Pharmacy education is evolving worldwide to meet the changing role of pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care services. Engagement in undergraduate research helps students develop analytical and critical thinking skills that are crucial for their future careers. It is essential to equip pharmacy students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivation to engage in research and apply innovative findings to clinical practice. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the value of research among undergraduate pharmacy students and to understand their perceptions of its importance and challenges. The study was conducted over three months and involved 384 students from two different public sector universities in Jamshoro, Sindh. A convenient sampling technique was used, and data were collected from fourth- and final-year students at the targeted universities. The results of the study revealed that 53.39% of the participants were male and 46.61% were female. A total of 78.65% were between the ages of 21 and 23 years, with 54.69% from urban areas and 39.06% from rural areas. Of the 384 students, 96% considered research valuable, while 85% disagreed with the notion that research is theoretical and has no benefit for the common person. Moreover, 67% of the students considered publishing in a peer-reviewed journal to be a good source of recognition. Regarding the benefits of research, 41% of students strongly agreed that it boosts their professional profile, while 37% strongly agreed that it helps in a pharmacy career. This study revealed that undergraduate students generally possess a good level of knowledge and understanding of research and recognize its future advantages. Moreover, many students expressed a strong interest in participating in undergraduate research projects, although they also identified challenges such as the need for supervision and resources. These findings suggest that there is potential for increased research engagement among students if the research environment is enhanced. Therefore, there is a need for academicians and policymakers to consider ways to support and improve the research opportunities and infrastructure for undergraduate students in universities.

Dietary supplements containing essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs are widely used to enhance overall nutrition and health. This study aimed to assess the consumption patterns and knowledge of dietary supplements among young adult women in Lahore, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted over three months at Lahore College for Women University; young adult women aged 18 to 25 years who were enrolled in any bachelor’s degree program were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The following data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire: demographic information, supplement usage, and perceptions. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 to calculate frequencies and percentages. Of the 333 questionnaires distributed, 303 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 90.99%. The mean age of the 303 participants was 23.06 ± 0.058 years, with 98.35% being unmarried. Most participants reported a monthly household income between 50,001 and 75,000 PKR (73.59%) and were predominantly in their fourth (44.22%) or fifth year (43.56%) of study, mainly in health sciences disciplines (72.28%). A majority (83.80%) reported taking dietary supplements, primarily for health enhancement (58.66%), improving bone and joint health (32.68%), and increasing muscle mass (37.01%). Supplements were mostly purchased from pharmacies (85.04%) and taken under the advice of doctors or nutritionists (74.80%). Common supplements included vitamins, calcium, and multivitamins, with most participants taking one supplement at a time (84.25%) and consuming them daily (35.04%) or 2-3 times per week (27.95%). Notably, 72.44% perceived benefits from taking supplements, and 49.61% intended to repurchase them. Concerns about potential side effects or interactions were also substantial (58.66%). This study revealed that young adult women in Pakistan frequently use dietary supplements for various health benefits, primarily by purchasing them from pharmacies and following healthcare professional advice. Despite positive perceptions and intentions to repurchase, concerns about safety and interactions remain.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in underprivileged areas such as Pakistan. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are major risk factors for CVDs and often require medication for effective management. This study aimed to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to assess the bioavailability of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) of atenolol and atorvastatin in elderly volunteers with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels by comparing the pharmacokinetic parameters of these ODTs with those of conventional tablet formulations. The study was conducted in Sargodha, Punjab Province, Pakistan, by recruiting 30 male and female elderly volunteers aged 45-65 years and weighing 60-90 kilograms. Each participant was administered a single dose of atenolol (25 mg), atorvastatin (10 mg), or an ODT containing both drugs. Blood samples were collected at specific intervals up to 48 hours postadministration. The concentrations of atenolol, atorvastatin, and the ODTs were measured using HPLC, and various pharmacokinetic parameters, including the area under the curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentration (C_max), and elimination half-life (t_½), were analyzed. The maximum concentration (C_max) of 10 mg atorvastatin occurred at 4 hours (9.50 ng/mL), while for 25 mg atenolol, it peaked at 4 hours (150.00 ng/mL). The ODTs showed comparable pharmacokinetic profiles, with the C_max values for atorvastatin and atenolol at 4 hours being 4.00 ng/mL and 165.00 ng/mL, respectively. The elimination half-life (t_½) for the ODTs was 4.62 hours for atorvastatin and 4.95 hours for atenolol. The pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that the AUC and C_max of the ODTs met the bioequivalence criteria, demonstrating absorption and elimination properties similar to those of conventional tablet formulations. The study concluded that the pharmacokinetic parameters of the ODT formulations atenolol and atorvastatin are comparable to those of conventional tablets. ODTs offer a viable and effective alternative for delivering these medications, particularly for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, thereby potentially improving patient compliance.

