Patient demographics and psychotropic medication prescribing in Australian general practices: pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in the adult population significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rates of prescribing psychotropic medications in adults during the COVID-19 period have not been well explored. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the association between demographic characteristics and rates of prescribing psychotropic medications to general practice patients during 2018-2022.

Over- and Underuse of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Nursing Homes: A Multisite Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Objectives: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to manage excess stomach acid production and provide gastroprotection from bleeding risk-increasing drugs (BRIDs). We aimed to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate PPI use in nursing homes and associated factors.

Design: Longitudinal cohort study using 8 years of electronic data.

Relationship between medication safety-related processes and medication use in residential aged care facilities.

Objective: To explore the association between the implementation of medication safety-related processes measured with the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Long-Term Care (MSSA-LTC) tool and medication use in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Australian RACFs. Data on facility characteristics, aggregated medication use at the facility level for selected medications commonly associated with a high risk of harm and the MSSA-LTC were completed by clinical pharmacists providing clinical pharmacy services.

Comparative pharmacokinetic evaluation of nanoparticle-based vs. conventional pharmaceuticals containing statins in attenuating dyslipidaemia.

Dyslipidaemia describes the condition of abnormal lipid levels in a person's bloodstream. Since the 1980s, statin medications have been used to treat dyslipidaemia and other comorbidities, such as stroke risk and atherosclerosis. Statin medications were initially synthesised from fungal metabolites, but many synthetic statin drugs have been manufactured since then.

Updated core competencies in pharmacoepidemiology to inform contemporary curricula and training for academia, government, and industry.

Purpose: The first paper to specify the core content of pharmacoepidemiology as a profession was published by an ISPE (International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology) workgroup in 2012 (Jones JK et al. PDS 2012; 21[7]:677-689). Due to the broader and evolving scope of pharmacoepidemiology, ISPE considers it important to proactively identify, update and expand the list of core competencies to inform curricula of education programs; thus, better positioning pharmacoepidemiologists across academic, government (including regulatory), and industry positions.

Decoding epilepsy treatment: A comparative evaluation contrasting cannabidiol pharmacokinetics in adult and paediatric populations.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by overstimulation of neurotransmitters and uncontrolled seizures. Current medications for epilepsy result in adverse effects or insufficient seizure control, highlighting the necessity to develop alternative therapies. Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from cannabis plants, has been popularly explored as an alternative.

A Cross-National Comparison of Biosimilars Pricing in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Italy.

Background: Biosimilar medicines are defined as biological products highly similar to an already licensed biological product (RP). The market entry of biosimilars is expected to reduce the costs of biological treatments.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the range of differences between the prices of biosimilars and the corresponding RP for biologicals approved in four countries.

One Health Determinants of Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans in the Community: An Umbrella Review.

To date, the scientific literature on health variables for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been investigated throughout several systematic reviews, often with a focus on only one aspect of the One Health variables: human, animal, or environment. The aim of this umbrella review is to conduct a systematic synthesis of existing evidence on AMR in humans in the community from a One Health perspective. PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched on "antibiotic resistance" and "systematic review" from inception until 25 March 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022316431).

Zerumbone liquid crystalline nanoparticles protect against oxidative stress, inflammation and senescence induced by cigarette smoke extract in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of zerumbone-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles (ZER-LCNs) in the protection of broncho-epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages against oxidative stress, inflammation and senescence induced by cigarette smoke extract in vitro. The effect of the treatment of ZER-LCNs on in vitro cell models of cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated mouse RAW264.7 and human BCi-NS1.

Visualization and clinical relevance of the endolymphatic duct and sac in Ménière's disease.

Background: Ménière's disease (MD) is a chronic inner ear disorder with a multifactorial etiology. Decreased visualization of the endolymphatic duct (ED) and sac (ES) is thought to be associated with MD, although controversy exists about whether this finding is specific to MD. Recent literature has revealed that two distinct ES pathologies, developmental hypoplasia and epithelial degeneration, can be distinguished in MD using the angular trajectory of the vestibular aqueduct (ATVA) or ED-ES system as a radiographic surrogate marker.

Biosimilars approvals by thirteen regulatory authorities: A cross-national comparison.

