Lucyna Bułaś

Katowicki Oddział Polskiego Towarzystwa Farmaceutycznego 11 lutego 2026 roku obchodził 75-lecie swojej działalności. Artykuł opisuje działalność oddziału w ciągu ostatnich pięciu lat i stanowi kontynuację pracy opublikowanej w 2021 roku w „Farmacji Polskiej” przedstawiającej 70-letnią historię oddziału. W analizowanym okresie 2021–2026, obejmującym XXV oraz początek XXVI kadencji Katowickiego Oddziału, funkcję prezesa zarządu w latach 2021–2025 pełniła dr Grażyna Janikowska, a od 2025 roku stanowisko to objęła dr Lucyna Bułaś. Natomiast Pani dr Kazimiera Klementys pełniła funkcję wiceprezesa zarządu obu kadencji. Podobnie jak w ubiegłych latach, zarząd ściśle współpracował z Wydziałem Nauk Farmaceutycznych Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego i Śląską Izbą Aptekarską w Katowicach. Kontynuowano organizację konferencji i spotkań zainicjowanych w poprzednich kadencjach. Nową inicjatywą była organizacja spotkań „Warto rozmawiać” umożliwiających w innowacyjnej, angażującej formie prowadzenie dyskusji na tematy odpowiadające aktualnym potrzebom i oczekiwaniom środowiska farmaceutycznego. Zmieniono także formułę „Śląskich Farmaceutycznych Spotkań Naukowych – od nauki do pacjenta” poprzez rozszerzenie kręgu uczestników o naukowców i pracowników reprezentujących polskie i zagraniczne uczelnie. Ta międzynarodowa konferencja jest organizowana od 2025 roku pod hasłem „Spotkania Naukowe - od Nauki do Pacjenta”. Na działalność oddziału w znacznym stopniu wpłynęła trwająca do lipca 2023 roku pandemia COVID-19, która wymusiła konieczność prowadzenia bieżącej działalności, tylko w postaci webinariów i wideokonferencji na komunikacyjnych platformach internetowych. W drugiej połowie 2023 roku, po oficjalnym zakończeniu pandemii powrócono do prowadzenia konferencji i spotkań w formule stacjonarnej. Kontynuowano tradycję spotkań Klubu Seniora Farmacji działającego przy Katowickim Oddziale PTFarm. Dbając o rozwój zawodu farmaceuty, zorganizowano szereg wydarzeń dedykowanych aptekarzom, pracownikom uczelni oraz studentom kierunku farmacja, a wykłady, jak i dyskusje stanowiły doskonały materiał przygotowujący studentów do przyszłej pracy zawodowej. Jednym z ważnych elementów aktywności zarządu była współpraca ze studencką sekcją Młoda Farmacja Sosnowiec, polegająca na obopólnym wspieraniu realizowanych inicjatyw. Studenci uczestniczyli w wielu spotkaniach o charakterze edukacyjnym w zakresie promocji zdrowia oraz zachęcali uczniów szkół licealnych do podejmowania studiów na kierunkach farmaceutycznych. Podsumowując pracę zarządu w tym pięcioletnim okresie, od lutego 2021 do lutego 2026 roku, warto podkreślić, że na szczególne uznanie zasługuje zarówno wieloletnia, aktywna praca członków zarządu realizowana społecznie pro publico bono, jak i życzliwość oraz bezinteresowne zaangażowanie wielu osób, z którymi zarząd miał zaszczyt współpracować.

Background and aim: Managing the therapy of patients with chronic liver diseases and comorbidities presents significant challenges for physicians and pharmacists, particularly regarding drug-induced liver damage and polypharmacy. Given the liver’s central role in drug detoxification, polypharmacy in liver disease requires special attention. The aim of the review was to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with chronic liver diseases. Approach and Results: A literature search focused on randomized controlled trials, database reviews, and medical records. Review of PubMed, SCOPUS, and ScienceDirect databases identified 2578 manuscripts, however only 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results of studies showed that the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with chronic liver disease can exceed 50%, and can lead to high prevalence of MRP and pDDI among those patients. Conclusions: Findings reveal a critical link between polypharmacy and adverse outcomes in chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Individualized treatment plans, considering factors such as age, gender, comorbidities, and liver disease severity are essential. The interventions focused on mitigating MRP and reducing pDDI need to be implemented in order to reduce the potential harm of polypharmacy.

