a b s t r a c tBackground: Pharmacistepatient association is a decisive component in improving health care system. To offer patient centred services, the pharmacists need to fully understand patients' perspectives and views to meet their needs and expectations. Purpose: To evaluate patients' perception of pharmacist and pharmacy practice in Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between July and September 2012 on patients attended out-patient clinic in a teaching hospital of Pakistan. By using raosoft sample size calculator, questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 376 patients. Questionnaire included different section which evaluated the demographic information, frequency and reason of interaction, perception and choice of pharmacy. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS (v.17). Results: A total of 301, out of 376, surveys returned giving a response rate of 80%. 51.8% (n ¼ 156) participants interacted with pharmacist on regular basis. The major reasons of interaction were drug alternative and drug availability queries (41.5%, n ¼ 125 and 26.2%, n ¼ 79). The finding also showed that 84.1% (n ¼ 253) of participants agreed that pharmacists are important part of health care system. Interestingly, all the patients (n ¼ 301) either agreed or strongly agreed that discount was the major influencing factor on their choice of pharmacy. Conclusion: The patients' perception of pharmacist in Pakistan was generally positive but their understanding is very primitive as majority of the patients are unaware of pharmaceutical care services. However, they are more devoted to witness such services being practiced in Pakistan. This transition in practice could be brought into certainty by proactive involvement of pharmacists in community setup.

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The College of Science and Health Professions offers a university preprofessional program. Like most medical schools in Saudi Arabia, the teaching delivery strategy in the university preprofessional program is on campus and face-to-face. During the month of March 2020, teaching activities of the spring semester were proceeding as normal; however, the sudden emergence of COVID-19 disturbed routine activities and compelled authorities to switch all teaching activities from face-to-face to online. Training sessions and workshops for all stakeholders on online delivery methods were arranged. Blackboard and other online facilities were utilized. All teaching materials, including newly made video clips for anatomy and physiology practicals, were uploaded on Blackboard and discussed online with students. Students’ anxiety related to the exam was reassured by giving them the option of open book quizzes during summative continuous assessment. All scheduled teaching sessions, lectures, and practicals were conducted proficiently. Revision sessions and assessment quizzes were conducted with students’ satisfaction. At the end of the semester, a final exam was conducted online as an open book exam. Students with technical issues while attempting the exam were given an opportunity to make up for it. After a successful final exam, the cumulative block grades showed students secured higher grades in the open book exam. Following that, the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences has managed to conduct on-campus close book exams that abide by self-distancing and standard operating procedure policies.

This paper presents a practice-based conceptual (theoretical) model to address medication adherence. The study reviews literature for different rationales of medication adherence and its associated factors. It also reviews the interventions involved in improving medication adherence and its effect. It is known that many interventions applied have not received great success owing to the fact that they have not been employed in regular clinical practice. Furthermore, models or theories utilized for different interventions were based on patient perspective only. The model presented in the paper is based on health care professionals’ perspective, with an aim to be employed in clinical practice. The model framework is based on five premises on the basis of which the two dynamics, patient and health care professional, work. The model is presented with a graphical representation and exemplary procedural framework. It is also compared to other related procedural models. It is suggested that using such a model will allow medication adherence as an integral part of health care outcomes.