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Fung and colleagues observed improvements in Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) pass rates following targeted teaching interventions in their medical school cohorts. They showed that the PSA captured the effect of the intervention providing further evidence of its validity as a test of prescribing competence, and its sensitivity as an instrument to measure this. It also demonstrates that a dedicated prescribing assessment can influence the design of student learning pathways and encourage the development of authentic prescribing tasks in undergraduate medical training. In contrast, the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), which necessarily tests multiple domains and areas of practice and knowledge, exclusively with single-best-answer (SBA) questions, did not detect the educational impact of this intervention. The PSA focuses on various aspects of prescribing skills including drug selection, dosing, timing and frequency of administration; as well as providing information to patients, recognising adverse drug reactions, dose calculations, monitoring, prescription review and planning management. It uses a testing approach that more closely aligned with prescribing practice including simulation of electronic prescribing in ‘white space’ fields, avoiding the potential cuing effects of SBA questions, and using a semi-open book design, in which the candidates use the key resource that they will use in practice – the British National Formulary. Fung and colleagues’ findings underscore the importance of passing the PSA as a measure of competence to enter practice and the complementarity of the PSA and the AKT in determining this.

Editorial for the Themed Issue: Addressing the Dual Challenges of Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain in the Context of the Opioid CrisisMehmet Sofuoglu, M.D., Ph.D. 1,2R. Ross MacLean, Ph.D. 1,2Joao P. De Aquino, M.D.1,2,3Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USAVA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USAClinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor, New Haven, CT, 06519CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Mehmet Sofuoglu, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown In 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved uridine triacetate to treat overdose and severe toxicity of the fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy agents 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its oral prodrug capecitabine. Uridine triacetate is as an oral prodrug of uridine which competes with cytotoxic fluoropyrimidine metabolites for incorporation into nucleotides. Two million people worldwide start fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy each year with 20-30% developing severe or life-threatening adverse effects, often attributable to a genetic predisposition such as dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency. Whilst genetic pre-screening is recommended prior to starting fluoropyrimidine agents, this only prevents 20-30% of early-onset life-threatening toxicity and so does not obviate the need for an antidote. Initial in-human studies established that uridine triacetate more than doubles the maximum tolerated weekly 5-FU bolus dose . A lack of clinical equipoise meant a placebo-controlled phase-III trial was not ethical and so the phase-III trials used historical controls. These found that uridine triacetate improved survival in those with fluoropyrimidine overdose and severe toxicity from 16% to 94%, with 34% able to resume chemotherapy within 30days. Five case reports of delayed fluoropyrimidine toxicity demonstrate improvement following uridine triacetate treatment 120-504 hours after last fluoropyrimidine administration suggesting efficacy beyond the FDA licensing indications. Mechanistically uridine triacetate would be expected to be effective for overdose and severe toxicity of Tegafur (a 5-FU prodrug), but there are no published case reports describing this. Uridine triacetate is available internationally through an expanded access scheme and has been available in the UK since 2019 on a named patient basis.

Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) were introduced into the National Health Service (NHS) Primary Care to support the delivery of the NHS Long-Term Plan for medicines optimisation. SMRs improve the quality of care, reduce harm, and offer value for money. However, evidence to support SMRs for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage G4-5D with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality is unknown. This scoping review aimed to assess the extent and nature of SMR research in the population of patients with CKD stage G4-5D. Electronic databases were searched on 20 October 2023. Studies were eligible if they described an SMR in adults with CKD stage G4-5D, regardless of the study design. Data detailing the global patterns, population and intervention descriptions, professionals performing SMR, and reported areas for future research were extracted. The extracted outcome data were categorised as clinically important, patient-important, medication-related, and experience-related. A narrative synthesis was completed. Seventeen studies (81%) were conducted in nephrology outpatient setting, three (14%) during acute hospital admissions, and one (5%) within the community pharmacy. Eighteen studies (86%) were quantitative, to include five randomised controlled trials. Ten (48%) studies were undertaken in the United States of America and Canada, and two in Europe (France and Norway). No such studies have been conducted in the United Kingdom. Our review revealed that there is a lack of evidence for SMR as a strategy to reduce polypharmacy and harms from medication for adults with CKD stage G4-5D. Therefore, further research is required in this area.

