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The paper surveys the intellectual property (IP) laws of seven Southern African Development Community countries to better understand the nature, scope, and depth of their patent laws with particular focus on their utilisation of TRIPS flexibilities to facilitate pharmaceutical access. The selected countries – Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – represent a mix of both major and modest economies. While the current literature contains widespread assertions on the impact and effect of TRIPS on access to medicines in these countries and less-developed countries in general, this paper finds that the countries lack explicit and workable provisions implementing key TRIPS flexibilities. Hence, available TRIPS flexibilities have not been well utilised and it is often the complicated and unworkable domestic framework – rather than TRIPS – which becomes the stumbling block to pharmaceutical access. Another major finding is that patents may not be a major impediment in the region given that few patents and even fewer pharmaceutical patents are filed. The paper argues that since the surveyed countries are mainly net IP importers with similar developmental contexts and aspirations, the best approach would be to fully take advantage of existing flexibilities and more aggressively leverage policy space to engender access to cheaper medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Animals are frequently used to determine whether new compounds have the potential to be used as drugs against the parasitic disease leishmaniasis. There is, however, no consensus on the best animal model, and many different ones are used. This review explored the many different models and identified their strengths and weaknesses. The work showed that many papers on animal models for leishmaniasis lack a thorough description of the experimental procedures used, are deficient in appropriate ethical review (to safeguard the welfare of the animals), and measures to reduce, refine or replace animal studies are hardly addressed. Mice and hamsters are most frequently used, but there are many differences in how the animal experiment is set up. We propose a more generalized animal model, in particular to ensure that different experiments can be better compared. Furthermore, we make a plea to report all animal experiments in the same way, and all experiments must be scrutinized by appropriate ethical review committees. Many different animal models are in use for drug development for leishmaniasis, but a universal model does not exist. There is a plethora of models, and this review assesses their design, quality, and limitations, including the attention paid to animal welfare in the study design and execution. A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of available literature after the year 2000 describing animal models for leishmaniasis. The risk of bias was determined using the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk of bias assessment tool. A total of 10,980 records were initially identified after searching the databases PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO. Based on the application of predetermined exclusion and inclusion criteria, a total of 203 papers describing 216 animal experiments were available for full analysis. Major reasons for exclusion were a lack of essential study information or appropriate ethical review and approval. Mice (82.8%; an average of 35.9 animals per study) and hamsters (17.1%; an average of 7.4 animals per study) were the most frequently used animals, mostly commercially sourced, in the included studies. All studies lacked a formal sample size analysis. The promastigote stages of L. amazonensis or L. major were most frequently used to establish experimental infections (single inoculum). Animal welfare was poorly addressed in all included studies, as the definition of a human end-point or consideration of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) was hardly addressed. Most animals were euthanized at the termination of the experiment. The majority of the studies had an unknown or high risk of bias. Animal experiments for drug development for leishmaniasis mainly poorly designed and of low quality, lack appropriate ethical review, and are deficient in essential information needed to replicate and interpret the study. Importantly, aspects of animal welfare are hardly considered. This underpins the need to better consider and record the details of the study design and animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: This review aimed to demonstrate the self‐care behaviours of first‐generation Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease in western countries and identify related cultural factors. Background: Self‐care is the cornerstone to mitigate disease symptoms and maintain health status. Chinese immigrants to western countries, operating within a cross‐cultural context, may find self‐care to manage their cardiovascular disease challenging. Design: An integrative review was conducted. Methods: Seven databases were searched Scopus, ProQuest Health & Medicine, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), AMED (Ovid), PsycINFO and CINAHL, with output limited to peer‐reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2020 in English or Chinese. Initially, 2037 papers were screened. Six papers were retained and critiqued using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Deductive and inductive approaches were utilised to analyse the findings. The PRISMA 2020 checklist informed review reportage. Result: In general, Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease took an active role in management of their cardiovascular disease, including through diet and activity adaptation and adherence to western medication. Families also played a significant role in disease decision‐making and management. However, language and cultural barriers impeded their access to health information and resources in host countries. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding self‐care behaviours and associated cultural factors among Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease is important to improve nurses' culturally sensitive practices and provide tailored health education interventions to promote self‐care behaviours among immigrant populations. The scarcity of literature on self‐care behaviours among Chinese first‐generation immigrants with cardiovascular disease indicates the need for further research in this area. Development of culturally and linguistically sensitive health resources and education programs is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An estimated 30–70% of available medications in low-income countries and conflict states are of low quality or counterfeit. Reasons for this vary but most are rooted in regulatory agencies being poorly equipped to oversee quality of pharmaceutical stocks. This paper presents the development and validation of a method for point-of-care drug stock quality testing in these environs. The method is termed Baseline Spectral Fingerprinting and Sorting (BSF-S). BSF-S leverages the phenomena that all compounds in solution have nearly unique spectral profiles in the UV spectrum. Further, BSF-S recognizes that variations in sample concentrations are introduced when preparing samples in the field. BSF-S compensates for this variability by incorporating the ELECTRE-TRI-B sorting algorithm, which contains parameters that are trained in the laboratory using authentic, proxy low quality and counterfeit samples. The method was validated in a case study using fifty samples that include factually authentic Praziquantel and inauthentic samples prepared in solution by an independent pharmacist. Study researchers were blinded to which solution contained the authentic samples. Each sample was tested by the BSF-S method described in this paper and sorted to authentic or low quality/counterfeit categories with high levels of specificity and sensitivity. In combination with a companion device under development using ultraviolet light emitting diodes, the BSF-S method is intended to be a portable and low-cost method for testing medications for authenticity at or near the point-of-care in low income countries and conflict states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graph Advent of I in silico i screening techniques and high throughput technologies have resulted in synthesis of highly potent compounds with challenging physicochemical properties. For these challenging compounds, delivery systems are designed to enhance solubility/ stability, target specific sites in the human body, optimize drug therapy, improve PK-PD profile and reduce side/ adverse effects. [Extracted from the article]

Particle characterization is critical in industries that are influenced by particle size distribution. Understanding particle behavior is crucial for product quality control and manufacturing process optimization. Particle characteristics significantly affect material performance and properties. This review paper examines the importance of particle characterization in many industries and focuses on particle size and shape measurement. This paper begins by delving into particle size and size distribution analysis, emphasizing the impact of particle size on material properties and the many methodologies used for particle size analysis. This paper then examines particle shape characterization and its impact on material characteristics. It gives an overview of particle characterization techniques and the criteria for selecting the best technique for a given sample. Particle characterization in ceramics, food, cosmetics, medicines, and metallurgy are also thoroughly discussed. Overall, this work emphasizes the importance of particle characterization in numerous industries and provides insights into particle size and shape measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies and statistical reports presented by anti-drug agencies in the Philippines suggest that illicit drug use in the Philippines had been increasing substantially. This study aims to analyse the locations of drug-related incidents in Manila City in October 2017 through the analysis of spatial point patterns. The point pattern for drug-related crimes was then tested for spatial dependence with specific establishments in Manila City such as schools, churches, and police stations. Notable results presented in this paper are: (i) the imposition of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to handle all drug-related crimes had significantly decreased the number of reported drug crimes, (ii) drug-related crimes were clustered on residential areas, (iii) drug-related crimes were inclined to happen far from colleges and universities, and (iv) drug-related crimes happened more frequently near public high schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is the study and application of how interindividual differences in our genomes can influence drug responses. By evaluating individuals’ genetic variability in genes related to drug metabolism, PGx testing has the capabilities to individualise primary care and build a safer drug prescription model than the current “one-size-fits-all” approach. In particular, the use of PGx testing in psychiatry has shown promising evidence in improving drug efficacy as well as reducing toxicity and adverse drug reactions. Despite randomised controlled trials demonstrating an evidence base for its use, there are still numerous barriers impeding its implementation. This review paper will discuss the management of mental health conditions with PGx-guided treatment with a strong focus on youth mental illness. PGx testing in clinical practice, the concerns for its implementation in youth psychiatry, and some of the barriers inhibiting its integration in clinical healthcare will also be discussed. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge and application for PGx in psychiatry and summarises the capabilities of genetic information to personalising medicine for the treatment of mental ill-health in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain is one of the main leading causes of disability in the world at present. A variety in the symptomatology, intensity and duration of this phenomenon has led to an ever-increasing demand of pharmacological treatment and relief. This demand for medication, ranging from well-known groups, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines, to more novel drugs, was followed by a rise in safety concerns of such treatment options. The validity, frequency, and diversity of such concerns are discussed in this paper, as well as their possible effect on future prescription practices. A specific caution is provided towards the psychological safety and toll of these medications, regarding suicidality and suicidal ideation. Most significantly, this paper highlights the importance of pharmacovigilance and underscores the necessity of surveillance programs when considering chronic pain medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscale 3D printing is rapidly transforming the pharmaceutical landscape, offering unprecedented precision and customization in drug formulation and drug delivery systems. This paper explores the current state of the field, highlighting key findings and emerging trends. Microscale 3D printing enables the creation of patient-specific dosages and personalized dosage forms, ushering in an era of precision medicine. Integration with biopharmaceuticals presents novel opportunities in regenerative medicine, with the potential for organ and tissue production. Moreover, the technology holds promise for cost savings and ethical considerations, though challenges in regulation and data protection loom. The future of microscale 3D printing in pharmaceuticals is one of precision, customization and promise, where healthcare is patient-centric and cost-effective. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the subject and underscores the transformative power of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent discussions about the increasing prices of prescription drugs have focused on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), third-party intermediaries for various types of employers and government purchasers who negotiate drug prices in health plans and thus play a crucial role in determining the amount millions of Americans pay for medications. