https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39210 2026-04-05T14:20:18Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14291 Title: Medication adherence : patient education, communication and behaviour Authors: De Brincat, Michael Abstract: Medication adherence usually refers to whether patients take their medications as prescribed, as well as whether they continue to take a prescribed medication. Medication non-adherence is a growing concern to pharmacists, healthcare systems, and other stakeholders (e.g. payers) because of mounting evidence that it is prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes and higher costs of care. To date, measurement of patient medication adherence and use of interventions to improve adherence are rare in routine clinical practice. The goals of this article are to address (1) the reasons for non-adherence, (2) the prevalence of medication non-adherence, (3) the consequences of non-adherence, (4) patient behaviour with respect to taking medications and finally, (5) interventions to improve medication adherence. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14142 Title: The Social Security Act Reform : medicines entitlement Authors: Anastasi, Alison Abstract: On the 27th of March 2012, legislative changes were made to the Social Security Act Cap 318 Article 23 and the Fifth Schedule of the same Act.1 The change resulted in an increase in the number of listed Schedule V conditions, from 38 to 79. The new conditions include cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease, psychiatric disorders starting in childhood, chronic mood disorders, Down’s Syndrome, and diabetes mellitus Type 1 and Type 2. Any patient suffering from a chronic condition which is listed under the second part of the Fifth Schedule of the Social Security Act is entitled to free medication for that specific disease and entitlement is based solely upon the presence of disease irrespective of means, income or age. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14131 Title: Enhancing the choice and use of medicines : an overview of the Medicines Authority’s strategy to empower patients and consumers and support healthcare professionals Authors: Flores, Gavril; Vella Bonanno, Patricia Abstract: Public health authorities regulate in the public interest to protect health, ensure patient access to safe medicines, stimulate innovation and encourage a competitive market.1 Pharmaceutical regulation supports various components of a national pharmaceutical policy, including research and development (through regulation of clinical trials and provision of scientific advice), authorisation of medicinal products, regulation of the supply chain (manufacturers, wholesale dealers and pharmacies), pharmacovigilance and the rational use of medicinal products (through information about medicinal products and the use of medicines). The tangible public health outcomes of these processes are access, availability and affordability of medicinal products which are of good quality, and safe and efficacious when used rationally. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14127 Title: Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal : pharmacological immortality in science fiction Authors: Grech, Victor E.; Vassallo, Clare; Callus, Ivan Abstract: Immortality is a common feature in science-fiction (SF). This paper lists the ways in which the pharmacological induction of immortality has been depicted in SF, and the resultant outcomes. Immortality or extreme longevity are often melded with infertility in order to eliminate the overpopulation issues that would inevitably arise. This is only one way in which theoretical utopias which afford life extension become dystopias, cautionary tales that admonish against hubris. In this fashion, SF attempts to divine the paths that scientific discoveries or future events reveal to us, and the possible consequences that our decisions may have, whether taken advisedly and with due deliberation, or carelessly with no attempt to discern the consequences of our actions. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z