Bioequivalence risk assessment of oral formulations containing racemic ibuprofen through a chiral physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of ibuprofen enantiomers.

The characterization of the time course of ibuprofen enantiomers can be useful in the selection of the most sensitive analyte in bioequivalence studies. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling and simulation represents the most efficient methodology to virtually assess bioequivalence outcomes. In this work, we aim to develop and verify a PBPK model for ibuprofen enantiomers administered as a racemic mixture with different immediate release dosage forms to anticipate bioequivalence outcomes based on different particle size distributions. A PBPK model incorporating stereoselectivity and non-linearity in plasma protein binding and metabolism as well as R-to-S unidirectional inversion has been developed in Simcyp®. A dataset composed of 11 Phase I clinical trials with 54 scenarios (27 per enantiomer) and 14,452 observations (7129 for R-ibuprofen and 7323 for S-ibuprofen) was used. Prediction errors for AUC0-t and Cmax for both enantiomers fell within the 0.8-1.25 range in 50/54 (93 %) and 42/54 (78 %) of scenarios, respectively. Outstanding model performance, with 10/10 (100 %) of Cmax and 9/10 (90 %) of AUC0-t within the 0.9-1.1 range, was demonstrated for oral suspensions, which strongly supported its use for bioequivalence risk assessment. The deterministic bioequivalence risk assessment has revealed R-ibuprofen as the most sensitive analyte to detect differences in particle size distribution for oral suspensions containing 400 mg of racemic ibuprofen, suggesting that achiral bioanalytical methods would increase type II error and declare non-bioequivalence for formulations that are bioequivalent for the eutomer.

Patient information leaflets and package inserts of ibuprofen provided in the UK and Thailand: a comparative assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Written medicine information (WMI) is important for ensuring patients understand and use their medicines optimally, but relatively little research has assessed the quality of available WMI. This study assessed the quality of WMI using a sample of leaflets for ibuprofen in the UK and Thailand. METHODS: Leaflets were obtained by purchasing a product from retail outlets or community pharmacies, 18 from each country. In the UK, these were patient information leaflets (PILs); in Thailand, they were package inserts PIs not specifically designed for patients. Leaflets were assessed for content, layout, and readability using standard methods and compared to relevant guidelines. KEY FINDINGS: The UK PILs were uniform and conformed to EU regulatory requirements for content, whereas Thai PIs varied considerably, many failing to include important information required by Thai regulations. Several forms of Thai PIs were found, including some very short leaflets, containing minimal information. The readability of both was rated as poor, all used small font size and had less than desirable white space. Fewer Thai PIs than UK PILs met the Keystone Criteria for ibuprofen. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of variation in format and content of Thai WMI could potentially cause confusion and reduce willingness to read it. PILs, conforming to Thai regulatory guidelines, should be provided with medicines instead. Leaflets in both countries would benefit from improved readability and layout.

Trial of Selective Early Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with Ibuprofen.

BACKGROUND: The cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen may be used to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. Whether selective early treatment of large PDAs with ibuprofen would improve short-term outcomes is not known. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating early treatment (≤72 hours after birth) with ibuprofen for a large PDA (diameter of ≥1.5 mm with pulsatile flow) in extremely preterm infants (born between 23 weeks 0 days' and 28 weeks 6 days' gestation). The primary outcome was a composite of death or moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia evaluated at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. RESULTS: A total of 326 infants were assigned to receive ibuprofen and 327 to receive placebo; 324 and 322, respectively, had data available for outcome analyses. A primary-outcome event occurred in 220 of 318 infants (69.2%) in the ibuprofen group and 202 of 318 infants (63.5%) in the placebo group (adjusted risk ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.20; P = 0.10). A total of 44 of 323 infants (13.6%) in the ibuprofen group and 33 of 321 infants (10.3%) in the placebo group died (adjusted risk ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.90). Among the infants who survived to 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in 176 of 274 (64.2%) in the ibuprofen group and 169 of 285 (59.3%) in the placebo group (adjusted risk ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.23). Two unforeseeable serious adverse events occurred that were possibly related to ibuprofen. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of death or moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age was not significantly lower among infants who received early treatment with ibuprofen than among those who received placebo. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme; Baby-OSCAR ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN84264977.).

