UNIVERSITY OF MALTA   FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY   Pharmacy Department   2001 Final Year Project Previews

2001 Final Year Projects Comparison and Evaluation of Quoted Bioavailability Values Bruno Attard Bioavailability studies are crucial in the determination of the appropriate mode of administration of every drug.  The aim of this project is to compare the methods employed in, and results of, various published bioavailability studies.  Through analysis and evaluation of these bioavailability studies it should be possible to determine their relevance and significance in drug manufacturing, quality control, and clinical practice   Pharmacogenomics in Anticoagulant Drug Therapy Robert Attard This project aims to establish a correlation between CYP2C9 polymorphisms and warfarin sensitivity in patients udertaking oral anticoagulant therapy.  A sample of 100 patients will be recruited in the study.  Information concerning their therapy will be collected.  A sample of their blood will be genotyped for 4 established CYP2C9 polymorphisms.  Statistical analysis will then be employed to verify any correlations.   The History of Pharmacy in Malta Louise Azzopardi Data will be compiled dealing with the various political, religious, cultural, philosophical and medical aspects that have influenced the development and evolution of the pharmacy profession in Malta throughout the centuries to date.  This is expected to be developed in a book format in a narrative form meant to be read not by historians but by the public in general.   Unit Dose Nicholas Azzopardi The unit dose drug distribution system involves the preparation of the physicianÌs medication orders by a pharmacist.  Medications are dispensed as unit doses, in an individually labeled box for each patient.  This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and the effectiveness of this system in a rehabilitative short-stay hospital for the elderly using a unit dose system.   Protocols About OTC Products in the Treatment of Colds Christian Brancaleone The protocols aim to produce and offer patient management, including the management of multisymptom in common colds.  They include a set of questions to be asked to the patient about his symptoms and the onset of his cold.  As a result of the questions the pharmacist must aim to be able to decide whether to give the patient the medicine.  The required information and advice to be given with the dispensing of the medicine is identified.   Lateral Formulation: The Use of Side Effects Katrine Briffa Side effects are unwanted effects in drug treatment and efforts are made for these to be avoided.  However, the side effects of some drugs may be exploited for useful purposes.  In my project, I intend to look for such drugs whose side effects can thus be positively exploited.  For example, aspirin is used for its anti-platelet activity side effect.   Changes in Drug Quality Due to Cumulative Temperature Fluctuations During Transport Roberto Brincat The aim of this study will be to record the cumulative temperature fluctuations that occur from the time the pharmaceutical product leaves the manufacturer to the time it reaches the patient.  This study will determine the effect of such temperature fluctuations on the stability of the drug and hence the productÌs quality.   Quality of Life in Post-Menopausal Women Taking HRT Clarissa Captur This study will seek to evaluate the quality of life of post-menopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy, and those not taking HRT.   Protocol Ò Allergic Reactions Fiona Caruana Flowchart protocols which appropriately set up for quick reference will be developed.  The aim is to produce a scheme that will primarily act as a guideline for pharmacists to identify allergic reactions and secondly serve as a means of assessing pharmacists in the eventual diagnosis and treatment of allergies.   MDMA Ò Activity and Analysis Janice Cassar Giacomotto This project aims to correlate the structure of the drug MDMA (ecstasy) with its pharmacological activity on the human organism.  Ecstasy tablets will be analysed to determine the quantitative and qualitative presence of MDMA.   Chronopharmacology Clifton Curmi This study will be based on finding any correlation between time of drug administration and drug action taking anti hypertensives as an example.  The time at which the drug is administered could influence the frequency of occurrence of side effects and may results in better drug action.   Drugs in the Elderly Dorothy Cutajar The drug use in elderly patients on discharge from Zammit Clapp Hospital, a geriatric hospital, is investigated.  Problems associated with drug use of these patients are recorded.  Questionnaires will be distributed to assess the problems encountered by these patients with respect to the acquisition and costs of their medicines, especially the non-formulary ones.   Quality of Life in Congestive Heart Failure Stefania Debattista Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an increasing important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.  It occurs when the heart is unable to supply blood to meet the needs of the bodyÌs tissues.  Quality of life is a very important aspect in CHF treatment.  The aim of this project is to assess clinical outcome and quality of life in a group of patients having congestive heart failure.   Blood Products Ruth Debono Blood products are substances found in blood which are used to replace lack of these components in particular patients.  