https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/478 2026-07-07T13:55:16Z 2026-07-07T13:55:16Z Baldacchino, Michela Sammut Bartolo, Nicolette https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147851 2026-07-07T09:52:10Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Green pharmacy practice : a cross-sectional study to evaluate awareness and application within community pharmacy Authors: Baldacchino, Michela; Sammut Bartolo, Nicolette Abstract: Background:; The increase in environmental awareness highlights the need to implement green measures to address the environmental footprint of pharmaceutical processes. Green measures can be implemented within the community pharmacy settings to mitigate the environmental impact of related activities. Awareness and perception of community pharmacists about green measures are important since they are strategically placed to educate patients, consumers and healthcare professionals.; Objectives:; The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness of Maltese pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants, about green practices and the application of green pharmacy within the community pharmacy setting.; Methods:; A cross-sectional study was conducted through the distribution of a validated questionnaire to evaluate the awareness of community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants, about green pharmacy. The data was analysed for descriptive statistics and chi square test was used for correlation analysis.; Key findings:; A total of 105 participants answered the questionnaire. Fifty-two percent (n = 55) of participants were familiar with the term green pharmacy. The majority of participants (98%, n = 103) showed interest in learning more about the topic. Green measures, such as rotating stock when receiving new products and enforcing recycling measures, are being implemented within the community pharmacy setting.; Conclusion:; Green measures are being implemented within the community pharmacy setting, however more awareness is required to drive the shift towards the implementation of environmentally friendly practices.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Szyrner, Karolina Serracino-Inglott, Anthony Vella Szijj, Janis https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147503 2026-06-17T10:59:52Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Label integrity of cannabidiol consumer products : a matrix-specific review of accuracy, contaminants, and regulatory gaps (2017–2025) Authors: Szyrner, Karolina; Serracino-Inglott, Anthony; Vella Szijj, Janis Abstract: The global market for cannabidiol (CBD) consumer products is continuing to expand across food, supplement, cosmetic, and inhalable categories, outside the regulatory frameworks applied to authorised medicines. This review assesses the accuracy of CBD label claims and the presence of chemical contaminants across consumer CBD products reported between 2017 and 2025. A narrative literature review of 28 peer-reviewed analytical studies encompassing multiple product matrices was carried out. Studies were categorised according to whether they applied ±10% or ±15% label-accuracy thresholds, or reported only mean deviations from labelled values. Results show that 31.3% (294/937) of products complied with commonly applied label-accuracy threshold within ±10%. Oils and tinctures were most frequently accurately labelled (41.3%, 124/300), whereas edibles (40.5%, 106/262), vape products (24.3%, 28/115), and topicals (13.8%, 36/260) showed pronounced mislabelling, absence of declared CBD, and within-product heterogeneity. Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents were detected, occasionally at levels exceeding legal or toxicological thresholds. Evidence indicates quality-control deficiencies across the CBD consumer market, with important implications for consumer safety, dosing reliability, and regulatory oversight. Product-category variability suggests inadequate standardisation of manufacturing and labelling practices across formulation matrices. Interpretation of the findings was limited by heterogeneity in analytical methodologies, sampling strategies, reporting practices, and label-accuracy criteria between studies. The detection of mislabelling and contaminants across geographically diverse investigations supports the need for harmonised analytical standards, matrix-specific acceptance criteria, mandatory contaminant screening, and strengthened post-market surveillance to better protect public health.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147469 2026-06-16T10:17:26Z 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Postgraduate pharmacy education contribution to community pharmacists’ confidence in disease management Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Pharmacy programmes are increasingly looking towards establishing a patient-centric approach. At the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, the postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) degree (EQF level 8) focuses on developing advanced clinical pharmacy skills, supporting professional innovation and embedding pharmaceutical leadership and entrepreneurship. This study examined whether the postgraduate Doctorate programme was associated with community pharmacists’ self-reported confidence in managing patient conditions, using inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a case study.

2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147443 2026-06-15T14:09:13Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Agility in pharmacy curricula to meet relevance in pharmacy education Abstract: Aim : Within the FIP Academic Institutional Membership (AIM) Advisory Committee, the AIM Area of Concentration Working Group for 2025 was tasked with identifying the diverse approaches adopted by schools of pharmacy globally that promote relevant pharmaceutical education for practice and science.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z