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Introduction: Paracetamol is analgesic and antipyretic, which is usually in the form of an immediate release tablet formulations. Therapeutic eff ects in terms of the speed and intensity of the analgesic eff ect is dependent on speed of liberation from formulation. Aim: The aim of this work was to determine and compare dissolution profi les of 4 paracetamol immediate release tablet formulations and to determine infl uence of excipients on kinetic of paracetamol dissolution. Materials and Methods: Dissolution profi les of paracetamol tablets were determined using method with paddles and phosphate buff er pH 6.8 as a medium. Release of paracetamol was followed 60 minutes (using 6 time points). Concentration of paracetamol was measured using UV/Vis spectrophotometric method (243 nm). Dissolution profi les were compared using model-independent method (diff erence factor and similarity factor), statistic method (ANOVA-based method and pair Student's T-test, p<0.05) and model dependent methods (to determinate the release kinetics of paracetamol). Results: All formulations in the fi rst 45 minutes liberated more than 85 % of the labled content. Formulation D, which contained superdesintegrator, released 90% of the content in the fi rst 5 minutes. Though based on values of diff erence and similarity factors formulations are, not signifi cantly diff erent, ANOVA-based method showed that formulation A and B, B and C, as well as formulation B and D do statistically diff er in all 6 time points, meaning they have parallel profi les. The release of paracetamol from formulations A and D is best described by the fi rst order kinetic model, while the release of formulations B and C by the logistic model. Conclusions: The release kinetic of paracetamol is mostly infl uenced by the type of superdisintegrants and lubricants. Formulation with superdisintegrant technology OptiZorb ® demonstrated fastes release rate and thus it is expected to produce the fastest pharmacodynamic eff ect.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death both in Serbia and in the rest of the world. It has been shown that as many as 80% of them are preventable. Control of serum lipid levels is one of the most important tasks of cardiovascular diseases prevention. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the use of serum lipid-modifying drugs in Serbia, Norway and Finland in the period 2015-2017. Methods: Data on drugs use during 2015, 2016 and 2017 were taken from the official websites of national drug regulatory authorities: the Serbian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Finnish Medicines Agency. Use was expressed as DDD/1000 inhabitants/day according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Results: The share of drugs used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases in total drugs use was the largest in all three countries during the observed period. The use of lipidmodifying agents was 3-4 times lower in Serbia than in Norway or Finland. Of all lipidmodifying drugs, statins are most commonly prescribed in all three countries. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are the most widely used in Serbia, and simvastatin and atorvastatin in Norway and Finland. Conclusions: Use of lipid-modifying drugs in Serbia is lower than in Norway and Finland, but it is constantly increasing. This use in Serbia still represents the smallest share of all drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

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Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. Adherence to national guidelines is one of the key factors necessary for the rational use of antibiotics. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine characteristics of antibiotic prescribing practice in primary health care in Novi Sad. Method: The analysis was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional study based on the data obtained from the health institution Cvejić Pharmacy. The guidelines available to physicians at the time of prescribing were used to assess the compliance of the prescribed antibiotics with the guidelines. Additionally, the most frequently dispensed antibiotics for all diagnoses were recorded and results were expressed as a percentage of frequency of analyzed antibiotic prescriptions. Results: The study has shown that antibiotic prescriptions make 5.48% of all prescriptions (719 out of 13115), 513 (71.35%) of which were established by national guidelines, and 206 (28.65%) for less frequent diagnoses which was not included in national guidelines. In the study sample, 297 (65.42%) terapeutical regimes had adequate terapeutical dosage. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic groups were: macrolides (35.18%), penicillins (28.68%) and cephalosporins (14.60%). Conclusions: Irrational prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics is both national and global problem. It is necessary to pay close attention to antibiotics prescribing and dispensing. The focus should be on national guidelines and their extension.