Application of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Oligoarticular Psoriatic Arthritis Subset: Results from Patients Treated with Apremilast.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by different phenotypes in terms of joint involvement. The so-called oligoarticular pattern involves fewer than five active joints at a different time points. The evaluation of disease activity in this subset of patients is an unmet need due to the lack of specific indices able to capture modifications over time. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of musculoskeletal ultrasound to monitor the response to apremilast treatment in oligoarticular PsA patients. METHODS: We evaluated 24 oligoarticular patients (19 women, 5 men; median age 56 years, interquartile range (IQR) 19; median disease duration 5 years, IQR 5.75). All patients were assessed at baseline (T0), and after 6 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 (T3) weeks. Clinical assessment included evaluation of 66 swollen joints and patient global health assessment. All the patients underwent ultrasound assessment of the clinically involved joints. Synovial effusion/hypertrophy and power Doppler were scored with a semi-quantitative scale (0-3). The total inflammatory score was the sum of the scores. RESULTS: We found a reduction in the ultrasound inflammatory score at all time points, with a significant improvement at 6 and 12 weeks of treatment compared with baseline: T0 median 8.5 (IQR 5.0); T1 3.5 (3.0); T2 2.0 (3.5); P = 0.01. We observed a significant reduction of patient global health assessment after 24 weeks (T0 median 50 (32.5); T3 40 (57.5); P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal ultrasound could be useful in the assessment of treatment response in PsA patients with oligoarticular subset.

Anti-inflamatórios não esteroides tópicos para dor crônica musculoesquelética ou por osteoartrite / Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain chronic musculoskeletal or osteoarthritis

