• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4326-4334
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• 2013

This study is descriptive research, attempts to determine the status of elderly inpatients of veterans hospital' of drug awareness information, drug use status and drug Misusage. The subjects were 220 patients of aged 65 and over only five metropolitan areas nationwide in drug use in the Veterans Hospital, national merit, the study is from May to June. SPSS Win 18.0 program was used as the data analysis and a statistical statement by mean, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. As a results, there was showed a statistically significant level 'age', 'type of marriage', 'education', 'triage', 'health status' as the general characteristics of the subjects. It showed the 'age' of the variables that influence recognition in the area of drug awareness information, and drug Misusage and drug use status factors seemed to affect the 'health status'. Therefore, It need for a comparative study of elderly inpatients and inpatients of veterans hospital, the research should be qualitative research of veterans medical services to the on reasonable support measures in the Veterans Affairs health care system and national merit.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 2013

Background: Drugs should be evaluated in appropriate subjects representing potential population to take the drugs. This study focuses on gender factor and aims to make known the appropriateness of considering gender difference on clinical evaluation of drug with domestic data related to drug use. Methods: To understand gender difference shown in drug use, three types of domestic statistical data (prevalence of chronic disease, number of outpatient with major concerning disease, and consumption of medicine) were analyzed and compared according to gender. Results: Three of fifteen chronic diseases which were analyzed, showed significantly higher prevalence in women than in men, and three were vice versa. Meanwhile, the sex ratio of outpatients was significantly different in 22 major concerning diseases. Among the drug groups coded by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System, the consumption of most drug groups was generally higher in women than in men except for one group coded G (genito-urinary system and sex hormones). Conclusion: Gender difference should be considered in domestic clinical evaluation of drug and domestic guidance for reflecting gender difference should be established.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to find out drug use pattern of narcotic analgesics in university hospitals in Korea. A university hospital located in Kyungbuk province was chosen for this study. The drug use pattern was analyzed in terms of ingredient, administration route, patient type, and attending department. Amount of drug usage was counted by unit dose defined by the number of ampule or vial for injectable, tablet or capsule for oral, and each for patch preparations. Result showed that 11 narcotic analgesic ingredients were used during 2007-2009, and the drug usage was increased by about 20% annually during the period. Proportion of oral preparations used for pain management was about two third of all narcotic analgesics usage and kept increasing during the period. Proportion of the drug usage for outpatients was also steadily increased. Notably, the usage of oral preparations of oxycodone, morphine, and hydromorphone was rapidly increased for the management of cancer pain while the usage of codeine and codeine-containing composite preparations for cancer pain were minimal (<10%). About 90% of all narcotic analgesics were used by physicians in Internal Department, especially in Oncology Division of the Department. These findings suggest that pain management is becoming more aggressive and in agreement with WHO's guidelines regarding selection of administration route. However, in terms of 3-step ladder for cancer pain management, the drug use pattern was not congruent to WHO's guidelines. Therefore, in conclusion, it appears that physicians need to try to be congruent to the guidelines when using narcotic analgesics for cancer pain.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2006

