Journal of Contemporary Pharmacy

A prospective cross-sectional study on drug utilization evaluation drugs in a cardiac specialized hospital

Rana Dawood Naseer, Febrina Mahmudah Darwis, Maryam Farrukh — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A variety of illnesses that impact the heart and blood arteries are referred to as cardiovascular diseases. Patients with myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and stroke are often prescribed anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Improving patient outcomes and reducing related risks require optimizing the use of these drugs. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety profiles and prescription trends of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications for patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital's cardiology department. 125 patients who were prescribed these drugs for cardiovascular conditions participated in a prospective cross-sectional study that was carried out over the course of a year at the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology in Peshawar, KPK. Cardiovascular illness was more common in men (71%) than in women (29%) among the 125 cases, and the majority of afflicted patients were between the ages of 55 and 65. 38.7% of the patients were treated with antiplatelet drugs, 5.42% with anticoagulants, and 55.88% with both. Heparin was the most widely used anticoagulant, and aspirin was the most often prescribed antiplatelet. Our research finds that both anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications are essential for controlling cardiovascular illnesses and minimizing complications, with antiplatelet medications being prescribed more frequently than anticoagulants and combination therapy being preferable.

Enhancing pravastatin solubility through solid dispersion and inclusion complexes with 2-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin: A comparative study

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Poor solubility in water is a major hurdle for many drugs, causing low oral absorption and bioavailability, leading to the failure of approximately 41% of drugs worldwide. Lipophilic drugs, like Pravastatin, often struggle with low dissolution rates. In this study, two methods were explored to enhance Pravastatin's solubility using 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin as a polymer. Solid dispersion formulations with varying drug-to-polymer ratios were prepared and analyzed, with the 1:3 ratio showing the most significant solubility improvement. Inclusion complexes were created using the kneading method, and again, the 1:3 drug-to-polymer ratio exhibited the highest solubility enhancement. Overall, both techniques proved effective in significantly enhancing Pravastatin's solubility, bringing it within an acceptable range, as assessed in vitro.

Development and evaluation of curcumin-nanoparticle loaded gel for topical application

Amna Naz, Saniya Rehman , Rouheena Shakir, Sadia Haider , Nadia Anwar — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound found in turmeric, is recognized for its notable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. This research explores the preformulation, characterization, and biological activity of curcumin nanoparticles (CrNp) in detail. The study assessed essential flow properties, such as particle size, shape, angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities, Carr's index, and Hausner ratio, through bulk characterization. Physical properties of curcumin nanoparticles, including particle size and zeta potential, were analyzed, and their encapsulation efficiency was quantified using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A standard curve was developed for precise measurement of curcumin concentration in DMSO. Additionally, curcumin gel formulations were evaluated for their physical characteristics, including stability, pH, viscosity, and spreadability. Biological activity testing demonstrated the antioxidant capabilities of curcumin and its antimicrobial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. An in-vitro release study conducted over 72 hours offered valuable insights into the controlled release profile of curcumin nanoparticles. This comprehensive research underscores the therapeutic potential of curcumin nanoparticles, highlighting their effectiveness in drug delivery systems and antimicrobial treatments. The controlled release behavior observed further enhances the prospects for sustained therapeutic benefits. Overall, this study lays a robust foundation for the development of curcumin-based delivery systems, opening avenues for innovative healthcare solutions.

Assessment of famotidine bioavailability in local population of Bahawalpur, Pakistan: A step towards effective use of the drug

