10 R428 Discussion Suggestions

This study is not without limitations. The conclusions were drawn from a convenience sample representing two institutions in South India. These findings might not be generalizable for BPharm students all over India. However, this study provides a valuable insight about knowledge, attitude and practice about antibiotic usage and resistance among pharmacy students. CONCLUSIONS E-64 The study highlighted significant difference between the knowledge and attitude of PharmD and BPharm students regarding antibiotic use and resistance. However, no significant difference was observed in the self-antibiotic practices among the students. The study also identified the areas where marked deficiencies were observed in the knowledge of BPharm and PharmD students regarding the possible causes of antibiotic resistance. This research can become a basis for nationwide selleckchem study comparing the knowledge of BPharm and PharmD students and the possible inclusion of advanced antibiotic education in BPharm curriculum subsequently. Footnotes CONFLICT OF INTEREST Nill.""Drug allergy is an immunologically mediated response to specific agent in a sensitized person.1 The clinical manifestations of drug allergy are restricted to certain syndromes that are specifically accepted as allergic in nature, which may present as mild to life-threatening reactions.2 The estimated incidence of drug allergy was 0.018-4.2 per 1000 hospitalizations3,4, and the estimated mortality related to drug allergy was 0.09 per 1000 hospitalizations (95%CI 0.06, 0.12).4 In Thailand, the occurrence of anaphylaxis in a university hospital increased from 9.16 per 100,000 admitted persons in 1999 to 55.45 per 100,000 admitted persons in 2004, in which 50.0% of identifiable causes were drugs.5 Practices in the Thai healthcare system could potentially contribute to recurrent drug allergy because patients can obtain medications from pharmacies without prescriptions, and there is inadequate documentation and communication regarding drug allergy between health JQ1 in vitro providers.6,7 In addition, medication names are presented in English, and available medication information leaflets are not commonly designed for patient use, being targeted at healthcare professionals. Hence it can be difficult for patients with poor health literacy to recall medication names and understand printed information.8 While a clear and standardized form is important for documentation of drug allergy9,10, empowering both public and healthcare professionals is also necessary for more complete drug allergy documentation.11 The Thai Ministry of Public Health has mandated that drug allergy cards should be provided to patients experiencing serious Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) or ADRs which are intolerable or reduce quality of life to prevent future exposure to these drugs.