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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Karachi and rapidly spread throughout Pakistan Since February 26, 2020.  Objectives: Vaccination is currently one of the most effective COVID-19 eradication approach. The purpose of this study was to gather data on the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methodology: It was an observational study that was carried out between the 11th and 23rd of April 2021, and the participants were Karachi residents. We looked at the proportion of self-reported local and systemic adverse effects within seven days of immunization in people who filled out Google forms and received one or two doses of the vaccine. Results: The vaccination ratio for male was slight higher than females. Participants aged between 51 to 60 years and 41 to 50 years had higher number of vaccinations. Sinopharm is by far the most widely used vaccine. After the first dose of vaccination, the majority of participants complained of fever, chills, muscle pain, and arm pain, whereas after the second dose, the majority of participants had no symptoms, with a few participants complaining of fever, chills, diarrhea, and muscle pain. Conclusion: The first and second doses' post-vaccination adverse effects were mild and predictable, and there were no hospitalizations; this data can help lessen vaccine hesitancy.

The purpose f the study is to explore the prospective use of Carica papaya leaves extracts for Dengue fever that is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by dengue viruses. An estimated 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness. It has been found at height in developing nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Mostly tropical areas have been reported infected. The disease is transmitted by an Aedes mosquito infected with a dengue virus; interestingly it is not transferred from person to person. Symptoms are mild to serious including hemorrhagic fever; a rare complication characterized by high fever, damage to lymph and blood vessels, bleeding from the nose and gums, enlargement of the liver, and failure of the circulatory system and it can cause the death. All the symptoms of disease are due to low platelets count that may become very low if not managed. Consequently, the research reveals that juice of the leaves of the Carica papaya plant from the family Caricaceae help to increase the platelet levels. The present review is done to enlighten the theory of the management of dengue through this alternative therapy that can be implement along with conventional treatment. The covered researches in present study would raise and support the possibility of being, the remedy and significant alternative in the prospect.

Topical corticosteroids (TCs) misuse has become a common issue for healthcare professionals and patients, particularly in Pakistan, as no stringent laws or rules are prohibiting the selling of over-the-counter medicines. The present study was designed to examine pharmacists’ insights and behaviors regarding TCs and their potential role in preventing the misuse of TCs in Pakistan. The study was a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design (phase 1, quantitative; and phase 2, qualitative) conducted from January to June 2021. The pharmacists working in various settings in Karachi were approached through different social media platforms. Data were collected through a web link of an online questionnaire with 30 closed-ended questions. Different statistical methods were employed for tabulating the quantitative data, while inductive thematic analysis was directed to classify themes from the qualitative data and to conclude findings. The mean cumulative knowledge score was 10.59 ± 1.63. The community pharmacists knew more about the available over-the-counter TCs (p = 0.041). The experienced pharmacists were more conversant than fresh pharmacists, regarding the mode of action (p = 0.008), choice of TC potency (p = 0.001), and most common local and systemic adverse effects of TCs (p = 0.001). Overall, respondents had a favorable attitude, with more than 80% agreeing that pharmacists could ensure that important safety issues are communicated with patients, and assist considerably in avoiding TC misuse. Analysis of data has produced 7 themes, 10 sub-themes, and 30 categories. Major themes included: use and misuse of TCs, adverse drug events due to TCs, cosmeto-vigilance, patient education, referral to a physician, and future perspectives for preventing TC misuse. The respondents were well versed with the dilemma of TCs misuse, and they considered patient characteristics, free availability of TCs, and lack of physician-pharmacist coordination as the major reasons. The major barriers for patient education stated by nearly all the respondents were a lack of time and lack of material/information for counseling. They emphasized the need for stringent legal strategies and the enforcement of current drug-control regulations, so that TCs are not supplied without appropriate prescriptions. The present findings indicate that pharmacists had appropriate knowledge and a positive attitude towards their potential role in preventing the misuse of TCs. Further education and sensitization in areas of deprived knowledge will undoubtedly aid in the prevention of TCs misuse by the community.

Global health authorities have emphasized the vital role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) as a reliable source of vaccination information for patients in primary care. However, HCPs are concerned whether COVID-19 vaccinations can be used off-label. Hence, the current study was conducted to assess their perspectives towards off-label COVID-19 immunization in children. The study tool, consisting of 40 items, was utilized to evaluate HCPs’ knowledge and attitudes towards the off-label use of the COVID-19 vaccine in children under 12 years of age. To assess the unfavorable attitudes regarding vaccinations, the Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale was employed. Overall, 477 completed questionnaires were incorporated in the present study, with a response rate of 88.9%. The mean age of the respondents was 38.6 ± 7.5 years; among whom the majority were physicians, n = 209 (43.8%), and pharmacists, n = 112 (23.4%). Approximately 78% of the respondents had a general awareness of off-label vaccination. Around 80% knew the adverse drug reactions associated with the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Females showed more mistrust about vaccine benefits, n = 55 (16.9%), compared to males, n = 21 (13.8%), and concerns about commercial profits of vaccines, n = 59 (18.1%), compared to males, n = 19 (12.5%). By profession, physicians showed statistically significantly lower mistrust, n = 18 (8.6%), and higher concerns about unpredicted effects of vaccines, n = 41 (19.6%). A major portion of the respondents, n = 327 (68.5%), did not consider that HCPs should prescribe/administer off-label COVID-19 vaccination in children. The current findings demonstrated that respondents had an appropriate level of understanding about COVID-19 immunization in children. They showed higher levels of rejection for off-label use of the COVID-19 vaccination.