/library/oar/handle/123456789/26868 2025-12-22T11:17:34Z 2025-12-22T11:17:34Z Vella, Valerie /library/oar/handle/123456789/25467 2018-01-06T02:30:02Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Legal aspects of dispensing and prescription retention procedures according to the laws of Malta Authors: Vella, Valerie Abstract: The aim of this brief overview is to highlight the situation regarding retention of dispensed prescriptions according to Maltese law.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Vella Bonanno, Patricia /library/oar/handle/123456789/25466 2018-01-06T02:30:02Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Systematic review : a cornerstone to promote the uptake of research findings for evidence-based practice Authors: Vella Bonanno, Patricia Abstract: Review of existing research findings from the literature is essential to inform evidence-based practice, decision making, academia and policy. In the medical field, systematic review is considered as standard practice, while in other fields there are different levels of uptake. As compared to traditional literature review, the methodology of systematic review adopts a number of steps and is systematic and transparent. This leads to increased rigour, less bias and allows reproducibility and update. There are still a number of difficulties with the conduct of systematic reviews. The utilisation of systematic review to support different areas of practice is highly recommendable.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Shabbi, Hana Scerri, Anne Marie Soler, Doriette M. Mifsud, Janet /library/oar/handle/123456789/25465 2019-10-31T08:39:39Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Using antiepileptic drugs in children : recent developments and recommendations Authors: Shabbi, Hana; Scerri, Anne Marie; Soler, Doriette M.; Mifsud, Janet Abstract: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with approximately 45 per 100,000 children developing new-onset epilepsy every year. Children are a vulnerable population with unique health needs and a correct diagnosis and thus correct treatment of epilepsy in children, particularly a diagnosis of early onset epilepsy, is important in order to ensure better quality of life, neurodevelopmental outcomes, cognition, education, improved level of function and future employment. Therapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) aims to minimize the frequency of epileptic seizures with minimal side effects. The first generation AEDs (such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproic acid) are still widely used, although they are associated with serious side effects and pharmacokinetic problems (narrow therapeutic indices, nonlinear kinetics, and drug-drug interactions due to enzyme inhibition and enzyme induction properties). The novel AEDs (such as lamotrigine, levetiracetam, rufinamide, and zonisamide) have expanded the treatment options of epilepsy, however they are also associated with severe pharmacokinetic shortcomings, especially for paediatric populations. This educational article will discuss how the correct use of these drugs can lead to improved quality of life measures. This paper also provides an overview of ongoing research on the use of population pharmacokinetics in addressing the challenges paediatric populations offer to drug and dose individualisation.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Gauci, Charmaine Calleja, Antoinette /library/oar/handle/123456789/25462 2019-10-31T08:40:04Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Childhood obesity : a priority area of the Maltese presidency of the Council of the European Union Authors: Gauci, Charmaine; Calleja, Antoinette Abstract: The magnitude of childhood obesity has reached alarming levels. Approximately, 40% of the global population suffers from overweight or obesity. The EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 has an overarching goal to halt the rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people by 2020. Notwithstanding the various actions at both EU and national levels, the problem of overweight and obesity remains high. Urgent action needs to be stepped up. Towards this end the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union placed childhood obesity as one of its priority areas. During its Presidency, a midterm evaluation on the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 was carried out in order to derive with a status update on the extent of implementation by each Member State in the eight policy areas identified within the said Action Plan. The presidency output also focused on the development of food procurement guidelines in schools in order to facilitate the procurement of food for health. To this effect, the presidency produced a technical report elaborating on public procurement guidelines of food for health within school settings. This provides a useful tool for member states when issuing procurement tenders for food in schools. Progressive and targeted public procurement of food for health can reward food business operators who provide nutritionally balanced meals and food products, prompting innovation, food reformulation and social responsibility to achieve better diets and positively impact public health. In addition, with a view to stepping actions to end the childhood obesity epidemic health ministers adopted Council Conclusions on halting the rise in childhood overweight and obesity. The Council Conclusions call upon Member States to integrate in their national action plans and strategies cross-sectoral measures, enabling environments that encourage healthy diets and adequate health-enhancing physical activity amongst others. The scale and consequences of childhood obesity demand bold and urgent actions. Collaborative actions between European Member States and intersectoral concerted actions at national level are required to tackle the burden of childhood obesity.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z