Research on Corporate Social Responsibility Evaluation Based on Improved CRITIC-TOPSIS—A Case Study of Listed Companies in China’s Pharmaceutical Distribution Industry

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has garnered considerable attention from countries, institutions, enterprises and social groups. However, the lack of research on CSR evaluation system for industries has impeded its development and construction across various industries. Therefore, given the close association of pharmaceutical distribution enterprises with personal health, there exists a pressing need to explore the CSR in this domain. This paper establishes a CSR evaluation index system for pharmaceutical distribution enterprises, employing a combination of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews. This index system comprises 7 CSR criterion layers (e.g., responsible governance and employee responsibility) and 56 index layers. 25 listed companies in China’s pharmaceutical distribution industry are chosen as research objects, and this study also establishes an evaluation model for the CSR of pharmaceutical distribution companies through the improved Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) method combined with The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The empirical analysis reveals that the responsible governance criterion layer and the social development criterion layer demonstrate the best performance, while the supplier, customer and patient responsibility criterion layer exhibit the worst performance.

Eff ects of early standardized enteral nutrition on preventing acute muscle loss in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND:To investigate the eff ects of early standardized enteral nutrition(EN)on the crosssectional area of erector spine muscle(ESMcsa),plasma growth diff erentiation factor-15(GDF-15),and 28-day mortality of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients with invasive mechanical ventilation(MV).METHODS:A total of 97 AECOPD patients with invasive MV were screened in the ICUs of the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang.The conventional EN group(stage Ⅰ)and early standardized EN group(stage Ⅱ)included 46 and 51 patients,respectively.ESMcsa loss and GDF-15 levels on days 1 and 7 of ICU admission and 28-day survival rates were analyzed.RESULTS:On day 7,the ESMcsa of the early standardized EN group was significantly higher than that of the conventional EN group,while the plasma GDF-15 levels were significantly lower than those in the conventional EN group(ESMcsa:28.426±6.130 cm^(2) vs.25.205±6.127 cm^(2);GDF-15:1661.608±558.820 pg/mL vs.2541.000±634.845 pg/mL;all P<0.001).The 28-day survival rates of the patients in the early standardized EN group and conventional EN group were 80.40%and 73.90%,respectively(P=0.406).CONCLUSION:ESMcsa loss in AECOPD patients with MV was correlated with GDF-15 levels,both of which indicated acute muscular atrophy and skeletal muscle dysfunction.Early standardized EN may prevent acute muscle loss and intensive care unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW)in AECOPD patients.

Analysis on the Driving Factors and Realization Path of the Value of Tutor-Student Relationship of Postgraduates-with Medical and Pharmaceutical Universities as an Example

A harmonious relationship between teachers and postgraduates presents the comprehensive value of psychological education,which guarantees training quality and acts as an effective carrier of mental health education of the postgraduates.Based on Bandura’s theory of reciprocal determinism and Austin’s input-output theory,this paper constructs a model concerning the value of psychological education in the tutor-student relationship.The path of realization is also explored in a structural equation model through a questionnaire survey of 1112 graduate supervisors and administrators in medical colleges.The experimental result indicates that(1)The interaction between teachers and postgraduates promotes the value of psychological education in the highest measure,among which the quality and frequency of tutor-student communication,mutual trust,and respect act as the key influencing indicators.(2)Tutor’s professional quality is considered as the fundamental driving force in the realization of psychological education value in the tutor-student relationship,the maximum mediating effect is observed in the developing path of tutor’s professional quality-interaction behavior between teachers and postgraduates-psychological growth of teachers and postgraduates.(3)The objective results obtained by teachers and postgraduates,such as the improvement of quality and quantity,positively promote the overall quality of life satisfaction of both sides,which improves the major psychological growth indicators.(4)In the path that affects the psychological growth of teachers and postgraduates,female groups mainly focusing on natural sciences pay more attention to the tutor-student emotional experience,while male and lower-grade groups pay more attention to behavioral interaction;In the path that affects the interaction between teachers and postgraduates,the tutor does not value the difference in the quality of graduate students,lower-grade and natural science professional groups pay more attention to institutional environment.