Aim: Currently, therapeutic drug monitoring for astronauts faces limitations in conventional blood sampling and sample management onboard the international space station. Here, we explore the feasibility of dried blood spot (DBS) collection method during parabolic flights (PF) to overcome these constraints. Methods: We assessed the feasibility of blood deposition on blotting paper for preanalytical aspects in a PF using synthetic blood. Subsequently, DBS sampling validation was carried out in another PF campaign. Twenty volunteers participated in a pharmacokinetic study on caffeine and its metabolite, paraxanthine (as proof of concept), conducted during parabolic flights. After >18h caffeine washout, coffee (115 mg) or tea (30 mg), or 3 dark chocolate squares (11 mg) were administered. DBS samples were collected at baseline, during weightlessness, and post-flight. Caffeine and paraxanthine were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Genotyping for Cytochrome P450-1A2 (CYP1A2) was performed and a metabolic ratio by areas under the curves for caffeine and paraxanthine (AUCPAX/AUCCAF) for CYP1A2 was determined. User experience survey was also conducted. Results: Full in-flight pharmacokinetic was feasible in 17 volunteers with 3 failures due to motion-sickness. We observed expected differences in kinetic profiles, consistent with consumption habits, the ingested dose and the genotypic/phenotypic information. The metabolic ratio did not significantly differ between parabolic flights conditions and ground conditions. Overall participants were satisfied with the usability of the method. Conclusion: DBS collection was safe, stable, feasible and well accepted in weightlessness. This method would offer valuable insights into human metabolism adaptation during long-term spaceflight, addressing space pharmacology challenges.

Medication errors cause preventable patient harm with annual costs of USD$42 billion globally. In England, 237 million errors occur annually, accounting for 1700 deaths, with trainee doctors being responsible for the highest proportion of errors. The UK introduced the national Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) in 2013 to ensure prescribing competency. Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) sought to increase learning opportunities and reduce errors through a monthly Prescribing Practice Questions (PPQs) programme. PSA scores from 2020 (prior to PPQ introduction) to 2024 (first cohort to receive entire PPQ programme), the prescription writing skills (PWS) subsection and applied knowledge test (AKT) scores in 2020 and 2024 were analysed. 1505 students sat the PSA between 2020 and 2024. PSA fails significantly reduced from 2.51% in 2020 to 0% in 2024 (p=0.0054). Median PSA scores significantly improved from 78.5% in 2020 to 84.0% in 2024 (p<0.0001). Median AKT scores decreased between 2020 and 2024 (78.0% vs 74.5%, p<0.0001). Absolute increase in PSA scores from lowest to highest quintiles was 10 percentage points (pp), 7pp, 5pp, 4pp and 1pp, respectively, between 2020 and 2024. Median PWS scores significantly improved from 76.3 % (61/80) in 2020 to 87.5% (70/80) in 2024 (p<0.0001). Since introducing PPQs, PSA and PWS scores have statistically significantly improved, with progressively greater impact on students at the bottom of the performance distribution. Early, targeted and repeated opportunities for authentic prescribing activities, such as the PPQs, in undergraduate training may lead to significant improvement in prescribing competency as determined by the PSA.

The use of tramadol and other opioids for pain management has been accompanied by a multitude of challenges and concerns worldwide. The use of tramadol saw a decline in Denmark during 2017-2019 accompanied by a slight increase in the use of morphine and oxycodone. Using the Danish National Prescription Registry and utilizing data until and including 2023, we aimed to provide updated data on the utilization patterns of tramadol and other opioids in Denmark. We found a 35% decline in the use of tramadol from 2017-2023 most likely due to media attention, regulatory actions, health campaigns, and targeted education of physicians and patients by the Danish health authorities. This decline was accompanied by an increase in the number of new (+90%) and current users of morphine (+57%) which surpassed those of tramadol, oxycodone, and other opioids in 2023.