Biosimilars are biological medicines highly similar to a previously licensed reference product and their licensing is expected to improve access to biological therapies. This study aims to present an overview of biosimilars approval by thirteen regulatory authorities (RA). The study is a cross-national comparison of regulatory decisions involving biosimilars in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Hungary, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Peru and United States.

Exploring the influence of the microbiome on the pharmacology of anti-asthmatic drugs.

The microbiome is increasingly implicated in playing a role in physiology and pharmacology; in this review, we investigate the literature on the possibility of bacterial influence on the pharmacology of anti-asthmatic drugs, and the potential impact this has on asthmatic patients. Current knowledge in this area of research reveals an interaction between the gut and lung microbiome and the development of asthma. The influence of microbiome on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-asthmatic drugs is limited; however, understanding this interaction will assist in creating a more efficient treatment approach.

A comparative evaluation of propranolol pharmacokinetics in obese versus ideal weight individuals: A blueprint towards a personalised medicine.

The pharmacokinetics of propranolol were investigated in obese and healthy weight groups. Research studies in relation to the presented topic were gathered, evaluated, and compared to distinguish variabilities involved amongst different lipophilic drugs and how they impacted the clinical effectiveness. Propranolol is a lipophilic drug so it was predicted that the pharmacokinetics would differ between obese and ideal-weight individuals.

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of community pharmacist-led interventions to optimise the use of antibiotics.

Aims: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of community pharmacist-led interventions to optimise the use of antibiotics and identify which interventions are most effective.

Methods: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42020188552). PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for (randomised) controlled trials.

Hydropic Ear Disease: Correlation Between Audiovestibular Symptoms, Endolymphatic Hydrops and Blood-Labyrinth Barrier Impairment.

To investigate the correlation between clinical features and MRI-confirmed endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) impairment. Retrospective cross-sectional study. Vertigo referral center (Haga Teaching Hospital, The Hague, the Netherlands).

Colon carcinoma presenting as ovarian metastasis.

An adnexal mass is a common gynecological finding. Most adnexal masses are benign neoplasms, especially in premenopausal women. Yet, here we report a premenopausal woman with an adnexal mass that turned out to be an ovarian metastasis from colon cancer.

Attitudes to Drug Use in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nurses and Care Staff.

Background: Residential aged care facility (RACF) staff are well placed to identify opportunities for more appropriate prescribing. However, little is known about their views of polypharmacy, deprescribing and specific medications.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the beliefs and attitudes of RACF staff towards polypharmacy and medication use in residents.

Preparing for an aging Australia: The development of multidisciplinary core competencies for the Australian health and aged care workforce.

Appropriately skilled staff are required to meet the health and care needs of aging populations yet, shared competencies for the workforce are lacking. This study aimed to develop multidisciplinary core competencies for health and aged care workers in Australia through a scoping review and Delphi survey. The scoping review identified 28 records which were synthesized through thematic analysis into draft domains and measurable competencies.

Letter to the Editor: Integrating the Roles of Pharmacy Practice and Drug Delivery in Mitigating COVID-19.

No Abstract Available.

Potential for Detection of Safety Signals for Over-the-Counter Medicines Using National ADR Spontaneous Reporting Data: The Example of OTC NSAID-Associated Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

One post-marketing surveillance challenge for many regulatory authorities is access to information regarding the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. National spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) report data represent a rich potential data source for the detection of safety signals associated with OTC medicines, yet little is known regarding the possibility of detecting safety signals for OTC medicines within these datasets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for detecting safety signals for OTC medicines in National ADR spontaneous reporting data, using OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastrointestinal bleeding as an example.

The General Practice and Residential Aged Care Facility Concordance of Medication (GRACEMED) study.

Background: The lack of interoperable IT systems between residential aged care facilities (RACF) and general practitioners (GP) in primary care settings in Australia introduces the potential for medication discrepancies and other medication errors. The aim of the GRACEMED study is to determine the extent and potential severity of medication discrepancies between general practice and RACFs, and identify factors associated with medication discrepancies.

Methods: A cross sectional study of medication discrepancies between RACF medication orders and GP medication lists was conducted in the Sydney North Health Network, Australia.