Advancement of Pharmacy Accreditation in the Field of Chinese Higher Education

Background: The last two decades have witnessed the advancement of accreditation of Chinese higher education, with pharmacy programs being one of the most important. The purpose of this research was to review and elucidate the evolution of the pharmacy accreditation system in China. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane databases and Google Scholar and CKNI databases, the website of the Working Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Education, and related university websites. Search terms used with each database were “accreditation” AND “pharmacy” AND “China”. The search strategy was designed to identify studies that report pharmacy program accreditation in China. Results: The primary outcomes indicate that the timeline of current Chinese pharmacy accreditation can be divided into four distinct chronological periods. Conclusion: After two decades of evolution, the qualification of the pharmaceutical program in China has significantly advanced its committees, criteria, methods, and systems, though with areas for refinement. As China embarks upon the process of pharmacy accreditation, it is simultaneously drawing upon lessons from the developed world, as well as infusing the process with its own distinct cultural identity. To effectively tackle current issues in the field of pharmacy accreditation, a commitment to continual quality advancement is required.

Association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of ESR1 with breast cancer susceptibility:a meta-analysis

Expression of estrogen receptors is correlated with breast cancer risk,but inconsistent results have been reported.To clarify potential estrogen receptor（ESR）-related breast cancer risk,we analyzed genetic variants of ESR1 in association with breast cancer susceptibility.We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between rs2234693,rs1801132,and rs2046210（single nucleotide polymorphisms of ESR1）,and breast cancer risk.Our analysis included 44 case-control studies.For rs2234693,the CC genotype had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to the TT or CT genotype.For rs2046210,the AA,GA,or GA ＋ GG genotype had a much higher risk compared to the GG genotype.No significant association was found for the rs 1801132 polymorphism with breast cancer risk.This meta-analysis demonstrates association between the rs2234693 and rs2046210 polymorphisms of ESR1 and breast cancer risk.The correlation strength between rs2234693 and breast cancer susceptibility differs in subgroup assessment by ethnicity.

Evaluation of Integrated Production Capacity of Well- facilitated Farmland in Jiangsu Province

The fundamental task of well-facilitated farmland construction is to continuously lift the integrated production capacity. External project construction for well-facilitated farmland can not completely solve existing problems in improvement of intrinsic quality of farmland.Based on research findings of integrated production capacity of farmland,starting from basic elements such as water,soil,seed,fertilizer,and pesticide,this paper introduced factors influencing the integrated production capacity of well-facilitated farmland,including natural quality of farmland,supporting infrastructure,agricultural technology level and management level,and labor quality. Besides,it establish an evaluation system for integrated production capacity of well-facilitated farmland in Jiangsu Province by Analytic Hierarchy Process( AHP),and made an empirical study using indicator data of 2010- 2014. Results indicated that the general index of integrated production capacity of farmland in Jiangsu Province in 2010- 2014 was ascending,reflecting improvement of integrated production capacity of farmland. With the aid of radar map,it further found that the coupling between water,soil,seed,fertilizer,and pesticide and other elements play a crucial role in lifting the integrated production capacity of farmland. Finally,based on existing problems in construction of well-facilitated farmland in Jiangsu Province,it came up with some pertinent recommendations from the perspective of coordinated development of all elements.

Research on the Opening of Adverse Drug Reaction Data in the EU

Systematically analyze the composition of post-marketing adverse drug reaction data and the open mode in the EU, and summarize its characteristics. EU post-marketing ADR data is open to six categories of stakeholders: EMA, EC, medicines regulatory authorities in EEA member states, healthcare professionals and the public, Marketing Authorization Holders, academia, WHO and medicines regulatory authorities in third countries. The EU has implemented hierarchical opening for ADRs, with different levels containing different data and facing different stakeholders. Openness is divided into active and passive openness. In opening up data, the EU complies with relevant personal data protection laws to protect the privacy of individuals. The EU’s post-marketing adverse drug reaction data openness is characterized by a combination of data openness and privacy protection, active and passive openness, and a hierarchy of data openness. It is hoped that this can provide a reference for the opening up of post-marketing adverse drug reaction data in China.