Investigations into the composition of specific blood samples will be carried out.  A blood products formulary will be drafted after studies of the needs of the local population.   Development of a Local Online Formulary Michael DeBrincat The aim of this project is to develop a local online formulary that will allow retrieval of information via the internet, on antibacterials sold in Malta.  The formulary will consist of a list of generic and trade names with their respective indications, possible side effects and contra-indications.  The medicines will be classified according to the British National Formulary.   Laws Relevant to Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice in the 21st Century Duncan Decelis Many of the laws used today in our pharmacies are outdated.  This is because these laws were never updated, for example in what concerns medicine which should never be present in a pharmacy, there are still drugs which were used in 1920s and are no longer manufactured these days.  Therefore the aim of this thesis is to collect the laws which are relevant to the profession of pharmacist and eventually update them.   Curriculum for Post-graduate Course for Medical Representatives Anna Formosa The aim of this project is to develop a curriculum for qualified pharmacists which will equip them with the necessary marketing skills that their profession demands to become medical representatives such as to direct the medical professionals to recommend the suitable products.  A pathway to bridge pharmacy and marketing will be developed.   Update and Evaluation of the Pharmacy Website Ernest Formosa The project is aimed at updating the current pharmacy website to host more features for the visitor.  Before handling and maintaining the actual website, the original site will be evaluated and studied in conjunction with any proposed additional features.  Final results will emerge after comparing both sites and evaluating the importance and knowledge of the internet to pharmacists and pharmacy students.   Erectile Dysfunction Keith Galea The different methods of action i.e.: anatomical, physiological and psychological action of drugs that can help potency together with the side effects and drug interaction of these drugs e.g.: Viagra will be discussed.  Also the implications that these drugs have on the society and the side effects of certain drugs e.g.: blockers that can act on the sexual organ of the male and cause impotency will also be discussed.    Assessment of the Quality of Life in Patients with Acne Lisa Galea Acne is a condition of the skin that shows up on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest.  It is a common skin disorder affecting nearly 80% of those aged 11-30, and may have a significant adverse psychosocial impact on the patient.  This study will consider the effect of acne treatment on the quality of life in these patients through the identification and use of quality of life testing tools.    Memory Deficits Associated with MDMA Use Matthew Galea The present study aims to determine whether memory performance in recreational MDMA users is compromised and if so whether this decrement is specifically associated with their past exposure to MDMA and not other illicit drugs.   The Journal of EuroMed Pharmacy Ruth Gauci Borda It is proposed to formulate a medical journal aimed at providing informative articles for prospective pharmacy graduates.  These articles will include research work of various health care professionals which should enhance the interest of prospective graduates in their studies and stimulate them for further research work.   Time Management in Pharmacy Ann Marie Lanzon Investigation of how pharmacists manage time in a professional setting namely in community pharmacies.  Time motion studies will be carried out in community pharmacies to measure time that pharmacists spend on different professional tasks.  A discussion of the results will be complemented with measures that may be taken to achieve effective time management.   Logos and Pictograms Related to Pharmacy Alastair Mallia Patient compliance is crucial for a treatment to have an optimal effect, however, non compliance is a common incident.  In this study, the aim is to assess the application of logos and pictograms to medicinal products along with information leaflets and posters regarding instructions given to the patient about his treatment.  These communicatory signs are aimed to convey the message to the patients, especially the illiterate ones.   A Comparison of Antibiotic Use in Elderly Institutions Mark Mercieca The project will consist of an evaluation on the administration of different antibiotics in elderly institutions.  The evaluation will include statistics and comparisons between the different antibiotics available used in each institution.  The difference of antibiotic use between these institutions will also be discussed from several aspects including pharmacoeconomical determinations.   Forensic Approach to Alcohol Analysis George-Lee Mifsud General aspects of alcohol, i.e. how the effect varies from person to person also according to the fat in the body and gender.  Elimination rate of alcohol is found with respect to each.  Breath Option Test Ò how it chemically and kinetically works including examples from portable instruments and depot instruments.  Blood Option Test and Urine Test Limitations to the test, e.g. interaction by antihistamines, sprays, paints, etc.   