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Objective: Epilepsy is primarily treated with antiseizure medications (ASMs). The recommendations for first ASM in newly diagnosed epilepsy are inconsistently followed, and we sought to examine whether nonrecommended first ASM was associated with acute care utilization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults (≥18 years old) with newly diagnosed epilepsy (identified using validated epilepsy/convulsion International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification codes) in 2015–2019, sampled from Marketscan's Commercial and Medicare Databases. Exposure of interest was receipt of a non‐guideline‐recommended ASM, and the primary outcome was acute care utilization (an emergency department visit or hospitalization after the first ASM claim). Descriptive statistics characterized covariates, and multivariable negative binominal regression models were built adjusting for age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, comorbid neurologic disease (e.g., stroke), and ASM polypharmacy. Results: Approximately 14 681 people with new epilepsy were prescribed an ASM within 1 year. The three most prescribed medications were levetiracetam (54%, n = 7912), gabapentin (10%, n = 1462), and topiramate (7%, n = 1022). Approximately 4% (n = 648) were prescribed an ASM that should be avoided, and ~74% of people with new epilepsy had an acute care visit during the follow‐up period. Mean number of acute care visits during follow‐up was 3.34 for "recommended" ASMs and 4.42 for ASMs that "should be avoided." Prescription of a recommended/neutral ASM as compared to an ASM that should be avoided was associated with reduced likelihood of acute care utilization (incidence rate ratio [IRR] =.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] =.77–.94). The recommended/neutral category of ASMs was not statistically significantly associated with seizure‐ or epilepsy‐specific acute care utilization (IRR =.93, 95% CI =.79–1.09). Significance: Adults with new epilepsy are frequent users of acute care. There remain a proportion of persons with epilepsy prescribed ASMs that guidelines suggest avoiding, and these ASMs are associated with increased likelihood of emergency department visit or hospitalization. These findings reinforce the importance of optimizing the choice of first ASM in epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated prescribing patterns of two cohorts of patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in primary care in Wales (UK), to better understand drivers for increased usage. Methods: This e‐cohort study included patients receiving a first READ‐coded SSRI prescription in SAIL in either 2005 or 2015. Patients were followed up for 3 years from date of SSRI prescription. Influence of age and other demographic data on prescribing patterns, and details of mental health or medication reviews that took place were identified. Results: In total 67,006 patients were included across the two cohorts; 29,534 in 2005, and 37,472 in 2015. Citalopram was the most commonly prescribed SSRI in both cohorts. A READ‐coded diagnosis relating to SSRI treatment could not be identified in 24,797 patients. The percentage of patients continuing treatment for 3 years was 6.9% and 11.3% in 2005 and 2015, respectively. In total, 21,150 (72%) patients in the 2005 cohort and 23,947 (64%) in the 2015 cohort received at least one medication review during follow‐up. Conclusions: The proportion of patients continuing longer term treatment was small, whilst the number of recorded mental health and medication reviews offers some reassurance that prescribing remained appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of pharmacokinetics, drug calculations and off-label drug use in children and young people • To remember that pharmacokinetics vary according to the patient’s age and stage of development • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers). Medicines management in children and young people presents specific challenges because children differ from adults in their response to medicines. The way in which medicines work inside the human body, or pharmacokinetics, varies according to age and stage of development. Accurate drug calculations for a child rely on the careful consideration of a series of factors, such as weight and height, pharmacokinetics and drug characteristics. This article focuses on three fundamental aspects: pharmacokinetics, drug calculations, and unlicensed and off-label drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valproic acid (VPA) is used for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It has near‐complete bioavailability and is primarily metabolized by glucuronosyltransferases and mitochondrial oxidation. This case highlights a 79‐year‐old male with bipolar disorder on VPA therapy that started with flucloxacillin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and exhibited significantly reduced VPA serum levels. During hospitalization, flucloxacillin treatment correlated with a sharp decline of 75% in VPA total serum levels, a novel drug–drug interaction not previously reported. Nonadherence and absorption issues of VPA were ruled out, confirming flucloxacillin's role in reducing VPA levels. Because free‐fraction serum levels of VPA remained within therapeutic range (5–25 mg/L) and our patient's bipolar disorder remained stable at 1000 mg twice daily, a dose increase was not necessary. Previous reports described cytochrome P450 enzyme induction as the mechanism of flucloxacillin lowering serum levels of immunosuppressants and antimycotics. Because only 10% of VPA is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, this is not plausible for this case. The proposed mechanism for