Analysis on the Problems of Rational Drug Use Carrying Out by Hospital Pharmacists in China

Pharmacists are the implementers of clinical drug management, and they play an irreplaceable role in promoting the improvement of rational drug use. However, the current role of pharmacists in the supervision and protection of rational drug use has not been fully exerted. This article is aimed to investigate the current situation of pharmacists’ work of rational drug use from the perspectives of pharmacists, physicians, and patients. It is found that the professional value of pharmacists in the rational drug use has not been valued by medical institutions, physicians, and patients. Pharmacists face problems such as workload, working conditions, and doctor-patient cooperation in the rational drug use. Suggestions are made for further exerting the professional value of pharmacists in promoting the level of rational drug use. Relevant managers should pay full attention to the professional value of pharmacists, and provide corresponding system and facility guarantees for pharmacists to carry out rational drug use.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Nivolumab plus Chemotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Adenocarcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the cost-utility of nivolumab plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone as the first-line treatment for advanced gastric, gastro-oesophageal junction, and esophageal adenocarcinoma in China. Methods: Based on CheckMate649, a partitioned survival model was carried out with a circulation cycle of 6 weeks to simulate the patient’s lifetime. Sensitivity analysis were adopted to verify the robustness of the results. Results: The results of the base-case analysis showed that both the total cost and utility of the nivolumab group were higher, and the ICUR value was CNY 267498.67/QALY, more than 3 times the GDP per capita of China in 2020. The results of deterministic sensitivity analysis indicated that the three most influential factors were the utility value of PFS state, the cost of nivolumab and the discount rate. The results of probabilistic sensitivity analysis were consistent with those of base-case analysis, proving that the results were robust. The scenario analysis illustrated that economical price of nivolumab was CNY 3652.71. Conclusions: Under the willing-to-pay threshold of three times the GDP per capita of China in 2020, compared with chemotherapy alone, nivolumab plus chemotherapy is not a cost-effective option in China.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Atezolizumab plus Pemetrexed and Platinum in First-Line Treatment of Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in China

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of atezolizumab plus pemetrexed and platinum-based (APP) in the first-line treatment of non-squamous non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A partitioned survival model (PSM) was constructed based on the IMpower132 clinical trial. Total cost, quality- adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were the main outputs of the model. Deterministic sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were adopted to test the uncertainty of the parameters. Results: The results of the base-case analysis illustrated that compared with PP, the incremental cost of APP was CNY 591040.94, the incremental utility was 0.46 QALY, and the ICER was CNY 1291414.83/QALY. Deterministic sensitivity analysis results illustrated that atezolizumab and other parameters have a greater impact on ICER. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis results show that no matter how each parameter changes, under the willingness to pay threshold of 3-times Chinese per capita GDP, the probability of APP has cost-effectiveness is 0. Conclusion: From the perspective of the Chinese health system, APP is not cost-effective for first-line treatment of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer without sensitizing EGFR or ALK genetic alterations.

Status of and perspectives on emergency publishing for science,technology and medicine journals in China:a survey on publishing regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

Emergency publication provides immediate evidence to support responses to crises and scientific development of public health policy.This is an important manifestation of national governance.During the COVID-19 pandemic,scientific journals become vital disseminators and played a crucial role in emergency publishing.Establishing a scientific emergency publication system is a prerequisite for timely publishing during emergencies.We used a literature review and questionnaire survey to explore how scientific journals in China established an emergency publication system.Against the background of emergency publication during COVID-19,we analyzed the sources of manuscripts,speed of publication,dissemination routes and influence of 276 scientific journals.The emergency publication route was mainly used for research articles.The audience for these articles are scientific researchers,healthcare workers,teachers,and college students in related fields.Most scientific journals do not follow serious public health emergencies closely enough,and their response tends to lag behind.Setting up fast paths and special columns,and using preprint platforms,will improve the ability to publish more rapidly during emergencies.New media also play an important role in emergency publications.However,the influence of emergency publications in scientific journals in China still needs to be improved.China's scientific journals need to further strengthen the systematic emergency publishing system.They should promote open access to epidemic-related papers,carry out pilot demonstrations of emergency publishing and create an emergency publishing platform.They should also follow developing trends for media integration and innovate new ways to disseminate the findings of emergency publications.

