https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40722 2026-04-05T01:43:43Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41040 Title: Homeopathy and allied therapies : a review Authors: Attard, Everaldo Abstract: Homeopathy is the basis of several forms of therapies that emerged later on throughout Europe. Homeopathy and these related therapies form part of Europe’s traditional medical history. Several physicians followed Hahnemann’s principles and applied them to their forms of therapies. Such therapies include anthroposophic medicine, gemmotherapy, lithotherapy, organotherapy, Bach’s floral remedies, Schüssler’s tissue salts. However, in the multicultural and modern Europe, there is still a long way for the official recognition and harmonisation of products within the European Union Member States. Due to popularity of these remedies with EU citizens, the European centralised body and individual Member States medicines authorities are obliged to safeguard the general public through the assessment of safety and quality of these medicinal products. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41039 Title: Generic medicine prices and their distribution in Malta Authors: Vella, John; Zarb Adami, Maurice Abstract: Objectives: To analyse the composition of the private pharmaceutical retail market in Malta on the basis of the originator or generic status of available medicines and to observe the change in prices of generics and originators over time. Method: The prices of a sample (n=435) of medicines in Malta were analysed for an eight year period (2002 to 2009). The variation in price in the generic and originator segments was calculated. Thirty-one active ingredients with generics available were identified and the Average Retail Price Per Unit (ARPPU) and the Lowest Retail Price Per Unit (LRPPU) were calculated. The average discount from the originator price was calculated, per compound and also by drug class. Key Findings: The sample population contained 17.2% generic products. The mean drop in the ARPPU was of 10.87% and for the LRPPU of 21.42% for the LRPU. The average discount was 14.59% in 2002 and 37.19% in 2009. Conclusion: The number of generic medicines in Malta has increased in the last eight years, with a consequent decrease in the lowest prices available for the set of medicinal compounds. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41038 Title: A pilot study to determine the cost of pharmaceutical drug treatment for chronic conditions prescribed in relation to patients' age Authors: Galea, Monica; Zarb Adami, Maurice Abstract: Objective: To determine the age distribution of patients and the total drug cost. To establish the average cost per age group and identify factors that may influence cost. Method: A pilot study was conducted by selecting by convenience sampling a number of patients over 18 years who were registered in the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme with a community pharmacy where the study was carried out. For each patient, type, frequency and cost of medication supplied were identified from treatment cards and from Government Health Procurement Services (GHPS). Key findings: Data was collected for 491 patients (aged between18-98 years) were 272 (55%) were females and 10% (n = 47) were institutionalised. Eight percent (n=395) were prescribed drugs for cardiovascular diseases which constituted 50% of the total drug expenditure. Daily cost per patient was one euro. Pearson correlation value (p<0.05) revealed a significant relationship between the increase in cost, unit doses and number of diseases with increasing age, between gender and different settings. Gender variation between drug categories was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Cost of drug treatment is vital information that financing providers and policy makers require for the allocation of budgets. Findings suggest that populations are ageing, cost increases with age and that gender and setting influence the treatment being provided. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41037 Title: Evaluation of pharmacist clinical recommendations in a geriatric hospital Authors: Vella, Elaine; Azzopardi, Lilian M. Abstract: Objectives: This study was undertaken to record the number and type of recommendations made by pharmacists reviewing the drug treatment of older patients, to note acceptance of these recommendations by physicians and to assess clinical significance of pharmacist recommendations. Method: Three pharmacists providing inpatient services at Zammit Clapp Hospital were asked to record specific details of all recommendations given using a designed documentation form. The clinical impact of the pharmacists’ recommendations was assessed by the pharmacists making the recommendations together with a panel of two independent pharmacists and a medical doctor who had to rate the contribution of each recommendation as major, moderate, minor or of no clinical significance. Key findings: A total of 263 valid pharmacist recommendations were documented. The most frequent recommendations, accounting for 20.5% (n=54) of the total number of recommendations were adjustment to dosage, frequency and time of administration followed by discontinuation of a medication. The majority of recommendations were accepted by physicians (80%) and were rated by the panel to be of moderate (60.5%) clinical significance. Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists make a number of recommendations of significant clinical benefit to the care of hospitalised elderly patients, the majority of which are accepted by physicians. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z