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plasma profile of the Famotidine, cited in various reports is according to the data collected from different regions of the world except local areas of Pakistan. To date it’s hard to find any study carrying out evaluation of plasma concentration of Famotidine in Pakistani population. Current study was carried out to investigate the Pharmacokinetic parameters of the said drug in local population. Bioavailability study of famotidine in Pakistan for the first time was conducted. In this study Pepsidine^® by Merk was used. Single blind, Cross over, overnight fasting study with a washout period of seven days was conducted. All the necessary pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. C_max was found to be 1.088 µg/ml to 1.950 µg/ml with mean 1.559±0.077 µg/ml. T_max was from 1.5 - 2.0 hours with mean 1.667±0.071 hours. Time (MRT) was found to be from 2.798 – 4.911 hours with mean 3.745±0.159 hours. AUC 0-∞ was from 8.0412 to 15.3812 µg.h/ml with mean 11.480±0.607 µg.h/ml. AUMC 0-∞ was from 24.027 – 70.166 µg.h2 /ml with mean 43.869±3.979 µg.h2 /ml. VD was from 10.904-16.225 L/Kg with mean 13.198±0.418 L/Kg. V_ss was from 0.570-1.665 L/Kg with mean 1.00±0.094 L/Kg which is a little bit higher plasma half-life was from 1.939 -3.403 hours with mean 1.979 ±.110 hours. Ke was 0.204-0.357 with mean 0.394±0.012. Cl (ml/h/kg) values were 2.601-4.974 ml/h/Kg with mean value of 3.598±0.199 ml/h/Kg. From results it is evident that Famotidine the reported pharmacokinetic parameters are approximately same as were recorded in the current study.

Integrated bioactivity analysis of branded mouthwash preparations: Antimicrobial effectiveness and antioxidant strength

Areeba Shafiq, Rizwan Ahmad, Jafir Hussain Shirazi, Saba Tahir — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Oral hygiene is essential for general health maintenance. Poor oral hygiene causes numerous mouth disorders including caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and systemic illnesses. Recently, mouthwash usage has become a well-known tool for oral hygiene. The aim of this research was comparative analysis of different brands of mouthwashes for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Methods: Seven commercially available mouthwashes (i.e., Enziclor®, Protect®, Colgate Plax®, Listerine FreshBurst^®, Closeup^®, Touchme Minto^®, and Oral-B^® in Pakistan were selected. This research was carried out in vitro in a lab setting. The Agar well diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of mouthwashes against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Out of seven selected mouthwashes, (Protect^® was the most effective mouthwash that showed the highest zone of Inhibition against the majority of tested bacterial strains [Inhibition zone diameter against Bacillus subtilis (20.5±2.121mm), Inhibition zone diameter against Escherichia coli (20±0.0 mm), Inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus aureus(18.5±0.7 mm) and Inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus epidermidis (18.00±0.000mm)]. On the other hand, (Listerine FreshBurst^® showed no zone of Inhibition against any of the tested strains. The antioxidant activity of mouthwashes was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The (Protect^® had the highest percentage of Inhibition (87.76%) of antioxidant activity. On the other hand, Enziclor^® had the lowest % Inhibition (55.17%±0.25) among all mouthwashes. Within the limitations of research, the current study demonstrated that mouthwashes had variable antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Drug utilization study in the ophthalmology ward of a local hospital in Faisalabad

Uzma Ashraf, Liaqat Ali — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Concerns regarding the incorrect selection and prescription of necessary and generic medications have been brought up by ophthalmology research in India. The current study examined drug usage trends at a tertiary care hospital's ophthalmology department in order to solve these problems. Patients who visited the ophthalmology outpatient department (OPD) between February and November 2024 were included in this prospective and observational study; patients with glaucoma, cataracts, and hospitalized cases were not. A Case Record Form was used to record patient information, and MS Excel 2019 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics. Ninety individuals were included in the trial over a ten-month period, and each patient received an average of 1.91 medications. The most commonly prescribed category was antimicrobials, with fluoroquinolones accounting for 82% of these prescriptions. Interestingly, 95% of prescriptions did not contain any fixed-dose combinations, and 98% of prescriptions were brand-name pharmaceuticals. Of the medications, 74% were used topically and 26% were taken orally. The average amount of medications per prescription is in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to the report. Nonetheless, very few medications were prescribed as generic versions. Therefore, to maximize drug utilization in ophthalmology practice, prescribers must become more aware of the advantages of prescribing both essential and generic medications.

