Editorial Note

Abstract

In this fourth issue of volume 14, the Journal has been proudly presenting five studies. The disciplines and issues of these research papers were somewhat diverse from pharmaceutical laboratory work, to clinical practice. With the effort to improve a release profile of commonly used drugs, the study entitled “Effect of Three Natural Polymers on the Release Kinetics of Propranolol HCl from Hydrophilic Swellable Matrices I: Matrices Containing Microcrystalline Cellulose” serves the purpose well. A better release profile could provide a more sustained serum level of propranolol to improve therapeutic effect with less adverse effects. The knowledge could be a basis for further development of pharmaceutical products of Thailand and others as well. Warfarin has been one of the drugs with the most concern on therapeutic and safety effects with its narrow therapeutic index nature. Difficulties in adjusting dose of warfarin to achieve target therapeutic range for respective indications have been a challenge in the real clinical setting. A clinical study comparing effects of pharmacist-managed warfarin therapy with usual care entitled “Effects of Pharmacist-Managed Warfarin Therapy at Mahosot Hospital, Lao PDR” has added the findings to the literature. The findings help confirm the pharmacist contribution in managing warfarin use. Obesity has become a more prominent problem in Thailand and worldwide, especially in the children. Various strategies have been used to tackle the problem with some extent of success. The study entitled “Effects of Family-based Intervention to Prevent Overweight in School-age Children” demonstrated an effort to improve health status of school-age children. More studies with a varieties of activities and concepts should be explored so that a set of the most effective programs or activities could be identified. Children’s health is worth investing. Foot ulcer is one of major microvascular complications of diabetes. Various strategies have been tested and implemented in preventing foot ulceration, and foot amputation. The study entitled “Effects of Foot Health Promotion Program on Foot Care Behavior of Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Muang District, Sukhothai Province” demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of the program in the real clinical and community setting. Elements of the program suitable for the community were tested. More studies suitable for different communities should be conducted. The last study is an effort to improve obstetric care in pregnant women receiving care at ante-natal care of a tertiary hospital. The study entitled “Effects of Portable Pocket Diary for Recording Fetal Movement Counts Compared with the Usual Counting Diary on Consistency of the Counting” could provide a better ANC care for the fetus and newborn. In this challenging endeavor of the Thai Pharmaceutical and Health Science Journal, we are hopeful to better the quality of the articles published. We urge more submissions from international research community, regional and global. We would like to thank in advance for any prospective submissions. Editor-in-Chief