the VPA–flucloxacillin drug–drug interaction is flucloxacillin as inducer of glucuronosyltransferase enzymes via the pregnane X receptor pathway, accelerating VPA metabolism. Because this case showed that free‐fraction serum levels remained within therapeutic range, it underscores the need for free‐fraction VPA monitoring in bipolar disorder and flucloxacillin therapy. When VPA is used for epilepsy, it is advised to consider alternative antibiotics to avoid this interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Healthcare accounts for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with medicines making a sizeable contribution. Product‐level medicine emission data is limited, hindering mitigation efforts. To address this, we created Medicine Carbon Footprint (MCF) Classifier, to estimate, standardize, stratify and visualize medicine carbon footprints. Methods: We used molecular weight and chemical structure to estimate the process mass intensity and global warming potential of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in small molecule medicines. This allowed us to estimate medicine carbon footprints per dose, which we categorized into MCF Ratings, accessible via a searchable web application, MCF Formulary. We performed comparison and sensitivity analyses to validate the ratings, and stratification analyses by therapeutic indication to identify priority areas for emission reduction interventions. Results: We generated standardized medicine carbon footprints for 2214 products, with 38% rated LOW, 35% MEDIUM, 25% HIGH and 2% VERY HIGH. These products represented 2.2 billion NHS England prescribed doses in January 2023, with a total footprint of 140 000 tonnes CO2e, equivalent to the monthly emissions of 940 000 cars. Notably, three antibiotics—amoxicillin, flucloxacillin and penicillin V—contributed 15% of emissions. We estimate that implementing the recommended 20% antibiotic prescription reduction could save 4200 tonnes CO2e per month, equivalent to removing 29 000 cars. Conclusions: Standardized medicine carbon footprints have utility in assessing and addressing the carbon emissions of medicines, and the potential to inform and catalyse changes needed to align better healthcare and net zero commitments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is common among children and adolescents, results in significant impairments in quality of life, and places a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Despite this, there is minimal literature to guide prescribing for this population. The purpose of this article is to provide common sense prescribing recommendations for providers who treat pediatric FND. A narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed using keywords related to FND and pharmacology. The narrative synthesis was guided by the objective of providing evidence for generally accepted practices and highlighting contributions and gaps in the literature. There is a dearth of evidence, and unique challenges exist in prescribing for pediatric patients with FND. Efforts should be made to limit prescribing and to discontinue, or de-prescribe, medications that may contribute to polypharmacy or overmedicalization of functional symptoms. Pediatric patients with FND require a thoughtful, multidisciplinary approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the usage patterns of SGLT2 inhibitors among high-risk CKM patients within the Mass General Brigham (MGB) healthcare system.

Purpose: Uncontrolled hypertension causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several prescribing guidelines have been created to address this, however, prescriber adherence to guidelines is influenced by various sociodemographic patient factors. This study aims to determine the effects of these patient factors on prescriber adherence to antihypertensive prescription guidelines. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), was conducted. Participants were included if they reported previous hypertension diagnoses. Antihypertensive medication regimes were compared with the prescribing guidance in the 2011 NICE hypertension guidelines. The effects of patient sociodemographic factors on prescriber adherence to guidelines, and the effect of prescriber adherence on blood pressure control (≥ 140/90 mmHg), were determined using binomial logistic regression models. Results: A total of 2992 participants were included in this analysis; 54.9% female with mean age 65.7 years (±9.23). Male sex and older age, and lower socioeconomic status were associated with increased prescriber guideline adherence. Prescribers were less likely to adhere to guidelines in female patients ≥ 55 years (Relative Risk [RR] 0.75 [0.62, 0.91]), and female patients across all age groups (RR 0.80 [0.67, 0.95]). Better blood pressure control was seen with medication regimes adherent to prescription guidelines (140.38 (±18.98)/83.09 (±11.02) mmHg adherent vs. 141.66 (±19.86)/84.77 (±11.71) mmHg non‐adherent). Conclusions: This study highlights the effect of patient sex on prescriber adherence to antihypertensive prescription guidelines, emphasizing a larger issue of systemic undertreatment of females observed within healthcare. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for such differences in hypertensive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, for which there are effective pharmacological treatments that improve symptoms and reduce complications. Guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend that primary care practitioners prescribe medication for adult ADHD under shared-care agreements with Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). However, provision remains uneven, with some practitioners reporting a lack of support. Aim: This study aimed to describe elements of support, and their availability/use, in primary care prescribing for adult ADHD medication in England to improve access for this underserved population and inform service improvement. Design and setting: Cross-sectional surveys were used to elicit data from commissioners, health professionals (HPs), and people with lived experience of ADHD (LE) across England about elements supporting pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care. Method: Three interlinked cross-sectional surveys were used to ask every integrated care board in England (commissioners), along with convenience samples of HPs and LEs, about prescribing rates, AMHS availability, wait times, and shared-care agreement protocols/policies for the pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care. Descriptive analyses, percentages, and confidence intervals were used to summarise responses by stakeholder group. Variations in reported provision and practice were explored and displayed visually using mapping software. Results: Data from 782 responders (42 commissioners, 331 HPs, 409 LEs) revealed differences in reported provision by stakeholder group, including for prescribing (95% of HPs versus 64% of LEs). In all, >40% of responders reported extended AMHS wait times of ≥2 years. There was some variability by NHS region – for example, London had the lowest reported extended wait time (25%), while East of England had the highest (55%). Conclusion: Elements supporting appropriate shared-care prescribing of ADHD medication via primary care are not universally available in England. Coordinated approaches are needed to address these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Between 2003 and 2018, incident prescriptions of beta-blockers for anxiety increased substantially, particularly for young adults. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for anxiety does not recommend beta-blockers, probably due to a lack of evidence to support such use. Recent reports have highlighted the potential risks of beta-blockers. Aim: To understand when and why GPs prescribe beta-blockers for people with anxiety. Design and setting: In-depth interviews with 17 GPs in Bristol and the surrounding areas. Method: Interviews were held by telephone or video call. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Results: Many GPs viewed beta-blockers as 'low risk', particularly for young adults. Some GPs viewed beta-blockers as an alternative to benzodiazepines, acting quickly and not leading to dependence. GPs reflected that some patients appeared to want an 'immediate fix' to their symptoms, which GPs thought beta-blockers could potentially offer. This is salient in light of substantial waiting lists for talking therapies and delays in antidepressants taking effect. GPs described how some patients seemed more willing to try beta-blockers than antidepressants, as patients did not perceive them as 'mental health drugs' and therefore viewed them as potentially more acceptable and less stigmatising. Further, GPs viewed beta-blockers as 'patient-led', with patients managing their own dose and frequency, without GP input. Conclusion: Many GPs believe that beta-blockers have a role to play in the management of anxiety. Given recent increases in the prescribing of these drugs in primary care, there is a need to assess their safety and effectiveness as a treatment for people with anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incident benzodiazepine prescriptions in primary care for anxiety decreased between 2003 and 2018. However, from 2008, incident prescribing of benzodiazepines for anxiety increased among those aged 18–34 years. There are increasing concerns around prescribing of benzodiazepines. Further, although guidelines state benzodiazepines should only be prescribed short term, in 2017, 44% of incident prescriptions were prescribed for longer than the recommended duration of 2–4 weeks. Aim: To understand when and why GPs prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety in young adults. Design and setting: A qualitative study was undertaken using in-depth interviews with 17 GPs from 10 general practices in South West England. Method: Interviews were conducted by telephone or videocall. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: GPs described caution in prescribing benzodiazepines for anxiety in young adults, but thought they had an important role in acute situations. GPs described caution in prescribing duration, but some thought longer-term prescriptions could be appropriate. In light of these views, some GPs questioned whether primary care needs to revisit how clinicians are using benzodiazepines. GPs perceived that some young adults requested benzodiazepines and suggested this might be because they wanted quick symptom relief. GPs noted that refusing to prescribe felt uncomfortable and that the number of young adults presenting to general practice, already dependent on benzodiazepines, had increased. Conclusion: Patient-driven factors for prescribing benzodiazepines suggest there are current unmet treatment needs among young adults with anxiety. Given increases in prescribing in this age group, it may be timely to revisit the role of benzodiazepines in the management of people with anxiety in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global prevalence rates for transgender individuals vary with estimates ranging from 0.3% to 1%, translating to a potential global population of 24.3 million to 81 million. It is estimated that one in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Gender‐affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a common medical intervention for transgender and non‐binary individuals. GAHT requires careful consideration for concurrent medical care due