[Translated article] Current situation and evolution of the availability of drugs in the pediatric population in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of the new medicines approved in the pediatric population in the last 3 years, both those with studies only in the pediatric population and those that extend their indication in this population group, as well as the current situation in relation to their marketing and financing. METHODS: Descriptive observational study of all drugs that include an indication in the pediatric population in Spain (by extension of the indications of drugs already authorized or because they are new drugs that already include an indication in this population group), from January 2019 to March 2022. RESULTS: During the study period, 129 drugs included their indication in the pediatric population. 13.9% of them are not marketed, 46.5% are in a situation of non-financing, under study or without a request for financing, and 4.6% are financed for a specific pediatric subpopulation. 52.7% are original drugs, 4.7% are generic, 38.8% are biological, 3.8% are biosimilar, and 17.8% are orphan drugs. 57.36% of these medicines obtain the pediatric indication due to extension of the indication and 42.64% obtain it because they are new medicines that already include their studies in the pediatric population. CONCLUSIONS: Drugs with authorized indications are increasingly available in the pediatric population and the trend is to extend the indication of authorized drugs to the adult population. However, barriers in terms of financing and marketing need to be expedite and overcome to facilitate access to them.

Medication reconciliation on admission in paediatric chronic patients: A multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: Medication reconciliation (MC) is one of the main strategies to reduce medication errors in care transitions. In Spain, several guidelines have been published with recommendations for the implementation and development of MC aimed at the adult population, although paediatric patients are not included. In 2018, a study was carried out that led to the subsequent publication of a document with criteria for selecting paediatric patients in whom CM should be prioritised. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of paediatric patients most likely to suffer from errors of reconciliation (EC), to confirm whether the results of a previous study can be extrapolated. METHODOLOGY: Prospective, multicentre study of paediatric inpatients. We analysed the CE detected during the performance of the CM on admission. The best possible pharmacotherapeutic history of the patient was obtained using different sources of information and confirmed by an interview with the patient/caregiver. RESULTS: 1043 discrepancies were detected, 544 were identified as CD, affecting 317 patients (43%). Omission of a drug was the most common error (51%). The majority of CD were associated with drugs in groups A (31%), N (23%) and R (11%) of the ATC classification. Polymedication and onco-haematological based disease were the risk factors associated with the presence of CD with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study allow prioritisation of CM in a specific group of paediatric patients, favouring the efficiency of the process. Onco-haematological patients and polymedication are confirmed as the main risk factors for the appearance of CD in the paediatric population.

Current situation and evolution of the availability of drugs in the paediatric population in Spain. / Situación actual y evolución de la disponibilidad de medicamentos en la población pediátrica en España.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of the new medicines approved in the pediatric population in the last three years, both those with studies only in the pediatric population and those that extend their indication in this population group, as well as the current situation in relation to their marketing and financing. METHODS: Descriptive observational study of all drugs that include an indication in the pediatric population in Spain (by extension of the indications of drugs already authorised or because they are new drugs that already include an indication in this population group), from January 2019 to March 2022. RESULTS: During the study period, 129 drugs included their indication in the pediatric population. 13,9% of them are not marketed, 46,5% are in a situation of non-financing, under study, or without a request for financing, and 4,6% are financed for a specific pediatric subpopulation. 52,7% are original drugs, 4,7% are generic, 38,8% are biological, 3,8% are biosimilar and 17,8% are orphan drugs. 57,36% of these medicines obtain the pediatric indication due to extension of the indication and 42,64% obtain it because they are new medicines that already include their studies in the pediatric population. CONCLUSIONS: Drugs with authorised indications are increasingly available in the paediatric population and the trend is to extend the indication of authorised drugs to the adult population. However, barriers in terms of financing and marketing need to be expedited and overcome to facilitate access to them.