Spotlight Commentary: Examining Safety Profiles of Topical Ocular MedicationLorena Karla Šklebar1,2, Robert Likić2,3, Sonja Jandroković1,21 Department of ophthalmology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia2 University of Zagreb, School of medicine, Zagreb, Croatia3 Division for clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, Department of internal medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaKeywords: eye drops; systemic side effect; ocular side effect; safety profile; topical ocular medicationWord count: 1085Table count: 1Figure count: 0Topical medications are frequently used in treating a wide range of ocular diseases due to their efficiency in delivery directly to the afflicted area. However, localized administration cannot prevent side effects, both local and systemic, which can sometimes be overlooked or underestimated. The aim of this spotlight commentary is to provide a review of safety profiles of topical ocular medications, analysing their effect on the ocular structures as well as their systemic and environmental impacts. 1Although topical ocular medications are designed for localized treatment and are administered directly on the surface of the eye, there is a significant systemic absorption of these drugs through several pathways. The first of two major pathways is from the lacrimal sac through the nasolacrimal duct into the nasopharynx where drugs can be systemically absorbed through the nasal mucosa. This pathway can easily be circumvented by manually providing pressure to the medial canthus or by closing the eyes for 5 minutes after the instillation of each drop, which will cause compression on the nasolacrimal duct. The other major pathway for systemic absorption is through the conjunctiva and conjunctival blood vessels. Minor pathways of systemic drug delivery are through the pharynx, gastrointestinal tract, skin of the cheeks and the eyelids, aqueous humour, and inner ocular tissues. Special care must be taken when treating the paediatric patients who have a much higher risk of developing systemic side effects, due to inadequate dosage and increased systemic permeability of the drugs. 2Localised adverse effects of topical ocular medications commonly arise due to preservatives, which are used in eye drops and ointments in order to prolong their shelf life and guard against microbiological contamination. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is the most used preservative in ophthalmic medications. Clinical studies have extensively examined the toxic effects of BAC, revealing that its prolonged use causes time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity on the ocular surface, leading to tear film instability and the development of ocular surface disease, dry eye, and Meibomian gland dysfunction 3,4. Therefore, the European Medicine Agency recommends avoiding preservatives in patients who have pre-existing ocular surface disease or who develop dry eye or ocular irritation over time. 3Among eye drops, the most commonly discussed side effects, both local (as stated in Table 1) and systemic, in certain groups of topical ocular medications, pertain to antiglaucoma eyedrops, such as β receptor blockers, α receptor agonists and pilocarpine. Due to their chronic usage, physicians must take special care in choosing the right therapy for their patients as well as monitor for potential adverse events. β receptor blockers have a major limitation in their usage due to their frequent systemic side effects, although they are a potent antiglaucoma medications. Targeting β1-receptor causes reduced cardiac contractility and heart rate, bradycardia, and a blood pressure decrease and β2-receptor targeting leads to exacerbated asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms. Additionally, central nervous system symptoms such as headaches, depression, and confusion may occur. Betaxolol is a selective β1-receptor antagonist which therefore causes fewer side effects to the respiratory system. 