FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Various research works by experts and relevant national and international organizations have consistently revealed the dangerous rising case of drug use among youths in the country and the negative health complications it has resulted to. Globally, the harmful use of alcohol alone has been estimated to result in about 3.3 million deaths each year and at least 15.3 million persons worldwide have been documented to be suffering from drug use disorders (WHO, Substance Abuse, 2014). Substance abuse refers to the use of psychoactive substances, that creates pleasurable effect on the brain, on the other hand, substance misuse is the use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines (WHO,2006). Aims and objections: This study determined the knowledge and attitude of female secondary school students to drug abuse, factors that affect the use of substances, and possible ways of preventing substance use. Method: A descriptive research method was adopted for the study and a simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. Asemi-structured questionnaire was the instrument utilized for this research to obtain information from respondents. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 500students from four selected female secondary schools via convenient sampling technique. Participants included for the study were those who had knowledge of the topic and were above 12 years of age. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics like percentage, means etc. Results: The findings of the research among participants revealed that majority of respondents had knowledge of substance abuse and a negative attitude to its use by and around them. The findings also revealed that the main contributing factors to substance use were depression, peer pressure, availability of the substance and
environmental influence. It was, however, recommended among others that secondary school curriculum be designed to provide basic knowledge of substance abuse as well as adverts and enlightenment programs on the dangers of substance abuse should be made public by the government and school authorities as ways of preventing substance abuse. Conclusion: The study revealed that the respondents had a good knowledge of substance abuse and its effect, their attitude was negative to its use, various factors that contribute to substance use and recommendations to prevent further abuse of substances were provided. Key words: Substance abuse, substance misuse, drugs, knowledge, attitude

Background: Pharmacists play a vital role in medication management, patient counseling, and healthcare coordination and the integration of eHealth technology has the potential to enhance these roles by providing pharmacists with efficient tools for information sharing, communication, and improving patient care. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the attitude and belief of pharmacists towards the adoption of eHealth technology in community pharmacy practice in Benin City. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select the pharmacists working at community pharmacies in Benin City. Among which 140 questionnaires were disseminated, 125 were duly completed and served as the dataset for subsequent percentage calculations. Key findings: The majority of respondents are male, making up 65.6%, The largest age group among the participants is 30-49 years, representing 51.2%, and Superintendent pharmacists are the largest group, making up 61.6%. On how effective is the use of eHealth technology in improving medication management and safety in community pharmacy practice Excellent: 10 (8%), Good: 29 (23.2%), Average: 45 (36%) Poor: 33 (26.4%) Very poor: 8 (6.4%). The Chi- Square tests show a significant relationship between the variables under examination, with p- values of .002 and .001. Conclusion: The level prevalence of adoption of eHealth technology in community pharmacy practice is low and some factors hinder adoption of eHealth technology in community pharmacy practice, pharmacists have positive opinions and attitudes towards the integration of eHealth technology in community pharmacy practice and there are difficulties and challenges encountered in implementing eHealth technology in community pharmacy practice in Benin City

