Doctoral Degrees (Pharmacology)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Pharmacology) by Subject "Monoclonal antibodies"
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Item Open Access Factors influencing the utilization of biological medicines in the Free State (South Africa)(University of the Free State, 2019-06) Mocke-Richter, M.; Walubo, A.English: Biological Medicines are substances derived from animal or other biological origin, and are used to treat, diagnose or prevent mainly inflammatory diseases and cancer. The use thereof has grown worldwide and is aimed at improving the quality of life of patients. However, in South Africa access to Biological Medicines remains limited. Unfortunately, the use of Biological Medicines has presented challenges with regard to the requirements for appropriate therapeutic responses and their side-effects. In order to obtain an appropriate therapeutic response, appropriate patients have to be selected and continuously monitored during therapy. The two-fold aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing the utilization of Biological Medicines in the Free State (South Africa), and to develop a framework for the use of Biological Medicines in South Africa. Therefore the objective of the study was to determine perception, knowledge of and training in Biological Medicines by clinicians who have been practising for two years or less since graduating and to identify the factors that might influence the prescribing of Biological Medicines by some doctors in the Free State. It was also important to evaluate patient knowledge and experience with Biological Medicines and identify the factors (age, gender, race, disease, patient perception, and adverse effects) that might influence patient compliance with Biological Medicines in some institutions in South Africa. The abovementioned helped to develop a framework for the use of Biological Medicines in South Africa. A cross sectional study design was used. The literature review was used as the foundation to compile the questionnaires. The study consists of three different questionnaires, one for the newly qualified doctors; one for the specialists who prescribed Biological Medicines as well as the one for the patients who used Biological Medicines. The Delphi survey consisted of the data generated through the previous phases of the study, which consisted of literature cited, as well as three different questionnaires. For the purpose of this study, the Delphi method was used as a tool for achieving consensus, where experts validated some of the aspects and criteria with the view to draft a framework. As it was, out of the 79 newly qualified doctors in the Mangaung district (Bloemfontein) in the Free State, 79,7% (n = 63) completed the questionnaire. There were 17 specialists that prescribed Biological Medicines in the Free State, and 70,6% (n = 12) of them completed the questionnaire. Biological Medicines do not have more adverse effects than pharmaceutical agents. As it was, out of the 38 patients that used Biological Medicines and were identified by the clinicians, 81,6% completed the questionnaire. In the Delphi questionnaire study, there were 15 panel members that responded out of 20 who received the invitation. In conclusion, there was a general lack of knowledge on Biological Medicines among newly qualified doctors; therefore, there was a need to educate these young doctors about Biological Medicines, and to offer support in the form of a framework on the use of Biological Medicines to ensure that current patients benefit. The clinicians have limited knowledge of the pharmacology of Biological Medicines and therefore there is still much to be learned about the adverse effects of Biological Medicines. Furthermore, there is a need to educate the prescribers, and to offer support in the form of a framework on the use of Biological Medicines to ensure that current patients benefit and also to improve the procurement process to obtain Biological Medicines. It was established that Biological Medicines are improving the quality of life of patients. Seen from above, Biological Medicines have so far had a positive impact on patient lives; therefore, there was a need expressed to make Biological Medicines more available to patients who need it. The framework containing the findings of the research will be brought to the attention of the Biological Medicine Committee of South Africa, the Medicine Control Council, as well as the National Department of Health. It will furthermore be recommended that the framework that was developed may be adapted by the health care professionals who prescribe Biological Medicines. The research findings were submitted to academic journals with a view to publication, as well as presented at conferences.