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In recent years, the 3D printing of personalized drug formulations has attracted the attention of medical practitioners and academics. However, there is a lack of data-based analyses on the hotspots and trends of research in this field. Therefore, in this study, we performed a bibliometric analysis to summarize the 3D printing research in the field of personalized drug formulation from 2012 to 2022. This study was based on the Web of Science Core Collection Database, and a total of 442 eligible publications were screened. Using VOSviewer and online websites for bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping, it was observed that annual publications have shown a significant growth trend over the last decade. The United Kingdom and the United States, which account for 45.5% of the total number of publications, are the main drivers of this field. The International Journal of Pharmaceutics and University College London are the most prolific and cited journals and institutions. The researchers with the most contributions are Basit, Abdul W. and Goyanes Alvaro. The keyword analysis concluded that the current research hotspots are "drug release" and "drug dosage forms". In conclusion, 3D printing has broad application prospects in the field of personalized drugs, which will bring the pharmaceutical industry into a new era of innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical compounds up to Nano gram levels is highly recommended to introduce feasible and sensitive tool for determination of the compounds in the pharmaceutical and biological samples. Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir was recently approved in the US, the UK and Europe as a new co-packaged dosage form for the treatment of COVID-19. The objective of this work was to develop a more sensitive TLC method based on using β-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector additive in the mobile phase for simultaneous determination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in pure form, pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human plasma. The analysis procedures were developed using TLC aluminum silica gel plates and methanol–water- 2% urea solution of β-cyclodextrin (40:10:.5, by volume) as a mobile phase with UV detection at 215 nm. The developed method was successfully applied over a linearity range of 10–50 ng/band for both nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The method was validated for limits of detection and quantitation, accuracy, precision, specificity, system suitability, and robustness. Furthermore, the eco-friendliness of the proposed method was assessed using the analytical eco-scale and the green analytical procedure index. The described method exhibited compliance with green analytical chemistry principles based on common green metric values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sildenafil, the active ingredient of the drug developed by Pfizer for the treatment of erectile dysfunction was firstly synthesized in 1989 in the United Kingdom and since then it has become one of the most prescribed drugs for sexual performance in the western world with more than 2.7 million prescriptions in the US in 2021. Since its discovery, this drug compound has attracted the interest of formulators and crystallographers, with a high number of crystal forms of sildenafil being found and characterized, including polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, salts and cocrystals, converting it in one of the most promiscuous multicomponent crystal former drugs in the pharmaceutical sciences arena. In this minireview, the polymorph, pseudopolymorph and multicomponent solid forms landscape of sildenafil is presented through a comprehensive compilation of their 42 solid forms reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Status epilepticus (SE) is a complication of epilepsy characterised by prolonged or repeated seizures. It is a life-threatening condition that requires the immediate administration of a rescue medicine. If given promptly, rescue medicines can reduce the duration of seizures and support SE cessation. Buccal midazolam is the recommended first-line treatment for SE in the community in people who have had a previous episode of prolonged or serial convulsive seizures. Therefore, it is crucial that all those who care for people with learning disabilities who have epilepsy in the community – including family members, friends and professional carers – receive support, training and guidance in the administration of buccal midazolam. This article provides an overview of the treatment of SE in the community, including the administration of buccal midazolam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Unclear labeling has been recognized as an important cause of look-alike medication errors. Little is known about which labeling practices are currently used in European hospitals. The aim of this article is to obtain an overview of the labeling practices for parenteral medications, in relation to national guidelines, in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Methods: An online survey was conducted using the Qualtrics® software. The survey was distributed to hospital pharmacists in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. The results were downloaded from Qualtrics and exported to Microsoft Excel. Data were categorized into groups and analyzed descriptively. Results: In total, 104 responses were received. The response rate was 63% (n = 48) in the