Background: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Due to progressive nature of type 2 DM, dual / triple drug therapy produce additive effects, less side effects and allows the use of submaximal doses of individual agents. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the effect of voglibose in comparison to pioglitazone on glycaemic and lipid profile as an add-on drug in patients with DM whose glycaemic status was uncontrolled with glimepiride and metformin. Methods: The present study was open, randomized parallel group comparison of two active treatment groups over a six months period. Sixty patients of either sex in the age group of 30-75 years, suffering from type 2 DM, with FBG> 126 mg/dl and HbA1c between 7- 10 % were selected at random. The effect of voglibose and pioglitazone were observed on various parameters i.e. FBG, PPBG, HbA1c and lipid profile (Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL). Results: At the end of 6 months it was observed that though both pioglitazone and voglibose reduced FBG, PPBG and HbA1C significantly but pioglitazone caused a significantly greater percentage change in FBG as well as in PPBG whereas the difference in mean percentage change in HbA1C was not significant. Also, fall in total cholesterol, TG, LDL and VLDL was significantly greater with pioglitazone than voglibose. Few side effects were observed with voglibose and not with pioglitazone. Conclusions: Though pioglitazone and voglibose were equally effective in lowering HbA1C levels yet pioglitazone showed better results in improving FBG, PPBG and lipid profile as compared to voglibose. Pioglitazone had minimal side effects as compared to voglibose. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2012; 1(3.000): 160-167

INTRODUCTIONAccurate and reliable drug product information is important for the safe and effective use of medicines. It has been observed that there are variations in the quantity and quality of information mentioned in different drug information sources and a single credible benchmark is lacking. Such variation do not provide the medical fraternity reliable drug information and can also promote off label and irrational drug use leading to increased incidence of adverse reactions and possible treatment failure.1-2 In India, healthcare professionals depend on a variety of sources, including textbooks for information on drugs.3 Standard medical textbooks are convenient and accessible. Out of these Goodman and Gillman's pharmacological basis of therapeutics is considered to be a "gold standard" pharmacology textbook. Drug information contained in this is generally well accepted by one and all and also approved and accepted by Regulatory Agencies.Package Insert is considered to be the another source of drug information. It is a printed leaflet provided by pharmaceutical companies that contains information based on regulatory guidelines for the safe and effective use of a drug. It is also known as prescription drug label. A good PI contains the approved, essential, and accurate information about a drug. It is written in a language that is ABSTRACT Background: Accurate and reliable drug product information is important for the safe and effective use of medicines. But there are variations in the quantity and quality of information mentioned in different drug information sources and a single credible benchmark is lacking. This study was carried out to compare the presentation and completeness of clinical information in package inserts (PIs) marketed by pharmaceutical companies in India with standard medical textbook of pharmacology. Methods: Out of eighty five PIs of different drugs, only 55 were found eligible to be included in this study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. These PIs and medical textbook were analysed for quantitative and qualitative drug information and were compared using Chi square test of two proportions. The p value of 0.05 was used as cut off to evaluate statistical significance. Results: Quantitatively medical textbook was significantly better statistically in context of treatment of overdose and references. No statistically significant difference was observed in relation to information related to mechanism of action (MOA) and pharmacokinetics (Pk). After qualitative analysis, medical textbook was significantly better statistically in context of size and readability, references related to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and indications and pictures. No statistically significant difference was observed in context of dosing interval, frequency of doses and pharmacokinetic parameters. Conclusions: PIs can be used as a reliable source of drug information by health care professionals in addition to other sources like medical textbooks.

Background: Computer assisted learning (CAL) in the classroom as well as laboratory in the medical profession has been rising in the present scenario worldwide. CAL can replace laboratory based animal experiments to a large extent and prevent the unnecessary harm or killing of animals. In India, only few studies have been conducted on CAL till date. Aims and objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception on CAL among undergraduate medical students.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on the medical students (MBBS-Second Professional) in the department of pharmacology at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India. Feedback was obtained from 105 students who had already performed animal experiments in CAL laboratory.Results: It was seen that Computer simulated models (CSMs) are useful for undergraduate teaching (by 98.1%), CAL enrich learning experience about drug effects (by 97.1%), CSMs in CAL is user friendly (by 97.1%) and use of CSMs in teaching is ethical (by 97.1%).Conclusions: CAL is an innovative teaching and learning technique for the medical students. This is an effective mode of teaching pharmacology to the students and it also helps the students to apply their theoretical knowledge of drugs to the practical aspects (without use of animal) on computer simulated models.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported at ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in Punjab. Methods: This observational retrospective study was done in department of Pharmacology, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 148 ADRs were reported during the study period. Each ADR was analyzed for demographic data and characteristics of ADR. Assessment of causality, severity and preventability was done according to WHO UMC scale, modified Hartwig and Siegel scale and Modified Schumock and Thornton Preventability Scale respectively. Results: A total of 148 ADRs were reported from both outpatients and in patients of various departments. Most of the ADRs were found in males (55%) and patients of age group 31-45 years (33%). Majority of ADRs were reported from dermatology department (40%). Overall, 38% of ADRs were due to antimicrobial drugs. Most of the ADRs were reported as possible (57%), followed by probable (41%) as per WHO causality assessment. Most of the ADRs were moderate severity (83%). 97% of the ADRs were found to be definitely preventable type. Conclusions: We concluded that most of the ADRs were reported from antimicrobial drugs, so it is advisable to have close monitoring of the antimicrobial drug therapy to prevent ADRs in the patients. Although the majority of ADRs were moderate in nature but mostly were recovered. The study of ADRs in a particular institute using demographic patterns will contribute to patient safety by sensitizing the clinicians in that particular institute.