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians expands on its position paper from 2016 by offering additional recommendations to improve transparency in the PBM industry and highlighting the need for reliable, timely, and relevant information on prescription drug pricing for physicians and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium represents the main drug for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder (BD) as it acts as a mood stabilizer. However, because of its narrow therapeutic window, psychiatric patients are obliged to frequent tests in hospital to control their lithium blood concentration during therapy. In this paper, we fabricate for the first time a complete non-invasive system for the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) of lithium in sweat in people suffering from BD. The wearable electrochemical sensing platform includes a paper fluidics and a stable Reference Electrode (RE). Lithium detection is based on the use of a potentiometric Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) with a nanostructured solid contact in order to increase the potential stability of the sensor. A chemical chlorination combined with the use of a PVC membrane doped with an Ionic Liquid (IL) is used to minimize possible potential drifts of the RE. The Nernstian response (56.8±3.9 mV /decade) of the system in the range of clinical interest is then proved in aqueous solution and in sweat. The integration of the sensing platform with a paper fluidics transporting fresh sweat sample to the sensing area is also considered. The already tested sweat is collected in a reservoir made of slow adsorbing paper. The complete wearable system is then successfully tested in a simulated setup by using a mannequin. The measured potential is well compared to the predicted ones in the therapeutic window of lithium drug, proving the good sensing capability in artificial sweat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tourism Geographies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This review paper presents current recommendations for the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020, EPOS 2020. A particularly important and new element of these recommendations is to emphasize the role of phytotherapy as a rational treatment method, documented by a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial (DBPC). An example of rational phytotherapy of rhinosinusitis is the BNO 1016 formulation recommended in EPOS 2020, known under the trade name of Sinupret®. Each of the pharmaceutical forms of BNO 1016 -- coated tablets (powdered drug; dry extract) and oral drops (ethanol extract), is produced on the basis of the same combination of 5 herbal substances such as: gentian root (Gentianae radix), primrose flower (Primulae flos), sorrel herb (Rumicis herba), elderflower (Sambuci flos) and verbena herb (Verbenae herba). BNO 1016 has the status of a drug with well-established therapeutic use, with efficacy and safety confirmed in numerous clinical and preclinical studies. Used in the treatment of acute uncomplicated rhinosinusitis BNO 1016 has antiviral, secretolytic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects confirmed in pharmacological studies. Importantly, the drug Sinupret® can be used in different age groups and therapeutic regimens (mono- and polytherapy), at any stage of sinusitis -- from cold disease to bacterial rhinosinusitis (in combination with other drugs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite several decades of evidence supporting the benefits of taking medications in various diseases and healthcare settings, a significant proportion of prescribed treatments are not taken. This review sought to synthesise qualitative research exploring experiences of medication taking around the world, and to determine whether there were consistent messages arising from these studies. Methods and findings: 5 databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL) were systematically searched to identify published research papers using qualitative methodologies, which explored medication-taking experiences in patients, citizens, carers, relatives and clinicians. Data were extracted independently by at least two clinician reviewers. Implications for practice from individual papers were charted and coded using thematic content analysis. These were then cross-tabulated with research paper categories to explore emergent patterns with particular implications for practice. 192 papers from 34 different countries were included in the review. Implications for practice fitted into 11 categories: increase family involvement, increase clinician involvement, promote personalised management, address practical barriers, provide ongoing support, promote self-management, adopt a patient-centred approach, improve patient education, address system barriers, increase access to non-prescribing clinicians and improve clinician training. These implications for practice were generally evenly spread across research paper categories. Conclusions: Implications for practice from the published qualitative literature exploring medication-taking are notably consistent across research methods, disease categories and geographical settings. More recent clinical trials of interventions to improve adherence have started to draw on these findings by focussing on improving clinical interactions and involving patients in healthcare decisions. Promoting patient education and self-management have been widely advocated, and improvements at a system level have been frequently cited in studies from developing countries and those relating to communicable diseases. Regardless of the setting, clinicians and policymakers around the world can focus efforts to improve medication-taking by considering a number of consistently emerging findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prescription drug market in the United States relies on competition to keep prices reasonable. Although many policies have been implemented to spur competition and decrease costs for patients, these policies may be outdated and should be redesigned and updated to achieve success in the current prescription drug market. In this paper, the American College of Physicians (ACP) proposes that new policies should be implemented to prevent market manipulation, help lower-cost alternatives make it to the market faster, and ensure a robust and competitive market for generic and biosimilar drugs. The ACP believes these changes will have a meaningful effect on patients without shifting costs to other areas of the health care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although Ireland has one of the highest levels of well‐being in Europe, having a health condition has been found to have a direct negative impact. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current situation and the experiences of patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin disease, and their relatives living in Ireland, with a focus on burdens and helpful practices. Methods and Measures: In a mixed‐methods design, a series of standardised questionnaires were combined with open‐ended questions. Via an online survey, data from n = 59 EB patients and relatives of EB patients living in Ireland were collected. Results: EB affects both the patients and their relatives. Burdens were found in relation to the visibility of EB, the degree of severity, the current health status, reduced mobility, the financial impact of EB, the psychosocial impact and personal and social resources. The paper also analyses existing resources and highlights opportunities for support and needs of improvement. Conclusion: Quality of life with EB is influenced by somatic symptoms and the psychosocial burden. Individual helpful practices in dealing with this rare disease can be considered as mediators, but they need to be supported by structural and healthcare improvements. Patient or Public Contribution: The perspective of EB patients, their relatives and EB experts were taken into account in the development of the study design via two feedback loops with the EB patient organisations DEBRA Ireland and DEBRA Austria. The design was adapted accordingly. Additionally, by including open‐ended questions, patients and relatives could contribute their individual perspectives and add insights into their lives with EB that might not have been captured with the structured online survey alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of self-disclosure has been a controversial issue that remains highly debated by current practising social workers and researchers alike. Yet an increasing number of lived experience practitioners or peer support workers are being employed in many human services areas, including mental health, suicide prevention, bereavement services, drug and alcohol recovery, criminal justice, and emergency services, alongside or in complement to, social worker roles. Peer or lived experience roles seek to enhance the recovery journey for clients by sharing lived experience commonality, whereas social workers seek to enhance the recovery journey through psychosocial engagements. Both may have relevant lived experience to their role. The aim of this paper is to explore how sharing lived experiences, also referred to as self-disclosure, between social workers and client/service user can enhance the relationship, with attention paid to safety and recovery. A narrative review of the literature identified that there is a lack of empirical research undertaken exploring how disclosures impact the service users and what decision-making strategies can assist social workers in deciding how and when to share. The current AASW Code of Ethics offers no clear practice standards or ethical guidelines for effective self-disclosure. The analysis of the literature results in a reflective supervision tool for social workers in pre-service training and early career social workers, with the aim of assisting decisions that may prompt lived experience sharing. Recommendations for further research and development are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is already known?: SDM improves clinical outcomes by increasing attendance and treatment adherence in adolescents diagnosed with depression.SDM could reduce treatment disagreements and enhance consumers' and their families' satisfaction with mental healthcare services.Healthcare professionals are a critical part of SDM. However, MHPs' practices of SDM in the daily management of adolescents diagnosed with depression need to be clarified. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: From the viewpoints of MHPs, SDM was not extensively applied in the daily management of adolescents diagnosed with depression.MHPs who trust their consumers and have received training related to SDM are more likely to practice SDM in the daily management of adolescents diagnosed with depression.The positive preferences for providing information and family involvement in treatment decision‐making are facilitators; working in closed inpatient mental health wards and open inpatient mental health wards are hindering factors for MHPs' practices of SDM. What are the implications for practice?: MHPs should encourage information sharing with consumers and their family members to help them participate in treatment decision‐making actively.A trusting and friendly therapeutic relationship with consumers should be maintained in the daily management of adolescents diagnosed with depression.SDM‐related training should be encouraged for MHPs to promote widespread SDM. Introduction: Shared decision‐making (SDM) is an ideal model for a therapeutic relationship that can improve health outcomes. Healthcare professionals are a critical part of SDM, and they play an important role in the practices of SDM in the clinical setting. Evidence suggests that adolescents diagnosed with depression can benefit substantially from SDM. However, mental health professionals' (MHPs) practices of SDM for adolescents diagnosed with depression in China are not well‐documented. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the practices of SDM for adolescents diagnosed with depression from the viewpoints of MHPs in China. Method: In this cross‐sectional study, we recruited a total of 581 MHPs by convenience sampling. The Shared Decision‐Making Questionnaire—Physician Version (SDM‐Q‐Doc) was used to evaluate the MHPs' practices of SDM for adolescents diagnosed with depression. Results: The mean SDM‐Q‐Doc was 80.47 (±16.31). Within the six specific decision‐making situations, most MHPs selected non‐SDM (52.7%–71.6%). Substantial numbers of respondents believed that MHPs made the final decision, especially with regard to the development (37%) and adjustment of medication regimens (42%). The practice of SDM was predicted by MHPs' preference for providing information, their trust in consumers, preference for family involvement in treatment decision‐making, working in an outpatient clinic and receiving SDM training (F = 23.582; p =.000; R2 =.198; adjusted R2 =.189). Discussion: Although the MHPs' self‐rated score of SDM‐Q‐Doc was high, SDM was not extensively applied in the daily management of adolescents diagnosed with depression. Thus, SDM needs to be further promoted by enhancing SDM‐related training for MHPs, thereby actively promoting the involvement of families, facilitating the information sharing for consumers and families, and building an active, trusting consumer‐practitioner relationship. Implications for Practice: MHPs should prioritise information sharing with consumers and families, as well as build trusting and friendly therapeutic relationships. Family involvement in treatment decisions should be encouraged when adolescents diagnosed with depression are in need. Actively participating in training related to SDM is also important. Future high‐quality evidence is still needed to explore the facilitators and barriers to SDM practices from a tripartite perspective of MHPs, adolescents diagnosed with depression