Prescription trends of antiseizure medications before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Given the lack of evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted antiseizure medication (ASM) use, we examined the trends of ASMs before and during COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using provincial-level health databases from Manitoba, Canada, between 1 June 2016 and 1 March 2021. We used interrupted time series autoregressive models to examine changes in the prevalence and incidence of ASM prescription rates associated with COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in a Prescription Claims Data Source: A Validation Study.

Background: The effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) has been demonstrated in studies using prescription claims data. However, the validity of claims data for LAIAs has not been established.

Objective: We aimed to validate date dispensed, quantity dispensed and days supplied fields in prescription claims data, and to compare claims- and medical record-derived persistence estimates.

Risk of long-term benzodiazepine and Z-drug use following the first prescription among community-dwelling adults with anxiety/mood and sleep disorders: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To measure the incidence of long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use among individuals with anxiety, mood and/or sleep disorders. To identify factors associated with long-term use following the first prescription.

Methods: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative databases in Manitoba, Canada.

Trends in the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in the Province of Manitoba, Canada.

Background: Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) have advantages over oral antipsychotics but are not widely used. We aimed to evaluate the impact of market entry of second-generation LAIAs on prescribing trends.

Methods: We used administrative health databases to describe trends in LAIA use from 1995 to 2015 in the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Moving towards Universal Coverage of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapies for Hepatitis C Infection in Canada: An Environmental Scan of Canadian Provinces and International Jurisdictions.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have become the standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C infections because of their high cure rates and favourable side effect profiles; however, access to this new class of agents has been limited because of its high cost.  Public payers across Canada have implemented strict criteria for drug coverage in order to contain expenditures. Efforts have been made to improve access to medication for this high-burden condition.

Women in pharmacy: A preliminary study of the attitudes and beliefs of pharmacy students.

Background: Women have historically been attracted to pharmacy because it is widely perceived as a profession that offers them an opportunity to combine a professional career with a family. Women now make up the majority of practising pharmacists in Canada, yet the literature demonstrates disparities such as gender segregation and underrepresentation of women in senior positions. This study was intended to identify the attitudes and beliefs of pharmacy students about women's issues in pharmacy and raise awareness of these issues.