Objective: Safe and effective use of the medications is a challenge in the developing countries of the world. The objective of this study was to assess and evaluate the quality, storage/dispensing practices and regulatory compliance, of retail/wholesale drug stores and drug distributors operating in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of retail/wholesale drug stores and drug distributors, located in Karachi was conducted from May to December 2013. A total of 1003 retail/wholesale drug stores and nine distributors involved in the sale/purchase and dispensing of pharmaceutical products were enrolled in the study. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used and the information was collected using a close ended, structured questionnaire, designed to gather information related to demographics of store and drug seller, storage practices, licensing status and knowledge/practices of drug sellers. The data was collected by the team of data collectors and the results were analyzed using Stata 11.2. Results: The results of study indicated that out of 1003 retail and wholesale drug stores inspected only 4.1% (n=41) were found compliant to regulatory requirements. Very few of the stores were involved in the exclusive sales of drugs, most of them 74.9% (n=752) were selling general items and other commodities along with the drugs. Only 12% (n=124) of the stores were having medical professionals working on the store, out of which 33% (n=41) were pharmacists and the rest were dispensers. The drug stores were dominated by male dispensers, with a mean age of 34.1years (SD±9.7), average work experience of 12.4 years (SD±7.6) and 12.9 years (SD±2.2) of education. Twenty-four percent (n=244) of the drugs sellers were aware of the fact that vaccines and refrigerated drugs, needs to be stored at 2˚C-8˚C. Only 14.3% (n=144) of the drug sellers were aware about the correct classification and use of selected essential drugs, and 17.9% (n=179) of the drug sellers were able to respond correctly to the commonly used prescription terminologies. The dispensing practice revealed 62% (n=625) of the stores were found selling medications without prescription. Less than 10% of the drug sellers provide information related to indication of drugs, duration of therapy, and interaction with other drugs or food. Only 1.6% of the stores were providing any written information to the patient at the time of dispensing. The storage practices revealed only 40.2% (n=403) of stores were protected from direct sunlight and 5.4% (n=54) having air conditioning in the premises. Total of 11.4% (n=94) stores were selling vaccines without proper refrigerator and only 11.7% stores had the power backup for the refrigerator. Forty-seven percent (n=400) of the stores had drug sales license displayed in the premises out of which 33.4% (n=282) were having expired drug sales license. As compared to the retail/wholesale drug stores, the storage and distributor practices of the drug distributors operating in Karachi were in line with the regulatory requirements laid down by the authorities. Conclusion: The regulatory compliance of majority of the retail/wholesale drug stores operated privately in different areas of Karachi is below standard. Only a few drug stores have adequate facilities to protect the drugs from extreme temperature, sunlight and provision of refrigeration. Very few of the drug stores carry out drug sales under the supervision of qualified pharmacist. The drugs are mostly sold without prescription, and the knowledge and skills of the drug sellers are insufficient to promote the safe use of medications. There is a dire need to improve the storage practices in the drug stores by complying with the regulatory standards/laws, and support from pharmaceutical industry. The knowledge of drug sellers needs to be improved by continues trainings and the presence of qualified pharmacist needs to be ensured in the drug stores.