and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsampling has revolutionized pharmaceutical drug development and clinical research by reducing sample volume requirements, allowing sample collection at home or nontraditional sites, minimizing animal and patient burden, and enabling more flexible study designs. This perspective paper discusses the transformative impact of microsampling and patient‐centric sampling (PCS) techniques, emphasizing their advantages in drug development and clinical trials. We highlight the integration of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS) strategies for analyzing PCS samples, focusing on our research experience and a review of current literatures. The paper reviews commercially available PCS devices, their regulatory status, and their application in clinical trials, underscoring the benefits of PCS in expanding patient enrollment diversity and improving study designs. We also address the operational challenges of implementing PCS, including the need for bridging studies to ensure data comparability between traditional and microsampling methods, and the analytical challenges posed by PCS samples. The paper proposes future directions for PCS, including the development of global regulatory standards, technological advancements to enhance user experience, the increased concern of sustainability and patient data privacy, and the integration of PCS with other technologies for improved performance in drug development and clinical studies. By advancing microsampling and PCS techniques, we aim to foster patient‐centric approaches in pharmaceutical sciences, ultimately enhancing patient care and treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity and inter-connectedness of operating in a global world for drug product supply has become an undeniable reality, further underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Post-Approval Changes (PACs) that are an inevitable part of a product's commercial life, the impact of the growing global regulatory complexity and related drug shortages has brought the GlobalPACManagement System to an inflection point in particular for companies that have their products marketed in many countries. This paper illustrates through data analyzed for the first time from 145,000 + PACs for 156 countries, collected by 18 global pharma companies over a 3-year period (2019–2021), how severe the problem of global regulatory complexity is. Only PACs requiring national regulatory agency (NRA) approval prior to implementation were included in the data set. 1 of the 156 country NRAs approved all submitted PACs within a period of 6 months. The 6-month timeline was chosen because it is the recommended review timeline for major changes in the WHO guidance for vaccines and biotherapeutic products. 10 out of the 156 (6%) countries had no more than 10% of the PACs reviewed and approved in > 6 months. In 33 (22%) countries more than half of the PACs took > 6 months for approval. It is rare that the same PAC is approved globally within 6 months as individual NRAs take from a few months to years (in some cases > 5 years) for their review. The global PAC management complexity has steadily grown over the past 20 years. Attempts thus far to solve this problem have not made any meaningful difference. Senior leaders and decision-makers across the interdependent components of the complex Global PAC Management System (industry and regulators) must come together and collaboratively manage the problem holistically with the objective of ensuring global drug product availability instead of continuing with distinct stakeholder or country-focused solutions, which can tend to worsen the problem. In this paper, the Chief Quality Officers (CQOs) from 18 of the largest innovator pharma companies (see Acknowledgements) are speaking with One-Voice-of-Quality for PACs (1VQ for PACs Initiative). They are recommending a set of 8 approaches to activate a holistic transformation of the Global PAC Management System. This article presents their view on the problem of global regulatory complexity for managing PACs, it's impact on continual improvement and the risk to drug product supply, as well as approaches that can help alleviate the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introductions: Psychosis is a condition of severe mental disorder characterised by the presence of disability in assessing reality. Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder. It is also associated with long-term disability. ACT is one of the newest psychological interventions for psychotic patients. This paper aims to describe ACT as the newest psychotherapy intervention and its advantages for psychotic patients. Review: The management of psychosis is a combination of the use of antipsychotics, psychotherapy, and psychosocial therapy. ACT is one of the newest psychological interventions for psychotic patients that aims to increase the patient’s psychological flexibility through six core processes of therapy: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, value, and committed action. ACT does not target symptom reduction. Therapists help patients recognise and reduce unnecessary struggles with psychological content so that patients can develop an accepting attitude and be able to move towards the values they hold. Conclusions: The use of third-wave behavioural therapy based on mindfulness and acceptance showed good results in patients with psychotic disorders. ACT aims to help individuals accept things that are beyond their control and commit to actions that can improve their lives. Research on the clinical adaptation of ACT for psychosis has shown good initial results in reducing distress due to psychotic symptoms, better regulation of emotions, and reducing relapsing rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the problem of the presence of selected pharmaceuticals in waters by determining the state of scientific knowledge. The sources of drug residues in the aquatic environment were characterized and the most important information was collected on the toxicity measures of the most commonly used drugs, including NLPZ: (1) non-steroidal analgesics and antipyretics (diclofenac, ibuprofen, phenazone, acetaminophen, propyphenazone, indomethacin, ketoprofen, pentoxifylline, and phenacetin), (2) pharmaceuticals used to reduce blood lipid levels (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), (3) drugs used in cardiac conditions, in particular those used to lower blood pressure and treat arrhythmia (atenolol, sotalol, metoprolol), (4) antibiotics (trimethoprim, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin, erythromycin, sulfadimidine, dehydrate-erythromycin, 4N-Acetylsulfamethoxazol), (5)drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (naproxen, fenoprofen), and (6) anticonvulsants, drugs used in neuropathic disorders and tranquilisers (carbamazepine, diazepam, primidone, oxazepam, temazepam). The authors reviewed research papers dealing with the indicated issue, taking into account: (1) research on the presence of pharmaceuticals in water, (2) studies on the health and environmental risk of drinking water for the presence