It is anticipated that difficulties are encountered in comparing the use levels of food additives between Korean and Codex systems because of the differences in the use level pattern and food classification method. This study was attempted to construct comparison tables between Korean and Codex standards for benzoic acid, food red No. 2, sulfur dioxide and polysorbate as well as for soybean paste, hot soybean paste and intstant noodle. Difficulties were found to be due to the food category system in use levels by additives and due to the mixed pattern of use level setting in Korea in use levels by food commodities. The comparison tables proposed in this study will be utilized momentously by regulatory authorities and food processing industry. This study showed the necessity to pay attention in comparing the use levels of food additives by country and food commodity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the association between suicidal thoughts and the co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among adolescents. Methods: This study used the data of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey from 2008 through 2014. The subjects of this study were 517,866 students, in total (Male 266,500, Female 251,366). Frequency analysis was conducted on the data about the subjects' general characteristics and their experience of smoking, drinking, and drug use. The relationship between suicidal thoughts and the co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use was analyzed through ${\chi}^2-test$ and logistic regression. The analyses were done using SAS 9.4. Results: According to the study, adolescents who used alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs at the same time engaged in suicidal ideation 3.69 times more than their peers who didn't use such substances (95% CI: 3.40~4.00, p<.001). Also, adolescents who used only tobacco, only alcohol, and only drugs engaged in suicidal ideation 1.49 times (95% CI: 1.43~1.56, p<.001), 1.28 times (95% CI: 1.26~1.31, p<.001) and 2.34 times (95% CI: 2.04~2.69, p<.001) more than the students who didn't use any substances, respectively. Conclusion: Adolescents' suicidal ideation and the co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use had a statistically significant relationship.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.165-191
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to identify the major predictive factors of intention of drug users to use treatment services. The theoretical framework was used extended Behavioral Model of Health Services Use which integrates the Andersen model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Thus, this study examined the effects of individual characteristics(predisposing, enabling, need factor) and attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control on drug users' intention to use treatment services. Factors with a statistically significant effect were as follows: from the individual characteristics - gender and past treatment experiences of the predisposing factors along with psychiatric diagnosis, anxiety and depression, and severity of drug abuse of need factors. From the Theory of Planned Behavior - subjective norm and perceived behavior control turned out to have impacts on their intention to use treatment services. The study emphasizes that a concern of women, increasing positive experiences of treatment, efforts to change the subjective norms and perceived behavior control of drug users to promote their determination to get treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns of Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs and their interactions with prescription drugs in adults visiting a community pharmacy. Method: The subjects were 151 adults aged over 20 years visiting a community pharmacy in Asan-si from December 16th 2011 to February 1st 2012. We used a survey questionnaire. The survey inquired about the prevalence and the details of any OTC drug use and the characteristics of the study subjects. The drug interaction classification system from Lexicomp's Lexi-interact data fields was used to identify OTC drugs likely to have clinically significant interactions with prescription drugs. Results: The patterns of OTC drug use were related to thirties (from 30 to 40 years old), female gender, higher education, non-smoking, sometimes use of alcohol, and self-perceived normal health status. The most commonly used OTC drug category was antipyretic-analgesics (n=104, 53.3%), and the most commonly used ingredient was acetaminophen (n=67, 64.4%). The biggest motivation for taking OTC drugs was suggestion by pharmacists, reported by 55.6%. After reviewing each patient's prescription drugs and OTC drugs, 14 patients (36.8%) of 38 patients using prescription drugs were taking drug combinations with potential for clinically significant interactions. The concomitant use of OTC drugs with prescription drugs may lead to increased potentially harmful interactions. Conclusion: It is suggested that health-care professionals should be more aware of the potential and possible interactions and take into better account their patients' OTC drug use.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-41
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• 2001

Recently, the use of electronic drug information databases has been increased alternative to printed references. However, databases vary widely in quality and quantity of drug information provided and many questions have arisen about their accuracy, completeness, and reliability. This study was designed to compare and evaluate the drug information contained in four Korean drug information databases which are available on CD-ROM and internet. Four Korean drug information databases selected to be evaluated were eKIMS, Datapower, KPA Standard Drug Information and Korean Drug Formulary. Databases were searched and evaluated from August 10 to September 30, 2000 by the same trained searcher to minimize the bias. The database evaluation form was developed for objective evaluation of each databases in terms of credibility of database, convenience of use and other characteristics. The second form was developed for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the drug information provided by the databases. The results of the study showed that there were no significant differences in 4 databases in terms of convenience of use and other characteristics. However, for credibility of databases, Korean Drug Formulary was significantly superior to all other databases (P<0.05). It showed that information provided by Korean Drug Formulary was the best in terms of pharmacokinetics, chemistry, comparisons and eKIMS was the best in terms of drug identification (P<0.05). For accuracy and completeness of information provided, the study could not find a significant difference between 4 databases (P>0.05).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.258-269
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• 2010