to potential drug interactions and physiological changes. A multi‐disciplinary team with expertise in transgender health, oncology and pharmacy met to develop a document summarizing current knowledge on the topic for practical use. The team included trans and non‐binary authors who shaped the document's language and focus. The document gives a status update on the current understanding of GAHT and how this may intersect with the safe prescribing of systemic anti‐cancer therapies (SACT). The document underwent multiple review stages including internal review, review by the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) EDI Subcommittee and, finally, BOPA Executive Committee review and final approval. Key recommendations of this document include the use of inclusive and effective communication, vigilant monitoring of kidney function and cardiovascular health, and considerations for hormone receptor‐positive cancers. The document also recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of transgender healthcare and where this relates to social prescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Previous systematic reviews suggest that deprescribing may improve survival, particularly in frail older people. Evidence is rapidly accumulating, suggesting a need for an updated review of the literature. Methods: We updated a 2016 systematic review and meta‐analysis to include studies published from inception to 26 April 2024 from specified databases. Studies in which older people had at least one medication deprescribed were included and grouped by study designs and targeted medications. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool and the Newcastle‐Ottawa tool. Odds ratios (OR) or mean differences were calculated as the effect measures using either the Mantel–Haenszel or generic inverse‐variance method with fixed‐ or random‐effects meta‐analyses. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were adverse drug withdrawal events, physical health, cognitive function, quality of life and effect on medication regimen. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age and intervention types. Results: A total of 259 studies (reported in 286 papers) were included in this updated review. Deprescribing polypharmacy did not result in a significant reduction in mortality in both randomized (OR 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–1.09) and non‐randomized studies (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.36–1.38). Further subgroup analyses of randomized studies on deprescribing polypharmacy demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality in the young old (aged 65–79) (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.99) and when patient‐specific interventions were applied (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63–0.99). Conclusions: Deprescribing can be achieved with potentially important benefits in terms of improved survival, particularly when patient‐specific interventions are applied and initiated early in the young old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The management of patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during hospitalization is a common challenge in clinical practice. Although bridging is generally not recommended, too often DOACs are switched to parenteral therapy with low molecular weight heparins. Our objectives were to update a local guideline for perioperative DOAC management and to develop a guideline for the anticoagulation management in non‐surgical patients regarding temporary DOAC discontinuation. Methods: We executed a two‐step modified Delphi study in a 1000‐bed university hospital in Belgium. The Delphi questionnaires were developed based on a literature review and a telephone survey of prescribers. Two expert panels were established: one dedicated to perioperative DOAC management and the other to DOAC management in non‐surgical patients. Both panels completed two rounds, commencing with an individual and online round, followed by a face‐to‐face group session. Results: After the two‐round Delphi process, the updated perioperative guideline on DOAC management included reasons for delaying the resumption of DOACs following surgery, such as oral intake not possible, the probability of re‐intervention within 3 days, and insufficient haemostasis (e.g. active clinically significant haematoma, haemorrhagic drains or wounds). Furthermore, a guideline for non‐surgical hospitalized patients was developed, outlining possible reasons for interrupting DOAC therapy. Both guidelines offer clear anticoagulation therapy strategies corresponding to the identified scenarios. Conclusions: We have updated and developed guidelines for DOAC management in surgical and non‐surgical patients during hospitalization, which aim to support prescribers and to enhance targeted prescription review by hospital pharmacists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of considering costs and resources when making clinical decisions in the intensive care unit (ICU), specifically focusing on the use of vasopressor medications. The cost of medications, including vasopressors, accounts for a significant portion of total ICU charges and continues to rise. Different vasopressor medications have varying costs, and their use should be carefully considered by ICU clinicians. While there is interest in using multiple vasopressors in patients with septic shock, the benefits and harms of these medications, as well as their costs, should be taken into account. The article emphasizes the need for evidence-based decision-making, formulary systems, and consideration of individual patient factors when prescribing vasopressors. Additionally, it highlights the importance of addressing evidence gaps through further research and the ethical responsibility of considering cost-effectiveness in order to achieve distributive justice in healthcare. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose This article identifies, prioritizes, and summarizes published literature on the medication-use process (MUP) from calendar year 2022 that can impact health-system pharmacy daily practice. The MUP is the foundational system that provides the framework for safe medication utilization within the healthcare environment. The MUP is defined in this article as having the following components: prescribing/transcribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring. Articles evaluating at least one step of the MUP were assessed for their usefulness toward practice improvement. Summary A PubMed search was conducted in January 2023 for articles published in calendar year 2022 using targeted Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords, and searches of the table of contents of selected pharmacy journals were conducted, providing a total of 6,213 articles. A thorough review identified 69 potentially practice-enhancing articles: 13 for prescribing/transcribing, 13 for dispensing, 5 for administration, and 38 for monitoring. Practice trends discussed in the articles are briefly summarized, with a mention of their importance within health-system pharmacy. The articles are listed and summarized in tables for further review and evaluation. Conclusion It is important to routinely review the published literature and to incorporate significant findings into daily practice. This article assists in identifying and summarizing the most impactful publications. Health-system pharmacists have an active role in improving the MUP in their institution, and awareness of the significant published studies can assist in changing practice at the institutional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Real-time prescription benefits (RTPB) shows prescribers patient-, medication-, and pharmacy-specific information on medication pricing, prior authorization requirements, and lower-cost alternatives. RTPB is intended to improve patient satisfaction and prescription fill rates by decreasing out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. Therefore, we evaluated how RTPB affects prescribing patterns by examining acceptance and subsequent fill rates for RTPB alternative suggestions. Methods RTPB was implemented in February 2022 using external vendor interfaces. Prescribing data from March 2022 to March 2023 were analyzed. RTPB displayed alerts for medications requiring prior authorization or when alternative medications would result in cost savings. Patients were included if their prescription received an RTPB response and they had a subsequent encounter with pharmacy fill data. Primary outcomes were alert acceptance rates and prescription fill rates across RTPB alert groups, with a secondary outcome of monthly copay savings for accepted alerts. Results RTPB requests received a response for 88% of prescriptions, with price estimates provided for 77.9% of them. Lower-cost alternatives accounted for 67.2% of alerts, while prior authorization requirements represented 15% of alerts. Prescribers selected a lower-cost alternative 32% of the time. For those with an RTPB alert, patients filled prescriptions 68% of the time when an alternative was chosen, compared to 59% of the time when the original prescription was retained (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-1.6; P < 0.001). Patients saved an average of $27.77 per month on copay costs when alternatives were selected. Conclusion Implementation of RTPB was found to result in significant improvements in prescription fill rates and decrease patient copay costs, despite low alert acceptance rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Undergraduate medical education (UGME) has to prepare students to do safety-critical work (notably, to prescribe) immediately after qualifying. Despite hospitals depending on them, medical graduates consistently report feeling unprepared to prescribe and they sometimes harm patients. Research clarifying how to prepare students better could improve healthcare safety. Our aim was to explore how students experienced preparing for one of their commonest prescribing tasks: intravenous fluid therapy (IVFT). Methods: Complexity assumptions guided the research, which used a qualitative methodology oriented towards hermeneutic phenomenology. The study design was an uncontrolled and unplanned complex intervention: judicial review of the iatrogenic death of five children due to hyponatraemia in our region had resulted in the recommendation that students' education in 'the implementation of important clinical guidelines' relevant to fluid and electrolyte balance should be intensified. An opportunity sample of 40 final-year medical students drew and gave audio-recorded commentaries on rich pictures. We completed two template analyses: one of participants' transcribed commentaries on the pictures and one using a novel heuristic to analyse the pictures themselves. We then reconciled the two analyses into a single template. Results: There were four themes: affects, teaching and learning, contradictions, and the curriculum as a journey. To explore interconnections between themes, we chose the picture best exemplifying each of the four themes and interpreted the curriculum journey depicted in each of them. These interpretations were grounded in each participant's picture, verbal account of the picture, and the aggregate findings of the template analysis. Participants' experiences were influenced by the situated complexity of IVFT. Layered on top of that, contradictions, overlaps, and gaps within the curriculum introduced extraneous complexity. Confusion