مولانا نجم الدین اصلاحی ۱۴؍ اگست کو حافظ مولانا نجم الدین صاحب اصلاحی نے تقریباً ۹۴ برس کی عمر میں داعی اجل کو لبیک کہا۔ اِناﷲ وَاِنا اِلَیہ رَاجِعُون۔ انھوں نے اپنے جدبزرگوار ملاقدرت علی مرحوم سے ابتدائی تعلیم حاصل کی اور اپنے گاؤں ہی کے ایک دوسرے بزرگ حافظ عبدالرحیم مرحوم کی خدمت میں رہ کر قرآن مجید حفظ کیا، مزید تعلیم مدرسۃ الاصلاح سرائمیر میں ہوئی، اس وقت مدرسہ میں مولانا امین احسن اصلاحی صاحبِ تدبر قرآن اور مولانا اختر احسن اصلاحی مرحوم سابق مہتمم مدرسۃ الاصلاح بھی زیر تعلیم تھے۔ فارسی میں مولانا نجم الدین صاحب کی اچھی اور پختہ استعداد ان کے ہم وطن مولوی محمد مصطفےٰ صاحب کے فیض تلمذ کا نتیجہ تھی۔ جو مدرسۃ الاصلاح میں فارسی کے بہت اچھے اور لائق معلم تھے۔ اس زمانے میں مولانا شبلی متکلم ندوی مدرسۃ الاصلاح سرائمیر کے مہتمم تھے، وہ علامہ شبلیؒ کے تلمیذ رشید اور اس مجلس اخوان الصفاء کے ایک رکن تھے جو علامہ مرحوم کی وفات کے بعد ان کے ناتمام کاموں کی تکمیل کے لیے مولانا حمیدالدین فراہیؒ کی سربراہی میں قائم ہوئی تھی۔ مولانا شبلی متکلم معقولات اور اسرار شریعت کی کتابوں کا درس اس شان سے دیتے تھے کہ طلبہ کو مطالب بخوبی ذہن نشین ہوجاتے تھے۔ مدرسہ کا معیارِ تعلیم بلند اور بہتر بنانے کے لیے ان کو دوبارہ مدرسہ کی خدمت کی زحمت دی گئی تو بڑھاپے میں بھی ان کے درس کا وہی رنگ رہا، اس کی شہادت مولانا نجم الدین صاحب نے اس طرح دی کہ وہ چپکے سے جنگلے کے پاس جاکر درس سنا کرتے تھے۔ ان کے علاوہ مولانا عبدالرحمن نگرامی ندوی، مولانا حکیم محمد لہراوی اور دوسرے اساتذہ سے بھی درسیات کی تکمیل کی، ۱۹۱۷ء میں جب مولانا حمیدالدین فراہیؒ دارالعلوم حیدرآباد کی پرنسپلی سے استعفا دے کر مدرسۃ الاصلاح...
Background of the Study: Sensory processing is the process in which all sensory stimuli integrate and enable person to respond according to the situation. There are number of sensory issues that either parents or teacher do not identify on early stages and various times it also cause behavioral issues or academic issues with in typical children too. The study aims to assess the sensory vulnerability of children with and without autism in the school environment and to identify the sensory issues.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Total 86 children recruited and divided into two groups included typical and atypical children. Using a standardized questionnaire-SPM (sensory processing measure) distributed in schools and completed by teachers.
Result: Autism affects both mainstream children and children with autism, with sensory process subscales showing significant differences p value (< .005) for t- test. Autism children have higher sensory process vulnerability, particularly in social participation and praxis variables, compared to mainstream children’s.
Conclusion: The study reveals that school initiates sensory stimuli, affecting children's vulnerability, even in special schools, despite providing structured environments for atypical children.
Charged particle induced nuclear reactions for the production of 52Fe and 72As were studied. A critical analysis led to consider proton induced nuclear reaction sections on 72Ge, 73Ge, 74Ge and 76Se to investigate for the production of 72As while for the production of 52Fe, the proton induced reactions on 58Ni, 55Mn and alpha induced reaction on 50Cr were chosen. The experimental results obtained via 72Ge(p, n)72As, 73Ge(p, 2n)72As, 74Ge(p, 3n)72As, 76Se (p, x)72As and 58Ni (p, x) 52Fe, 50Cr (4He, 2n) 52Fe and 55Mn(p,4n)52Fe reactions were compared with the results of nuclear model calculations using the codes ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE 3.2 and TALYS 1.9 to check the reliability and discrepancy in the experimental data. Polynomial fittings were applied using Origin-Lab Pro 2017 to maintain the consistency of experimental and calculated data. Recommended data were generated using the well-established evaluation methodology. The thick target yields (TTY) of 52Fe and 72As is calculated from the recommended excitation functions. Analysis of radionuclidic impurities was also discussed for both radionuclides. Comparison of the various radionuclidic impurities is done. On the basis of TTY and radio-nuclidic impurity analysis; the production routes and optimum energy ranges for the production of 52Fe and 72As are proposed. Our evaluation scheme showed that for the production of 52Fe via 55Mn(p,4n)52Fe reaction, energy ranges from 70→45 MeV could be the method of choice, which gives high yield with minimum impurities to make it as a potential candidate for theranostic applications in nuclear medicine and in particular, Positron Emission Tomography (PET). For the 72As; 72Ge(p, n)72As reaction in the energy ranges 10→20 MeV is the optimized nuclear reaction with a negligible impurity ratio and maximum production yield. Being in the low energy range, a small cyclotron can be engaged for the production of 72As to be used it in the medical applications.