As people are easy to access the National Health Insurance, medical health service has been increased. It contributed to extend human's average life expectancy and to get better health care. But also increased unnecessary health service or inappropriate drug use. Therefore, DUR (Drug Use Review) is needed to induce appropriate drug use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outpatient prescriptions by General Practitioner (GP) and Specialized Practitioner, especially indication for ENT referral including common cold which is the frequent indications that have patient see doctor. This study was reviewed retrospectively prescriptions for ENT referral collected at the A pharmacy for ENT Clinic in Cheong-Ju, B pharmacy for GP Clinic in BoEun from Feb 2nd, 2009 to Feb 28th, 2009. Each pharmacy located closed to the each enrolled clinic. The numbers of collected prescriptions were each A pharmacy (n=2501), B pharmacy (n=1343). This study was classified Drug Related Problems (DRPs) those prescriptions had as total 6 groups according to following 6 categories; 1) Unnecessary Drug, 2) Wrong Drug, 3) Low Dose, 4) Overdose, 5) Wrong Instruction, 6) Wrong Combination. In results, Specialized Practitioner's prescriptions had more DRPs than General Practitioner's prescriptions (ENT 155.34% vs GP 130.01%). In detail, Specialized Practitioner's prescriptions had more DRPs in Low Dose (ENT 16.95% vs GP 4.77%), Overdose (ENT 6.72% vs G.P 5.51%), Wrong Instruction (ENT 7.91% vs GP 5.81%), Wrong Combination (ENT 29.31% vs GP 25.09%). These DRPs would be caused from lack of consideration for dosage and drug interaction. General Practitioner's prescriptions had more DRPs in Unnecessary Drug (ENT 70.37% vs GP 78.85%), Wrong drug (ENT 4.12% vs GP 9.98%). These DRPs would be associated with drug selection. This study was assumed that Specialized Practitioner is better prescriber than General Practitioner because Specialized Practitioner complete additional intern and residency training. But, Specialized Practitioner is not always better prescriber than General Practitioner. Furthermore, prescriptions of both Specialized Practitioner and General Practitioner had many problems. In conclusion, It could be cut down the excessive medical expense and expected more efficient medical care by reducing DRPs, thus contributing to the improvement of national health. In order to pharmacist must have good professional ability of pharmacotherapy to help the physician for the drug selection.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Objective: This study aims to assess the following issues - acquisition level in terms of the information on frequently used drugs of youth, access paths for the information, actual status of the use of drugs frequently used by youth, types of the used drugs, drug abuse among youth, and the consequent drawbacks. This study also takes aims at suggestion of correct role of pharmacists in consideration of drug abuse among youth. Methods: During the period from August 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012, a research design and a question development have been conducted. To the students of the schools that were randomly selected (elementary school's N=99, middle school's N=106, high school's N=115 and university's N=115), it was asked to complete given questionnaire from August 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012. During the period from September 1, 2012 to October 30, 2012, the questionnaires were collected back and the analysis and evaluation of them were carried out. Results: Drugs known to the respondents were a total of 115 different medicines and most of the drugs belonged to over-the-counter drugs. The most well known drug was pain reliever and the second most familiar drug was wound ointment. Most of the respondents found the drugs through direct use and advertisement. In everyday life, more than half of the respondents were using over-the-counter drugs as well as health supplements. The most commonly used drug was analgesic drug. It was showed that the respondents also frequently used the drugs for improving their grades and appearances. It was shown that among the cases of drug use, there were also the cases of misuse and abuse of drugs for the respondents or people around them. Reliability of pharmacists was shown to be high and many students were also satisfied with the pharmacists' guidance for medication. Conclusion: Currently many students are using different kinds of drug in daily life, and there is a possibility that the risk of misuse and abuse of drugs will be increased. Those age groups can easily engage in bad habit of drug use. Thus, promotion on accurate drug information has to be strengthened, and pharmacists are required to conduct correct guidance for drug user's medication in terms of use amount, usage, interactions among different drugs, and potential risks.