and apprehension resulted. Conclusions: After spending five years preparing to prescribe IVFT, participants felt unprepared to do so. We conclude that intensive teaching had not achieved its avowed goal of improving students' preparedness for safe practice. Merton's seminal work on the 'unanticipated consequences of purposive social action' suggests that intensive teaching may even have contributed to their unpreparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the most common indications for antimicrobial prescribing in hospitals. Inappropriate antimicrobial use can lead to increased morbidity, unnecessary hospital re-admission and increased antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess the quality of antimicrobial prescribing practices in SSTI management within Australian hospitals to provide guidance for future practice. A retrospective analysis was conducted with data from the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS). SSTI prescribing data from Hospital NAPS (2013–2022) and surgical site infection data from Surgical NAPS (2016–2022) datasets were analysed. Variables assessed included guideline compliance, appropriateness as per the structured NAPS algorithm, and reasons for inappropriateness. From the Hospital NAPS dataset, 40,535 antimicrobial prescriptions for SSTIs were analysed. The most common indication was cellulitis (34.1%, N =13,822), and the most prescribed antimicrobial was flucloxacillin (18.8%, N =7,638). SSTI indications had a lower rate of guideline compliance but a higher rate of appropriateness compared with all other indications for antimicrobial prescriptions (guideline compliance 66.3%, N =21,035 vs 67.4%, N =156,285; appropriateness 75.6%, N =30,639 vs 72.7%, N =209,383). The most common reason for inappropriateness was incorrect dose or frequency (29.3%, N =2367). From the Surgical NAPS dataset, 5674 prescriptions for surgical site infections were analysed. Of these, 68.2% (N =3867) were deemed to be appropriate. The most common reason for inappropriateness was incorrect dose or frequency (27.7%, N =350). As SSTIs are a common indication for prescribing an antimicrobial in Australian hospitals, identifying effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies to optimize antimicrobial use for SSTI management is recommended to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To be effective, interventions aimed at increasing the appropriateness of antibiotic use in primary care should consider the perspectives of prescribing physicians. Aim: To explore the decision making of general practitioners (GPs) when managing uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) in women. Design & setting: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 22 GPs in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (southern Germany). Method: Verbatim transcripts were analysed through inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: We generated the following three main themes: factors facilitating the decision making; factors complicating the decision making; and consultation modalities. According to participants, following evidence-based recommendations makes the prescription decision smoother. GPs' and patients' prior experiences and beliefs guides decisions towards certain antibiotics, even if those experiences and beliefs contradict evidence-based recommendations. Patient expectations and demands also condition antibiotic prescribing, favouring it. Organisational constraints, such as time pressure, the day of the week (for example, before weekends), and a lower cost of antibiotics for patients than alternative treatments favour the decision to prescribe antibiotics. Diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty complicates decision making, as does scepticism towards evidence-based recommendations. Discordance within the patient-doctor relationship contributed to this complexity. Regarding consultation modalities, a more in-depth consultation and shared decision making were seen as helpful in this process. Conclusion: We identified different factors as intervening against or for a straightforward management decision when dealing with women with uUTIs. They reveal the complexity behind the GPs' decision making. Providing GPs with easy-to- apply guidance while removing economic constraints to allocate sufficient consultation time, and supporting shared decision making may help GPs appropriately manage uUTIs in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Subjects Methods Results Conclusions and Clinical Importance Minimizing harm from antimicrobials requires use of the narrowest spectrum drug, at an effective dose for the minimum effective duration. Many prescribers are not currently following these guidelines. To address suboptimal antimicrobial use, the underlying reasons must be understood.To identify factors influencing choices of antimicrobial drug, dose, and duration for companion animals.Twenty‐two veterinarians treating companion animals in Australia. Diversity of participants was deliberately sought.Semistructured interviews were conducted online. Two case studies were discussed, and then a range of broader questions was posed. Transcripts were analyzed thematically, using an inductive approach.Few participants chose guideline‐concordant management for the case studies. Prescribing choices were influenced by a complex array of factors associated with the clinical case, pet owner, drug, veterinarian, veterinary colleagues, and external factors. Key factors driving broad‐spectrum antimicrobial use included a sense of safety, habit, ease of administering the drug (especially in cats), pharmaceutical marketing, and the self‐perpetuating dispensary cycle. Many participants were concerned about antimicrobial resistance, but insufficiently informed about how to minimize this risk. Several participants believed that longer duration of treatment and ensuring patients finish a predetermined course would decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance and improve clinical outcomes.Veterinarians are engaged with the concept of antimicrobial stewardship, but face numerous practical barriers and require more information. In particular, improved education is needed on enhancing patient safety by minimizing both spectrum of activity and duration of treatment, and dispelling myths about “finishing the course.