5 When α2 adrenergic agonists are applied, systemic side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness may occur, particularly in patients predisposed to bradycardia.6Excessive use of pilocarpine can also have numerous adverse effects due to its parasympathomimetic action which includes excessive sweating, drooling, bronchospasm, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach-ache, bradycardia, a drop in blood pressure, hallucinations and depression.Special caution also must be taken when prescribing topical ocular or systemic steroid medication. Because of their potential to change the microstructure of the trabecular meshwork, they can induce a rise in intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humour outflow and potentially causing the development of steroid induced glaucoma. Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids can also induce cataract formation and increase susceptibility to infection. If used in eyes with epithelial defects, they can inhibit growth factors and delay wound healing.Another group of eye drops which can have substantial systemic effects are mydriatics, such as phenylephrine and atropine. Phenylephrine, a selective α1-receptor, is applied in the form of eye drops for dilating the pupils during ophthalmological examinations. Due to its sympathomimetic effect it can cause major cardiovascular side effects, especially when administered in patients with pre-existing hypertension conditions.7 Atropine is a muscarinic receptor antagonist often used in ophthalmology in the form of eye drops for its mydriatic and cycloplegic effect. When systemically absorbed, it can potentially cause side effects like mouth and eye dryness, flushed skin and face, fever, tachycardia, delirium or restlessness, urinary retention, and constipation. If used in higher doses or over a longer period, in severe cases, central anticholinergic syndrome may occur, which is characterized by confusion, agitation, and hallucinations.8 Mydriatics also affect inner ocular structures. Phenylephrine is linked with a decrease in choroidal thickness, while atropine eye drops are associated with an increase in choroidal thickness. This necessitates careful monitoring of patients on long-term topical therapies for any alterations in choroidal structure because of their potential effect on visual function.9Other eyedrops, such as antiallergics, can also be sometimes used in treating eye conditions. Topical H1-receptor blockers and mast cell stabilizers in the form of antiallergic eye drops infrequently cause systemic side effects following ocular use. When they do occur, these side effects are usually mild, presenting as dry mouth, nausea, headache, or drowsiness.7The environmental effect is another part of pharmaceutical safety profiles which cannot be disregarded. Inappropriate disposal of drugs, including eye medications, poses a significant risk to public health and environmental sustainability by contaminating water supplies and disrupting ecosystems.10 Other than the drug itself, its packaging can also cause substantial waste, as is the case with monodose eye drops. These eyedrops are stored in small single-use containers, in order to prevent microbial growth which can occur in standard eye drop bottles after opening. However, their disposal creates a lot of waste. 11 Pharmaceutical companies should provide education and raise awareness among healthcare providers and patients about how to properly manage pharmaceutical waste.In conclusion, although topical ocular medication is the foundation of ophthalmic treatment, before prescribing physicians must be aware of their safety profiles. Although they are generally considered safe, their potential adverse effects on ocular and systemic health highlights challenges in the management of ocular diseases. Healthcare practitioners should choose preservative-free formulations where possible, monitor for both local and systemic side effects, and act responsibly while taking into consideration the environmental implications of pharmaceutical use. These safety concerns should be further investigated in future studies with the goal of improving therapeutic outcomes for patients while minimizing risks.