Does the use of new cephalosporins follow the authorised, financed and approved indications? A study of their use in routine clinical practice in a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the appropriateness of ceftazidime-avibactam (C-A), ceftolozane-tazobactam (C-T) and ceftaroline prescriptions according to European Medicines Agency (EMA)/Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) approved indications, financed indications in the Spanish health system and hospital Infection Commission (IC) recommendations in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study of inpatients aged ≥18 years, who were prescribed the above-mentioned antimicrobials during the period January-December 2020. Variables obtained were demographic (sex and age), pharmacological (antibiotic, use - empiric or targeted, indication) and microbiological (sensitivity testing and antibiotic tested) data. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were included. C-A (n=40): 67.5% of patients were male, with a mean age of 61 (range 22-87) years. Empiric treatment was applied in 30% of the cases (n=12). De-escalation in 33.33% of individuals. Sensitivity testing was done in 92.86% of patients, including C-A in 57.69% of them. C-T (n=19): 89.47% of patients were male, with a mean age of 65 (range 18-82) years. An empiric approach was followed in 5.26% of subjects; de-escalation was performed in all cases due to culture with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sensitivity testing was carried out in 100% of patients, including C-T in 26.32% of them. Ceftaroline (n=20): 70% of patients were male, with a mean age of 55.5 (range 23-79) years. Empiric treatment was applied to 30% of cases. In 50% of these subjects de-escalation was done. Sensitivity testing was done in 92.85% of them, but in none with ceftaroline. Regarding the percentage of appropriateness: approved EMA/AEMPS indications: C-A: 100%; C-T: 84.21%; ceftaroline: 75%; financed indications in the Spanish health system: C-A: 85%; C-T: 100%; ceftaroline: 15%; IC: C-A: 60%; C-T: 57.9%; ceftaroline: 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of stewardship programmes in the decision-making process and in the follow-up of patients with infections caused by MDR microorganisms.

Respuesta de los autores: Consideraciones sobre las prescripciones antimicrobianas en urgencias / Author's response: Considerations in antimicrobial prescribing in the emergency department

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Interferon-free treatments in patients with hepatitis C genotype 3 infection in a tertiary hospital / Tratamientos libres de interferon en pacientes con hepatitis C y genotipo 3 en un hospital terciario

Introduction. Hepatitis C virus genotype 3 represents a unique entity within HCV treatment and multiple studies have documented that HCV genotype 3 infection is associated with more rapid disease progression than other genotypes, resulting in increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and allcause mortality. In the current study, we further evaluated the real-world effectiveness of 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir ± ribavirin (LDV/SOF ± RBV) and sofosbuvir + daclatasvir (SOF + DCV) for treatment-naive or treatment-experienced patients infected with HCV genotype 3, with or without cirrhosis. Material and methods. Retrospective and observational study carried out in a third level hospital. Study period: April 2015 to January 2016. Inclusion criteria: Patients with HCV genotype-3 infection treated either with LDV/SOF ± RBV or with SOF + DCV during study period treated for 12 weeks. The patients that were treated during 24 weeks were excluded and those treated with peg-interferon. The main endpoint measured was the sustained virologic response (SVR) at 12 weeks (SVR12) and the secondary endpoint was SVR at 24 weeks (SVR24). Results. During the study period, 603 patients were treated in our hospital: 71 with genotype 3. We included 46 patients who were treated with LDV/SOF ± RBV or SOF + DCV for 12 weeks. A 43.75% (7/16) of all patients treated with LDV/ SOF achieved SVR12, 90% (9/10) of the patients treated with LDV/SOF+RBV achieved SVR12 and 95% (19/20) of the patients treated with SOF+DCV achieved SVR12. There was statistically significant difference (p=0.001) between LDV/SOF respect to SOF+DCV and between LDV/SOF with regard to LDV/SOF +RBV (p=0.018) used to treat HCV genotype 3 infection. Conclusions. In conclusion, in our cohort of patients, the combination of SOF + DCV followed by LDV/SOF + RBV 12 weeks were the most effective in patients with HCV genotype 3 and with cirrhosis (SVR12 90% and 80%, respectively) and in those without cirrhosis (SVR12 100% in both combinations). All patients who achieved SVR12 also achieved SVR24, regardless of the regimen received (AU)

