Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems among adolescent females which interferes with daily activities, affecting their physical and emotional aspects and has a negative impact on the quality of life. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Self-medication for primary dysmenorrhea is a very common practice. The aim of this study was to observe and evaluate self-medication practice in primary dysmenorrhea among pharmacy students. This is a cross-sectional questionnaire study to be conducted among 50 females of age group between 18-25 of pharmacy college. The self-medication practice and features of dysmenorrhea were to be assessed with a 15 pre-validated questionnaire and the data is analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 50 students participated in this study in which 81.8% had regular periods. Dysmenorrhea was experienced in 79.6% with mild (30.4%),moderate(23.9%) and with severe(28.3%) dysmennohea. In this study 64.3% preferred self-medication pattern. The majority were Pharm.D students. The most commonly used drug was Meftal spas (mephenamic acid+dicyclomine) and for 96.8% the treatment was found to be effective. Among the 50 students, 57.6% have experienced ADR , majority with decreased blood flow. The Self-medication practice in dysmenorrhea was more among pharmacy students probably due to the knowledge of drugs, better awareness and greater access to drug information during their curriculum. This highlights the importance of creating awareness among students to consume drugs only in severe discomfort after prescription by the registered medical practitioners.

Background: Despite the need for doping prevention strategies, information about doping awareness among pharmacy professionals is limited. Therefore, developing a pharmacy workforce or specialized pharmacists with expertise in sports pharmacy is a necessity, but also a subject of global health significance. Objective:  Objective of this study was to assess pharmacy student’s knowledge and perceptions of doping and anti-doping in sports and to explore the curricular needs in the field of sports pharmacy. Methodology: An 18 item questionnaire developed according to World Anti-Doping Code and the FIP Statement on pharmacist’s role against doping in sports was employed to collect data from pharmacy students at Ezhuthachan College of pharmaceutical sciences. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Questionnaires were distributed to 300 pharmacy students, among them 237 students participated in the survey, with a response rate of 79%.  respondents said that they were familiar with the word doping were 78%. 39 respondents (16.5%) had attended a lecture about doping, (83%) had not.  222 respondents held the view that it is not fair for the athletes to use prohibited substances to improve their performance were (94%). According to 40 respondents (17%), most common doping violation in India is unintentional doping and 175 respondents (74%) claimed it to be intentional doping. Only a few   respondents correctly recognized the WADA- banned drugs.  Most of the respondents think that pharmacist should  get involved in anti-doping activities for athletes.  Many   (73 %) are interested to have training for doping. Conclusion: The study highlights the need to provide pharmacy students with advanced theoretical background and practical training concerning doping.

Acne is a chronic, self-limiting, inflammatory disease of adolescents and young adults. Acne and its associated problems affects as many as 80% of adolescents and young adults. Only one third affected teenagers could consult with their physician about acne. Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic, developed in 1966 by chemically modifying the naturally occurring lincomycin.. Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin and clindamycin are the most popular in the management of acne. Side effects though minor includes erythema, peeling, dryness, and burning, pseudomembranous colitis which is rare, but has been reported itching, with clindamycin .The objective of the study is to evaluate efficacy of topical clindamycin in treating acne among students and to monitor the adverse effects encountered during the therapy. It was a cross-sectional questionnaire study carried out among 55 students of both sex group of age varying from 18 to 25 years suffering from acne. Knowledge of safe and effective use of clindamycin among students was to be assessed with a 17 pre-validated questionnaire and the data is analyzed using descriptive statistics. Among the respondents, about 79.6% had an outbreak of acne.71.4% believe that their acne is due their food habits. 87% are using clindamycin and was effective in 76.7%. Among them, about 61.9% use without prescription and 48.8% claimed to have no side effect and patients without recurrence is 55%.This study is to demonstrate the efficacy of clindamycin in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. The relevant data obtained through this study will help to aware about safe and effective use clindamycin in acne patients and provides information about the perception of acne among young adults with or without acne.

This study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of the n-butanol extract of marine derived fungi Aspergillus protuberus sp1. Lethal dose (LD50), chronic and sub acute toxicities were determined in the rats. From the LD50, the effective dose (ED50) was determined. The n-butanol extract was prepared at the concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 mg.kg -1 body weight. In the sub acute toxicity study, the prepared extract was given orally to the experimental rats for fourteen days and in case of chronic toxicity study, it was given for ninety days. Then the animals were observed for the biochemical and hematological effects, macroscopic and microscopic changes in the liver and kidney. Results showed that, in both sub acute and chronic toxicity studies, the experimental rats showed normal general behavior, respiratory pattern, cardiovascular signs, motor activities, reflexes and normal change in skin and fur. The results also showed that the extract did not induce any biochemical, hematological effects, macroscopic and microscopic changes in the liver and kidney. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the extract is safe and these results are useful for further investigation of this fungus in the future.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. WHO estimates that more than half of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, and that half of all patients fail to take them correctly. The overuse, underuse or misuse of medicines results in wastage of scarce resources and widespread health hazard. The objective of the study is to evaluate the knowledge and Attitude towards appropriate antibiotic use among students. A 15 item web based questionnaire was developed and employed to collect data from pharmacy students at Ezhuthachan College of pharmaceutical sciences. The survey will gather demographic information and collect data on knowledge, expectations and current antibiotic usage among students.A total of 55 students participated in the study, among the respondents about 60% of respondents believed that they could stop taking antibiotics if their symptoms of infection improved. over a half of the respondents (68%) believed that antibiotics are effective for most of the colds and around half of  them (40%) stated that, they prefer to keep antibiotics at home for emergencies. About 58% would give their antibiotics to a family member if they caught an infection, 44% of respondents identified that, they have bought an antibiotic from community pharmacies without a prescription.The study shows that the pharmacy students has a number of misconceptions relating to appropriate antibiotic use, particularly relating to use of antibiotics for treatment of viral infections. As antibiotics are widely used in students, proper education should be given about rational use of antibiotics.