• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2014

Pharmacists must be aware of veterinary drugs to prevent abuse and misuse of the drugs, and to ensure the safety of livestock under the veterinarian prescription system. In this study, the awareness of animal pharmacies was surveyed in order to find out the role of animal pharmacies and the necessity of veterinary drug education for pharmacists. Surveys were conducted by 187 animal owners and 115 community pharmacists. 80% of the animal owners had purchased drugs for their animals. 63% of respondents were not aware of the existence of animal pharmacies. The best selling drug class for animals was antiparasitic. The most common drug that respondents wanted to buy in animal pharmacies was also antiparasitic. About 80% of respondents answered affirmatively on the question of whether they would buy the drugs from animal pharmacies regardless of the location of the pharmacies. Most community pharmacists were aware of the existence of animal pharmacies. 70% of pharmacists had considered trading in veterinary drugs. 41% of respondents answered that they did not trade in them because they were not familiar with veterinary drugs. 80% of respondents answered that what they needed most was education in order to increase the number of animal pharmacies. Pharmacies for animal will expand the choice of animal owners, and enable pharmacists to improve their specialty as well as to diversify the pharmacy services. To achieve this, promotion of animal pharmacies and education about veterinary drugs for pharmacists would be needed in regular education system.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.76-93
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• 1998

Three hundred sixty-two(male 131, female 231) elderly aged over 65 in Chungb- uk area were interviewed to determine the disease states and drug usage patterns. The prebalence of disease was 78% and women reported more chronic diseases(83%) than men(71%). Elderly who live with spouse and have an occupation have a lower rate of disease. Average number of diseases of the elderly was $1.8\pm{1.1}$, and women$(2.1\pm{1.3)}$ have significantly higher average number of diseases than that of men$(1.4\pm{0.7)}$. Also the elderly in urban areas$(2.1\pm{1.4)}$ have significantly higher number of diseases than that of the elderly in rural areas$(1.6\pm{0.9)}$. Arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular and gastric diseases were the most frequently listed chronic diseases in order for both men and women. Anemia and fracture of bone were relatively higher in women than in men. Particularly, the arthritis of the urban elderly have a rate of 1.5 times higher than that of the rural elderly. Fifty-two percent of the elderly were currently using drugs ; among drug users 71.2% used prescription drugs and 20.5% used nonprescription drugs. The average number taken per person was 2.1$\pm$1.4 and there was no sex or age difference. However, the elderly in rural areas $(2.7\pm{1.7)}$ consumed a significantly higher number of drugs than those in urban areas$(1.7\pm{0.7)}$. The average number of prescripti- on drugs taken was 2.0$\pm$1.4 while the average of nonprescription drugs taken was $(1.3\pm{0.6)}$. Analgesics and antihypertensive drugs were most commonly used. Vitamin and analgesics were the most frequently used self-prescribed drugs. It was noted that potential adverse drug interaction by concominant drug consumption for arthritis and antihypensive drug, abuse of digestants and antiacid without treatment of the underlying disease, and misuse of quick-acting bowel medications were problematic for the elderly. In addition drugs used for the elderly have some adverse effect on the digestive system. The types and composition of drugs used by the elderly were identified and presented. Medication compliance was poor and 13.5% reported adverse reactions such as edema, heartburn, nausea, and difficulty with eating. Seventeen percent of the elderly obtained drugs arranged by those other than medical staff. Also, even among those elderly who obtained drugs prescribed by a doctor, 69.1% of subjects had not receive instruction about potential adverse reactions. These results suggest that nutritional problems related to drug usage might exist and so dietitians, either individually or as members of health teams, need to have a better understanding of drug-nutrient interaction and closer supervision, and drug information/education service should therefore be provided to prevent or minimize adverse drug reaction in elderly users of medication.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2019