Background Cancer have been a global problem irrespective of the etiology. Drugs and related agents have been identified to cause cancer by the induction of the markers. The study therefore accesses the possibility of cancer marker induction by artesunate-mefloquine in albino rats. Method Healthy albino rats were selected after acclimatization for two weeks. They are grouped in the categories of induction and drug exposure. Induction: Mesterolone (0.36mg/kg), Disethylstibesterol (0.07mg/kg), Artesunate mefloquine (8.57/10.71mg/kg). These agents were administered orally using orogastric tube for 28 days. They were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia. Serum samples were collected and assay for the possibility of cancer marker induction or inhibition by artesunate mefloquine. The indicators of markers were as follows: breast cancer marker: cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), liver cancer marker: prostate specific antigen (PSA), ovarian cancer marker: cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) and liver cancer marker: Alfa fetoprotein (AFP). Results Prostate cancer marker (PSA) has the following results: standard concentration was (9.5 ± 3.8188), mesterolone (positive control) (1.0707 ± 0.0089), olive oil (negative control) (0.961 ± 0.0191), quarter therapeutic dose (0.936 ± 0.0014), half therapeutic dose (0.935 ± 0.0007) and therapeutic dose (0.9423 ± 0.0055). Elevations of PSA within the treatment groups were seen in the order: TD > 1/2 TD > 1/4 TD. Ovarian cancer marker (CA 125) has the following result: standard concentration was (127.5 ± 61.9643), diethylstibesterol (positive control) (4.4 ± 0.1702), olive oil (negative control) (2.8697 ± 0.0366), quarter therapeutic dose (-0.5423 ± 0.1766), half therapeutic dose (-0.0077 ± 0.2643) and therapeutic dose (0.237 ± 0.2391). Elevations of CA 125 within the treatment groups were seen in the order: TD > 1/2 TD > 1/4 TD. Breast cancer marker (CA 15-3) has the following result: standard concentration was (125 ± 62.703), diethylstibesterol (positive control) (6.9453 ± 0.0554), olive oil (negative control) (6.2943 ± 0.2404), quarter therapeutic dose (0.275 ± 0), half therapeutic dose (1.259 ± 0.2981) and therapeutic dose (2.0617 ± 0.3829). Elevations of CA 15-3 within the treatment groups were seen in the order: TD > 1/2 TD > 1/4 TD. Liver cancer marker (AFP) has the following result: standard concentration was (96.6667 ± 152.927), water (negative control) (6.5163 ± 0.7044), quarter therapeutic dose (1.339 ± 0.5872), half therapeutic dose (5.4387 ± 3.9322) and therapeutic dose (2.3537 ± 0.2696). Elevations of AFP within the treatment groups were seen in the order: 1/2 TD > TD > 1/4 TD. None of the animals died in the group during the course of the study. Conclusion Findings in this study has shown that therapeutic and sub-therapeutic doses (half therapeutic and quarter therapeutic doses) of artesunate-mefloquine have the possibility of decreasing cancer markers with variations in the different doses.

Background: Doping, or the use of performance-enhancing substances, threatens fairness and athlete health worldwide. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are well-positioned to prevent both intentional and inadvertent doping by guiding athletes on safe drug, supplement, and herbal use. However, in Nigeria, pharmacists’ involvement remains limited, with gaps in knowledge, training, and policy integration. Understanding their awareness and perceptions can inform strategies to strengthen their role in promoting clean and ethical sports. Objective: This study evaluates community pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of anti-doping practices in Benin City, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured self- administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceptions, information sources, and barriers related to anti-doping. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression to explore associations and significance. Results: All 169 community pharmacists invited participated in the study. Most were male (65.7%), aged between 26 and 35 years (66.9%), held a BPharm degree (67.5%), and had 1–5 years of work
experience (53.3%). The majority occupied senior roles (92.3%). Their anti-doping knowledge was generally fair (53.3%) or poor (42.6%), with noticeable gaps related to beta-blockers, CPD content, and legal aspects. Overall perceptions of their anti-doping role were strongly positive (75.1%). Longer professional experience and higher qualifications were linked to greater role awareness, though knowledge had only a weak influence on perceptions (p = 0.028, R² = 0.028). Conclusion: Community pharmacists demonstrated fair to poor knowledge of anti-doping, yet they held strongly positive attitudes toward their role in prevention. Significant gaps remain in training, access to resources, and procedural awareness. While more experienced and highly qualified pharmacists recognized their responsibilities better, knowledge had minimal impact on attitudes. Focused CPD, integration of WADA resources, and clear professional guidelines are crucial to fully equip pharmacists for doping prevention.

