• 약학회지
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Objective: This study aims to assess the following issues - acquisition level in terms of the information on frequently used drugs of youth, access paths for the information, actual status of the use of drugs frequently used by youth, types of the used drugs, drug abuse among youth, and the consequent drawbacks. This study also takes aims at suggestion of correct role of pharmacists in consideration of drug abuse among youth. Methods: During the period from August 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012, a research design and a question development have been conducted. To the students of the schools that were randomly selected (elementary school's N=99, middle school's N=106, high school's N=115 and university's N=115), it was asked to complete given questionnaire from August 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012. During the period from September 1, 2012 to October 30, 2012, the questionnaires were collected back and the analysis and evaluation of them were carried out. Results: Drugs known to the respondents were a total of 115 different medicines and most of the drugs belonged to over-the-counter drugs. The most well known drug was pain reliever and the second most familiar drug was wound ointment. Most of the respondents found the drugs through direct use and advertisement. In everyday life, more than half of the respondents were using over-the-counter drugs as well as health supplements. The most commonly used drug was analgesic drug. It was showed that the respondents also frequently used the drugs for improving their grades and appearances. It was shown that among the cases of drug use, there were also the cases of misuse and abuse of drugs for the respondents or people around them. Reliability of pharmacists was shown to be high and many students were also satisfied with the pharmacists' guidance for medication. Conclusion: Currently many students are using different kinds of drug in daily life, and there is a possibility that the risk of misuse and abuse of drugs will be increased. Those age groups can easily engage in bad habit of drug use. Thus, promotion on accurate drug information has to be strengthened, and pharmacists are required to conduct correct guidance for drug user's medication in terms of use amount, usage, interactions among different drugs, and potential risks.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.55-74
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• 2024

Objectives: This study reviewed the status of adverse event (AE) reporting in VigiAccess using anti-obesity agents as examples and explored the possibility of its use and future challenges. Methods: AE reports related to some representative drugs among herbal medicines (HMs), complex HM prescriptions, ingredients of supplements, and over-the-counter and prescription medicines were investigated using VigiAccess on February 1, 2024. Results: AE reports on prescription drugs were overwhelmingly higher than those on HMs or supplements. Although most reports were submitted from North America, reports on Ephedra sinica and green tea extract (GTE) were more from Asia and Europe, respectively. The female population reported more, and the difference in the sex ratio was the smallest for Ephedra spp. The age group was concentrated on young adults, but many older patients reported GLP-1 receptor agonist-related AEs. Symptoms related to the gastrointestinal and nervous systems were most commonly reported, but mental and cardiac disorders were common in Ephedra-type HMs. Hepatobiliary disorders are also commonly found in GTE-related reports. Conclusions: VigiAccess was useful for easily checking the global status of AE reporting for prescription drugs. However, several limitations were observed in using VigiAccess for HMs because of the few reports. Thus, it is necessary to increase the number of reports by education and to promote AE reporting among HM prescribers and users. The full range of HMs should be included in the pharmacovigilance system, and the coding and classification of HMs should be revised.

• 약학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.140-146
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• 2005

Candida albicans, a polymorphic fungus, causes systemic and local infections. Recent reports show that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. For trea tment, antifungal drugs and/or rheumatoid drugs are used, but resistance and side effects limit application of the drugs. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we choose Egb 761 (extract of Ginkgo leaves 761), one of the most popular over-the-counter herbal medicines. The Egb 761 contains two major ingredients such as terpene and flavonoid. In the present study, we examined if the terpene portion of Egb 761 had anti-inflammatory activity against C.albicans-caused arthritis. The terpene was extracted with combination of methanol and water from the Egb 761, followed by gel-permeation chromatography. Presence of terpene was determined by the Salkowski colorimetric method and HPLC analysis. For an animal model of inflammation induction, mice were given an emulsion form of C.albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) by footpad-injection. Results showed that intraperitoneal administration of the water-soluble portion that contained terpene and flavonoid reduced the inflammation. Whereas the terpene had anti-inflammatory activity, flavonoid portion had no such activity, For determination of possible mechanism of the activity, the terpene seemed to be suppression of nitric oxide (NO) production from LPS-treated macrophages. Taken together the Ginkgo terpene may have anti-inflammatory effect against C.albicans-caused arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.84-92
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• 2022

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are available both as over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines at pharmacies. Although they are generally safe drugs, inappropriate and excessive use could result in potential side effects. Thus, it is important to have appropriate knowledge regarding the use of TCs. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess public knowledge and the potential misuse or overuse of TCs. Methods: A cross-sectional and nationwide online survey was conducted among participants who were aware of TCs. The survey items included sources of information, indications, potential side effects, and methods of application of TCs. A comparative analysis was conducted between those with (TC users) and without (TC non-users) an experience of using TCs. Results: Among 3,000 participants, 74.4% were TC users. The mass media was the most common information source of TCs, and only one-third of the surveyed people relied on pharmacists or doctors for information. Regarding indications and application methods, incorrect answer rate was high in some items, but respondents showed adequate knowledge. However, awareness of the safety of TCs was low. Overall, the TC users showed a higher knowledge of TCs than TC non-users. Conclusions: Public knowledge of the use of TCs appears to be appropriate. However, we found potential misuse or overuse of some items and a lack of awareness of the side effects concerning TCs. Thus, healthcare professionals' significant role is required.

• 의료법학
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.119-145
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• 2023

약사법은 의약품 조제의 경우 복약지도를 의무사항으로 규정하고 있음에도 불구하고, 실제로 이루어지고 있는 복약지도의 내용을 보면 복용량과 시간만을 알려주는 것에 불과한 경우가 많다. 그런데 비대면진료를 시도하는 현 상황에 비추어 볼 때, 복약지도 미비를 원인으로 하여 약화사고가 발생하기 쉽다는 우려가 상당하다. 또한, 고령화 사회가 진전됨에 따라 의약품에 대한 설명의 필요성이 증가하고 있다. 관련하여, 약사의 복약지도의무 위반으로 인하여 적절한 복용이 이루어지지 않아 환자에게 손해가 발생한 경우, 환자측은 알권리 및 자기결정권, 신체적 인격법익과 재산적 법익의 침해를 이유로 손해배상을 청구할 수 있다. 그런데 의약품 조제의 경우와 같이 의약품 사고가 약사의 복약지도의무와 의사의 설명의무가 경합하여 발생한 경우 약사와 의사의 공동불법행위가 성립할 것임에도, 의사의 설명의무 위반으로 인하여 약사의 복약지도의무 위반이 다투어지지 않는 경우가 있다. 현행 약사법은 복약지도의 내용에 일반의약품 선택을 위한 정보 제공 역시 복약지도 의무의 범주에 포함시키고 있는바, 복약지도의무의 중요성을 재고하기 위하여 의약품정보 제공행위와 복약지도의무를 별개의 개념으로 나누어 규정할 필요가 있다. 또한 복약지도가 의약품의 부작용이나 병용의약품과의 상호작용 등에 이르기까지 자세한 내용으로 이루어질 수 있도록 관련 규정을 환자 중심으로 개정할 필요가 있다.