Objectives: Korea has been practicing the separation of dispensary from medical practice since 2000 as a national policy to prevent misuse or overuse of medicines. This study aimed to investigate prescription patterns from except pharmacies in order to determine the appropriateness of drug usage among those patients. Methods: Thirty-two pharmacies in the Yeongdong area of Gangwon Province were examined in this study. The same simulated patient complaining of cold symptoms for 3 days visited each pharmacy to obtain a prescription for medication. Results: At pharmacies prescribing medicine, steroids (53.1%) and antibiotics (50.0%) were used to treat the common cold. Duplicate prescriptions of drugs, such as antihistamines (47.0%) and decongestants (31.3%) were common. The average number of drug prescriptions was 6.59, and 53.2% of pharmacies had prescribed more than seven drugs. The average total cost of the prescriptions was 6,093 won, and the daily cost was 2,544 won. Conclusions: Steroids and antibiotics were frequently abused among patients whose medications had been prescribed by pharmacies. Also, there were a considerable number of drugs and duplicate prescriptions. The prices of the drugs were somewhat high.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2015

Background: Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5Is), which are prescription drug in South Korea, have been concerned about misuse, overuse and illegal provision of the drugs. This study was performed to investigate utilization and safety of illegal Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5Is), and related factors among South Korean men. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted from May to July in 2013 among 1,500 nationally representative general males using computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI). The questionnaire included the characteristics of population, the characteristics of PDE5Is use, the experience with the use of illegally obtained PDE5Is, and adverse events after PDE5Is use. Results: Among study population, the 1,015 (67.7%) men answered that they have used the illegally obtained PDE5Is. Younger age, single, lower frequency of PDE5Is use in a lifetime was associated with an increased use of illegally obtained PDE5Is. The men experienced adverse events after PDE5Is use is 528 (35.2%). The most common adverse event was mild to moderate hot flashes. Conclusion: We need to enhance awareness about the risk of illegally obtained PDE5Is use, especially in younger men and single. Proactive educations and public relations on safe use of PDE5Is for proper patients are needed.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.191-204
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• 2019

Objectives : Focusing on Wujutong's critiques for Xiebaisan misuse, this study investigates how Xiebaisan and its constituent drugs have historically been used by medical doctors and analyzes the disputes in the controversial context with a summary. Methods : The contents of Xiebaisan prescription were collected and examined from the past literature and medical database, and the issues related to the debate were examined by analyzing the contents. Results : In the results of exploring the opinions of medical doctors, in general, Xiebaisan and Sangbaipi, a major medicinal drug, were seen to play a role in the work of reinforcing and reducing. In particular, Ye Tianshi was used with cold and pungent medicine to Xiebaisan as a method of releasing heat with pungent medicine for acute fever in spring, and at the same time, care was taken to avoid depletion of secretion in the stomach. Conclusions : Wujutong's critique is that in early symptoms of viral infection, the misuse of Xiebaisan seems to emphasize the adverse effects of the illness. It is hoped that further research on Xiebaisan incremental medication will be conducted in the future to help clinical applications of Xiebaisan system medication.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2024

Background: Recognizing the seriousness of the misuse and abuse of medical narcotics, the South Korean government introduced the world's first narcotic management system, the Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS). This study aimed to explore the recent one-year opioid prescribing patterns in South Korea using the NIMS database. Methods: This study analyzed opioid prescription records in South Korea for the year 2022, utilizing the dispensing/administration dataset provided by NIMS. Public data from the Korean Statistical Information Service were also utilized to explore prescription trends over the past four years. The examination covered 16 different opioid analgesics, assessed by the total number of units prescribed based on routes of administration, type of institutions, and patients' sex and age group. Additionally, the disposal rate for each ingredient was computed. Results: In total, 206,941 records of 87,792,968 opioid analgesic units were analyzed. Recently, the overall quantity of prescribed opioid analgesic units has remained relatively stable. The most prescribed ingredient was oral oxycodone, followed by tapentadol and sublingual fentanyl. Tertiary hospitals had the highest number of dispensed units (49.4%), followed by community pharmacies (40.2%). The highest number of prescribed units was attributed to male patients in their 60s. The disposal rates of the oral and transdermal formulations were less than 0.1%. Conclusions: Opioid prescription in South Korea features a high proportion of oral formulations, tertiary hospital administration, pharmacy dispensing, and elderly patients. Sustained education and surveillance of patients and healthcare providers is required.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.361-382
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• 2022

