Association Between Opioid-Related Mortality and History of Surgical Procedure: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

Objective: This study examined whether there is an association between opioid-related mortality and surgical procedures.

Methods: A case-control study design using deceased controls compared individuals with and without opioid death and their exposure to common surgeries in the preceding 4 years. This population-based study used linked death and hospitalization databases in Canada (excluding Quebec) from January 01, 2008 to December 31, 2017.

Health utilities in adults with hemophilia A: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Haemophilia A negatively affects a patient's quality of life. There is a limited amount of health utility data (a measure of health-related quality of life) available for patients with haemophilia A. This information is crucial for cost-effectiveness analysis for haemophilia A treatment.

Herpes zoster and human papillomavirus vaccination opportunities identified using electronic prompts at the time of scheduling influenza or COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: Due to workload and competing priorities, vaccination-related interactions in community pharmacies tend to be more reactive than proactive. The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of users of a web-based scheduling system for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines who may be eligible for herpes zoster or human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and interested in discussing these vaccines with a pharmacist.

Methods: Individuals scheduling an influenza or COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy using the MedEssist platform between October 2021 and March 2022 were asked about their vaccination status against HPV (if aged 9-45) or herpes zoster (if aged ≥50).

Association between Pharmacists' Country of Qualifying Education and Practising in a Hospital Setting: A Cross-Sectional Ontario Study.

Background: It is hypothesized that international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) are underrepresented in more clinically challenging work.

Objective: To examine the association between country of qualifying education for pharmacists in Ontario and the likelihood of practising in a hospital setting.

Methods: This study was based on publicly available data from the Ontario College of Pharmacists website, specifically records for all Ontario pharmacists with authorization to provide patient care and for whom country of qualifying education and an accredited pharmacy as a place of practice were reported.

Post-initiation predictors of discontinuation of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: A comparative cohort study from the United Kingdom.

Aims: To assess post-initiation predictors of discontinuation of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared to dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in the United Kingdom.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a comparative population-based retrospective cohort study using primary care data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) with linked data to hospital and death records. We included new metformin users who initiated either SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors between January 2013 and October 2019.

Stepping up to the Canadian opioid crisis: a longitudinal analysis of the correlation between socioeconomic status and population rates of opioid-related mortality, hospitalization and emergency department visits (2000-2017).

Introduction: High levels of income inequality and increased opioid-related harm across Canada bring into question the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in the opioid epidemic. Only a few studies have examined this association, and most of those have analyzed this issue on a provincial level. This study examined the association between opioid-related health outcomes and SES, and investigated rate ratios over time.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Urinary Tract Infections: A Propensity Score-matched Population-based Cohort Study.

Objectives: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor-induced glycosuria is hypothesized to increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). We assessed the risk of UTIs associated with SGLT2 inhibitor initiation in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using primary care data from the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and administrative health-care data from Alberta, Canada.

Trends and Determinants of Self-reported Aspirin Use Among Patients With Diabetes Stratified by Presence and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Repeated Pan-Canadian Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: Our aim in this study was to quantify the prevalence over time and identify determinants of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use in patients with diabetes with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a representative Canadian sample from 2005 to 2014, and to determine whether the use of ASA among patients with diabetes changed after the Diabetes Canada clinical practice guidelines updates.

Methods: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey were used. Respondents who were at least 35 years of age and diagnosed with diabetes---not during pregnancy---were included and categorized into secondary prevention (previous heart disease or stroke) or primary prevention (high or low CVD risk) groups.

Five comparative cohorts to assess the risk of genital tract infections associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors initiation in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To assess the association between SGLT-2 inhibitors initiation and genital tract infections (GTIs) among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A population-based cohort study using administrative healthcare data from Alberta, Canada, and primary care data from the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Among new metformin users, we identified new users of SGLT-2 inhibitors and five active comparator cohorts (new users of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sulfonylureas (SU), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), thiazolidinediones (TZD) and insulin).

Renal effectiveness and safety of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: To assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of renal-related outcomes associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) initiation among patients with type 2 diabetes using real-world data.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using administrative healthcare data from Alberta (AB), Canada and primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), UK. From a cohort of new metformin users, we identified initiators of a SGLT2-i or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4-i) between January 1, 2014 and March 30, 2018 (AB) or between January 1, 2013 and November 29, 2018 (CPRD).

Risk of hospitalization and death associated with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: A comparison with five other classes of antidiabetic drugs.

Aim: We assessed the risk of all-cause hospitalization and all-cause death associated with the use of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i).

Methods: Population-based propensity scores-matched cohort study of new users of metformin who subsequently initiated SGLT2i compared to those who initiated dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) (primary comparison), sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, GLP1-Receptors agonists, and insulin, respectively. Alberta (Canada) health administrative data and United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) data were used to assess the study outcomes.

National trends in population rates of opioid-related mortality, hospitalization and emergency department visits in Canada between 2000 and 2017. A population-based study.