Pharmacy internships are an important part of pharmacy education in Poland; they are an integral part of professional studies. The first two internships are held after the third and fourth year of study during the summer break and last for four weeks. The study aims to analyze the didactic process of the pharmacy students taking place during the summer internship in community and hospital pharmacies in Poland. The analysis emphasizes the acquisition of skills built on the master-student contact, and the results are based on trainees’ feedback. The research tool was a questionnaire addressed to fifth-year pharmacy students who had previously completed summer internships in both community and hospital pharmacy. The survey contained 17 questions that sought to gain insight into their perceptions of the internship’s supervision and guidance of work by tutors and pharmacy staff, involvement in different workplace routines and comparison between formal education and everyday practice. The data collection was carried out in the academic year 2015–2016 among the ninth-semester pharmacy students from four Medical Universities in Poland. Information about internships performed in community and hospital pharmacies were collected separately. The paper presents the results of selected questions related specifically to the legitimacy of summer internships and learning about professional responsibilities. Altogether 447 questionnaires, evaluating summer internships in both community and hospital pharmacies were collected. For the majority of students the summer internship made them aware of the profession; however, the internship in some pharmacies did not always provide them with all aspects of pharmaceutical practice. 14–40% of students admitted that their mentors did not introduce the internship program at the beginning of the internship. Only 35–46% of students performed drug formulations on a daily basis. Less than 30% of respondents indicated that drug formulary process in community pharmacies was the same as they have learned at university. Almost every day or very often students were involved in checking or spreading out the drugs delivered to the pharmacy from the wholesale institution. Only two universities conducted regular audits of the internship process by the supervisors (academic teachers). The summer internship of pharmacy students complements the opportunity to acquire practical skills in the training of future pharmacists. The quality of this didactic process should be subjected to constant verification. What is important is that pharmacists who are tutors of students participating in summer internships should obtain an academic support in the area of education and training, relevant to the professional preparation for the didactic process. Similar rules for summer internships should be developed, despite maintaining distinctiveness, across faculties. The students’ responses indicate varying levels of mentor involvement in the implementation of practical vocational training. What is worrying is the lack of substantive and practical supervision during the internship.

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) aims to restore intestinal microbiota balance with the objective of normalising its composition and achieve therapeutic benefits. The procedure involves the administration of fresh or frozen faecal microbes from a healthy donor into the recipient’s gastrointestinal tract with the intent to restore the proper structure and functionality of the recipient’s intestinal microbial community. Evidence showing the positive effects of FMT is abundant, however, less attention has been devoted to FMT-associated adverse events, especially in relation to liver diseases. Based on literature review, studies and reports regarding FMT-associated adverse events since the beginning of FMT use, have been analysed. The review covering the period 2010-2022 was undertaken in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies conducted on the patient population suffering from various types and forms of liver disease have proven the possible effectiveness of the FMT method and reported moderate adverse events (nausea, constipation, flatulence). Severe adverse events occurring in relation to FMT were also noted. No safety issues or infection signals associated with FMT were observed in studies performed within the population suffering from cirrhosis. The present review of scientific reports, publications and literature reviews describes the adverse events reported in the literature. Faecal microbiota transplants are associated with adverse events classified as mild, moderate and severe, among others, diarrhoea, fever, infections or death. There is a need to implement a donor screening programme and personalised transplantation methods. Further research is recommended to assess and monitor FMT efficacy, benefits and risks.