A comprehensive review on characteristics, applications, and components of elmulgel drug delivery system

Khizar Abbas, Abdullah, Shagufta Nasreen, Rizwana Manzoor — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Applying medication to the skin for therapeutic purposes or to treat skin conditions is known as a topical drug delivery system. Emulgels are a big improvement over regular gels, which frequently have trouble delivering hydrophobic medications. Emulgels are a dual-release control method that improves the effectiveness of medications by combining emulsions with gels. This breakthrough greatly increases patient compliance and bioavailability, making it crucial for topical delivery systems. Emulgels are commonly used in many cosmetic products as well as in medicinal applications as anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-acne treatments. A major benefit of these topical administration systems is their ability to avoid first-pass metabolism, which increases the active compounds' bioavailability. For dermatological uses, emulgels possess several advantageous qualities: they are non-greasy, thixotropic, and easily spreadable. They also have a longer shelf life due to being water-soluble, emollient, and simple to remove. Furthermore, their translucent and visually pleasant appearance improves user experience, making emulgels a noteworthy advancement in topical drug administration. This area of research is highly productive, and its application in humans has yielded triumphant outcomes in modifying the clinical and therapeutic effectiveness of drugs with low bioavailability.

A review on long-acting transdermal microneedles as an emerging drug delivery system

Masood-ur-Rehman, Safiullah Khan, Manal Naseem — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing interest in microneedle (MN)-assisted drug delivery technologies. It is a competitive substitute for conventional hypodermic needles due to its advantages of self-management and low invasiveness. MNs enable regulated and prolonged release by penetrating the stratum corneum and delivering active substances through the cutaneous layer. Long-acting polymeric MNs can improve patient compliance and treatment results by lowering the frequency of administration, especially when managing chronic diseases. Long-acting MNs can also lessen adverse effects and gastrointestinal responses, underscoring their potential therapeutic utility. Recent developments in long-acting polymeric MN design and applications are reviewed in this paper. We also address the challenges of large-scale manufacturing and regulatory considerations for polymeric MN systems, as these factors are crucial for the effective clinical translation of MN products.

Counselling role of pharmacist for safe and effective use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Rana Dawood Naseer, Aqib Razzaq, Saba Javed, Erwin Martinez Faller — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which offer pharmacological remedies for mild illnesses without a doctor's prescription, are crucial for self-medication and basic healthcare. The pharmacodynamics, therapeutic classifications, dosage guidelines, administration routes, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to popular over-the-counter drug classes are all thoroughly examined in this paper. Drug-drug interactions, contraindications, and the dangers of abuse or toxicity from unsupervised usage are also covered. Through patient education and pharmacovigilance, pharmacists play a critical role in improving treatment outcomes. Even while over-the-counter medications are usually safe when taken as directed, misuse can result in serious systemic problems, treatment failures, or delayed diagnoses. Therefore, to guarantee the sensible and secure use of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, it is essential to incorporate evidence-based guidelines and strong counseling mechanisms.

A comparative review on technical aspects on molecular docking techniques

Muhammad Naeem Aamir, Muhammad Munawar Hayat — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Because it makes it easier to comprehend how tiny compounds interact with target proteins, molecular docking is an essential computational technique in drug discovery and development. The purpose of this study is to provide light on the development of molecular docking methods, their present uses, and their promise for the future. We investigate the approaches employed in molecular docking investigations by a comprehensive survey of the literature and analysis of current developments. We go over the evolution from conventional rigid docking techniques to more sophisticated flexible and ensemble docking approaches, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Significant progress has been made in molecular docking over the last ten years, including advances in scoring functions, algorithms, and computational resource accessibility. There are still issues, though, especially when it comes to precisely estimating ligand binding affinities and taking protein flexibility into consideration. Furthermore, interesting prospects for more accurate modeling of ligand-protein interactions are presented by the development of hybrid techniques that integrate docking with molecular dynamics simulations. To sum up, molecular docking continues to be a fundamental component of structure-based drug design, supporting lead compound discovery and optimization. Despite these developments, docking procedures still need to be improved in order to overcome current constraints and fully utilize computational techniques' promise to accelerate the drug discovery process.