Abstract The main objective of this investigation was to determine and summarize the economic burden of severe COPD exacerbations that required hospitalization and the difference in the costs of treatment between patients with frequent (at least two exacerbations in one year) and infrequent exacerbation. Our results suggested that significantly more resources had to be spent to treat patients with at least two hospitalizations during the study related to the use of medications primarily affecting the respiratory system (corticosteroids, p = 0.013, theophylline, p = 0.007) and total hospital stay (31336.68 ± 19140 RSD/517.53 ± 316.1 EUR versus 23650.15 ± 14956.0 RSD/390.59 ± 247 EUR, p=0.002) compared to patients who stayed in a semi-intensive care unit (12875.35 ± 20742.54 RSD versus 4310.62 ± 9779.78 RSD/ 212.64 ± 342.57 EUR versus 71.19 ± 161.51 EUR, p=0.006). Based on the total number of days in the hospital, the costs of the drugs, the materials used and services provided, patients from the frequent exacerbation group had significantly higher costs (80034.1 ± 36823.7 RSD/1321.78 ± 608.15 EUR versus 69425.5 ± 34083.1 RSD/1146.58 ± 562.89 EUR) comparedthan patients in the infrequent exacerbation group (p=0.039). Our results indicate that significantly more funds will be spent treating the deterioration of patients who stay longer in the hospital or in the semi-intensive care unit. Their condition will require a significantly greater use of drugs that are primarily used to treat the respiratory system and, therefore, will utiliseutilize significantly more resources.

One of the most significant health issues is the disorders of mood according to the fact that they have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patients, their families, their working and wider social surroundings. According to the World Health Organization, mood disorders are the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality with a tendency to move to the second place by the 2020. The prediction of higher number of patients diagnosed with depression in the future comes from the facts that the main factor of risk, like stress, is in constant rise. Furthermore, the demographic image (ageing of the population) is changing, associated with the effect of comorbidity of depression, also attributed with increase of the number of genetically predisposed patients with this mood disorder. The aim of this study is to define, describe and question the role of pharmacists in the treatment of patients suffering from depression. Therefore, we measured the impact of pharmaceutical care on significant parameters in treatment of depression due to the selection of appropriate therapy according to the guidelines, adherence of the patient, quality of life, work capability, anxiety, side effects and interactions with other medicines.

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES Pharmaceutical care involves patient-centred pharmacist activity to improve medicines management by patients. The implementation of this service in a comprehensive manner, however, requires considerable organisation and effort, and indeed, it is often not fully implemented in care settings. The main objective was to assess how pharmaceutical care provision within community pharmacy has evolved over time in Europe. METHOD A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of community pharmacies, using a modified version of the Behavioural Pharmaceutical Care Scale (BPCS) was conducted in late 2012/early 2013 within 16 European countries and compared with an earlier assessment conducted in 2006. RESULTS The provision of comprehensive pharmaceutical care has slightly improved in all European countries that participated in both editions of this survey (n = 8) with progress being made particularly in Denmark and Switzerland. Moreover, there was a wider country uptake, indicating spread of the concept. However, due to a number of limitations, the results should be interpreted with caution. Using combined data from participating countries, the provision of pharmaceutical care was positively correlated with the participation of the community pharmacists in patient-centred activities, routine use of pharmacy software with access to clinical data, participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, and having specialized education. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated a slight evolution in self-reported provision of pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists across Europe, as measured by the BPCS. The slow progress suggests a range of barriers, which are preventing pharmacists moving beyond traditional roles. Support from professional bodies and more patient-centred community pharmacy contracts, including remuneration for pharmaceutical care services, are likely to be required if quicker progress is to be made in the future.

Introduction: Tonsillopharyngitis (sore throat) is a common disease mainly related to the seasonal common cold. To relieve unpleasant symptoms and discomfort of acute tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold, patients usually take some non-prescription drugs. The aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess subjective determinations of the efficacy and the safety/tolerability of an oral spray comprising a combination of lysozyme chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in those patients. Material and methods: The study involved 1727 patients with tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold and treated with the studied drug, in the period from December 2014 through March 2015. Results: In total, 95% of patients rated the studied drug to be well, very well and excellently effective. In 32% of patients, the symptoms were relieved 10 minutes after the application of the spray. Significant correlations were found between the two subjective assessments of the drug efficiency with the total of 74.11% (95% CI: 73.41, 77.47%) of patients who said that the feeling of pain in the throat completely disappeared after the drug administration, evaluated the impact/effect of the drug was very good or good (Pearson Chi Square=391.401, p<0.001). The effectiveness was significantly better in patients with up to two episodes of common cold a year (Pearson Chi Square=6.101; p=0.014). The studied drug was rated to be well, very well and excellently tolerated by 97% of patients. Conclusion: According to patients’ subjective assessment, the combination of lysozyme chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in a formulation of spray can quickly, efficiently and safely resolve the symptoms of acute tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold.

The occurrence of counterfeit medicines represents a global problem, which affects patient’s health, pharmaceutical industry and public health also. The issue of counterfeit medicines is growing due to the increase of illegal production in global market, sales volume and sales structure. In order to find a solution of this problem, numerous state and professional subjects are involved. The aim of this study is to take an overview to: prevalence of counterfeit medicines, their basic characteristics and technologies for detection, recommendations of WHO, WTO, EU and other international organizations affected of falsified drugs.

One of the most significant health issues are the disorders of mood because they have a significant effect on the quality of life of the patients, their families, their working and wider social surroundings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1992; WHO, 2001), mood disorders are the fourth cause of morbidity and mortality with a tendency to move to the second place by the 2020. The prediction that there is going to be an increase in the number of ill in the future comes from the facts that the factors of risk, like stress, are in constant rise, that the demographic image (ageing of the population) is changing which has an effect on the rise of comorbidity of these illnesses with the chronic illnesses of the elderly population and that the incidence of genetically predisposed depressions increases etc.

Professions, as one of key sectors of social systems, bear a leading role in the existing social work organization. Free professions take up a special place and significance, all the way from Roman artes liberales to our times. Pharmaceutical profession, as one of the oldest, led by ethical principles, is regulated by postulates accepted by the profession members, and in modern times established through legislations. Typical determinants of the regulated professions, which also refer to pharmacists, as chamber members, are as follows: following ethical principles, specific skills and knowledge, professional development, autonomy at work, continuing improvement, competencies development, professional associations, licensing.