Pharmaceutical care is an activity aimed at protecting the patient’s health. The purpose of this benefit is to provide assistance in receiving and safely using the drug. The idea of pharmaceutical care originated in the United States in the 70s’ of the 20th century although the issue had already been discussed in the interwar period. The definition in force in Poland is contained in the Act on the Profession of Pharmacist (Act of September 10, 2020). The program includes pharmaceutical consultations, performing medications reviews, developing pharmaceutical care plans considering the patient’s drug-related problems, performing diagnostic tests and issuing prescriptions that are a continuation of a medical order(1). This paper reviews the current literature on the use of metformin in patients with multimorbidity. Special attention was given to the studies on probability of occurrence potential drug-related problems in the treatment of these diseases. The analysis shows that the most difficulties are caused by the lack of knowledge about the treatment used by patients. The result is often a reduction in the regularity of therapy or even resignation from it. The obtained observations related to the combined use of drugs from different therapeutic groups should help to systematize knowledge about the current needs and expectations of patients. Properly conducted pharmaceutical care, including the preparation of drug reviews and education, can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment. The article emphasizes the importance of the cooperation of the patient, doctor and pharmacist in achieving and maintaining the proper quality of life of the patient.

Growth hormone (somatotropin—STH) deficiency therapy requires daily injections of recombinant human growth hormone. The FDA approved treatment with STH with one dose per week for the first time in 2021. However, injectable drug application is accompanied by numerous inconveniences. Therefore, an attempt was made to formulate a less invasive STH formulation for topical application to the skin. A substrate was prepared based on a polymer, methylcellulose (MC), into which STH was introduced at a concentration of 1 mg/g. Simultaneously, formulations were made with STH, to which albumin (ALB) was added at different concentrations: 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%. A test of the degree of STH permeation was carried out, as well as the effect of ALB on STH permeation parameters. Selected rheological properties of the formulations obtained were investigated. A test of STH permeation in simulated in vivo conditions through porcine skin indicated a relatively good bioavailability of over 80% and confirmed the effectiveness of MC as a carrier for growth hormone. ALB prolonged the STH penetration rate and increased the penetration degree of STH to 93%. The hydrogels obtained were found to be typical shear-thinning, thixotropic fluids.

Compounding formulations, including semi-solid medication forms, must meet criteria related to specific stability and quality, during a period of their use. In suspension-type ointments, one of the criteria for assessment of their correct manufacturing is particle size, which in the compounding preparation cannot exceed 90 µm. An appropriate level of particle disintegration can be achieved via a selection of technological parameters and qualitatively compatible excipients. In this study, benzocaine ointments were prepared using a levigation process. The time of its application on the particle size of API in suspension ointments was evaluated. In parallel, the effect of mixing parameters and the co-solvent used on the precipitation of active substance crystals in emulsion ointments during the storage of these formulations for 28 days was investigated. Forty suspension and emulsion ointments were prepared using selected ointment bases: Pentravan^®, Lekobaza, Lekobaza LUX, Eucerin Ointment I, Nourivan™ Antiox, Fitalite™, containing 2% benzocaine. Based on the results of the stability test, four formulations were selected to study the release kinetics of benzocaine in vitro. These formulations were characterized by the rate of release consistent with the Higuchi model, and the fastest rate of release occurred from the Eucerin-based emulsion ointment.

Nimesulide is a poorly water-soluble, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for both systemic and topical application. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the type of base and surfactants (Tween80, Span80, soy lecithin, sodium lauryl sulphate) on drug release from rectal suppositories. Suppositories were prepared in the Unquator® using Cacao butter, Witepsol H15 and PEG1500:PEG400 as a base. The physicochemical properties of the prepared suppositories were in accordance to the Pharmacopoeia’s requirements. In vitro dissolution profile of the formulations was evaluated using USP apparatus 1. It has been shown that most of the nimesulide was released from suppositories prepared on PEG base. Addition of 2% surfactant to lipophilic base suppositories, significantly increased the amount of nimesulide released from all the investigated formulae. Among the formulations containing surfactants, only Witepsol H15 with Span 80 released a nearly complete drug during 210 minutes. The results indicate that the First-Order model is the best fit with the nimesulide in-vitro release from lipophilic suppositories, while the Higuchi model - to the PEG suppositories. The drug release kinetics from suppositories showed that the Cacao butter bases adequately fit data for zero-order kinetics model, while the Higuchi model - for the PEG suppositories.