Extent of a valsartan drug shortage and its effect on antihypertensive drug use in the Canadian population: a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Drug shortages represent a growing global problem, with potentially serious consequences to patients and the health care system. Our study investigates the impacts of a major recall and shortage of valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), in July 2018 in Canada. METHODS: We conducted a time-series analysis of antihypertensive drugs dispensed in Canada between 2015 and 2019 using commercially available retail prescription data. Using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling, we evaluated the change in valsartan use after the recall. We also measured the overall use of ARBs, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other antihypertensive drug classes for the same period. RESULTS: After the recall in July 2018, valsartan use decreased 57.8%, from 362 231 prescriptions dispensed in June 2018 to 152 892 in September 2018 (difference = 209 339, p < 0.0001). Overall use of the ARB drug class decreased 2.0%, from 1 577 509 prescriptions dispensed in June 2018 to 1 545 591 in September 2018 (difference = 31 918, p = 0.0003), but use of non-valsartan ARBs increased 14.6%, from 1 215 278 to 1 392 699 prescriptions dispensed (difference = 177 421, p < 0.0001) in the same time frame. Although use of ACE inhibitors initially declined, this reduction was not sustained. The valsartan recall was not associated with a significant impact on use of other antihypertensive drug classes. INTERPRETATION: Our findings illustrate the impact of a major drug shortage, with the immediate and substantial reduction of valsartan dispensed and cascading effects on other ARBs, though future research is warranted to understand the consequences of such extensive shortages on clinical outcomes and health system costs. Improved policy strategies are needed to address the underlying causes of drug shortages and to mitigate their effects.

'Here to stay': changes to prescribing medication in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION The delivery of health care by primary care general practices rapidly changed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020. AIM This study explores the experience of a large group of New Zealand general practice health-care professionals with changes to prescribing medication during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We qualitatively analysed a subtheme on prescribing medication from the General Practice Pandemic Experience New Zealand (GPPENZ) study, where general practice team members nationwide were invited to participate in five surveys over 16 weeks from 8 May 2020. RESULTS Overall, 78 (48%) of 164 participants enrolled in the study completed all surveys. Five themes were identified: changes to prescribing medicines; benefits of electronic prescription; technical challenges; clinical and medication supply challenges; and opportunities for the future. There was a rapid adoption of electronic prescribing as an adjunct to use of telehealth, minimising in-person consultations and paper prescription handling. Many found electronic prescribing an efficient and streamlined processes, whereas others had technical barriers and transmission to pharmacies was unreliable with sometimes incompatible systems. There was initially increased demand for repeat medications, and at the same time, concern that vulnerable patients did not have usual access to medication. The benefits of innovation at a time of crisis were recognised and respondents were optimistic that e-prescribing technical challenges could be resolved. DISCUSSION Improving e-prescribing technology between prescribers and dispensers, initiatives to maintain access to medication, particularly for vulnerable populations, and permanent regulatory changes will help patients continue to access their medications through future pandemic disruption.

Evaluación del consumo en antidepresivos en la población uruguaya entre 2010 y 2014 / Evaluation of antidepressant use in the Uruguayan population between 2010 and 2014 / Avaliação do uso de antidepressivos na população uruguaia entre 2010 e 2014

Resumen: Objetivo: conocer el consumo de antidepresivos en la población uruguaya en el período 2010-2014. Material y método: se realizó un estudio de utilización de medicamentos para evaluar el consumo de antidepresivos utilizando el dato de dispensación de medicamentos de las farmacias de las instituciones participantes. Se utilizó la variable dosis diaria definida (DDD) por 1.000 habitantes/día (DHD). Resultados: se incluyó el 69% de la población uruguaya. Las DHD globales de antidepresivos para los años 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 y 2014 fueron: 26,49, 29,71, 30,17, 30,79 y 32,55 (promedio en los 5 años: 30,04) siendo el aumento porcentual global en dicho período de 22,88%. Los ISRS fueron el grupo de antidepresivos más consumidos. Sertralina fue el antidepresivo más consumido en los 5 años de estudio (DHD 13,65), y el de mayor aumento porcentual fue duloxetina, seguido por escitalopram. Conclusión: el consumo de antidepresivos a nivel nacional en el período analizado es inferior al constatado en otros países, con una tendencia al aumento. Éste puede ser visto como una señal para la evaluación evolutiva en el periodo 2015-2020 y para realizar análisis de las prácticas de prescripción y actuales indicaciones, utilizando otras metodologías como los estudios de prevalencia o estudios de indicación-prescripción o de prescripción-indicación.