The third opium war may have already started, not only due to illicit opioid trafficking from the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle on the international front but also through indiscriminate opioid prescription and opioid diversion at home. Opioid use disorder (OUD), among unintentional injuries, has become one of the top 4 causes of death in the United States (U.S.). An OUD is defined as a problematic pattern of opioid use resulting in clinically significant impairment or distress, consisting of 2 or more of 11 problems within 1 year, as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Observation of aberrant behaviors of OUD is also helpful for overworked clinicians. For the prevention of OUD, the Opioid Risk Tool and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure are appropriate screening tests before and during opioid administration, respectively. Treatment of OUD consists of 3 opioid-based U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, and non-opioid-based symptomatic medications for reducing opioid withdrawal syndromes, such as α₂ agonists, β-blockers, antidiarrheals, antiemetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and benzodiazepines. There are at least 6 recommendable guidelines and essential terms related to OUD. Opioid stewardship programs are now critical to promoting appropriate use of opioid medications, improving patient outcomes, and reducing misuse of opioids, influenced by the successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Despite the lack of previous motivation, now is the critical time for trying to reduce the risk of OUD.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2023

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of non-medical opioid use (NMOU) in Korean cancer patients who have received prescription opioids (PO). This study aimed to identify the potential proportion of NMOU in cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 14,728 patients who underwent cancer-related treatment between January 2009 and December 2019, using electronically collected data from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Information regarding the type and duration of opioid use was gathered. A detailed review of medical charts was carried out, focusing on patients who had been prescribed opioids for over 60 days beyond a 12-month period following the completion of their cancer treatment (long-term PO users). Results: Out of the 5,587 patients who were prescribed PO and followed up for at least 12 months, 13 cases of NMOU were identified, representing 0.23% of the patient population. Among the 204 long-term PO users, the rate was 6.37% (13/204). The most commonly misused opioids were oxycodone and fentanyl. For the group confirmed to have NMOU, the median duration of prescription was 1,327 days in total. Of the 13 patients diagnosed with NMOU, 9 reported withdrawal symptoms, 3 exhibited craving behavior for opioids, and 1 experienced both symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that 0.23% of cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea demonstrated NMOU. Despite this relatively low rate, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize the risk of NMOU in this population, especially among long-term PO users.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2024

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.398-411
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• 2001

The separation system of pharmacy and clinic has begun on the purpose of preventing drug misuse and abuse since July 1st of 2000. The system revealed some conflicts between doctors. pharmacists and consumers. Consequently pharmaceutical law and related policies undergone some change. Now in an early period of the implementation of the system, the necessity to examine relevance of those policies and law enforcement to medical doctors' prescriptions pattern evolves. This study tries to verify the pattern through a field study. For the purpose, 930 prescriptions collected in May of 2001, from a pharmacy located in Gangnam-gu in Seoul, were analysed. The prescriptions were issued from several clinics: 459 prescriptions from otorhinolaryngological clinic(ENT), 177 from internal medicine clinic(IM), 130 from ophthalmic clinic(Opt), 52 from obstetric and gynecologic clinic(OB & GY), and 112 from miscellaneous clinics. ENT, IM, Opt. OB & GY are situated in a clinic building of 40m distance. The general findings are following: 1) $88.8\%$ of the total patients came from 5clinics in nearby single clinic building. 2) Average prescribing days were 6.2 days and the average number of used drugs were 4.0 drugs, i.e. 2-4 times of WHO criteria 1-2 drugs. 3) Use of antibiotics in the oral administration drugs rated $71.8\%(WHO: \;22.7\%)$ 4) Use of injection rated $31.3\%(WHO:\;17.2\%)$ 5) $96.2\%$ of the patients use multiple antibiotics in the injection and oral administration together. 6) The patients had multiple disease : ENT patients 1.7 disease and 1M patients has 2.7 disease in average and several regular prescribing types evolved particularly in the ENT prescription. With this result we found that drugs. especially antibiotics are still abused a lot, and there were significant differences in the number of used drugs and prescrbing days between the clinics. It implies somes differences of the preparation work and time for pharmacists. And preparation can be done in advance by pharmacists' own efforts through noticing regular prescribing types. The study suggests the followings: 1) Patient counseling should be done to minimize the incidence of adverse events. 2) The enforcement of the standardized differential preparation price system should be reconsidered. 3) Preparation of typical regularly appeared prescription in advance. which is regarded as 'a prearranged work between doctors and pharmacists' and has been prohibited should be reconsidered. 4) Drug utilization review program should be established to prevent drugs abuse. especially antibiotics abuse.