Netherlands and 11% (n = 41) for Germany; for the UK, 15 responses were received. In general almost 90% of the respondents followed the National guidelines concerning labeling of pharmacy-prepared parenteral products. The use of label enhancement techniques was relatively low in all countries. On average, the use of "Tall Man" lettering was 19%, the use of color coding was 29%, and the use of a barcode on the label was 27%. Conclusion: Label-enhancement methods for parenteral medication in hospital pharmacies do not seem to be widely implemented and acknowledged in European hospitals, but response rates were limited for two countries. Greater standardization in conjunction with research for evidence-based enhancement techniques is needed to guide improvement in labeling practices across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Natural latex contains allergenic proteins which can cause hypersensitive immune responses.1,2 This ranges from mild local cutaneous reactions to lifethreatening anaphylaxis and death.3 The severity of symptoms depends on the individual’s susceptibility and the route of exposure, with parenterally administered products posing the greatest risk.3 Vials with stoppers containing latex risk the allergenic proteins leaching into the aqueous preparation.3 Aim: To identify whether products prepared in the aseptic unit contain latex or latex derivatives. Objectives • To review the SPC for all cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies prepared in the aseptic unit, to identify products containing latex or latex derivatives • To contact the manufacturer for all cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies prepared in the aseptic unit, to identify products containing latex or latex derivatives Method: A list was obtained of all the cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies prepared in the aseptic unit. Every product’s SPC was checked for information on its latex and latex derivative content. The manufacturers were contacted via their medicines information sources to confirm the latex and latex derivative content status of the product. The information provided by the SPC and manufacturer were compared. Results Discussion/conclusion: Most manufacturers avoid latex and latex derivatives in their products as the most appropriate safety precaution. A small number of manufacturers, however, still use natural dry rubber as a component in the vial stoppers. This refers to hardened sheets of Hevea latex, with much fewer latex proteins making the final product much less antigenic.2,3 However, it is not known whether trace amounts of latex from latex-containing vial stoppers can cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive patients.2 To improve practice and patient safety, the following actions will be implemented: 1. All products must be assessed for latex/latex derivative content prior to preparation in the aseptic unit 2. For products that may contain latex or a latex derivative, the following must be added to the label: ‘May contain latex or latex derivatives’ 3. The allergy status of patients must be assessed at the new patient assessment by the nurses and at the clinical screening by the clinical pharmacist 4. The pharmacovigilance process for investigating adverse reactions must be updated to include the assessment of the latex and latex derivative content of the products administered 5. Staff training on the importance of assessing the latex and latex derivative content must be implemented 6. Commercial units need to be approached, to ensure they have a process for identifying products that potentially contain latex or latex derivatives and be requested to add this to their labels. 7. Regional procurement needs to be contacted to ensure they are aware that some products contain latex and latex derivatives and request that the assessment of this is incorporated into their tendering process for regional contracts. Products that may contain latex or latex derivatives should be avoided where possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the complexities of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and how it has developed as a home therapy. It examines the various indications and treatment options, discussing access and the associated complications. The relationship between the multi-professional team is paramount to the success of the therapy. Working in partnership with home-care providers is also discussed. It gives an overview of patients receiving parenteral nutrition at home and the impact it has on their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 302,000 people with soft-tissue ankle injuries present to UK emergency departments every year (Ferran and Maffulli 2006). These patients are generally treated conservatively with analgesia, ice, compression and elevation, and rest. There is some discussion in the literature about whether or not people with these injuries should be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with some authors claiming that the inflammatory response following injury is part of the healing process and should not be halted. This article examines the literature on the efficacy of administering NSAIDs as the first-line drug management for ankle sprain. It also considers cost of treatment, prescribing practice and contraindications of NSAIDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An excerpt from the article "Alteplase: Pleural Effusion (Parapneumonic) and Empyema in Children" by Joyce A. Generali and Dennis J. Cada in the December 2013 issue is presented.