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anti-epileptic and mood-stabilizing drug, primarily metabolized by glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Few drug interactions are known to affect VPA levels, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, and carbapenems. We report a new drug that interacts with VPA: flucloxacillin. Case Presentation: A 79-year-old male with bipolar disorder, treated with VPA, presented with low VPA serum levels during treatment for S. aureus bacteraemia with flucloxacillin. His VPA levels decreased rapidly, despite no apparent explanation. Serial assessments ruled out nonadherence and absorption issues. Flucloxacillin was identified as the probable cause, as VPA levels normalized upon its cessation and dropped again with reintroduction. Discussion: This case illustrates a significant drug-drug interaction between flucloxacillin and VPA, likely mediated by induction of UGT enzymes rather than CYP enzymes. The rapid onset and resolution of the interaction suggest UGT induction as the primary mechanism. Probably, patients with a low albumin are more susceptible to this interaction, like our patient, due to increased metabolism. Conclusion: Flucloxacillin treatment substantially decreases total VPA serum levels while free fraction levels can be still within reference values. Clinicians should consider monitoring free fraction and adjusting dosages accordingly in bipolar disorder. If VPA is used for epilepsy, alternative antibiotics to flucloxacillin should be preferred.

Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are at greater risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections requiring intravenous vancomycin. Close vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring is warranted in HD patients as renal clearance is the primary elimination pathway. Clinically, population pharmacokinetics (popPK) model‐informed dosing is commonly used. This study aimed to perform an external evaluation of published vancomycin popPK models developed for adults undergoing high-flux intermittent HD, and to create a dosing nomogram derived from the best performing model. A literature review was conducted through PubMed and EMBASE to identify relevant popPK models. External dataset was collected retrospectively from patients of two healthcare centers in Quebec, Canada. Selected models were implemented in NONMEM (v7.5; ICON Development Solutions). Predictive performance was assessed through prediction and simulation-based diagnostics. Results analyses and graphical representations were then performed with Microsoft Excel (v16.69.1; Microsoft Office), R (v4.3.1; Posit Software) and R Studio (v1.4; Posit Software). A total of 2386 vancomycin concentrations were collected from 274 patients and 476 antibiotic courses. Four vancomycin popPK models were selected for evaluation. None of the models demonstrated overall satisfactory and clinically acceptable predictive performance. Nonetheless, Bae et al.’s model was the best performing with a MDPE of 16.25% and MDAPE of 34.66%. Different predictive performance was also observed for vancomycin concentrations from samples collected during and between HD sessions. All evaluated models presented poor overall predictive performance. Further studies are required, through existing popPK model parameters re-estimation or new model development, to adequately describe vancomycin pharmacokinetics for our high-flux intermittent HD patients’ cohort.

AIM: Chagas disease (ChD) is a neglected disease affecting approximately 7 million individuals in Latin America. Benznidazole (BZ) is the most commonly used treatment. Therefore, understanding the adverse effects of BZ is crucial for devising targeted monitoring and interventions to enhance patient management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with ChD treated with BZ to identify and characterize BZ adverse drug reactions (ADRs). RESULTS: 518 patients were enrolled: 449 children (median age: 4yrs, range 1mo-17.75yrs) and 69 adults (median age: 25yrs, range 18-59). A 75% of pediatric patients received a median dose of BZ of 6.6 mg/kg/day (IQR25–75 = 5.7-7.3) for at least 60 days. Adult patients received a median BZ dose of 5.6 mg/kg/day (IQR25–75 = 5.2-6.1) for a median duration of 31 days (IQR25–75 = 30-60). Overall, 152/518 (29.34%) patients developed BZ-related ADRs, with an incidence of 116/449 (25.83%) in children and 36/69 (52.17%) in adults (OR = 0.32, CI95 = 0.19 to 0.54, p < 0.001). The study identified 240 ADRs, primarily mild to moderate, but severe ADRs occurred in 1.11% of children and 1.45% of adults. The skin was the most affected system in both groups. A 10.23% of patients abandoned treatment (53/518). Adults discontinued treatment more frequently than children (OR = 3.36 CI95 = 1.7 to 6.4, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study supports the safety of BZ for ChD in children and adults. Avoiding BZ treatment due to safety concerns does not seem to be supported by the evidence.

Aim: The British Pharmacological Society and UK Medical Schools Council Prescription Safety Assessment (BPS/MSC PSA) is an electronic platform developed for assessing the prescription skills of medical students. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of the PSA in addressing prescribing competencies among junior doctors in a hospital setting. Methods: The Department of Clinical Pharmacology at Odense University Hospital (OUH) established a Danish translated program using the BPS/MSC PSA platform. We launched a formal three year program in 2021, potentially assessing all first-year doctors at OUH and Esbjerg Regional Hospital. Participation was mandatory, followed by a survey (not mandatory). Results: During the period of 2021 to 2023 n= 364 doctors were invited, from which n=246 participated. The compliance rate increased from 38% in 2021 to 88% in 2023. The mean assessment score (points normalized to percentage) across n=246 participants was 71%, and 94% achieved a score of at least 50%. The survey was distributed to n=402 with 90 responses (22%) from which n=71 completed the questionnaire. Of these, 64% stated that the purpose with the assessment was clear. The two questions about difficulty level and the number of questions had similar evaluations. The majority of respondents found that the questions were of clinical relevance. Conclusion: It is feasible to translate and implement the PSA in a Danish hospital setting. The program provides insight into the prescribing competencies of junior doctors and the participants are generally positive.

