essp04

EPSA Students' Science Publication
Creation and Dissemination of a Two-
Three-Dimensional Molecular Database
for Drugs Targeting the Ears, Nose and
Oropharynx
Abigail Spiteri, C. Shoemake, L. Azzopardi
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta,
Msida, Malta
A 2- and 3-D structural database was created and evaluated to supplement
lectures in medicinal chemistry and to merge clinical and structural molecular
data of drugs targeting the ears, nose and oropharynx.
The drugs considered were taken from Chapter 12 of the 66 th edition of the BNF 1
and the MMH 2 . A datasheet with clinical and structural information about each
drug was created. It was merged together with the 2- and 3-D images of the
drugs into a database which was uploaded onto the Department of Pharmacy,
University of Malta’s website. A questionnaire based on a template 3 , consisting
of clinical and structural questions based on the molecules present in the
database, was designed and validated. The dissemination of the questionnaire
to the students in the first 4 years of the pharmacy course occurred in 2
phases: as Pre-Test without utilising the database and as Post-Test while
having access to the database. A group of randomly selected students from
each year acted as the control group by filling in the questionnaire at both
stages without having access to the database.
101 students participated in the study, of which 43 were acting as the control
group. The mean marks obtained during the Pre-Test were 4.17, 11.67, 13
and 12.52, out of a maximum of 41, for the 4 years respectively. These marks
improved during the Post-Test with averages of 25.17, 36.56, 33.71 and 35.1
for the 4 years respectively. The Post-Test scores of the experimental group
significantly surpassed those achieved in the Pre-Test (with a p-value < 0.001).
For the control group the difference in scores between the Pre- and Post-Test
was not significant (p value > 0.05). Of all students, 93% conceded that this
tool would aid them during the studies.
The incorporation of graphical representations of molecular structures had a
positive effect on the students’ ability to perform in the questionnaire implying
a better understanding of the chemical structure and the relevant application.
This makes a case for the inclusion of databases such as the one created in
this study as adjuncts to typically used didactic methods.
1. British Medical Association/Royal Pharmaceutical Association of Great Britain. BNF 66.
UK(London): BMJ Publishing Group Ltd/RPS Publishing; 2013
2. Corso D. Evaluation of a Formulary for Non-British National Formulary Cited Items [Dissertaion].
University of Malta; 2013
3. Doublet Meagher L. Framework for the Compilation of a Two/Three-Dimensional Molecular
Database [Dissertation]. Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta; 2012
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