INTRODUÇÃO: Considera-se que, no Brasil, a dor crônica é umas das principais razões de atendimento ambulatorial. Conceitualmente, trata-se da dor que persiste além de três meses. Referências brasileiras estimam a prevalência de dor crônica entre 28,70 e 76,16% em diferentes cidades. Não há AINEs de administração tópica padronizados na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais, apenas aqueles de via oral ou parenteral. A via de administração oral possibilita que o medicamento esteja disponível em altas concentrações plasmáticas no sítio de ação, o que pode gerar eventos adversos, como dispepsia, sangramento gastrointestinal e eventos adversos cardiovasculares. O objetivo de se empregar AINEs tópicos seria minimizar eventos adversos sistêmicos e encorajar a adesão ao tratamento pela comodidade. TECNOLOGIA: Anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) tópicos, especificamente o diclofenaco dietilamônio. PERGUNTA: Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides tópicos são eficazes e seguros para o tratamento de dor crônica derivada de agravo musculoesquelético ou osteoartrite? EVIDÊNCIAS CLÍNICAS: Com o objetivo de responder à pergunta clínica, foram avaliadas três comparações, a saber: AINEs tópicos versus placebo tópico (Comparação 1); AINES tópicos versus AINES orais (Comparação 2); diferentes AINES tópicos (Comparação 3). A Comparação 1 teve estudos com baixo (dois estudos), algumas preocupações (onze estudos) e alto (quatro estudos) risco de viés. O desfecho dor mensurado pela escala WOMAC teve diferença de médias padronizadas (DMP) de -0,34 (IC 95%: -0,53 a 0,14) demonstrando que AINE tópico foi mais efetivo para redução de dor. Já considerando a mensuração da dor pela escala visual analógica (EVA), a DMP foi de -0,21 (IC 95%: -0,30 a -0,12), favorecendo também AINE tópico para redução de dor. Ao realizar comparação de todas as estimativas em meta-análise de efeitos randômicos, a DMP foi de -0,28 (IC 95%: -0,43 a -0,14), favorecendo mais uma vez AINEs tópicos. Especificamente para o diclofenaco tópico, a DMP foi de -0,30 (IC 95%: -0,39 a -0,21), favorecendo a intervenção para redução da dor. Os resultados para o desfecho de proporção de respondedores favoreceram o AINE tópico para redução de sintomas, com RR=1,15 (IC 95%: 1,05 a 1,27). Com relação aos desfechos de segurança, não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto ao risco de eventos adversos gerais, OR=1,15 (IC 85%: 1,00 a 1,32), locais, com OR=1,43 (IC 95%: 0,99 a 2,06), ou gastrointestinais, OR=1,05 (IC 95%: 0,75 a 1,48). Especificamente para o diclofenaco tópico, houve maior incidência de eventos adversos locais na intervenção, com OR=2,03 (IC 95%: 1,36 a 3,05). A Comparação 2 teve estudos com algumas preocupações (dois estudos) e alto (seis estudos) risco de viés. Para o desfecho dor, mensurado pela escala WOMAC, a DMP foi de 0,11 (IC 95%: -0,01 a 0,24), favorecendo o uso de AINE oral, porém sem significância estatística. Apesar de não ser possível realizar metaanálise da proporção de respondedores, os estudos relataram haver maior proporção no grupo diclofenaco oral em comparação ao diclofenaco tópico, além de não haver diferença para esse desfecho entre loxoprofeno oral e tópico. No que se refere aos desfechos de segurança, para incidência de eventos adversos, a RR=0,89 (IC 95%: 0,71 a 1,13) não mostrou diferença significativa entre os grupos. Quanto à incidência de eventos adversos gastrointestinais, a RR=0,54 (IC 95%: 0,33 a 0,87) mostrou que o uso de AINEs tópicos está associado a menos eventos, especialmente no subgrupo diclofenaco, RR=0,32 (IC 95%: 0,11 a 0,91). Como esperado, houve menor chance de desenvolver eventos adversos cutâneos com o uso de AINE oral, OR=3,43 (IC 95%: 1,90 a 6,21). A Comparação 3 incluiu quatro estudos com alto risco de viés. Como foram quatro comparações diferentes nos estudos, não foi realizada meta-análise. Ao comparar Sflurbiprofeno e flurbiprofeno adesivos, o primeiro proporcionou redução da dor, porém com mais eventos adversos, principalmente locais. Considerando flurbiprofeno adesivo e piroxicam gel, o primeiro teve melhor resultado em redução da dor, sem diferenças na incidência de eventos adversos. As comparações piroxicam adesivo versus piroxicam creme e diclofenaco spray versus diclofenaco gel não tiveram diferenças significativas em desfechos de eficácia e segurança. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: A análise de custo-efetividade demonstrou que a incorporação do diclofenaco tópico, seja em monoterapia, seja em terapia combinada, não promove ganho de QALY e aumenta o custo do tratamento. Na análise de sensibilidade, foi confirmado a ausência de ganho de QALY, mas houve a possibilidade de redução de custo. ANÁLISE DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: Para o caso base, considerou-se que indivíduos com dor crônica atendidos pelo SUS estão fazendo uso de ibuprofeno ou naproxeno, e 36,6% delesterão eventos adversos gastrointestinais leves, e, portanto, estarão em uso concomitante de omeprazol. O cenário proposto considerou a população dividida em três partes: uso de AINE oral somente (maior proporção), associação de AINE oral e tópico (proporção intermediária) e AINE tópico somente (parcela menor). Dessa forma, estima-se que o custo incremental acumulado em cinco anos com a incorporação do diclofenaco dietilamônio ao SUS seja de R$ 71.170.946,00, sendo o aporte dividido entre as populações atendidas pelos Componentes Básico e Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica. Uma vez que existem limitações da análise no que diz respeito às incertezas associadas à estimativa populacional elegível e às proporções de utilização de medicamentos, sugere-se cautela na interpretação e consideração desses dados para a tomada de decisão por parte do gestor. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Não foram localizados medicamentos tópicos potenciais para as indicações clínicas consideradas. Com relação ao diclofenaco dietilamônio gel, não foram identificadas patentes vigentes depositadas no Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI). CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A comparação entre AINE tópico e placebo tópico favoreceu o primeiro quanto à eficácia. Entre AINE tópico e AINE oral, o último reduz mais a dor e produz mais eventos adversos gastrointestinais, esse resultado geral se aplica também para o diclofenaco tópico, embora houvesse poucos estudos específicos dessa intervenção. Entre diferentes AINE tópicos, um estudo favorece S-flurbiprofeno adesivo ao flurbiprofeno adesivo convencional; e outro, favorece o flurbiprofeno adesivo e relação ao piroxicam gel. Cabe destacar que a maior parte dos estudos teve alto risco de viés e baixa ou muito baixa qualidade da evidência. O uso de AINEs tópicos pode representar uma opção terapêutica nos casos de intolerância por eventos adversos, sobretudo aqueles de natureza gastrointestinal. Por meio da análise de impacto orçamentário proposta, estima-se que sua incorporação resulte em custo incremental ao SUS. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA CONITEC: O relatório foi apreciado na 97ª Reunião Ordinária da Conitec, ocorrida nos dias 5 e 6 de maio de 2021. O Plenário deliberou que a matéria fosse disponibilizada em consulta pública com recomendação preliminar desfavorável à incorporação dos anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) tópicos, incluindo o diclofenaco dietilamônio gel, para o tratamento da dor crônica musculoesquelética ou por osteoartrite em razão de não ser superior em eficácia a anti-inflamatórios orais, tais como o ibuprofeno, já incorporado ao SUS, além do incremento orçamentário em um cenário de possível incorporação. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: A Consulta Pública nº 46 foi realizada entre os dias 27/05/2021 e 15/06/2021. Foram recebidas oito contribuições, sendo três pelo formulário para contribuições técnico-científicas e cinco pelo formulário para contribuições sobre experiência ou opinião de pacientes, familiares, amigos ou cuidadores de pacientes, profissionais de saúde ou pessoas interessadas no tema. Apenas 25% (dois de oito) foram a favor da recomendação da Conitec, 12,5% (um de oito) não foi nem contra nem a favor e a maioria foi contra a recomendação inicial (62,5%, cinco de oito). As contribuições versaram sobre a necessidade de uma alternativa terapêutica para pacientes que tenham alguma contraindicação à via de administração oral e sobre a sua eficácia para o controle da dor. Não foram apresentadas novas evidências científicas, tampouco novas considerações de custo. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL: Diante do exposto, os membros presentes na 99ª Reunião Ordinária, no dia 01 de julho de 2021, deliberaram em unanimidade pela não incorporação dos anti-inflamatórios não esteroides tópicos para dor crônica musculoesquelética ou por osteoartrite no SUS. O Plenário entendeu que a consulta pública não agregou informações adicionais a esse relatório que pudessem alterar a recomendação preliminar. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 638/2021. DECISÃO: Não incorporar os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides tópicos para dor crônica musculoesquelética ou por osteoartrite, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde ­ SUS, conforme a Portaria nº 48, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 137, seção 1, página 76, em 22 de julho de 2021.