of drug residues and their mixtures, (3) research on the effectiveness of water treatment in terms of pharmaceuticals. Gaps in scientific knowledge have been demonstrated, which are a hint for the directions of future research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, titanate nanotubes (TNTs) have been receiving more attention and becoming an attractive candidate for use in several disciplines. With their promising results and outstanding performance, they bring added value to any field using them, such as green chemistry, engineering, and medicine. Their good biocompatibility, high resistance, and special physicochemical properties also provide a wide spectrum of advantages that could be of crucial importance for investment in different platforms, especially medical and pharmaceutical ones. Hydrothermal treatment is one of the most popular methods for TNT preparation because it is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly water-based procedure. It is also considered as a strong candidate for large-scale production intended for biomedical application because of its high yield and the special properties of the resulting nanotubes, especially their small diameters, which are more appropriate for drug delivery and long circulation. TNTs' properties highly differ according to the preparation conditions, which would later affect their subsequent application field. The aim of this review is to discuss the factors that could possibly affect their synthesis and determine the transformations that could happen according to the variation of factors. To fulfil this aim, relevant scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, etc.) were searched using the keywords titanate nanotubes, hydrothermal treatment, synthesis, temperature, time, alkaline medium, post treatment, acid washing, calcination, pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery, etc. The articles discussing TNTs preparation by hydrothermal synthesis were selected, and papers discussing other preparation methods were excluded; then, the results were evaluated based on a careful reading of the selected articles. This investigation and comprehensive review of different parameters could be the answer to several problems concerning establishing a producible method of TNTs production, and it might also help to optimize their characteristics and then extend their application limits to further domains that are not yet totally revealed, especially the pharmaceutical industry and drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deborah Robertson provides an overview of recently published articles that may be of interest to non-medical prescribers. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose This paper compares and contrasts the implementation of pharmacist-led services for 3 different sexual and gender minority populations across California, Mississippi, and Florida. Summary Implementation of pharmacist-led services tailored to sexual and gender minorities may be a potential mechanism to address health disparities in these populations. Clinical pharmacists have the potential to provide care with cultural humility and improve health outcomes by optimizing medication regimens, reducing adverse drug events, enhancing medication acquisition, and improving medication adherence. Conclusion The services provided by clinical pharmacists varied across sites and included management of gender-affirming hormone therapy, HIV antiretroviral medication adherence programming, primary care and chronic disease state management, and involvement in care related to mental health, psychiatry, and substance use as well as sexual health. Various legislative and regulatory barriers and differences in scope of practice for pharmacists were also identified. This paper advocates for the expansion of pharmacy-led services and the adoption of a culturally humble approach to patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the passage of time and the emergence of more drugs on the pharmaceutical market, methotrexate (MTX) is still considered the primary drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic disorders. However, the best forms of MTX therapy are still being sought. Based on the available literature, subcutaneous MTX is preferred, especially when using higher doses, due to its better bioavailability and lower incidence of side effects. Nevertheless, some patients still prefer oral therapy. Therefore, it is important to make patients as comfortable as possible with injectable MTX, which can contribute to better cooperation. This paper presents the results from a comparative analysis of selected 15 mg pre-filled syringes (PFS) containing MTX available on the Polish market in terms of technological differences and product administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol or drug impairment is a major risk factor for road traffic crashes, and studies on this issue are essential to provide evidence-based data for policymakers. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such studies are often conducted in partnership with one or more organizations in high-income countries (HICs). The aim of this article is to provide recommendations for improving project planning and decision-making processes in epidemiological studies on alcohol, drug and traffic safety in LMICs involving HICs. We searched Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Google Search for articles and reports in English about lessons learned when conducting collaborative research in LMIC as well as papers presenting recommendations for effective research collaboration with partners in LMICs. Based on the search results, we selected 200 papers for full text examination. Few were related to studies on the effect of alcohol or drug use on road traffic safety. However, several conclusions and recommendations from other studies were found to be relevant. We combined the findings with our own experience in a narrative review. We also present a checklist for risk and quality assessment. Many papers presented similar recommendations, which included the importance of addressing local needs, ensuring adequate resources, local project ownership and leadership, establishing strong partnerships among all involved stakeholders, promoting shared decision-making and planning, and implementing strategies to translate research findings into policy, practice, and publications. It is also important to avoid HIC bias, which prioritizes the interests or perspectives of HICs over those of LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The journal Medicines has updated its aims and scope to better align with the papers published in the journal. The new scope focuses on therapeutic agents and advanced drug studies, while excluding topics such as diet and nutrition, biological and stem-cell therapy, radiation and other nonsurgical therapeutic strategies, palliative care and physical therapy, and multimodal therapy. The journal aims to disseminate cutting-edge research in the field of drug discovery and clinical application, encouraging scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in detail. The updated scope is outlined in Table 1 of the document. [Extracted from the article]