Introducción. El virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) genotipo 3 representa una entidad única dentro del tratamiento de la hepatitis C y múltiples estudios sugieren que la infección del VHC genotipo 3 está asociada a una progresión más rápida de la enfermedad comparado con otros genotipos, resultando en un mayor riesgo de cirrosis, carcinoma hepatocelular y mortalidad. En el presente estudio se evaluó la efectividad del tratamiento ledipasvir/sofosbuvir ± ribavirina (LDV/SOF ± RBV) y sofosbuvir + daclatasvir (SOF + DCV) durante 12 semanas en pacientes con VHC genotipo 3 naive o pre-tratados, con o sin cirrosis. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo en un hospital de tercer nivel. El periodo de estudio comprendió 9 meses (abril 2015-enero 2016). Criterios de inclusión: pacientes con hepatitis C y genotipo 3 que fueron tratados con LDV/SOF ± RBV o con SOF + DCV durante 12 semanas. Los pacientes que fueron tratados durante 24 semanas fueron excluidos así como aquellos que se trataron con peginteferon. La variable principal fue la respuesta viral sostenida (RVS) a semana 12 (RVS12) y la variable secundaria fue RVS24. Resultados. En el periodo de estudio se trataron en nuestro hospital 603 pacientes: 71 con genotipo 3. Se incluyeron en el análisis 46 pacientes, que fueron tratados con LDV/SOF ± RBV o SOF + DCV durante 12 semanas. El 43,75% (7/16) de todos los pacientes tratados con LDV/SOF alcanzaron RVS12, el 90% (9/10) de los pacientes tratados con LDV/SOF + RBV consiguieron RVS12 y el 95% (19/20) de los pacientes tratados con SOF + DCV. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas (p=0,001) entre LDV/SOF y SOF + DCV y entre LDV/SOF + RBV y LDV/SOF (p=0,018). Conclusiones. En nuestra cohorte de pacientes, las combinaciones de SOF + DCV y LDV/SOF + RBV, administrados durante 12 semanas, fueron las más efectivas tanto en pacientes con cirrosis (RVS12 90% y 80%, respectivamente), como en pacientes sin cirrosis (RVS12 100% en ambos casos). Todos los pacientes que alcanzaron RVS12, también alcanzaron RVS24 independientemente del tratamiento recibido (AU)

Adherence of rheumatoid arthritis patients to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a cross-sectional study.

The aims of this study were to evaluate adherence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), identify potential risk factors, and analyze the discriminative ability of the Morisky-Green test (MGT) to detect bDMARD nonadherence. One hundred and seventy-eight adult RA patients treated with bDMARDs were included. Adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR) of the previous 6 months. An MPR >80% was considered good adherence. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and MGT scores were assessed through a standardized clinical interview at the cross-sectional date. One-hundred and twelve patients (63%) were taking subcutaneous bDMARDs, while 66 (37%) were taking intravenous drugs. One-hundred fifty-eight (88.8%) showed good adherence to bDMARDs, while 79 (61.2%) also correctly took concomitant conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). In logistic regression models, nonadherence to bDMARDs was associated with higher disease activity [odds ratio (OR) 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03-2.03; p = 0.032] and subcutaneous route (OR 3.70; 95% CI 1.02-13.48; p = 0.040). MGT accurately identified an MPR >80% of bDMARDs in 76.9% of the patients. A sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 70%, positive predictive value of 95.3%, negative predictive value of 28.5%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 2.6, and negative LR of 0.3% were obtained. Adherence may be good for bDMARDs but is low for csDMARDs. Low adherence for bDMARDs is associated with poorer disease control during the past 6 months and use of subcutaneous route. These findings should alert doctors to consider possible low adherence before declaring treatment failure.

