Thai Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences

FACTORS RELATED TO THE PARTICIPATION OF PHARMACIES IN CHONBURI PROVINCE IN PROVIDING COMMON ILLNESS SERVICES

2026-06-30T10:24:14+07:00

This cross-sectional analytical study investigated factors related to the participation of pharmacies in Chonburi Province in providing common illness services. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from June to December 2025. Participants included 61 licensed pharmacists from participating in common illness services and 256 from non-participating in common illness services. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Pharmacies serving more than 80 clients per day were more likely to participate in the program than those serving fewer than 40 clients per day (OR_adj = 3.27; 95% CI; 1.43-7.49). Pharmacies that strongly agreed that participating pharmacies should be accredited quality pharmacies were more likely to participate than those expressing lower levels of agreement (OR_adj = 8.01; 95% CI; 2.62-24.46). In addition, pharmacies that strongly agreed that the program could be sustained for more than four years were more likely to participate (OR_adj = 3.25; 95% CI;1.61-6.55). These findings suggest that relevant agencies should support pharmacies with lower client volumes, promote quality pharmacy accreditation, and strengthen confidence in the long-term sustainability of the program.

EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEMEDICINE FOR SECONDARY PREVENTION IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

2026-07-01T17:19:36+07:00

Continuous risk factor control in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential for reducing recurrent cardiovascular events. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising adjunct for secondary prevention; however, systematic synthesis of empirical evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of telemedicine compared with usual care in controlling cardiovascular risk factors — specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and smoking cessation rates. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases. Fourteen trials including 5,436 patients were included. Telemedicine increased the likelihood of achieving LDL levels below 1.8 mmol/L by 11% (RR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18) and markedly reduced LDL levels (MD = –0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI –0.22, –0.01). In studies with a low risk of bias, blood pressure was significantly reduced (MD = –5.58 mmHg, 95% CI –10.83, –0.32). A subgroup analysis of Australian studies revealed a notable decrease in BMI (MD = –1.16, 95% CI –1.88, –0.44). No significant effect on smoking cessation was observed. These findings indicate that telemedicine is effective in controlling LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in ACS patients and should be integrated as a component of standard secondary prevention programs.

THE APPLICATION OF DRUG DEMAND PATTERN ANALYSIS FOR INVENTORY FORECASTING FROM THE CENTRAL PHARMACY TO THE IN-PATIENT PHARMACY: A CASE STUDY OF A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

2026-07-13T09:36:10+07:00

Inventory management in tertiary care hospitals is challenged by demand uncertainty, contributing to drug shortages, overstocking, and frequent after-hours emergency requisitions. This study aimed to develop optimized drug demand forecasting models and evidence-based inventory policies for injectable medications in an inpatient pharmacy department. A 26-week retrospective dataset of 197 non-refrigerated injectable drugs was analyzed. Items were classified into four demand categories using Average Demand Interval (ADI) and Squared Coefficient of Variation (CV²): Smooth (159 items), Intermittent (28 items), Lumpy (4 items), and Erratic (6 items). Simple Exponential Smoothing (SES) was applied to Smooth and Erratic groups, while Croston's Method was employed for Intermittent and Lumpy groups. Smoothing parameters (α) were individually optimized to minimize the Adjusted Mean Absolute Percentage Error (AMAPE). Safety Stock (SS), Reorder Points (ROP), and maximum inventory capacity (Q_t) were calculated using a lead time of L = 1/7 week (1 day), a review period of T = 4/7 week (4 days), and a 90% service level. The median AMAPE was 44.1% for Smooth items, 50.2% for Erratic items, and 50.0% for Intermittent and Lumpy items combined. Optimal α values were consistently low for Smooth and Erratic items (median α = 0.2 and 0.1, respectively), while Intermittent and Lumpy items under Croston's Method required higher α values (median 0.9 and 0.6), enabling rapid updating of sparse demand estimates. Among all groups, SES achieved the highest forecasting accuracy for Smooth items, while Croston's Method provided the greatest structural improvement for Intermittent and Lumpy items through separate estimation of demand size and inter-demand interval. The Excel-based decision support tool automates requisition calculations incorporating commercial pack sizes and storage constraints (Q_t), facilitating a transition from experience-based to evidence-based medication management and effectively reducing stockout risks and emergency requisitions.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF Cleistocalyx nervosum VAR. paniala FRUIT EXTRACT ON LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN MURINE MACROPHAGE (RAW 264.7) CELLS

2026-06-29T09:59:06+07:00

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and chronic inflammation plays a critical role in their pathogenesis. Although conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects, highlighting the need for safer therapeutic alternatives. Plant-derived phytochemicals have attracted considerable interest due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala, or Ma-Kiang, is a native Thai berry that has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory potential. However, its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the 90% ethanolic extract of Ma-Kiang fruit (MKE) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Based on the preliminary MTT assay results, non-cytotoxic concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 μg/mL, with 100 μg/mL representing the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration, were selected for subsequent anti-inflammatory assays. Cells were pre-treated with MKE at 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL for 1 h, followed by stimulation with LPS (10 ng/mL) for 24 h. MKE at 50 and 100 µg/mL significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated LPS-induced inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed at 100 µg/mL, reducing the production of NO (67%), IL-6 (65%), TNF-α (54%), IL-1β (63%), MCP-1 (68%), and PGE2 (76%), along with the downregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression. These findings demonstrate that MKE exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects; however, because this study was conducted in vitro, further investigations in animal models and human studies are required to confirm its efficacy.