Abstract: Objective: to learn about antidepressant use in the Uruguayan population between 2010 and 2014. Method: the use of drugs was studied to evaluate the consumption of antidepressants by analysing the dispensing of drugs in the pharmacies that are part of the participating institutions. The study used the defined daily dose variable (DDD) by 1.000 inhabitants/day (DHD). Results: 69% of the Uruguayan population was included in the study. The global antidepressant dose by inhabitants per day for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was 26,49, 29,71, 30,17; 30,79 and 32,55 respectively (average in the five years 30,4) being the global increase of percentage 22,88%5 for that period. The SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) were the most widely used group of antidepressants. Sertraline was the antidepressant of greatest consumption in the 5 years of the study (DHD 13,65), and the one that presented the highest percentage increase was duloxetine, followed by escitalopram. Conclusion: antidepressant use at the national level during the period analysed is lower than that seen in other countries, although a tendency to increase was found. This may be interpreted as a sign for the need to evaluate the evolution in the 2015-2020 period, and to conduct studies on prescription practices and current indications using other methodologies, such as prevalence studies or indication-prescription or prescription-indication studies.

Resumo: Objetivo: conhecer o consumo de antidepressivos na população uruguaia no período 2010-2014. Material e método: foi realizado um estudo sobre o uso de medicamentos para avaliar o consumo de antidepressivos a partir dos dados de dispensação de medicamentos nas farmácias das instituições participantes. Foi utilizada a variável dose diária definida (DDD) por 1.000 habitantes/dia (DHD). Resultados: 69% da população uruguaia foram incluídas. Os DHDs globais de antidepressivos para os anos de 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 e 2014 foram: 26,49, 29,71, 30,17; 30,79 e 32,55 (média nos 5 anos, 30,04) sendo o aumento percentual global no referido período de 22,88%. Os inibidores seletivos da recaptação da serotonina foram o grupo de antidepressivos mais amplamente utilizado. A sertralina foi o antidepressivo mais utilizado nos 5 anos do estudo (DHD 13,65), e o que apresentou maior aumento percentual foi a duloxetina, seguida do escitalopram. Conclusão: o consumo de antidepressivos em nível nacional no período analisado é inferior ao encontrado em outros países, com tendência de aumento. Isto pode ser visto como um sinal para a avaliação evolutiva no período 2015-2020 e para a realização de análises das práticas de prescrição e indicações atuais, utilizando outras metodologias como estudos de prevalência ou estudos de indicação-prescrição ou prescrição-indicação.

Patterns of prescription dispensation and over-the-counter medication sales in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: On February 26th 2020, a high alert was issued in Sweden in response to the diagnosis of the first few coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country. Subsequently, a decreased supply of essential goods, including medical products, was anticipated. We aimed to explore the weekly patterns of prescription dispensing and over-the-counter (OTC) medication sales in Sweden in 2020 compared with previous years, to assess the influence of the government restrictions on medication sales, and to assess whether there is evidence of medication stockpiling in the population. METHODS: Aggregated data on the weekly volume of defined daily doses (DDDs) of prescription medication dispensed and OTC sales from 2015 to 2020 were examined. From 2015-2019 data, the predicted weekly volume of DDDs for 2020 was estimated and compared to the observed volume for each ATC anatomical main group and therapeutic subgroup. RESULTS: From mid-February to mid-March 2020, there were increases in the weekly volumes of dispensed medication, peaking in the second week of March with a 46% increase in the observed versus predicted number of DDDs dispensed (16,440 vs 11,260 DDDs per 1000 inhabitants). A similar pattern was found in all age groups, in both sexes, and across metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions. In the same week in March, there was a 96% increase in the volume of OTC sold (2,504 vs 1,277 DDDs per 1000 inhabitants), specifically in ATC therapeutic subgroups including vitamins, antipyretics, painkillers, and nasal, throat, cough and cold preparations. CONCLUSION: Beginning in mid-February 2020, there were significant changes in the volume of prescription medication dispensed and OTC drugs sold. The weekly volume of DDDs quickly decreased following recommendations from public authorities. Overall, our findings suggest stockpiling behavior over a surge in new users of medication.

A Non-Profit Approach to Address Foreign Dependence of Generic Drugs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of the US generic drug supply chain to foreign production. Many policies have been proposed to mitigate this vulnerability. In this article, we argue that nonprofit drug manufacturers have the potential to make important contributions.

