@article {243, title = {Drug Review: Eflapegrastim}, journal = {PTB Reports}, volume = {9}, year = {2023}, month = {November 2023}, pages = {52-53}, type = {Drug Review}, chapter = {52}, abstract = {

Registrations: It had been registered in the following countries United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada, and Saudi Arabia (S.A.) Trade name (USA); ROLVEDON Registration number (S.A.); Not Available. Insurance Drug Formulary (S.A.); Not covered (29.1.2023). General Information: Registered Company: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. Regulatory Status: R.X. Mechanism of Action: A recombinant human granulocyte growth factor activates signaling pathways that affect cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, and survival by binding to G-CSF receptors on myeloid progenitor cells and neutrophils.\  Read more...

}, doi = {10.5530/PTB.2023.9.8}, author = {Juman Alsaab} } @article {237, title = {Drug Review: Tirzepatide}, journal = {PTB Reports}, volume = {9}, year = {2023}, month = {November 2023}, pages = {20-22}, type = {Drug Review}, chapter = {20}, abstract = {

Registrations: Tirzepatide has been registered in the following countries United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada, Saudi Arabia (S.A.). Trade name (USA): MOUNJARO Registration number (S.A.); Not Available. Insurance Drug Formulary (S.A.); Not covered (28.1.2023). General Information: Registered Company: Lilly USA. Regulatory Status: R.X. Mechanism of Action: Tirzepatide is a Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) receptor and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is a 39-amino acid-modified peptide containing a C20 fatty diacid component that facilitates albumin binding and increases the halflife. Tirzepatide preferentially binds to and activates GIP and GLP- 1 receptors, hence targeting endogenous GIP and GLP. Tirzepatide increases the first and second phases of insulin secretion and decreases glucagon levels in a glucose-dependent manner. Tirzepatide reduces fasting and postprandial glucose levels, food consumption, and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes. Indication: Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

}, doi = {10.5530/PTB.2023.9.3}, author = {Juman Alsaab} } @article {248, title = {Drug Review: Vonoprazan}, journal = {PTB Reports}, volume = {9}, year = {2023}, month = {December 2023}, pages = {71-72}, type = {Drug Review}, chapter = {71}, abstract = {

Registrations: It had been registered in the following countries: United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Saudi Arabia (SA.) USA, and Japan. Trade name (USA); VOQUEZNA Registration number (SA); Not available. Insurance Drug Formulary (SA); Not available. General Information: Registered Company: Pathom Pharmaceutics. Regulatory Status: RX. Mechanism of Action: Vonoprazan Potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB); inhibition in a potassiumcompetitive manner the H+, K+-ATPase enzyme system. Ampicillin derivative penicillin-binding proteins and cell wall inhibitor. Clarithromycin reversibly binds to the P site of 50S ribosomal subunit as macrolide antimicrobial; and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis by stimulating the peptidyl t-RNA dissociation from ribosomes.\  Read more...

}, doi = {10.5530/PTB.2023.9.12}, author = {Juman Alsaab} } @article {230, title = {Perception of Pharmacists About the Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Exam}, journal = {PTB Reports}, volume = {8}, year = {2022}, month = {December 2022}, pages = {113-122}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {113}, abstract = {

Objectives: Researching the perceptions of standardized licensure examinations in the pharmaceutical sector is vital to measure key pharmacy competence and skills assessment of entry-level pharmacists. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to explore the perceptions of the Saudi Pharmacist Licensure Exam (SPLE) in improving pharmacy practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by focusing on the experiences and attitudes pharmacy workers had regarding SPLE pharmacy standards and factors associated with passing the exam. Results: The data for this study was collected through a survey and analyzed using the survey monkey systems and the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS). The study used a sample size of 701 participants statistically calculated with a 95\% CI, 1.96 z score, and 5\% margin error. The study found low scores (M=2.77, p=.001) in the perceptions of SPLE in assessing entry-level pharmacists-related skills, attitudes, and knowledge that increase graduates{\textquoteright} readiness for pharmacy practice. Location, gender, marital status, age, experience years, income, GPA results, and the number of SPLE admissions affected SPLE perception and passing rates. Conclusion: The pharmacist believed that the current Saudi Pharmacy Licensure Examination (SPLE) is required. However, the recent licensure examination does not adequately measure the general pharmacy practice competencies and skills relevant to entry-level pharmacist practice. Furthermore, it was not adequately prepared for clinical pharmacy practice competencies or internal pharmacy board exams. Therefore, it is necessitating targeted keep to dates changes of pharmacy practice in its format to introduce competency standards that measure entry-level skills efficiency continuously.

}, keywords = {Competency, Exam, Licensure, Perceptions, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia}, doi = {10.5530/PTB.2022.8.15}, author = {Yousef Ahmed Alomi and Nahed Rashid Alyami and Fatma Faiz Alasmari and Seham Abed Almehmadi and Juman Alsaab and Shumukh Saleh Al Thubaiti and Raghad Abdullah Ali Alghamdi} }