Monoterapia con darunavir/cobicistat. Experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel / Darunavir/cobicistat monotherapy. Experience in a tertiary hospital

Introducción. La monoterapia con inhibidores de la proteasa potenciados con ritonavir (IP/r): darunavir (DRV/r) o lopinavir (LPV/r), sólo está contemplada en las principales guías de tratamiento en pacientes pretratados para evitar toxicidad asociada a inhibidores de transcriptasa inversa análogos de nucleósidos/nucleótidos (ITIAN), reducir costes y simplificar el tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR). Para iniciar una monoterapia basada en IP/r según las guías GESIDA del año 2016, es necesario que el paciente cumpla los siguientes criterios: ausencia de hepatitis crónica B, carga viral plasmática (CVP) (<50 copias/ mL) durante al menos 6 meses y ausencia de mutaciones en el gen de la proteasa o fracasos virológicos (FV) previos a IP/r. Actualmente no hay estudios que evalúen la eficacia y seguridad de una monoterapia con darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/COBI). Material y Métodos. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes VIH pretratados con DRV/r en monoterapia que cambiaron a una monoterapia con DRV/ COBI. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es describir la efectividad y seguridad de la monoterapia con DRV/COBI. Resultados. Se estudiaron 78 pacientes. Los pacientes tuvieron una mediana de 31,29 (6-74,82) meses de monoterapia con DRV/r previo al cambio a DRV/COBI en monoterapia. Nueve de los 78 pacientes desarrollaron 'blips' (CVP: 50-200 copias/ml) y cuatro pacientes tuvieron CVP≥ 200 copias/mL. Un 83,3% (65/78) se mantuvieron con CVP indetectable. En cuanto a la seguridad, no hubo diferencias importantes en el perfil lipídico, función hepática (transaminasas) y función renal entre DRV/r y DRV/COBI en monoterapia. Conclusiones. DRV/COBI en monoterapia, parece ser efectivo y seguro (perfil lipídico, hepático y renal). Sin embargo, deberían diseñarse estudios específicos que comparasen DRV/r vs. DRV/COBI en monoterapia para comprobar estos resultados (AU)

Introduction. Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (IP/r) monotherapy: darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) or lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) monotherapy is only provided in the major treatment guidelines in pretreated patients to prevent toxicity associated with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), reduce costs and simplify antiretroviral treatment. To start IP/r monotherapy, according to GESIDA guidelines 2016, patients need to meet the following criteria: absence of chronic hepatitis B, plasma viral load <50 copies/ mL for at least 6 months and absence of protease inhibitors mutations or previous virologic failures to IP/r. Currently, there are no studies that evaluate the efficacy and safety of darunavir/cobicistat (DRV/COBI) monotherapy. Methods. This prospective study analyzed pretreated HIV patients with DRV/r monotherapy that were switched to DRV/ COBI monotherapy. The aim of the study is to describe the effectiveness and safety of the DRV/COBI monotherapy. Results. Seventy-eight patients were evaluated. Patients had a median of 31.29 months of DRV/r monotherapy before DRV/COBI monotherapy. Nine of the 78 patients developed 'blips' (plasma viral load: 50-200 copies/ml) and four patients had plasma viral load ≥200 copies/mL. An 83.3% (65/78) of the patients remained with undetectable plasma viral load. As for safety, there were no significant differences in lipid profile, liver function (transaminases) and renal function between DRV/r and DRV/COBI monotherapy. Conclusions. DRV/COBI monotherapy seems to be effective and safe (lipid profile, liver and kidney function). However, it would be necessary to design specific studies comparing DRV/r vs DRV/COBI monotherapy to confirm these results (AU)

