Abstract Introduction: Unintended pregnancies in adolescents have serious consequences both for the adolescents themselves and their babies and for the use of health system resources. One of the reasons is the low use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) among this population, mainly due to lack of information or non-adherence to the medication. The aim of this study was to describe the information adolescents receive about OCPs and their use, as well as their perception of the role of the community pharmacist in this field. Method: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out by means of a survey applied to women aged 12-19 years living in Spain, regardless of whether or not they had used OCPs, during April 2021. Different social networks were used to disseminate the survey. Different Spanish associations dedicated to family planning and adolescent sexual health counselling were also contacted. Results: 81.7% (n=76) of respondents had not taken OCPs, although 35.5% (n=33) had had sex. The 6% (n=1) who were taking or had taken OCPs reported adherence. 88% (n=82) thought that the pharmacist is knowledgeable about medicines; however, only 19.4% (n=18) would consult them for OCP questions. Conclusions: To solve the problems of lack of information about OCPs and adherence in adolescent women, the community pharmacist is an accessible professional who can contribute to this by taking an active role and using different forms of educational materials.

Resumen Introducción: Los embarazos no deseados en adolescentes tienen graves consecuencias tanto para las propias adolescentes y sus bebés como para el uso de los recursos del sistema sanitario. Una de las razones es el escaso uso de píldoras anticonceptivas orales (ACO) entre esta población, debido principalmente a la falta de información o a la no adherencia a los medicamentos. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la información que reciben las adolescentes sobre los ACO y su uso, así como su percepción del papel del farmacéutico comunitario en este campo. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta, aplicada a mujeres entre 12-19 años residentes en España, independientemente de si habían utilizado o no ACO, durante abril de 2021. Para la difusión de esta encuesta se utilizaron diferentes redes sociales. Asimismo, se contactó con diferentes asociaciones españolas dedicadas a la orientación de la planificación familiar y la salud sexual en adolescentes. Resultados: El 81,7% (n=76) de los encuestados no había tomado ACO, aunque el 35,5% (n=33) sí había mantenido relaciones sexuales. El 6% (n=1) que tomaba o había tomado ACO informó que eran adherentes. El 88% (n=82) pensaba que el farmacéutico tiene conocimientos sobre medicamentos; sin embargo, sólo el 19,4% (n=18) les consultaría para resolver dudas sobre ACO. Conclusiones: Para resolver los problemas de falta de información sobre ACO y de adherencia en mujeres adolescentes, el farmacéutico comunitario es un profesional accesible que puede contribuir a ello adoptando una actitud activa y utilizando diferentes formas de material educativo.

Resumen Introducción: Debido a la baja calidad de vida y adherencia al tratamiento de los pacientes con psoriasis se plantea desarrollar un protocolo de empoderamiento que conduzca a un mayor conocimiento del autocuidado en pacientes con esta patología, acorde a sus necesidades, siendo importante el papel del farmacéutico para la mejora de ambos. Método: Se administró el test Morisky Green-4 items y el cuestionario Dermatology Life Quality Index a 40 pacientes con psoriasis que acudían a una farmacia comunitaria. Con estos datos, la información de las guías clínicas y la colaboración con un dermatólogo, se diseñó un protocolo de autocuidado. Resultados: Se observó falta de adherencia en el 100% de los pacientes y una calidad de vida leve/moderada (5,3±4,2), en las preguntas relacionadas con: los síntomas cutáneos afectan mucho/muy al 50% de los pacientes y la sensación de vergüenza y dificultad con su tratamiento entre poco y mucho en el 60%. Con estos resultados se diseñaron dos dípticos. A los 3 meses la calidad de vida mejoró a 3,98±2,05, p=0,048, y se observó falta de adherencia en el 70% de los pacientes. Conclusiones: Los protocolos de autocuidado son necesarios para mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes crónicos. El papel del farmacéutico es importante a través de un protocolo de autocuidado en pacientes con psoriasis, ayudando a mejorar la adherencia al tratamiento y la calidad de vida.

Abstract Introduction: Due to the low quality of life and adherence to treatment of patients with psoriasis, it is proposed to develop an empowerment protocol that leads to greater knowledge of self-care in patients with this pathology, according to their needs, with the role of the pharmacist being important for the improvement of both. Method: The Morisky Green-4 items test and the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire were administered to 40 patients with psoriasis who attended a community pharmacy. With these data, information from clinical guidelines and collaboration with a dermatologist, a self-care protocol was designed. Results: Lack of adherence was observed in 100% of the patients and a mild/moderate quality of life (5.3±4.2), in questions related to: skin symptoms affect a lot/very much 50% of the patients and feeling of embarrassment and difficulty with their treatment between a little and a lot in 60%. With these results, two diptychs were designed. Three months later, the quality of life improved to 3.98±2.05, p=0.048, and non-adherence was observed in 70% of the patients. Conclusions: Self-care protocols are necessary to improve quality of life of chronic patients. The role of the pharmacist is important through a self-care protocol in patients with psoriasis, helping to improve adherence to treatment and quality of life.

Abstract Pharmaceutical Care is a subject within the Pharmacy Degree that is taught using theoretical and practical classes. When COVID-19 appeared, Faculty of Pharmacy had to change its way of teaching and learning to online classes. Our aim is to assess the impact of COVID-19 situation on practical classes in Pharmaceutical Care. A prospective study was performed by undergraduate students from Pharmaceutical Care subject. Students attended to 2-day practical classes and were assessed through an evaluative workbook. Undergraduate students (n=390) obtained a score of 8.4±0.8 in practical classes, being higher in face-to-face sessions than online sessions, but not significant differences among both methodologies. The higher score was for the session of minor ailment services (9.3±1.3) and the lower for Personalized Medication Dosage (7.0±1.6) and similar in both scenarios. 59% of students obtained more than 8 score in the global punctuation, being higher in in-face-to-face practical classes. This study showed that learning in health care can be guided and evaluated through an online method. Adapt to new technologies, prevent vulnerable students from being left behind, as well as working on cross-cutting skills at a distance, are some of the challenges of higher education in times of COVID-19.

Abstract The announcement by the WHO of the characterization of the new Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic, entails an adaptation by the community pharmacy in carrying out its care activity in general, with particular emphasis on ”Minor Ailments Service” in particular. The measures taken by the different health administrations in which patient telephone care by primary care offices is prioritized have left more consultations on symptoms in the community pharmacist health-related problems as pharmacies are the closest health facilities to the patient. The similarity between the symptomatology caused by the new Coronavirus with that of some Enteroviruses that cause mild respiratory and gastrointestinal tables (dry cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.) makes community pharmacies highly capable places for contagion detection and prevention. A model of protocolized intervention is needed to facilitate the pharmacist’s work in discriminating during the indication between minor symptoms and symptoms of referral for possible cases of COVID-19 so that in conjunction with the rest of the staff we help control the disease and make better use of primary care consultations.