Assessing the cost and quality-of-life impact of on-demand-only medications for adults with hereditary angioedema.

Background: Novel subcutaneous (SC) prophylactic therapies are transforming the treatment landscape of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Although questions are being raised about their cost, little attention has been paid to the cost and quality of life (QoL) impact of using on-demand-only medications. Objective: We assessed the overall economic burden of on-demand-only treatment for HAE and compared patient QoL with patients who received novel SC prophylactic therapies. Methods: US Hereditary Angioedema Association members were invited to complete an anonymous online survey to profile attack frequency, treatment use, and the presence of comorbidities as well as economic and socioeconomic variables. We modeled on-demand treatment costs by using net pricing of medications in 2018, indirect patient and caregiver costs, and attack-related direct billed costs for emergency department admissions, physician office visits, and/or hospitalizations. QoL was assessed by using the Angioedema Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: A total of 1225 patients (31.4%) responded. Of these, 737 adults with HAE (type I or II) met the inclusion criteria and completed the survey. Per patient/year direct costs associated with modeled on-demand-only treatment totaled $363,795, with additional indirect socioeconomic costs of $52,576 per patient/year. The greatest improvement in QoL was seen in patients who used novel SC prophylactic therapies, with a 59.5% (p < 0.01) improvement in median impairment scores versus on-demand-only treatment. In addition, patients who used novel SC prophylactic therapies reported a 77% reduction in the number of attacks each year when compared with those who used on-demand-only treatment. Conclusion: Our real-world patient data showed the cost and QoL burden of HAE treatment with on-demand-only therapy. Use of novel SC prophylaxis can lead to sizeable reductions in attack frequency and statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in QoL. These data could be useful to clinicians and patients as they consider therapy options for patients with HAE.