After a wait of three years, the Home Office has finally made good on its promise to end the confusion over the range and use of controlled drugs by independent non-medical prescribers (NMPs). Since 23 April 2012, both nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers are able to prescribe a far broader range of controlled drugs as part of their practice. In a follow up to their article from November (Griffith and Tengnah, 2011) setting out the limits on prescribing controlled drugs by NMPs, Richard Griffith and Cassam Tengnah discuss the changes introduced by the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 2) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2012 and consider the implications of the changes on practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued guidelines discouraging use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children under six. In light of these recommendations, this study assessed whether parents had heard of the MHRA recommendations and whether they trusted those recommendations. It also examined parental knowledge, perception and behaviours associated with over-the-counter cough and cold medication use in children. In a sample (N = 941) of UK parents, one-third (36.5%) had not heard about the MHRA recommendations. Half (54.4%) of parents who were aware of the recommendations did not trust them or were unsure what to believe. UK parents with children under six showed widespread (86.9% of sample) use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications with children. Many parents were able to identify one active ingredient in the over-the-counter cough and cold medication they reported using with their children yet few were able to identify all of the active ingredients. Despite ubiquitous use of over-the-counter cough and cold medication with children, only 29.6% of parents rated the medication as very effective, and just half (50.3%) rated the medication as very safe. In a subsample of UK parents (N = 424), 70% misunderstood the purpose of using over-the-counter cough and cold medication with children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: There is a need to develop an evidence base for Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) that is both rigorous and reflective of good practice. This paper proposes a novel methodology to test individualised herbal decoctions using a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial. Method: A feasibility study was conducted to explore the role of CHM in the treatment of endometriosis. Herbal formulae were pre-cooked and dispensed as individual doses in sealed plastic sachets. This permitted the development and testing of a plausible placebo decoction. Participants were randomised at a distant pharmacy to receive either an individualised herbal prescription or a placebo. Results: The trial met the predetermined criteria for good practice. Neither the participants nor the practitioner-researcher could reliably identify group allocation. Of the 28 women who completed the trial, in the placebo group (n =15) 3 women (20%) correctly guessed they were on placebo, 8 (53%) thought they were on herbs and 4 (27%) did not know which group they had been allocated to. In the active group (n =13) 2 (15%) though they were on placebo, 8 (62%) thought they were on herbs and 3 (23%) did not know. Randomisation, double blinding and allocation concealment were successful and the study model appeared to be feasible and effective. Conclusion: It is now possible to subject CHM to rigorous scientific scrutiny without compromising model validity. Improvement in the design of the placebo using food colourings and flavourings instead of dried food will help guarantee the therapeutic inertia of the placebo decoction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with injections given by district and general practice nurses based on the understanding that people are unable to absorb B12 orally. But does this stand up to scrutiny or could we offer people a more effective mode of treatment? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a report issued by the National Patient Safety Agency concerning the safety of some medicines in Great Britain. Staff in England and Wales reported 1,165 patient safety incidents from January 2005 to April 2010. According to the National Patient Safety Agency, most of the serious medical error incidents were associated with warfarin, amiodarone, digoxin and phenytoin. Its report focused on the prevention of harm from loading dose. The report also cited the different types of medication errors, and what physicians could do to address such errors.

The article discusses the exemption of midwives from the rules governing the supply and administration of medications under the Medicines Act 1968 in Great Britain. It states the need for midwives to provide patients with a drug in a pre-packed form when they are acting under the exemption from restriction on supply. Also noted is the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in regulating the practice of such health professionals concerning the supply and administration of drugs through the Midwives Rules and Standards.

The article offers information on the research that could reduce cancer therapy side effects by specifically targeting drugs to the tumor. According to researchers in Great Britain, the utilization of tumor-targeted minicells could achieve such objective. Research results indicated that minicells successfully targeted siRNA to tumors.

The article discusses the decrease in the amount of statins that have been prescribed in the United Kingdom since low dose simvastatins were made available without a prescription in August 2004. The decrease not only affected low dose statins, but higher dose prescriptions as well, something that researchers are concerned about since the number of people on the medication can no longer be properly recorded. A decrease in the dosage could reduce the medicine's potential health benefits.