Assessment of the Safety Signal for the Abuse Potential of Pregabalin and Gabapentin Using the FAERS Database and Big Data Search Analytics.

The latest decade, an emerging issue has been the abuse potential of the gabapentinoids pregabalin and gabapentin. The aim of our study was to assess this safety signal combining two different methods of surveillance: search analytics big data and the FDA spontaneous reporting system database. Analysis of big data and the FAERS was used to detect pregabalin's and gabapentin's abuse potential in comparison with two controls, clonazepam and levetiracetam, and further, the correlation between these domains was investigated.

Combining big data search analytics and the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database to detect a potential safety signal of mirtazapine abuse.

This study sought to detect a potential safety signal of mirtazapine abuse by combining two different sources of surveillance, specifically Google Analytics (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) and the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database. Data from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2017 were collected and analysed.

Nonmedical Use of Prescription Medications Among Medical Students in Greece: Prevalence of and Motivation for Use.

Background: Non-medical use of prescription medications has risen to unprecedented levels over the past decade worldwide; however, studies assessing misuse across medical students are sparse.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to1) estimate the lifetime and the past-year prevalence of non-medical use of prescription medications among medical students in Greece 2) identify the motivation for use.

Methods: 591 medical students completed an anonymous, self-administered, web-based survey assessing lifetime and past-year prevalence of non-medical use of four classes of prescription drugs (opioid painkillers, tranquillizers, sleeping and stimulant medications).

Exposure to the drug company marketing in Greece: Interactions and attitudes in a non-regulated environment for medical students.

Background: Medical students are targeted by the pharmaceutical industry and are exposed to their marketing strategies even in the preclinical years of study. The marketing strategies used by pharmaceutical companies with physicians are also applied to students, affecting their future prescribing behaviour, and include low-cost non-educational gifts, travel expenses and conferences registration fees. In Greece, there are no national or institutional regulations and guidelines concerning drug company-medical student interactions.