Background And Aims: Existing assessments of the time-trends of opioid-related mortality, hospitalization and emergency department visits in Canada have relied mainly on provincial databases, while national assessments generally do not provide information before 2016. We aimed to estimate Canadian national time trends in opioid-related mortality from 2000 to 2017 and opioid-related hospitalization and emergency department visits between 2000 and 2012.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Economic evaluation of pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments in Ontario, Canada: a cost-minimization analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to use a decision-analytic model to examine the potential economic impact of establishing a remunerated programme for pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments (PPMA) in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: A novel decision tool was developed to assess the economic impact of pharmacists prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), contact dermatitis (CD) and conjunctivitis by performing a cost-minimization analysis from a public payer perspective. Two prescribing strategies were compared: (1) PPMA, where patients may seek care from pharmacists or physicians, and (2) the usual care model (UCM), where all patients receive care from physicians.

The Impact of Prescription Medication Cost Coverage on Oral Medication Use for Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: No previous study, to the best of our knowledge, has examined both the time trend and impact of not having insurance or prescription medication cost coverage (PMCC) on the usage of type 2 diabetes and hypertension oral medications in Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada.

Methods: We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) from 2007 to 2014 to examine the time trend and impact of PMCC. A multivariable-adjusted logistic regression model was fitted.

Comparative risk of cardiac arrhythmias associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used in treatment of dementias - A narrative review.

Donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine are the three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), out of a total of only four medications prescribed in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementias. These medications are known to be associated with bradycardia given their mechanism of action of increasing acetylcholine (ACh). However, in March 2015, donepezil was added to the CredibleMeds "known-risk" category, a list where medications have a documented risk for acquired long-QT syndrome (ALQTS) and torsades de pointes (TdP) - a malignant ventricular arrhythmia that is a different adverse event than bradycardia (and is not necessarily associated with ACh action).

Estimates of population-based incidence of malignant arrhythmias associated with medication use-a narrative review.

Certain medications are reported to be associated with acquired long-QT syndrome (ALQTS), which can degenerate into a potentially severe 'malignant' arrhythmia known as torsades de pointes (TdP). However, population-based estimations of the incidence of medication-associated malignant arrhythmia are limited. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical symptoms, cellular mechanism, categorization, and risk factors of these malignant arrhythmias, as well as illustrate results and methodological limitations of epidemiological literature which have previously estimated population-based incidence of ALQTS and malignant arrhythmia.

Cost-Effectiveness of Tenofovir Alafenamide for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B in Canada.

Background/aim: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has been approved for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) due to a proposed better safety profile in comparison with current therapies. We evaluated the cost effectiveness of TAF and other available treatment options for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative CHB patients from a Canadian provincial Ministry of Health perspective.

Methods: A state-transition model based on the published literature was developed to compare treatment strategies involving entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and TAF.

The availability of pharmacists with Additional Prescribing Authorization in relation to the distribution of vulnerable populations - A cross-sectional study.

Background: For vulnerable patients- such as immigrants or those with low income- to benefit from pharmacists' advanced services, such as independent prescribing, pharmacists must be accessible to these populations.

Objectives: This research examines the geographical relationship between Alberta pharmacists with Additional Prescribing Authorization (APA) and a neighbourhood's proportion of vulnerable populations.

Methods: Publicly available data were extracted from the Alberta College of Pharmacy website for active registered pharmacists' primary location of practice and APA status.

The proportion, conditions, and predictors of emergency department visits that can be potentially managed by pharmacists with expanded scope of practice.

Background: Pharmacists have been shown to be beneficial for inclusion in emergency department (ED) services; however, little has been done to assess these benefits with pharmacists having even wider scopes of practice, including limited prescribing authority.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of ED visits that can potentially be managed by pharmacists, the most prevalent conditions within these cases, and the factors associated with patients presenting with such cases to the ED.

Methods: This was a retrospective quantitative cohort study using administrative databases from 2010 to 2017.

Pharmacists as immunizers, their pharmacies and immunization services: A survey of Ontario community pharmacists.

Background: To improve patient access to the influenza vaccine in Ontario, pharmacists have been authorized to administer the vaccine since 2012. A survey was conducted to describe pharmacist immunizers, their pharmacies and immunization services.

Methods: Ontario community pharmacists completed an anonymous online survey regarding influenza immunization.

Pharmacy patron perspectives of community pharmacist administered influenza vaccinations.

Background: One approach to boost influenza vaccination coverage has been to expand immunization authority. In 2012, the province of Ontario gave community pharmacists the authority to administer the influenza vaccine.

Objective: This study investigates the perspectives of Ontario pharmacy patrons, who had not recently received this vaccine from a pharmacist, regarding this pharmacist service.

Does the association between adherence to statin medications and mortality depend on measurement approach? A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between mortality and statin adherence using two different approaches to adherence measurement (summary versus repeated-measures).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative data from Saskatchewan, Canada between 1994 and 2008. Eligible individuals received a prescription for a statin following hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).