A case of likely acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis in a 17-year-old male presenting to general paediatrics.

We present the case of a 17-year-old male with a sore throat, tender cervical lymphadenopathy, bilateral erythematous and enlarged tonsils, fever, joint pain, widespread tender purpuric nodules, ulcerative lesions and erythematous pustules. The diagnosis was initially unclear. He had raised neutrophils, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. His skin biopsy showed a neutrophilic dermatosis with superficial pustulosis and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Most likely, the patient suffered from a rare condition called acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (AFND). AFND is a very rare disorder of poorly understood aetiology, with only a few hundred reported cases in the literature. The complexity and rarity of this condition, and the difficulty in diagnosing, is an example of the challenge facing paediatricians as the paediatric admission age threshold increases to include older adolescents and young adults up to the age of 25 years, as per the National Health Service (NHS) long-term plan.

Quality Risk Management and Quality by Design for the Development of Diclofenac Sodium Intra-articular Gelatin Microspheres.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the development of an intra-articular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug gelatin microsphere formulation based on quality risk management and quality by design approaches. Specifically, after setting the quality target product profile and the critical quality attributes, risk assessment was performed by constructing Ishikawa fishbone diagrams based on preliminary hazard analysis. A Plackett-Burman screening experimental design was applied in order to identify the factors (previously classified by risk assessment analysis as having high risk of failure) having a statistically significant impact on the formation of gelatin microspheres. Particle size, polydispersity index, and drug loading were used as responses, while diclofenac sodium was selected as a model drug. All drug-loaded gelatin microspheres were prepared by emulsion-crosslinking process. Screening results showed that gelatin type, surfactant type and quantity, oil phase type, emulsification speed, and glutaraldehyde's concentration had a statistically significant impact on microsphere's final and intermediate critical quality attributes. A design space was then constructed based on central composite design overlaying contour plots, while verification experiments for the optimum suggested formulation (derived from a set control strategy) showed good agreement between the predicted and the experimentally observed results. In addition, the physicochemical characterization of the optimum formulation showed the formation of significant molecular interactions between the drug and the gelatin matrix, leading to the complete amorphization of diclofenac within the microsphere structure, while dissolution release experiments showed a biphasic release profile which extended the drug's release for up to 30 days, governed by a Fickian diffusion release mechanism.

Low-dose aspirin and risk of gastric and oesophageal cancer: A population-based study in the United Kingdom using The Health Improvement Network.

There is increasing interest regarding potential protective effects of low-dose aspirin against various gastrointestinal cancers. We aimed to quantify the association between use of low-dose aspirin and risk of gastric/oesophageal cancer using a population-based primary care database in the UK. Between January 2005 and December 2015, we identified a cohort of 223 640 new users of low-dose aspirin (75-300 mg/day) and a matched cohort of nonusers at the start of follow-up from The Health Improvement Network. Cohorts were followed to identify incident cases of gastric/oesophageal cancer. Nested case-control analyses were conducted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for current vs nonuse of low-dose aspirin using logistic regression. Current use was defined as when low-dose aspirin lasted 0 to 90 days before the index date (event date for cases, random date for controls) and previous duration was ≥1 year. We identified 727 incident cases of gastric cancer and 1394 incident cases of oesophageal cancer. ORs (95% CIs) were 0.46 (0.38-0.57) for gastric cancer and 0.59 (0.51-0.69) for oesophageal cancer. The effect remained consistent with no clear change seen between previous duration of low-dose aspirin use of 1-3, 3-5 or >5 years. The reduced risks was seen with 75 mg/day, and effects were consistent in lag-time analyses. In conclusion, our results indicate that use of low-dose aspirin is associated with a 54% reduced risk of gastric cancer and a 41% reduced risk of oesophageal cancer as supported by mechanistic data.