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a position paper from the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP) discussing the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for chronic weight management therapy. The paper emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to ensure that these medications are appropriately prescribed, supplied, and filled per approved labels. It also encourages comprehensive treatment plans that include coaching for positive lifestyle changes and health literacy. The paper highlights potential risks and calls for regulatory agencies to prevent the manufacturing and importation of unapproved GLP-1 receptor agonists. The paper includes conflicts of interest disclosures and funding information. [Extracted from the article]

Background: One of the goals established by the United States National Action Plan to Combat Antibiotic‐Resistant Bacteria is to reduce inappropriate outpatient antibiotic prescriptions by 50% by 2020. Recent data on the achievement of this goal is lacking. The objective of our study was to examine recent trends in the appropriateness of oral antibiotic prescriptions dispensed to a commercially insured population in outpatient settings in the United States to quantify the relative trend in inappropriate antibiotic prescribing from 2010 to 2018. Methods: Our cross‐sectional analysis examined oral antibiotic prescriptions dispensed in outpatient settings using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Data from January 2010 to December 2018. Trends in the annual proportion of antibiotic prescriptions classified as appropriate, potentially appropriate, inappropriate, or without any medical visit during a 7 days look‐back period were estimated using multivariable generalized linear models with Poisson distribution adjusting for beneficiaries' demographic and infectious conditions. Results: Approximately 170 million oral antibiotic prescriptions were dispensed to 86 million beneficiaries during 2010 to 2018. The mean age of the study population was 34.5 (±19.1) years, with 58.4% females and 24.6% children. We observed a 12.9% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 12.6%–13.2%; p < 0.01) decline in rates of antibiotic use, from 832 to 727 prescriptions per 1000 beneficiaries, from 2010 to 2018. The proportion of prescriptions classified as appropriate increased by 36.7% (95% CI = 36.4%–36.9%; p < 0.01); potentially appropriate prescriptions increased by 9.3% (95% CI = 9.1%–9.4%; p < 0.01); whereas inappropriate prescriptions and those without a medical visit declined by 11.3% (95% CI = 11.2%–11.4%; p < 0.01) and 14.0% (95% CI = 13.9%–14.2%; p < 0.01), respectively. Similar declining trends were observed in use and proportion of inappropriate prescriptions for broad‐spectrum antibiotics. In 2018, amoxicillin and azithromycin were the most common appropriate and inappropriate prescription fills, respectively. Conclusion: Although antibiotic use and inappropriate prescribing declined steadily from 2010 to 2018 in the United States, this study demonstrates that we have not achieved the national goal of reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is increasingly recognized as a strategy for medicines optimisation and prevention of adverse drug reactions. According to guidelines produced by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and the Dutch Pharmacogenetic Working Group (DPWG), most medicines with drug‐gene interactions (DGIs) are prescribed in primary care. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of potential and actionable DGIs involving all medicines dispensed in Irish primary care. Methods: Dispensings of 46 drugs to General Medical Services (GMS) patients in the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Service Irish pharmacy claims database from 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 were analysed to estimate the national prevalence of total dispensings and incidence of first‐time dispensings of drugs with potential DGIs according to the CPIC and/or DPWG guidelines. Phenotype frequency data from the UK Biobank and the CPIC were used to estimate the incidence of actionable DGIs. Results: One in five dispensings (12 443 637 of 62 754 498, 19.8%) were medicines with potential DGIs, 1 878 255 of these dispensed for the first time. On application of phenotype frequencies and linked guideline based therapeutic recommendations, 2 349 055 potential DGIs (18.9%) required action, such as monitoring and guarding against maximum dose, drug or dose change. One in five (369 700, 19.7%) first‐time dispensings required action, with 139 169 (7.4%) requiring a change in prescribing. Antidepressants, weak opioids and statins were most commonly identified as having actionable DGIs. Conclusions: This study estimated a high prevalence of DGIs in primary care in Ireland, identifying the need and opportunity to optimize drug therapy through PGx testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some countries, pharmacists have obtained prescribing rights to improve quality and accessibility of care and reduce physician workload. This case study explored pharmacists' current