.1%) developed moderate effects and 1 patient (0.1%) developed a major effect (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Males were more likely to have unintentional ingestions than females. The incidence of OTC ingestions was higher than prescription ingestions. Toddlers tended to have more ingestions than infants or older children. Unintentional prescription medication ingestions resulted in significantly more adverse effects than unintentional OTC ingestions.

Η εργασία που ακολoυθεί εκπονήθηκε στα πλαίσια του μεταπτυχιακού προγράμματος σπουδών "Φαρμακευτικό Μάρκετινγκ", του τμήματος Φαρμακευτικής του Πανεπιστήμιου Πατρών, κατά την ακαδημαϊκή περίοδο σπουδών 2009-2011. Σκοπός της έρευνας ήταν να γίνει μια εκτίμηση της κατάστασης στο χώρο της αγοράς των μη υποχρεωτικώς συνταγογραφούμενων φαρμάκων, έχοντας υπόψη τις διαφημιστικές στρατηγικές που εφαρμόζονται από τις φαρμακευτικές εταιρίες, καθώς επίσης και άλλων προϊόντων που διατίθενται από τα φαρμακεία. Στα προϊόντα αυτά περιλαμβάνονται συμπληρώματα διατροφής, υποκατάστατα νικοτίνης για τη ρύθμιση της διάθεσης για κάπνισμα, προϊόντα για το αδυνάτισμα, προϊόντα στοματικής υγιεινής, κρέμες για αντηλιακή προστασία, για αντιγήρανση και ενυδάτωση κ.ά. Για την πραγματοποίηση της παρούσας μελέτης συλλέχτηκαν οι τηλεοπτικές διαφημίσεις των προϊόντων αυτών είτε από τις διαφημιστικές εταιρείες είτε από το διαδίκτυο προκειμένου να αναλυθούν. Τα διαφημιστικά που αναλύσαμε ήταν 78 και τα δεδομένα που προέκυψαν αναλύθηκαν με τη βοήθεια του στατιστικού προγράμματος SPSS. Πραγματοποιήσαμε ανάλυση παραγόντων (factor analysis) από την οποία προέκυψαν 14 διαφορετικά προφίλ διαφημίσεων. Τα ερευνητικά συμπεράσματα υποδεικνύουν πως στις διαφημίσεις χρησιμοποιούνται σε υψηλό ποσοστό πληροφοριακά στοιχεία (ποιότητα, απόδοση και συστατικά μέρη/στοιχεία) καθώς επίσης και πληθώρα διαφημιστικών εκτελεστικών στυλ με κυρίαρχα: το κομμάτι της καθημερινότητας, φαντασία/όνειρο και διάθεση/εικόνα. / The following research was acomplished for the Master Program "Pharmaceutical Marketing" during the academic year 2009-2011. The purpose of this study is to conduct a content analysis of the advertisements of OTC products. The advertisements contain food supplements, NRT, diet products as well as dental hygiene products. In order to perform the content analysis, 78 television ads were collected and then analysed using SPSS. From the factor analysis that we performed we came up with 14 different kinds (profiles)of advertisments. The main conclusions dictate that in OTC advertisments are extensively used informational clues regarding the quality, the performance and the parts of its product. Moreover, a variety of advertising executive styles are also used, such as slice of life and fantasy dream.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: The aim of this project was to assess community-dwelling older adults’ knowledge of prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications associated with fall risk, then provide an online educational intervention tailored to older adults on the topics they answer incorrectly. The knowledge assessment of the missed questions will be repeated after the online education to detect the effectiveness of the online intervention in increasing the knowledge of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study used an interventional design with pre-test, post-test survey method to quantitatively analyze community-dwelling older adults’ knowledge on medication-related fall risk. The persons taking the survey were community dwelling older adults, 65 years of age and older, living in the greater Tucson and Phoenix areas. Data was obtained through an online Qualtrics questionnaire between February 1, 2016 and February 1, 2017. The survey respondents answered questions regarding prescription and OTC medications associated with fall risk. For the questions they answered incorrectly, an online educational intervention tailored to older adults was provided immediately. The knowledge assessment of the missed questions was repeated after the online education to detect the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 302 community-dwelling older adults. The mean age of the participants was 79 (range 65 to > 96), and majority were women (61.2%). A majority of respondents (53.87%) reported falling once in the last 5 years. Of the total participants, 50% were taking between 5 and 9 prescribed medications and 56% taking 0 to 4 OTC medications. The primary outcome of this study is that online education was effective in educating community dwelling older adults on medication-related fall risk. Patients whose pharmacist had previously educated them did not directly correlate with better performance on the pretest than those who did not receive counseling. Participants that received online education during the survey improved their score from 69% before education to 84% post education. Conclusions: The online educational intervention on medication-related fall among older adults was effective and informative. Such educational strategy may be used by pharmacists to educate older patients using medications that may increase fall risks.