Synthesis and assessment of CTAB and NPE modified organo-montmorillonite for the fabrication of organo-montmorillonite/alginate based hydrophobic pharmaceutical controlled-release formulation.

The research goal of the present study was to develop a carrier for loading and controlled -release of the hydrophobic drug with the combined use of organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) and alginate. The OMMT was synthesized through the intercalation modification of sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) with cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), nonionic nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPE) and the mixture of them via simple and convenient wet ball-milling method. Furthermore, the organo-montmorillonite/alginate (OMMT/Alg) composite hydrogel beads with slow and controlled release properties were constructed by using alginate as a coating material under the exogenous cross-linking of calcium ions. The physical and chemical properties of OMMT were comparatively evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), BET-specific surface area measurements, and drug adsorption experiments. Experimental results showed that the presence of CTAB was able to facilitate the intercalation of CTAB/NPE into Na-MMT through the cation exchange reaction. And the cationic CTAB and nonionic NPE were adsorbed or intercalated into the MMT lamellar structure through the wet ball-milling process, which could change the hydrophilic nature of Na-MMT and improve its affinity to the hydrophobic drug molecules. In addition, the OMMT/Alg composite hydrogel beads displayed superior sustained-release properties than Na-MMT/Alg, mainly ascribed to the good affinity of OMMT to hydrophobic drug that retarded the drug diffusion. In particular, CTA/NPE-MMT/Alg with the highest loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) revealed the optimal controlled performance for the release of hydrophobic ibuprofen. The release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model suggested non-Fickian diffusion release mechanism. Based on the high drug loading capacity and excellent controlled drug release properties, the CTA/NPE-MMT/Alg incorporating hydrophobic drugs into hydrophilic matrices could be a highly promising material for use in hydrophobic drug delivery.

Prescribing Patterns and Costs Associated with Postoperative Eye Drop Use in Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine costs and prescribing patterns of postoperative eye drops for cataract surgery and estimate potential savings of generic or therapeutic drug substitutions. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with Part D coverage who underwent cataract surgery in 2016. METHODS: Medicare Part D claims were used to extract information on eye drop prescriptions that were filled during the postoperative period of cataract surgery. Savings from generic or therapeutic drug substitutions were estimated for brand medications. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total cost of postoperative eye drops for cataract surgery and physician and patient factors associated with medication cost. RESULTS: Postoperative eye drops were prescribed in 2016 to 88% of 591 733 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent cataract surgery during that calendar year, with brand medications accounting for 57.5% of prescription volume. The overall cost totaled more than $167 million, 76.5% of which was attributable to use of brand medications. The mean costs of medications were $228 and $324 for those undergoing 1 and 2 surgeries, respectively. Topical antibiotics (89%) were the most commonly prescribed drug class by volume, followed by topical steroids (86%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (66%), and accounted for 26%, 37%, and 36% of the total cataract surgery eye drop cost, respectively. Use of therapeutic and generic alternatives could have resulted in cost savings of as much as $118 million, or 70% of the total cost of postoperative eye drops. In adjusted analysis, patient factors associated with increased eye drop cost included older age, female gender, and race or ethnicity. Physician characteristics associated with increased eye drop cost included female gender, greater number of years in practice, practicing in metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan areas, and practicing in the Northeast versus the South and in the South versus the Midwest. CONCLUSIONS: The cost to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for eye drops prescribed for postoperative use after cataract surgery in 2016 was approximately $170 million. In the absence of evidence of clinical superiority of expensive versus less costly options, substantial opportunity exists to improve the value of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries.

A cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis of apremilast in patients with psoriasis in the Italian setting.