Hypertension, characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure, poses severe risks, such as heart damage, artery hardening, and reduced blood and oxygen flow to the heart, which can also lead to kidney damage and stroke. Antihypertensive therapy for pregnant women differs from that for nonpregnant women because most antihypertensive medications used for nonpregnant hypertensive women are contraindicated for pregnant hypertensive patients. This study aimed to compare therapeutic regimens for treating hypertension between pregnant and nonpregnant women in various healthcare facilities. This cross-sectional study was conducted at several tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, recruiting 500 pregnant or nonpregnant female patients aged 18-55 years with hypertension. The data were collected through structured interviews and medical records reviews. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data, with significance set at p < 0.05. A significant difference in area of residence was observed, with 83.2% of nonpregnant women residing in urban areas compared to 52.4% of pregnant women residing in urban areas. A systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 mmHg was observed in 82.8% of pregnant women, compared to 51.2% of nonpregnant women (p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure between 80-99 mmHg was observed in 84.4% of pregnant women and 76.8% of nonpregnant women (p < 0.001). CVDs were more prevalent among nonpregnant women (38.8%), while anemia was more common in pregnant women (25.6%). Pregnant women were primarily prescribed methyldopa (58%), labetalol (56%), and amlodipine (40.4%), whereas nonpregnant women were more frequently prescribed valsartan (39.2%), metoprolol (28.8%), nebivolol (28%), and a combination of furosemide and spironolactone (24%). This study highlighted significant differences in comorbid conditions and antihypertensive treatment regimens between pregnant and nonpregnant women, emphasizing the need for tailored hypertension management approaches. Moreover, safer antihypertensive agents were prescribed to both groups, considering the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug categories and the observed comorbid conditions.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are considered safe when used as directed agents and are widely used for self-medication due to their accessibility and affordability. However, self-medication during pregnancy can lead to irrational drug use and potential complications. This study aimed to assess the use of OTC medicines among pregnant women visiting public and private tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months in 2023 involving 170 pregnant women at public hospitals and 155 at private hospitals. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Familiarity with OTC medications was greater among pregnant women visiting public hospitals (56.50%, p = 0.036) than among those visiting private hospitals (54.40%). Most women from public hospitals perceived all OTC drugs as safe during pregnancy (64.20%, p = 0.009). The perceived critical period for drug use varied, with more pregnant women in private hospitals identifying the first trimester as critical (58.82%, p = 0.002), while the third trimester was more commonly perceived as critical by public hospital visitors (62.50%). The use of OTC medication before and during pregnancy was similar between groups (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in reading OTC medicine leaflets, with more private hospital visitors reading them (60.98%, p < 0.001). This study concluded that the proportion of OTC medicine use among pregnant women visiting public and private healthcare facilities in Lahore is moderately high. There were notable differences in the sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of OTC medication safety. Public hospital visitors were more familiar with OTC medications and believed in their safety during pregnancy, while private hospital visitors were more concerned about the first trimester and more likely to read OTC medicine leaflets. These findings highlight the need for targeted education and counseling to promote safe OTC medication practices among pregnant women.