Biterapia como alternativa de tratamiento en los pacientes VIH pretratados: experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel / Dual therapy as an alternative treatment in HIV pretreatred patients: experience in a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: La biterapia se plantea como una alternativa efectiva para prevenir la aparición de efectos secundarios y comorbilidades asociadas al tratamiento prolongado con antirretrovirales (ARV) y una forma de simplificación del tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) para mejorar la adherencia en determinados pacientes, además de una posible opción de tratamiento en pacientes en los que hayan fracasado TAR previos. MÉTODOS: El objetivo del estudio es describir la efectividad, grado de adherencia y costes de los regímenes de biterapia utilizados en los pacientes VIH pretratados en un hospital de tercer nivel. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 38 pacientes (8 se excluyeron). Los principales motivos de cambio a biterapia fueron evitar los efectos adversos del TAR anterior (40%), la simplificación (36,67 %) y el rescate virológico (20%). Los esquemas de bi¬terapia más utilizados fueron: IP/r + INI (26,67%), IP/r + ITIAN (23,33%), IP/r + ITINN (23,33%), IP/r + CCR5 (16,66%) e INI + ITINN (10%). Los ARV más utilizados fueron: DRV/r + RAL en el 23,33 % de los pacientes; DRV/r + 3TC en el 20% y DRV/r + ETR en el 16,67 %. La adherencia antes del cambio a biterapia fue del 86,79% y tras el cambio a biterapia fue del 96,27%. El ahorro económico que supuso el cambio a biterapia de estos pacientes fue de 3.635,16 €. CONCLUSIÓN: La biterapia con IP/r se plantea como una alternativa eficiente comparada con la terapia convencional en pacientes pretratados

INTRODUCTION: Dual therapy regimen might be an effective alternative to prevent the occurrence of side effects and comorbidities associated with prolonged treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) and a way of simplification of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve adherence in certain patients. It also represents a potential treatment option for patients who have failed previous TAR. METHODS: The aim of the study is to describe the effectiveness, adherence and costs of dual therapy regimen used in pretreated HIV patients in tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were studied (eight were excluded). Reasons for simplification to dual therapy were previous treatment toxicity (40%), simplification (36.67%) and virological rescue (20%). The dual therapy regimens most used were: IP/r + INSTIs (26.67%), IP/r + NRTIs (23.33%), IP/r + NNRTIs (23.33%), IP/r+ CCR5 (16.66%) e INSTIs + NNRTIs (10%). ARV more used were darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) + raltegravir (23.33 %); DRV/r + lamivudine (20%) y DRV/r + etravirine (16.67 %). Adherence was 86.79% before switching to dual therapy and 96.27% after switching. The cost savings of switching to dual therapy of these patients was € 3,635.16. DISCUSSION: Dual therapy with IP/r might be an effective alternative to selected treatment experienced patients compared with conventional therapy

[Dual therapy as an alternative treatment in HIV pretreated patients: experience in a tertiary hospital]. / Biterapia como alternativa de tratamiento en los pacientes VIH pretratados: experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel.

OBJECTIVE: Dual therapy regimen might be an effective alternative to prevent the occurrence of side effects and comorbidities associated with prolonged treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) and a way of simplification of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve adherence in certain patients. It also represents a potential treatment option for patients who have failed previous TAR. METHODS: The aim of the study is to describe the effectiveness, adherence and costs of dual therapy regimen used in pretreated HIV patients in tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were studied (eight were excluded). Reasons for simplification to dual therapy were previous treatment toxicity (40%), simplification (36.67%) and virological rescue (20%). The dual therapy regimens most used were: IP/r + INSTIs (26.67%), IP/r + NRTIs (23.33%), IP/r + NNR-TIs (23.33%), IP/r+ CCR5 (16.66%) e INSTIs + NNRTIs (10%). ARV more used were darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) + raltegravir (23.33 %); DRV/r + lamivudine (20%) y DRV/r + etravirine (16.67 %). Adherence was 86.79% before switching to dual therapy and 96.27% after switching. The cost savings of switching to dual therapy of these patients was € 3,635.16. CONCLUSIONS: Dual therapy with IP/r might be an effective alternative to selected treatment experienced patients compared with conventional therapy.