Naturaleza de las dispensaciones durante el servicio de guardia de fin de semana de las farmacias en la ciudad de Teruel / Nature of dispensations during the weekend guardservice of pharmacies in the city of Teruel

INTRODUCCIÓN: el trabajo que los farmacéuticos y otros profesionales sanitarios realizan durante el servicio de guardia tiene una importancia esencial, ya que asegura la accesibilidad al medicamento, ofreciendo consejo sanitario, seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y apoyo profesional a los pacientes fuera del horario habitual. OBJETIVO: conocer la naturaleza de las dispensaciones en el servicio de guardia de las farmacias de la ciudad de Teruel durante el fin de semana. METODOLOGÍA: estudio observacional descriptivo transversal realizado en tres farmacias comunitarias de la ciudad de Teruel. El primer período analizado comprende desde abril hasta junio de 2019 y el segundo en marzo de 2020, durante los cuatro fines de semana que las farmacias estudiadas estaban de guardia. RESULTADOS: de las 4.245 dispensaciones de los fines de semana analizadas en 2019, 1.059 (26,4 %) fueron medicamentos con prescripción realizada por servicios médicos de urgencia; 965 (21,8 %) de fármacos con prescripción crónica; 655 (15,2 %) no tenían prescripción médica de ningún tipo, pero se consideraron necesarios; 1.067 (25,8 %) no tenían prescripción médica y no se consideraron necesarios, y 499 (10,8 %) fueron dispensaciones no ortodoxas. CONCLUSIONES: el patrón de las dispensaciones durante las guardias de las farmacias es constante, independientemente de que el fin de semana sea ordinario, situación especial (Semana Santa) o situación de alarma ("COVID"). El servicio de urgencias farmacéutico no está siendo bien utilizado por la población, ya que el porcentaje de actuaciones farmacéuticas que tiene su origen en una urgencia médica es muy bajo

INTRODUCTION: The work that pharmacists and other healthcare professionals during the on-call service shades an importance that ensures accessibility to the drug, health advice, pharmacotherapeutic monitoring and profesional support to patients; out of regular hours. OBJECTIVES: Know the nature of the population in the guardservice of the pharmacies in the city of Teruel during the weekends. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in three community pharmacies in the city of Teruel. The first period analyzed ranges from April to June 2019 and the second in March 2020, during the four weekends that the pharmacies studies were on call. RESULTS: Of the 4245 weekend dispensations analyzed in 2019: 1059 (26.4%)were prescription drugs performed by emergency medical services, 965 (21.8%) of chronically prescribed drugs, 655 (15.2%) did not have a prescription of any kind but were considered necessary, 1067 (25.8%) had no prescription and were not considered necessary and 499 (10,80%) were non-orthodox dispensations. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of dispensing during pharmacy guards is constant, independently of whether the weekend is ordinary, special situation (Easter) or an Alarm Situation ("COVID"). The pharmaceutical emergency service is not being used well by the population, the percentage of pharmaceutical actions that originate from a medical emergency is very low

Prescription Drug Shortages: Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Medications.

OBJECTIVES: Drug shortages have been increasing over the past 2 decades. There are limited data on drug shortages and their effect on pediatric emergency and critical care. Our objective was to describe pediatric emergency and critical care drug shortages. METHODS: Drug shortage data from January 2001 to December 2015 were obtained from the University of Utah Drug Information Services. Shortages were reviewed, identifying agents used in pediatric emergency and critical care. Shortage data were analyzed for the type of drug, formulation, shortage reason, duration, marketing status (generic vs brand name), or if it was a pediatric-friendly formulation, used for a high-acuity condition, or a single-source product. The availability of a substitute was also described. RESULTS: Of 1883 products on shortage, 779 were used in pediatric emergency or critical care. The annual number of shortages decreased from 2001 to 2004, but then increased, reaching a high in 2011. The median duration for resolved shortages was 7.6 months (interquartile range, 3.0-17.6 months). The most common category affected was infectious disease drugs. High-acuity agents were involved in 27% of shortages and in 11% of pediatric-friendly formulations. An alternative agent was available for 95% of drugs, yet 43% of alternatives were also affected at some time during the study period. The most common reported reason for a shortage was manufacturing problems. CONCLUSIONS: From 2001 to 2015, drug shortages affected a substantial number of agents used in pediatric emergency and critical care. This has had implications to the medications available for use and may impact patient outcomes. Providers must be aware of current shortages and implement mitigation strategies to optimize patient care.

How patients in Denmark acquire their medicines: overview, data sources and implications for pharmacoepidemiology.

The means by which patients acquire their medications differ between countries, and a knowledge of this is essential when conducting and interpreting pharmacoepidemiological studies. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of how patients obtain medicines in Denmark, to relate these to nationwide registries available for research and to discuss the implications for research. Health services are predominantly tax-funded in Denmark, with dentistry and some medicine bought at community pharmacies being exceptions, involving partial reimbursement of charges. The paper gives an overview of prescription medicines acquired from community pharmacies (including magistral preparations), over-the-counter medicines, vaccinations and in-hospital medicine including so-called "free medicine" (in Danish: "vederlagsfri medicin"). "Free medicine" is medicines for a defined list of diseases and indications that is provided free of charge to patients in outpatient clinics. The paper also describes the content of the various Danish data sources about medicine use, summarizes their strengths and limitations, and exemplifies the ways of evaluating their completeness. An example is provided of the regional variation in the means by which medicines are acquired.