Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39184724›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Effects of Valproic Acid Supply Shortage on Pharmacy Operations in a Region of Japan.

Satoru Matsunuma, Shigeki Sunaga, Kanami Hirose, Gaku Samizo, Ryohei Soeishi, Koichi Yoshimoto, Hiroyuki Jimbo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Satoru MatsunumaDepartment of Pharmacy, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Shigeki SunagaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Kanami HiroseDepartment of Pharmacy, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Gaku SamizoDivision of Pharmacy, Hachioji Pharmaceutical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Ryohei SoeishiDivision of Pharmacy, Hachioji Pharmaceutical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Koichi YoshimotoDepartment of Pharmacy, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo, JPN.
Hiroyuki JimboDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo, JPN.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction Valproic Acid (VPA) is an essential drug in epilepsy treatment, yet it has faced supply instability in Japan. The extent of the VPA shortage and the associated increase in pharmacists' workload and collaboration with healthcare organizations remains unclear. This study investigates the potential effects of these disruptions on the roles of pharmacists. Methods A questionnaire was administered to pharmacies in Hachioji City, Japan. The survey addressed inventory management, patient complaints, and the potential effects on pharmacy operations during VPA supply instability. A chi-squared test of independence was conducted to compare the most unstable VPA supply period with the current supply situation. Supply stability according to pharmacy characteristics such as the number of prescriptions received per day and primary patient age group was also evaluated. Results Of the 42 pharmacies surveyed, 76.2% reported changes in prescription processing due to VPA supply issues. The main challenges were increased workload in inventory management and patient concerns regarding medication availability and quality. Pharmacies primarily serving clinical prescriptions and pediatric patients were the most affected by the supply instability. Discussion This study highlighted the potential effects of VPA supply instability on pharmacy operations. Pharmacists are expected to provide continuous treatment to patients through effective counseling and medication guidance to alleviate anxiety and concerns related to supply shortages.

Indexed as

drug supply shortagepharmacyquestionnairesurveyvalproic acid

Identifiers

PMID39184724
PMCPMC11344240

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.