Tamarindus indica, or the Tamarind tree, known for its numerous health benefits, is a large evergreen tree native to tropical Africa and now found in Asia. Its alcoholic extract has been found to possess hypotensive effects, and this study seeks to evaluate the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Tamarindus indica for vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, as a possible mechanism of blood pressure reduction. Isolated rat thoracic aortic rings were suspended in an isolated organ bath with a pair of tungsten wires. A 50 mg/mL stock solution of the extract was prepared, from which serial dilutions were done to obtain the concentrations used (25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.56 and 0.78 mg/mL), and volumes of 25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 uL were administered cumulatively. The experiment was done using rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, and rat thoracic aorta with intact endothelium, pre-contracted with 80 mM potassium chloride (KCl). The extract caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the rat thoracic aorta with intact and denuded endothelium, though this effect was slightly reduced with denuded endothelium. The extract also caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aorta pre-contracted with 80 mM KCl. From the results obtained from the study, it can be concluded that the extract possesses vascular smooth muscle relaxation effects, which might be both endothelium-dependent and independent, and is possibly mediated through blockade of the L-type Ca 2+ channels. This could be responsible for its blood pressure reduction effects.

Background: In hospital practice, the roles of pharmacists as assets are very significant in achieving the overall goals of the hospital which is provision of humanistic, economical and clinical outcomes. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the role of hospital pharmacist during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Method: The study was conducted on pharmacists practicing in either government or private owned hospitals within Benin-City, Edo state. Descriptive survey design was used for the study and 3 research questions was developed for the study. Random sampling method was used. The instrument used for collection of data was a structured questionnaire.
Key findings: Total 180 hospital pharmacist were involved in the study. This study highlights the various roles and pharmaceutical care services provided and implemented by pharmacists
during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Pharmaceutical care services like patient education and counselling, social distancing, wearing of mask, providing information, addressing medication shortages, teleconsultation, medication review, optimizing medication regimen, adverse drug reaction monitoringand addressing the medication-related problems are being delivered by the pharmacists in this ongoing pandemic. Conclusion: All the studies described the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacists duringCOVID-19 in Nigeria. This pandemic adversity has opened up new avenues for the hospital pharmacists which have broadened their scope as the member of multidisciplinary healthcare team. Pharmacists have to overcome the unforeseen barriers and challenges and continue providing need based pharmaceutical care services.

BACKGROUND: In the digital era, university students are increasingly exposed to high levels of online
engagement through academic platforms, social media, and entertainment, leading to a phenomenon known as digital overload. This study examined the relationship between digital overload, mental health (depression), and academic burnout among pharmacy students at the University of Benin, Nigeria, and explored how these factors influence academic performance. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of digital overload among pharmacy students in UNIBEN. To measure the degree of academic burnout (emotional exhaustion and academic inefficacy) among the respondents. To examine the relationship between digital overload and mental health on academic burnout. To assess the extent to which digital overload and academic burnout affect students academic performance. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, with data collected from 334 pharmacy students across all levels using a structured questionnaire comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA tests.

Background: Doping, or the use of performance-enhancing substances, threatens fairness and athlete
health worldwide. Pharmacists, as medication experts, are well-positioned to prevent both intentional and inadvertent doping by guiding athletes on safe drug, supplement, and herbal use. However, in Nigeria, pharmacists’ involvement remains limited, with gaps in knowledge, training, and policy integration. Understanding their awareness and perceptions can inform strategies to strengthen their role in promoting clean and ethical sports. Objective: This study evaluates community pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of anti-doping practices in Benin City, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 registered community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured self- administered questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceptions, information sources, and barriers related to anti-doping. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression to explore associations and significance. Results: All 169 community pharmacists invited participated in the study. Most were male (65.7%), aged between 26 and 35 years (66.9%), held a BPharm degree (67.5%), and had 1–5 years of work experience (53.3%). The majority occupied senior roles (92.3%). Their anti-doping knowledge was generally fair (53.3%) or poor (42.6%), with noticeable gaps related to beta-blockers, CPD content, and legal aspects. Overall perceptions of their anti-doping role were strongly positive (75.1%). Longer professional experience and higher qualifications were linked to greater role awareness, though knowledge had only a weak influence on perceptions (p = 0.028, R² = 0.028). Conclusion: Community pharmacists demonstrated fair to poor knowledge of anti-doping, yet they held strongly positive attitudes toward their role in prevention. Significant gaps remain in training, access to resources, and procedural awareness. While more experienced and highly qualified pharmacists recognized their responsibilities better, knowledge had minimal impact on attitudes. Focused CPD, integration of WADA resources, and clear professional guidelines are crucial to fully equip pharmacists for doping prevention.