Research on the Linkage Mechanism between Essential Medicine List and Healthcare Insurance List

Objective: To put forward suggestions to improve the linkage mechanism between China’s essential medicine list and healthcare insurance medicine list. Methods: Comparative study of the organization setting, selection criteria, adjustment procedures, and reimbursement of essential medicine list and healthcare insurance medicine list, containing both the foreign experience and China’s status quo. Results: When two lists exist at the same time, they are often managed separately abroad, setting more selection criteria for the essential medicine, and giving the essential medicine a higher payment ratio. The two lists in China are managed and adjusted separately, but lack of connection. As a result, some essential medicines cannot be reimbursed. Conclusion: The two lists’ linkage mechanism needs to be improved. It is recommended to make it clear that essential medicines should be selected from the healthcare insurance medicine list, and enhance the consistency of medicine evaluation through mutually scientific evidence.

Development and challenges of professional Master of pharmacy education in China

In the present work,we aimed to describe the current situation and developing trend of professional Master of pharmacy education in China.Systematic searches of websites for literatures related to the specialty of professional Master of pharmacy were conducted.E-mail or telephone inquires were made directly to 108 pharmacy institutions(schools and universities)in China offering the MPharm program.The MPharm program was established in China in 2010,which primarily focuses on cultivating professionals in fields,such as drug technology transformation,inspection and regulation of drugs,registration and distribution of drugs,and pharmaceutical services.After 9 years of development,it has almost completed the overall design of its higher education paradigm with Chinese characteristics.With the rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry in China,the professional degree of pharmacy education program at the master’s level is insufficient to meet social and market demand for qualified professionals.Therefore,doctoral-level programs are now being promoted.

Unmet needs as indicator of improving chronic care delivery system in China

In 2009, China strengthened its public health service system. Since then, the country has made remarkable achievements in community-based chronic disease prevention and control;however, certain groups still have unmet needs. During 2019 to 2029, China will consolidate the top-level design of its medical health system. During this period, the coordination of department policies, improvement of service delivery mechanisms, building an integrated health service system, and other issues will be highlighted. This study will provide a basis for designing China’s chronic disease prevention and control system during the next stage of development. We will consider the unmet needs of patients with chronic diseases as an indicator for remodeling the prediction system in combination with the elements and structural theories of complex health systems. In this article, we first introduce the definition and measurement methods of unmet needs. Second, we identify the existing unmet needs found among patients with chronic diseases with reference to the chronic disease prevention and control policies of China as well as current service items. Finally, we propose the design of community chronic disease service package for the next development stage based on unmet needs of patients with chronic diseases. We also provide suggestions for how to improve China’s chronic care delivery system.

Estimated Financing Amount Needed for Essential Medicines in China, 2014

Background： At the present time, the government is considering to establish the independent financing system for essential medicines （EMs）. However, it is still in the exploration phase. The objectives of this study were to calculate and estimate financing amount of EMs in China in 2014 and to provide data evidence for establishing financing mechanism of EMs. Methods： Two approaches were adopted in this study. First, we used a retrospective research to estimate the cost of EMs in China in 2014. We identified all the 520 drugs listed in the latest national EMs list （2012） and calculated the total sales amount of these drugs in 2014. The other approach included the steps that first selecting the 109 most common diseases in China, then identifying the EMs used to treat them, and finally estimating the total cost of these drugs. Results： The results of the two methods, which showed the estimated financing amounts of EMs in China in 2014, were 17,776.44 million USD and 19,094.09 million USD, respectively. Conclusions： Comparing these two results, we concluded that the annual budget needed to provide for the EMs in China would be about 20 billion USD. Our study also indicated that the irrational drug use continued to plague the health system with intravenous fluids and antibiotics being the typical examples, as observed in other studies.