Monitoring Patient Compliance as a Tool to Evaluate Pharmacist Intervention in Counseling Geriatric Patients Rachel Mizzi An evaluation of compliance among elderly patients discharged after a stay at the acute geriatric hospital will be undertaken.  The impact of the intervention of the hospital pharmacist in counselling the patients prior to discharge about their medication will be assessed.  This will be carried out by following up the elderly patients and assessing their compliance with drug therapy.    Antiepileptic Drugs Used in Paediatric Patients Katerina Nezvalova Description:  The project involves the study and evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic effects, both acute and long-term of drugs used in the management of epilepsy in paediatric patients and their comparison of the effects of different antiepileptic drugs currently being used and the new antiepileptic drugs.   Glycosylated Haemoglobin Test Sharon OÌDea This HBA1c test gives a picture of the average blood glucose concentration over the last 60 days.  A glucose molecule is added in a non-enzymatic manner to normal haemoglobin.  The percentage haemoglobin that is glycated is directly proportional to glucose concentrations and to the time that red blood cells have been exposed to glucose.  It is preferred to oral glucose tolerance test, because patients must not fast prior to test, and they are not subjected to the stress of having to ingest a large amount of glucose.    Quality Control and Quality Assurance of Blood Products Stefan Psaila To evaluate a standard operation procedure for quality control and quality assurance of therapeutic proteins, extracted by advanced physico-chemical procedures from human plasma.  The tests include protein and function analysis as well as analysis of sterility.  The experience gained may be useful for the implementation of these protocols in real life conditions.    The Production and Evaluation of a Pharmacy Department Newsletter Bernardette Rossi The pharmacy department now hosts a large number of students and members of staff.  The effect of producing a jointly published newsletter will be tested.  A newsletter will be published periodically to serve primarily as an information source of what is happening in the pharmacy department.  This newsletter is intended for pharmacists, pharmacy students, health care professionals and all those who have interest in pharmacy.    The Use of Generic Alternatives Rita Sammut In 1994, the WHO passed a resolution considering the role of the pharmacist in product selection.  On the local market a vast range of brands are available for the same generic product.  A survey will be carried out to evaluate the general opinion of pharmacists regarding the possible implementation of the WHO recommendation towards pharmacistÌs authority in product selection and the encouragement of the use of generic names for professional communication.  Also the extent of the knowledge of the medical, pharmaceutical professionals and patients with respect to generic preparations, and their impact on therapeutics is assessed.   Feasibility Study for the Setting Up of a QC Programme Graziella Scicluna The aim of this project is to carry out a feasibility study for the setting up of a QC programme intended for analysis of pharmaceuticals that are manufactured in non-EU countries.  The study will include an overview of current EU legislation regarding the QC of medicinal products for human use.  Costings for carrying out the QC tests will be included.   A Cost-Benefit Study of the Different Kits Used to Measure Glucose Levels in Diabetes Diane Spiteri The different types of glucose measurement kits available on the market in Malta will be analysed.  Specifications will be compared on the basis of reliability, accuracy, speed, sensitivity, mobility and practicality of the different kits.  The cost of the different kits will be compared and cost-effectiveness of using the kits as a self-medication will be studied.   Human Albumin Ruth Theuma Albumin is a protein present in plasma, which concentrates the blood and attracts water, thereby maintaining the volume.  Human albumin is often given to critically ill patients with life-threatening hypovolaemia.  A drug utilization review and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of human albumin will be done.  The local trends for human albumin use will also be considered and a comparison between blood products and synthetic products will be tackled.  Also quality control tests such as determination of Prekallikrein Activator (PKA) will be attempted.   Doping in Sports Nikola Tudorovic Aim:  The extent of use of doping in Malta and Yugoslavia and comparative study of doping in these countries.  The legislation of doping in Malta and Yugoslavia.  The attitude and care of sport physicians, coaches and supporters against the doping.  Practical role of the pharmacist in the sports medicine.   Diabetic Meals for a Maltese Person with a Large Appetite Liana Vella-Zarb The aim of this project is to provide diabetic patients with advice regarding what their meals should consist of.  It will be geared towards Maltese patients having a large appetite to satisfy.  The project will include an investigation on the right choices of food for people suffering from diabetes, which foods should be avoided, and what is available on the market.  An information booklet will also be compiled

Last Updated: 27 January 2005 by Eric Santucci