Short and long-term economic implications of biosimilars.

INTRODUCTION: Biosimilars are gaining popularity due to their ability to offer comparable therapeutic benefits at potentially lower costs. AREAS COVERED: This article analyses studies that compare the cost savings of biosimilars with biologics. It also explores market competition dynamics and the impact of policies in countries. The focus is on the advantages of biosimilars in oncology and rheumatological treatments while considering broader economic implications for the pharmaceutical industry such as market displacement, pricing strategies and their influence on innovation and healthcare sustainability. EXPERT OPINION: The introduction of biosimilars marks a shift in healthcare economics by offering cost reductions and long-term potential for economic balance. However, I also recognize challenges related to research methodologies and regulatory inconsistencies across countries. To fully capitalize on their potential, future research and development in the field of biosimilars must emphasize harmonized approaches and comprehensive studies that ensure both cost containment in healthcare and wider access, to high quality treatments.

How AI is advancing asthma management? Insights into economic and clinical aspects.

Asthma, an increasingly prevalent chronic respiratory condition, incurs significant economic costs worldwide. Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Machine Learning (ML), has been widely recognized as transformative when applied to asthma care. This commentary investigates how AI and ML may improve clinical outcomes while alleviating some of the costs associated with asthma care. AI's powerful analytical abilities could usher in an unprecedented era of preventive measures, particularly by identifying at-risk populations and anticipating environmental triggers. ML shows promise for enhancing real-time monitoring, early detection, and tailored treatment strategies in paediatric asthma, potentially reducing hospitalizations and emergency care costs. Emerging AI-powered wearable technologies are catalysing a revolutionary shift in patient monitoring, providing proactive interventions. Although optimistic, this commentary highlights a gap in empirical studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of AI in asthma care and stresses the need for larger datasets to accurately represent the economic benefits of AI solutions. Additionally, this paper emphasizes the ethical considerations surrounding data privacy and algorithmic bias, which are vital for the successful and equitable integration of AI into healthcare settings. This editorial underscores the urgent necessity of conducting thorough analyses to assess all economic implications, facilitate optimized resource allocation, and foster a nuanced understanding of AI/ML technologies in asthma management that may reduce costs to healthcare systems.

Antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income countries: current practices and its global implications.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic consumption rates are high in both high and low-income countries, but addressing antibiotic practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is crucial to combatting antibiotic resistance (AR). AREA COVERED: This editorial examines the current landscape of antibiotic practices in LMICs, investigate the factors driving such trends including lack of resource equity and shared global responsibility, and explore (AR) global implications, with particular emphasis placed on swift measures to combat its spread. EXPERT OPINION: LMICs face three key obstacles that exacerbate AR: inadequate WASH services, climate factors, and misuse of antibiotics. A lack of sanitation and clean water promotes infections, while poor hygiene exacerbates resistant pathogen spread. Global strategies should go beyond simply educating LMICs about antibiotic misuse; they must also understand its repercussions, such as prolonged illnesses and drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. Addressing this challenge requires multifaceted strategies, including improving WASH services, acknowledging climate impacts, and tightening regulations. Prioritizing WASH requires significant funding, community participation, technology solutions, and partnerships with NGOs. Utilizing social media influencers can boost AR awareness. Antibiotic regulation reforms, manufacturing quality, and seeking antibiotic alternatives are vital. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs and AI's potential in managing resistant infections are notable.

Assessment of changes in the epidemiology and prognosis of non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections one year after recovery from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Given its pathophysiology and evidence on its long-term effects, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have altered the incidence, types, and severity of other respiratory infections (RIs). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of COVID-19 on non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs in COVID-19 survivors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, online survey from February 2022 to April 2022 in the United Arab Emirates. Participants included adults diagnosed with COVID-19 before February 2021. Those who did not undergo nasopharyngeal swab tests for contraction of other RIs after recovering from COVID-19 were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 384 participants, 24.5% were aged 18-24 years, and 55.5% were women. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2. Among the participants, 34.4% experienced at least one non-SARS-CoV-2 RI after recovering from COVID-19, of which 25.8% reported that the RI lasted longer than those previously, 27.3% sought physician advice, 31.8% reported increased coughing as a symptom of the non-SARS-CoV-2 RI, and 38.6% reported increased sputum. Based on patient responses, the degree of COVID-19 severity was significantly associated with non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs (p = 0.003), and depression was found to be a significant predictor of changes in shortness of breath symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: The participants of this study reported changes in the duration and severity of non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs after recovering from COVID-19. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, which suggest a need for swift action to protect the public against RIs, particularly seasonal pathogens.

Assessment of A new Strategy to Prevent Prescribing Errors Involving COVID-19 Patients in Community Pharmacies.