L-carnitine is an essential co-factor for mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism which is an important source of energy in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Physiological concentrations of L-carnitine are maintained in man by exogenous dietary intake and endogenous synthesis. Valproic acid is a fatty acid used for numerous therapeutic indications ranging from epilepsy to bipolar disorder. The metabolism of valproic acid produces both therapeutic and toxic metabolites. Whilst it has a good safety profile, adverse effects of valproic acid in chronic use include hepatotoxicity ranging from transient elevation of liver enzymes to fulminant liver failure and hyperammonaemia with resultant encephalopathy. There is evidence supporting the use of L-carnitine in treating hyperammonaemia and hepatotoxicity following chronic therapeutic use and after acute overdose of valproic acid, but the optimal dose and route of administration is unknown. Following exogenous oral administration of L-carnitine, the bioavailability ranges from 14-18%. After bolus intravenous administration of L-carnitine in doses ranging from 20 to 100 mg/kg, the volume of distribution is 0.2-0.3 L/kg and the fraction excreted unchanged in urine is 0.73-0.95 suggesting that renal clearance of L-carnitine is dose-dependent due to saturable renal re-absorption at supra-physiological concentrations. Based on the pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine, we advocate the administration of L-carnitine for valproic-acid induced hyperammonaemia or hepatotoxicity as an intravenous loading dose of 5 mg/kg followed by a continuous intravenous infusion instead of the oral or intravenous boluses which are currently advocated.

Abstract Aim: To assess cardiac event incidence and trends by sex and age in young patients on psychopharmacological treatment in Sweden. Methods: This nationwide incidence study encompassed data from Swedish registers (2006–2018). Patients aged 5–30 years were exposed to one or more psychotropic medications (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications, antihistamines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, other antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, hypnotics/sedatives). Annual incidences, trends, and mean incidences of cardiac events (cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, fainting/collapse, sudden death) and recurrent events were calculated. Results: Among those exposed (n=875,430, 2,647,957 patient-years, 55% female), 26,750 cardiac events were identified. The mean annual incidence of cardiac events and first-ever events were 0.98% and 0.80%, respectively, showing significant upward annual trends of 4.26% and 2.48%, respectively (p<0.001). The highest incidences were among females aged 15–19 years (1.50%) and those exposed to polypharmacy (1.63%), anxiolytics (1.53%), or antihistamines (1.27%). The mean annual incidences of cardiac arrest and arrythmias, for both sexes, were 0.01% and 0.51%, respectively. Fainting/collapse accounted for about half of all events, occurring more often in females. The pattern of rising annual incidence remained after excluding fainting/collapse. In all, 21.1% of events were recurrent. Sudden death occurred in thirteen patients. Conclusions: The mean annual incidence of cardiac events among young patients receiving psychopharmacological treatment was low, 0.98%, with an upward trend of 4.26% annually. Incidence was highest in females and patients exposed to polypharmacy. Our study highlights the need for more knowledge regarding the possible association between exposure to psychopharmacological treatment and cardiac events.