Drug-induced liver injury describes the adverse effects of drugs that damage the liver. Life-threatening results were also reported in severe cases. Therefore, liver toxicity is an important assessment for new drug candidates. These reports are documented in research papers that contain preliminary in vitro and in vivo experiments. Conventionally, data extraction from publications relies on resource-demanding manual labeling, which restricts the efficiency of the information extraction. The development of natural language processing techniques enables the automatic processing of biomedical texts. Herein, based on around 28,000 papers (titles and abstracts) provided by the Critical Assessment of Massive Data Analysis challenge, this study benchmarked model performances on filtering liver-damage-related literature. Among five text embedding techniques, the model using term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and logistic regression outperformed others with an accuracy of 0.957 on the validation set. Furthermore, an ensemble model with similar overall performances was developed with a logistic regression model on the predicted probability given by separate models with different vectorization techniques. The ensemble model achieved a high accuracy of 0.954 and an F1 score of 0.955 in the hold-out validation data in the challenge. Moreover, important words in positive/negative predictions were identified via model interpretation. The prediction reliability was quantified with conformal prediction, which provides users with a control over the prediction uncertainty. Overall, the ensemble model and TF-IDF model reached satisfactory classification results, which can be used by researchers to rapidly filter literature that describes events related to liver injury induced by medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment for partners of patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STI), referred to as expedited partner therapy (EPT), is infrequently used in the emergency department (ED). This was a pilot program to initiate and evaluate EPT through medication-in-hand ("take-home") kits or paper prescriptions. In this study we aimed to assess the frequency of EPT prescribing, the efficacy of a randomized best practice advisory (BPA) on the uptake, perceptions of emergency clinicians regarding the EPT pilot, and factors associated with EPT prescribing. Methods: We conducted this pilot study at an academic ED in the midwestern US between August-October 2021. The primary outcome of EPT prescription uptake and the BPA impact was measured via chart abstraction and analyzed through summary statistics and the Fisher exact test. We analyzed the secondary outcome of barriers and facilitators to program implementation through ED staff interviews (physicians, physician assistants, and nurses). We used a rapid qualitative assessment method for the analysis of the interviews. Results: During the study period, 52 ED patients were treated for chlamydia/gonorrhea, and EPT was offered to 25% (95% CI 15%-39%) of them. Expedited partner therapy was prescribed significantly more often (42% vs 8%; P < 0.01) when the interruptive pop-up alert BPA was shown compared to not shown. Barriers identified in the interviews included workflow constraints and knowledge of EPT availability. The BPA was viewed positively by the majority of participants. Conclusion: In this pilot EPT program, expedited partner therapy was provided to 25% of ED patients who appeared eligible to receive it. The interruptive pop-up alert BPA significantly increased EPT prescribing. Barriers identified to EPT prescribing should be the subject of future interventions to improve provision of EPT from the emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug abuse constitutes a significant societal and health challenge in the Republic of North Macedonia, the broader region, and globally. The detrimental consequences, stemming from both direct and indirect effects, profoundly impacted individuals, families, and society, extending to jeopardizing state security. The paper aimed to scrutinize the implementation of the criminal legislation of the Republic of North Macedonia concerning the prevention and detection of criminality involving narcotic substances (drugs) and the penalization of offenders engaged in illegal trafficking and unauthorized production of drugs. Employing the theory of change, which centered on identifying realistic positive transformations in the short and long term, coupled with applying the statistical method, the paper offered an overview of the number of criminal offenses. This overview was based on the official statistical data the Ministry of Internal Affairs provided for 2017 to 2022. Subsequently, the paper extended its focus to international cooperation, engaging in a comprehensive discussion on preventing and detecting criminality involving narcotic substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative consequences of Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines are widely documented nowadays and there is still an urgent need to find them in more efficient ways. Several screening tools have been developed for this purpose recently. In this study, three screening tools were used on 292 samples of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole collected in Cameroon. Each sample was then analyzed by HPLC and disintegration tests. Seven additional samples from the nitro-imidazole (secnidazole, ornidazole, tinidazole) and the fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, moxifloxacin) families were analyzed to mimic falsified medicines. Placebo samples that contained only inert excipients were also tested to mimic falsified samples without active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The three screening tools implemented were: a simplified visual inspection checklist, a low-cost handheld near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer and paper analytical devices (PADs). Overall, 61.1% of the samples that failed disintegration and assay tests also failed the visual inspection checklist test. For the handheld NIR, one-class classifier models were built to detect the presence of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, respectively. The APIs were correctly identified in all the samples with sensitivities and specificities of 100%. However, the importance of a representative and up-to-date spectral database was underlined by comparing models built with different calibration set spanning different variability spaces. The PADs were used only on ciprofloxacin samples and detected the API in all samples in which the presence of ciprofloxacin was confirmed by HPLC. However, these PADs were not specific to ciprofloxacin since they reacted like ciprofloxacin to other fluoroquinolone compounds. The advantages and drawbacks of each screening tool were highlighted. They are promising means in the frame of early detection of SF medicines and they can increase the speed of decision about SF medicines in the