/library/oar/handle/123456789/38927 2025-12-24T13:32:22Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13313 Title: Diabetes Mellitus and its management : an introductory overview Authors: Tonna, Antonella Abstract: Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic disorders worldwide. By 2010, the number of people with diabetes is expected to exceed 350 million1. Diabetic complications cause considerable morbidity in 5- 10% of these patients, with diabetic complications accounting for 4% of hospital admissions2. Malta is no exception with statistics gathered in 1987 indicating that 10% of adults aged 35 and over had diabetes while another 13% had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This problem is found in other Mediterranean island communities (Cyprus, Sardinia, Sicily, Pantelleria) where a prevalence of 5% is found3. Opportunities for interacting with the diabetic patient are numerous and the pharmacist is ideally positioned to intervene with the aim of optimising patient treatment. This review will deal with a brief pathophysiology of diabetes and its complications, a good knowledge of which is fundamental since it leads to a clear understanding of the factors to be considered when choosing the appropriate therapy for the individual patient. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13311 Title: The importance of education in Diabetes care Authors: Grixti, Moira; Zammit McKeon, Anna Abstract: Diabetes is a condition that cannot be cured but can be controlled. It has been shown that people with controlled diabetes are less liable to develop the complications of the disease. Education is important because one cannot have good control without education in the management of diabetes. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13310 Title: Prescribing errors : what’s the story? Authors: Dean, Bryony Abstract: Although prescribing errors are one of the most common causes of preventable iatrogenic injury, there have been relatively few studies of their incidence and causes. The majority of the studies that have been carried out have been based in secondary care. This paper reviews what is currently known about prescribing errors. It is suggested that prescribing errors occur in at least 1-2% of all medication orders written, cause harm in about 1% of admissions, and have a wide range of causes. Organisation-wide interventions and cultural changes are likely to be required to prevent them. However, useful first steps suggested include reporting prescribing errors identified, formally reviewing pharmacists’ interventions and developing increased ‘error awareness’ amongst all health care professionals. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13309 Title: Interactions of grapefruit juice with drugs Authors: Forte, John Stephen Abstract: Interactions between grapefruit juice and oral drugs have been reported in the literature. The constituents of the juice that give rise to pharmacokinetic interactions have not been identified with certainty. It has been suggested that the mechanisms may involve inhibition of intestinal cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 isozyme and of drug efflux transporters. There are several variables that may influence the clinical significance of the drug-food interactions. In the pharmacy practice setting, the major concern is the increased bioavailability of drugs having a narrow therapeutic index. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z