Aim: This study aimed to analyse the initiation adherence phase to lipid-lowering therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in a Spanish population aged 70 years or older. The secondary objective was to identify the determinants of initiation and early discontinuation. Methods: Observational study conducted in the CARhES (CArdiovascular Risk factors for HEalth Service research) cohort. People aged 70 and older with a first prescription of a lipid-lowering drug and without a previous Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event were selected (2018-2021). Data on sociodemographics, clinical conditions, drugs and use of health services were collected from clinical and administrative electronic databases. The study population was classified into: non-initiation, early discontinuation (i.e., discontinuation after the first dispensing) and initiation with more than one dispensing. Their characteristics were compared. Determinants of initiation and early discontinuation were explored. Results: Among the 15,019 people studied, 80.2% initiated the medication, 11.2% showed an early discontinuation and 8.6% were non-initiators. An older age or conditions such as dementia, diabetes or depression reduced the likelihood of initiation, while obesity and a high pharmacological burden increased it. People over 90 of age or those prescribed a statin in combination were more likely to have an early discontinuation. Conclusion: Non-initiation and early discontinuation are common among older people prescribed lipid-lowering drugs as primary prevention of cardiovascular disease by the first time. The presence of chronic pathologies other than cardiovascular ones should be considered when assessing whether or not to prescribe these drugs in the elderly.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate exposure-response (ER) relationships in efficacy and safety for mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) which is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate approved for the treatment of folate receptor-α positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Methods: MIRV was characterized in 4 clinical studies. Exposure metrics for MIRV, its payload and a metabolite were derived from a population pharmacokinetic model. Efficacy was analyzed in MIRV-treated patients (N=215) in a recent confirmatory, randomized, chemotherapy-controlled MIRASOL trial, and safety was evaluated in patients pooled across all 4 clinical studies (N=757). Results: In the MIRASOL trial, MIRV demonstrated significant benefit over chemotherapy in progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS). The most common adverse events (AEs) included ocular disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and pneumonitis. For PFS, ORR and OS, the trough concentration of MIRV was the predictor consistently found in ER models for efficacy. In contrast, for ocular AEs (as well as the time to onset of ocular AEs) and peripheral neuropathy, the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was identified as the exposure metric in ER models for safety. No exposure parameters were found to correlate with pneumonitis. Covariates in all models did not show clinically meaningful impact on efficacy or safety. Logistic regression models for ORR and ocular AEs based on AUC were used to justify the clinical dose regimen approved for MIRV. Conclusions: The trough concentration of MIRV correlated with efficacy whereas the AUC was associated with major AEs. The ER relationships supported the selected therapeutic dose regimen.

Purpose: To assess the ChatGPT-4 (ChatGPT) large language model (LLM) on tasks relevant to community pharmacy. Methods: ChatGPT was assessed with community pharmacy-relevant test cases involving drug information retrieval, identifying labeling errors, prescription interpretation, decision making under uncertainty and multi-disciplinary consults. Drug information on rituximab, warfarin, and St. John’s wort was queried. The decision-support scenarios consisted of a subject with swollen eyelids, and a maculopapular rash in a subject on lisinopril and ferrous sulfate. The multi-disciplinary scenarios required integration of medication management with nutrition and physical therapy. Results: The responses from ChatGPT-4 for rituximab, warfarin, and St. John’s wort were satisfactory and cited drug databases and drug-specific monographs. ChatGPT identified labeling errors related to incorrect medication strength, form, administration route, unit conversion, and directions. For the patient with inflamed eyelids, the course of action developed by GPT-4 was comparable to the pharmacist’s approach. For the patient with the maculopapular rash, both the pharmacist and ChatGPT placed a drug reaction to either lisinopril or ferrous sulfate at the top of the differential. ChatGPT provided customized vaccination requirements for travel to Brazil, guidance on management of drug allergies, and recovery from a knee injury. ChatGPT provided satisfactory medication management and wellness information for a diabetic on metformin and semaglutide. Conclusions: LLMs have the potential to become a powerful tool in community pharmacy. However, testing in validation studies across diverse pharmacist queries, drug classes, and populations, and engineering to secure patient privacy will be needed to enhance LLM utility.