Enlarged prostate also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common causeofLower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as frequent urination and difficulty in urinationamong others in ageing men. This study assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) for treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia among men in Urora community, Benin City. Adescriptivecross-sectional study was conducted among 500 adult males aged 18 years and above usingastructured questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into has two sections. SectionAcontained demographic data, while Section B contained symptom experience, three treatment options for managing enlarged prostate as well as the amounts respondents were willingtopay for each option ranging from ₦200 to ₦30,000 and their preferred choice of treatment. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Graphpad Instat to obtain inferential statistics. The findings showed that the total average WTP values across all treatment options rangedbetween ₦10,000 and ₦11,000, with alpha blockers having the highest mean WTPvalueandbeing the most preferred treatment option. Factors such as income level, caring for a personwith BPH or prior awareness of the disease and symptom severity significantly influencedrespondents’ willingness to pay. This study showed that economic status and awareness playsmajor roles in determining WTP for BPH treatment and recommends public health educationand financial support mechanisms to improve access to BPH care in the community

Background: Aloe vera gel, like other natural products, is prone to microbial contamination hence highlighting the need for effective stabilization to enhance its shelf life. This study Evaluate the stability of Aloe vera gel as a potential pulp mummifying agent and also investigates its antimicrobial activity against oral pathogen. Method: Fresh Aloe vera leaves (105.84 g) were harvested, thoroughly washed with distilled water, and filleted to remove the outer rind. The inner mucilaginous gel was scooped into a beaker, homogenized, and filtered to obtain 60 ml of clear Aloe vera sap. This extract was incorporated into different gel bases prepared using varying concentrations of Carbopol 990, Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and Gelatin. Calculated amounts of Tween 80, Vitamin E, Methyl paraben, and Propyl paraben were added. The Carbopol-based gels were neutralized with Triethanolamine to a pH of 6–7 to achieve optimal consistency. All formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, density for a period of 8 weeks and antimicrobial evaluation was carried out against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The gels were stored for two months, and the physiochemical parameters were re-evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks; variations over time were an index of their stability Results: pH values of the various formulation ranged between 3.69 ± 0.00 and 7.83 ± 0.00, with most formulations within the physiological range of 5.5–8.0. Carbopol gels showed excellent pH stability, HPMC formulations became slightly more acidic over time, while Na-CMC and Gelatin gels exhibited an alkaline change over time. Viscosity values ranged from 4.38 ± 0.01 to 17.10 ± 0.14 mPa·s. Carbopol gels retained consistency, HPMC gels demonstrated a slight increase, whereas Na-CMC and Gelatin formulations demonstrated viscosity loss during storage. The Specific gravity ranged from 0.9984 to 1.0217 g/ml, indicating good physical uniformity across all formulations. The Antimicrobial testing revealed no inhibitory zones for Aloe vera gel or sap against the tested organisms, while formocresol showed a 55 mm inhibition zone. Conclusion: Carbopol-based formulations exhibited superior stability in both pH and viscosity, making them the most suitable gelling agents for Aloe vera dental gels. Although the formulations showed no antimicrobial activity, their favorable physicochemical properties indicate potential for dental therapeutic applications. Further long-term stability studies are recommended.