Aims: The aim of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis, as well as a budget impact analysis, on the use of apremilast for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (defined as a psoriasis area severity index [PASI] ≥ 10), who failed to respond to, had a contraindication to, or were intolerant to other systemic therapies, within the Italian National Health Service (NHS).Materials and methods: A Markov state-transition cohort model adapted to the Italian context was used to compare the costs of the currently available treatments and of the patients' quality of life with two alternative treatment sequences, with or without apremilast as pre-biologic therapy. Moreover, a budget impact model was developed based on the population of patients treated for psoriasis in Italy, who would be eligible for treatment with apremilast.Results: Over 5 years, the cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the strategy of using apremilast before biologic therapy was dominant compared with the sequence of biologic treatments without apremilast. In addition, it is important to underline that the use of apremilast slightly increases the quality-adjusted life years gained over 5 years. Furthermore, within the budget impact analysis, the strategy including apremilast would lead to a saving of €16 million within 3 years. Savings would mainly be related to a reduction in pharmaceutical spending, hospital admissions and other drug administration-related costs.Conclusion: These models proved to be robust to variation in parameters and it suggested that the use of apremilast would lead to savings to the Italian healthcare system with potential benefits in terms of patients' quality of life.

Patterns of pain medication use associated with reported pain interference in older adults with and without cancer.

CONTEXT: Concerns about the adequacy of pain management among older adults are increasing, particularly with restrictions on opioid prescribing. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between prescription pain medication receipt and patient-reported pain interference in older adults with and without cancer. METHODS: Using the 2007-2012 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) database linked to Medicare Part D prescription claims, we selected MHOS respondents (N = 15,624) aged ≥ 66 years, ≤ 5 years of a cancer diagnosis (N = 9105), or without cancer (N = 6519). We measured receipt of opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antiepileptics, and selected antidepressants within 30 days prior to survey. Patient-reported activity limitation due to pain (pain interference) within the past 30 days was summarized as severe, moderate, or mild/none. Logistic regression using predictive margins estimated associations between pain interference, cancer history, and pain medication receipt, adjusting for socio-demographics, chronic conditions, and Part D low-income subsidy. RESULTS: Severe or moderate pain interference was reported by 21.3% and 46.1%, respectively. Pain medication was received by 21.5%, with 11.6% receiving opioids. Among adults reporting severe pain interference, opioid prescriptions were filled by 27.0% versus 23.8% (p = 0.040) with and without cancer, respectively. Over half (56%) of adults reporting severe pain in both groups failed to receive any prescription pain medication. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with cancer were more likely to receive prescription pain medications compared with adults without cancer; however, many older adults reporting severe pain interference did not receive medications. Improved assessment and management of pain among older adults with and without cancer is urgently needed.

Transferosomes as nanocarriers for drugs across the skin: Quality by design from lab to industrial scale.

Transferosomes, also known as transfersomes, are ultradeformable vesicles for transdermal applications consisting of a lipid bilayer with phospholipids and an edge activator and an ethanol/aqueous core. Depending on the lipophilicity of the active substance, it can be encapsulated within the core or amongst the lipid bilayer. Compared to liposomes, transferosomes are able to reach intact deeper regions of the skin after topical administration delivering higher concentrations of active substances making them a successful drug delivery carrier for transdermal applications. Most transferosomes contain phosphatidylcholine (C18) as it is the most abundant lipid component of the cell membrane, and hence, it is highly tolerated for the skin, decreasing the risk of undesirable effects, such as hypersensitive reactions. The most common edge activators are surfactants such as sodium deoxycholate, Tween® 80 and Span® 80. Their chain length is optimal for intercalation within the C18 phospholipid bilayer. A wide variety of drugs has been successfully encapsulated within transferosomes such as phytocompounds like sinomenine or apigenin for rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia respectively, small hydrophobic drugs but also macromolecules like insulin. The main factors to develop optimal transferosomal formulations (with high drug loading and nanometric size) are the optimal ratio between the main components as well as the critical process parameters for their manufacture. Application of quality by design (QbD), specifically design of experiments (DoE), is crucial to understand the interplay among all these factors not only during the preparation at lab scale but also in the scale-up process. Clinical trials of a licensed topical ketoprofen transferosomal gel have shown promising results in the alleviation of symptons in orthreothritis with non-severe skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. However, the product was withdrawn from the market which probably was related to the higher cost of the medicine linked to the expensive manufacturing process required in the production of transferosomes compared to other conventional gel formulations. This example brings out the need for a careful formulation design to exploit the best properties of this drug delivery system as well as the development of manufacturing processes easily scalable at industrial level.