context of pharmaceutical post-marketing surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the history of the development of taxonomies of psychoactive drug use, and discusses the conceptualization of three recent taxonomies: comparing their features, and considering their application in education, treatment, and harm reduction settings. Firstly, the Drugs Wheel was created in 2012, prompted by the emergence of New Psychoactive Substances and rapid developments in their legislative control. It was created in collaboration with health professionals and trainers in the drugs field, people who use drugs, and harm reduction non-government organizations, as a learning tool for NPS. Secondly, by contrast, the Drug Pyramid was an academic creation published in 2016 that aimed to conceptualize the multitude of NPS then being developed at a rate of two per week, as primarily an educational project. Finally, building from limitations identified in the previous two models, the Drugs Venn was created by the authors for the purpose of this paper and in consultation with staff at a drug checking service provider, with the intention of future application in delivery of drug checking consultations. Viewed together, each model addresses objections raised to its predecessor, and in doing so highlights the multi-dimensional nature of taxonomies, and their potential for generation of further hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore general practitioners' perspectives on the discharge summaries they receive about their patients who have been discharged from hospital. Methods: A survey of general practitioners in the catchment of a major metropolitan South Australian health service consisting of three teaching hospitals was undertaken. Surveys were disseminated electronically and via hardcopy mailout to general practitioners. The 36-question survey focused on five constructs of discharge summaries: accessibility, length and clarity, format, transparency, and medicines content. Results: A total of 150 general practitioners responded (response rate, 27.6%). Respondents were vocationally registered (96%), predominately from metropolitan practices (90.2%), and 65.8% were female. Overwhelmingly, 86.7% of general practitioners stated that the optimal time for receipt of discharge summaries was <48 h post-discharge, and 96.6% considered that late arrival of discharge summaries adversely impacts patient care. The ideal length of discharge summaries was reported as <4 pages by 64% of respondents. A large proportion of respondents (84.6%) would like to be notified when their patients are admitted and discharged from hospital, and 82.7% were supportive of patients receiving their own copy of the discharge summary. A total of 76.7% general practitioners reported that they had detected omissions or discrepancies in the discharge summaries. Provision of rationale for medication changes was viewed as important by 86.7%, however, only 29.3% reported that it is always or often communicated. Conclusions: General practitioners supported timely receipt, concise length of discharge summary and format refinement to improve the utility and communication of this important clinical handover from hospital to community care. What is known about the topic? Discharge summaries are an important handover document when transitioning care from hospital to general practice. Delays, omissions and inaccuracies in discharge summaries can contribute to adverse patient outcomes. What does this paper add? This paper provides contemporary perspectives of general practitioners about discharge summaries and scope for improvements. What are the implications for practitioners? General practitioners value receiving discharge summaries that are timely, follow a format, provide clear details for ongoing care, and are an appropriate length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pictograms may improve user-friendliness and comprehension of written or verbal health information. This paper describes a method to modify pictograms to improve their visual clarity, appeal and overall interpretive complexity in order to reduce the cognitive load on the viewer during comprehension. Nine pictograms previously tested for comprehension were selected for modification. In phase 1, two participatory design workshops were conducted with (a) three limited literacy, first-language isiXhosa-speaking participants and (b) four university students. Opinions and ideas for improving interpretation were discussed. In phase 2, revised visuals were generated by the graphic artist and subsequently modified in an intensive, multistage, iterative process. As no guidelines for pictogram modification exist, a modification schema was developed based on the process described in this study. Adopting a participatory approach combined with a systematic, intensive modification process enabled the opinions and preferences of the end-users to be heard, ensuring cultural relevance and contextual familiarity of the final product. Careful scrutiny of all individual visual elements of each pictogram, considerations of space, and thickness of lines all contributed to improving the legibility of visuals. The methodology for designing and modifying existing pictograms using a participatory process resulted in nine final pictograms that were approved by all design team members and considered good candidates for subsequent comprehension testing. The methodological schema presented in this paper provides guidance to researchers intending to design or modify pictograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines Ethan Nadelmann's critique of drug prohibition in his paper; The Case for Legalization. Nadelmann argues that one of the fundamental reasons why it is important to think about drug legalization is because current drug control policies have failed, are failing, and will continue to fail in good part because they are fundamentally flawed. Contrary to Nadelmann's view, the paper argues that Nadelmann's argument is not only an exaggerated view but also fallacious. The paper further argues; (i) assuming that drug policies actually failed, the failure of the drug policies in the past and present does not necessarily guarantee the future failure, (ii) that the failure of the drug policies does not necessarily justify legalisation of drugs, (iii) that if the policies has succeeded in deterring potential criminals in the past and present, it will be wrong to conclude that it has failed. Finally, the paper concludes by showing through logical analysis, how and why Nadelmann's failure argument is an exaggerated view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on Catheter ablation vs. thoracoscopic surgical ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Topics include patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) despite antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment responding very well to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by catheter ablation; and embracing a simplified minimally invasive surgical ablation (SA) by video-assisted thoracoscopic high-energy radiofrequency (RF) ablation.