Background: Because COVID-19 patients are vulnerable to prescribing errors (PEs) and adverse drug events, designing and implementing a new approach to prevent prescribing errors (PEs) involving COVID-19 patients has become a priority in pharmacotherapy research. Objectives: To investigate whether using WhatsApp to deliver prescribing error (PE)-related clinical scenarios to community pharmacists could enhance their ability to detect PEs and conduct successful pharmaceutical interventions (PIs). Methods: In this study, 110 community pharmacies were recruited from different regions across Jordan and equally allocated to 2 groups. Over the course of 4 weeks, WhatsApp was used to send PEs-related clinical case scenarios to the active group. The second group was controlled with no clinical scenarios. After completion of the 4-week phase, pharmacists from both groups were asked to document PEs in COVID-19 patients and their interventions using a data-collection form. Results: The incidence of PEs in COVID-19 patients documented in the active group (18.54%) was higher than that reported in the control group (3.09%) (P = .001). Of the 6598 and 968 PIs conducted by participants working in the active and control group pharmacies, 6013 (91.13%) and 651 (67.25%) were accepted, respectively. The proportions of wrong drug (contraindication), wrong drug (unnecessary drug prescribed/no proof of its benefits), and omission of a drug between the active and control groups were 15.30% versus 7.21% (P = .001), 11.85% versus 6.29% (P = .03), and 17.78% versus 10.50% (0.01), respectively. Additionally, the proportions of lethal, serious, and significant errors were 0.74% versus 0.35% (P = .04), 10.52% versus 2.57% (0.002), and 47.88% versus 9.57% (0.001), respectively. Addition of drug therapy interventions (AOR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.21-0.84) and errors with significant clinical seriousness (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.64). Conclusions PEs involving COVID-19 patients in community settings are common and clinically significant. The intervention assessed in this study could be promising for designing a feasible and time-efficient interventional tool to encourage pharmacists' involvement in identifying and correcting PEs in light of COVID-19.

Assessment of a new strategy for catalyzing deprescribing in community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: Although community pharmacists have been actively engaged in patient care, their role in deprescribing is still restricted. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a new educational approach designed to catalyze deprescribing in community pharmacies. METHODS: In this 4-month, randomized, controlled trial, 108 community pharmacies in Egypt were randomly and equally distributed to either the active or the control groups. Participants from the active group pharmacies received 31 deprescribing-related clinical case scenarios, designed according to the available deprescribing guideline and clinical experiences of an expert panel members, and delivered through WhatsApp. Then participants from both groups reported the incidence of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs), the frequency of deprescribing opportunities, and related pharmacist interventions. RESULTS: Pharmacists from the active group reported a considerably higher incidence of PIMs (20.87%) than that reported by pharmacists from the control group (5.03%). In addition, they made 1326 deprescribing-related interventions, of which 1022 (77.07%) were accepted and 641 (48.34%) were significant interventions. The proportions of cessation of drug therapy, reducing the dose, and persuasion of patients to accept deprescribing pharmacist interventions in the active group were 37.85%, 22.09%, and 10.63%, respectively. In contrast, 150 of 268 deprescribing-related interventions (55.97%) in the active group were accepted. The clinical value and type of deprescribing decision were statistically significant determinants for the acceptance of deprescribing decisions. The mean time needed to persuade the patient about deprescribing and the cost saved per patient across the active and the control groups were 5.09 ± 3.54 minutes versus 10.03 ± 6.19 minutes and 17.88 ± 9.60 U.S. dollars versus 4.49 ± 2.44 U.S. dollars, respectively. CONCLUSION: The intervention proposed improved the frequency and clinical value of deprescribing decisions.

Assessment of Extrapyramidal Symptoms Associated with Psychotropics Pharmacological Treatments, and Associated Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) are unwanted symptoms commonly originating from the use of certain medications. The symptoms can range from minimal discomfort to permanent involuntary muscular movements. The aims of the study were to examine the incidence of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (di-EPS), associated risk factors, and clinical characteristics. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study of di-EPS conducted in outpatient clinics of Jordan using the longitudinal health database (Hakeem®) for data collection. Patients who received drugs with the risk of EPS during the period 2010-2020 were included and followed. Patients with any of the known underlying conditions that may cause EPS or were currently taking drugs that may mask the symptoms were excluded. Gender and age-matched control subjects were included in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS®) version 26 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The final dataset included 34898 exposed patients and 69796 matched controls. The incidence of di-EPS ranged from 9.8% [Amitriptyline 25mg] to 28.9% (Imipramine 25mg). Baseline factors associated with a significantly higher risk of developing di-EPS were age {HR: 1.1 [95%CI: 0.8-1.2, p=0.003], smoking {HR: 1.7 (95%CI: 1.3-2.2), p=0.02}, tremor history {HR: 7.4 (95%CI: 5.9-8.3), p=.002} and history of taking antipsychotics {HR: 3.9, (95% CI: 2.5-4.6), p=0.001}. Patients taking paroxetine {HR: 8.6 [95%CI: 7.4-9.8], p=.0002},imipramine {HR: 8.3, [7.1-10.5], p=0.01}, or fluoxetine {HR: 8.2 (95%CI: 6.8-9.3), p=.006} had a significantly higher risk of developing di-EPS compared to patients taking citalopram. Myoclonus, blepharospasm, symptoms of the basal ganglia dysfunction, and organic writers' cramp were reported among participants. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with paroxetine, imipramine, fluoxetine, or clomipramine had a higher risk of developing di-EPS than patients treated with citalopram. The difference in gender was not significantly related to di-EPS development. Whereas age, smoking, and history of taking antipsychotics were significantly associated with di-EPS development. KEY FINDINGS: • High incidence of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (di-EPS) was reported• Age, smoking, tremor history, and history of taking antipsychotics were risk factors of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms.• Patients taking paroxetine, imipramine or fluoxetine had a significantly higher risk of developing di-EPS compared to patients taking citalopram.