Biomedical subjects

Thomas E R Brown

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas E R Brown.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Availability of hormone replacement therapy products in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the availability in Canada of different types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products, and to compare the availability of HRT products in Canada to their availability in other countries. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of the availability of products indicated for treatment of menopausal symptoms in Canada, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Sweden, and Australia. Products indicated for the treatment of menopausal symptoms were determined for each country by using on-line drug product databases. Products administered by injection and androgen products, unless combined with estrogens, were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: There were 111 different brands identified in the 5 countries examined, with Canada having the lowest number of brands and active ingredients (28 and 22, respectively) compared to the other countries (Sweden and UK at 67 and 47 brands and 39 and 40 active ingredients, respectively). Not available in Canada are 34 active ingredients (either alone or in combination products) and 5 different types of formulations of HRT. There was a significant difference between the number of combination brand products available in Canada and in the UK (5 versus 29, P <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Canadian women have comparatively few options available to them for the management of menopausal symptoms. The wide range of HRT products available in other developed countries provides alternatives for managing side

Australia↗

PubMed2003

Pharmacy provision of emergency contraception: the Ontario emergency contraception pilot project.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a program to provide emergency contraception (EC) directly in pharmacies that would recruit and train pharmacists and physician partners, and inform women about the availability of EC in pharmacies. METHODS: Pharmacists and physicians working in the Scarborough, Rexdale, and North York regions of Toronto were recruited to receive a training program on EC. The pharmacists in each pharmacy were linked with a designated physician who retrospectively authorized prescriptions provided under the protocol. Client eligibility for EC was determined using a self-administered questionnaire that was reviewed by the pharmacist. A poster and radio campaign advertised the service, and a telephone hotline informed users of their nearest participating pharmacy. Data on the client's age, reasons for requesting EC, time elapsed from intercourse until presentation, and requests for follow-up referral were analyzed using descriptive methodology. User satisfaction was determined through a mail-back questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 146 pharmacists practising in 40 pharmacies were linked with 34 physicians. In the 1 year of the project, 6931 prescriptions for EC were provided. Fifty-four percent of the women accessed EC within 24 hours of intercourse. The majority of women were very satisfied with the service, and 21.1% indicated that had they not obtained EC in this way, they would not have obtained it elsewhere. More information about birth control was desired by 10.2% of the women. CONCLUSION: Direct pharmacist provision of EC is an effective pregnancy-prevention strategy that is well accepted by the women who access it.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Emergency contraception: models to increase accessibility.

Much of the recent focus on emergency contraception (EC) has been on the need to increase the availability of EC without a prescription. Barriers to the wider accessibility of EC include the need to use the medication within a 72-hour window, cost, and knowledge about its availability. Concerns about the non-prescription accessibility of EC include missing the opportunity to see a physician, possible reduced use of barrier contraceptives and the resulting increase in sexually transmitted infections, and overuse of EC and underuse of regular contraception. As the wider availability of EC is a reality, and pressure to further increase its access is growing, it is timely that issues surrounding accessibility of EC be discussed. This paper explores the issues around making EC more accessible and the various models of obtaining EC, namely, prescription medication, pharmacist-physician collaboration, pharmacist-dispensed medication, schedule II (behind the counter) medication, or on-the-shelf medication. The ideal model will be the one that provides improved accessibility for adolescents, other low-income women, and indeed for all women. Increased accessibility of EC should also lead to cost savings for the health-care system because of fewer unwanted pregnancies.

Adult↗