Sources of Information on Medicinal Products Among Physicians – A Survey Conducted Among Primary Care Physicians in Poland

Introduction: Primary care physicians need to have access to up-to-date knowledge in various fields of medicine and high-quality information sources, but little is known about the use and credibility of sources of information on medicinal products among Polish doctors. The main goal of this study was to analyze the sources of information on medicinal products among primary care physicians in Poland.Methods: A survey was conducted among 316 primary care physicians in Poland. The following information was collected: demographic data of participants, type and frequency of using data sources on medicinal products, barriers to access credible information, assessment of the credibility of the sources used, impact of a given source and other factors on prescription decisions.Results: The most frequently mentioned sources of information were medical representatives (79%), medical journals (78%) and congresses, conventions, conferences, and training (76%). The greatest difficulty in finding the latest information about medicinal products was the lack of time. The surveyed doctors considered clinical guidelines to be the most credible source of information, and this source also had the greatest impact on the choice of prescribed medicinal products.Conclusion: The study showed that clinicians consider clinical guidelines as the most credible source of information with the greatest impact on prescribing medicinal products. However, it is not the source most often mentioned by doctors for obtaining knowledge about medicinal products. There is a need to develop strategies and tools to provide physicians with credible sources of information.

Ethnopharmacological Properties of Family Asteraceae

From ancient time, plants have been utilized as a great source of medicinal products for several types of diseases and disorders. Traditional knowledge is an important source for the development of new drugs. Several studies revealed that traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is being practised among several tribes throughout the world. Many researchers have been evaluated the authenticity of this information. Family Asteraceae got an important place among this medicinal heritage. This is one of the widely distributed families and large numbers of plants have been utilized in various skin-related problems. This chapter highlights the ethnopharmacological properties of this family.

Pengaruh Praktik Manajemen Rantai Pasok terhadap Keunggulan Kompetitif dan Kinerja Agroindustri Obat Tradisional dan Rempah Lokal Madura

This study aims to: analyse the effect of supply chain management practices on the competitive advantage of local Madura traditional medicinal and spice products; explore the influence of supply chain management practices on the performance of the local Madura traditional medicine and spice agroindustry; investigate the effect of competitive advantage on the performance of the local Madura traditional medicine and spice agroindustry. The population in this study were entrepreneurs of traditional Madurese medicines and local spices. The sampling technique in this study used purposive sampling with a total sample of 25. The data collection technique used a questionnaire tested for validity and reliability. The data analysis tool used to answer the research hypothesis is SmartPLS. The results of this study indicate that: supply chain management practices have a direct and positive effect on the competitive advantage of traditional Madurese medicinal products and local spices; supply chain management practices have an immediate and positive impact on the performance of the Madura traditional medicine and local spice agroindustry; the competitive advantage of conventional Madurese medicinal products and local spices has a direct and positive effect on the performance of SMEs. Agro-industry SMEs are advised to continue increasing their competitive advantage and supply chain management to continue developing their business.

Protective activity of Ruta chalepensis methanolic extract against nephrotoxicity and testicular damage induced by Carbon tetrachloride on albino male mice

Herbal medicinal products can contain whole or partially prepared plant components from plant leaves, bark, stems, flowers and seeds.They are administered orally, inhaled or directly applied in the skin. Ruta chalepensis is a wild herb of the Mediterranean region used by many countries in herbal medicine. The existence of bioactive molecules responsible for their pharmacological properties has been shown by phytochemical screening. Results of kidney protective activity of plant. Showed that: for total cholesterol, the effect was dose dependant (50 and 100 mg\kg) in which the plant decreased it in compared to positive and negative groups (162.1±1.83 and 154.6±1.11 mg\dl) compared to (202.1±1.13 and 167.5±2.96 mg\dl) respectively. For total protein, creatinin and albumin the plant also had the ability to keep it near control groups compared to CCL4group.While the results of interaction groups indicated the ability of plant to provide protection against CCL4 damage. the plant possessed the ability to keep testosterone, progesterone and estrogen hormones level near normal in compared to CCL4 treated group (2.96±0.03, 1.93±0.01 and 3.63±0.04 ng\dl); (11.51±4.12, 9.85±2.18 and 11.78±3.42 ng\ml); (29.07±7.21, 30.11±9.11 and 30.67±8.98 ng\ml) for 50,100 mg\kg and negative control respectively. While for interaction group the results showed the ability of plant to counteract the damaged caused by CCL4 (1.67±0.01, 2.54±0.02); (10.42±2.21, 13.65±4.37); (39.74±10.13, 35.45±9.91) for testosterone, progesterone and estrogen hormones in Ruta chalepensis +CCL4 at dose (50 +0.02%) and (100+0.02%) respectively. All results of histo-architecture for kidney and testis showed the ability of plant to counteract any necrosis and abnormality caused by CCL4.

Analysis and Characterization of Quality Systems in the Natural Medicinal Products Industry in Costa Rica and the World

The use of natural products has been a practice carried out by people throughout history to take care of their health and to alleviate a wide variety of ailments. The reasons for the use of natural medicine at this time, with so many advances in pharmacology, are varied, among which are the dissatisfaction of the immediate needs of people to feel better about themselves and the economic factor. It must be considered that not everything natural is good. Therefore, the products manufactured and distributed under the line of Natural Medicinal Products must go through a verification and certification process, ensuring that they contain sufficient information on their composition and effects to avoid the risks that they may bring to those who consume them. This research describes good practices in the manufacture of natural products and shows the establishment of a Quality Management System in the pharmaceutical industry in different countries of the world. Finally, the use of natural products in Costa Rica is detailed, certain aspects to establish a Quality Management System in the country, as well as its importance.