roles in and potential for prescribing in primary care in the Netherlands, where prescribing rights for pharmacists do not exist. Participatory observations of pharmacists working in either general practice or community pharmacy were conducted, as were semi-structured interviews about current and potential practice. The latter were extended to patients and other healthcare professionals, mainly general practitioners, resulting in 34 interviews in total. Thematic analyses revealed that pharmacists, in all cases, wrote prescriptions that were then authorized by a physician before dispensing. General practice-based pharmacists often prescribed medications during patient consultations. Community pharmacists mainly influenced prescribing through (a) medication reviews where the physician and/or practice nurse often were consulted to make treatment decisions, and (b) collaborative agreements with physicians to start or substitute medications in specific situations. These findings imply that the pharmacists' current roles in prescribing in the Netherlands resemble collaborative prescribing practices in other countries. We also identified several issues that should be addressed before formally introducing pharmacist prescribing, such as definitions of tasks and responsibilities and prescribing-specific training for pharmacists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the antibiotic prescribing pattern of oral health practitioners before and during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at Wits Oral Health Centre, South Africa. A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted using a systematic random sample of 698 records of patients who were prescribed antibiotics. The records were categorised into two groups: pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 pandemic periods. For each group, data collected and analysed included variables such as patient demographics, prescriber discipline, medical history, dental condition, dental procedure, type of antibiotic, dose, frequency, and duration. Most patients in both the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 groups (70.3% and 73%, respectively) were healthy. The most common indication for prescribing antibiotics was a painful tooth (58.7%). Amoxycillin and metronidazole remain the antibiotics of choice for most dental conditions. More patients were treated with antibiotics only in the COVID-19 group than the pre-COVID-19 group (46.8% vs 33.7%). A significant proportion of the prescribed antibiotics were not indicated in both the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 groups (53.1% and 54.3%, respectively). The increased antibiotic usage during the COVID-19 period, in spite of the decrease in the number of patients consulted, underscores the need for more strategies to be implemented to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following a change in legislation in 2018, paramedics gained prescribing rights but, as this is a recent change, no reviews have been carried out into their experiences. Aim: The overarching aim of this article is to understand the thoughts and opinions of current and future paramedic prescribers on non-medical independent prescribing. It also aims to identify potential barriers to paramedic independent prescribing (PIP), investigating the gaps within medication options, and the role of PIP in the autonomous scope of paramedic practice. Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and CENTRAL was undertaken in January 2023, with articles also gathered from grey literature, Google Scholar, citation searching and author contacting to identify literature for review. Six articles underwent thematic analysis, and four themes were identified: advanced practice; improved medication management; barriers to implementation; and effect on current practice. Findings: Overall, there are significant positives to paramedic independent prescribing, such as improved patient experiences, more medication options and fewer hospital admissions. However, there were concerns, which centred on the implementation process, underpinning support and increased responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-blocker prescriptions for patients with anxiety increased substantially between 2003 and 2018, yet there is no clinical guidance concerning their use. A previous review of propranolol – a beta-blocker – in the treatment of anxiety concluded there was insufficient evidence to support its use. Additional data have been published in the eight years since that review including some evidence for other beta-blockers. We aimed to synthesise all available data on the effectiveness of beta-blockers in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Trial Registries (September 2023), including randomised controlled trials (RCT), non-randomised control group comparative studies and cross-over trials reporting self- or clinician-reported anxiety symptoms. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool, with meta-analyses conducted by comparator group using random-effects models. Searches produced 3068 records, with 10 studies included, of which five were included in meta-analyses (n = 179). There was no evidence for a beneficial effect of beta-blockers compared with either placebo or benzodiazepines in patients with social phobia or panic disorder with/without agoraphobia (p -value for all meta-analyses ≥0.54). Many of the included studies had small sample sizes, missing data and high or unclear risk of bias. Beta-blockers are increasingly prescribed for anxiety, yet there is a lack of robust evidence of effectiveness. There is a need to understand when and why practitioners are using these drugs, and to undertake a large RCT to provide definitive evidence of whether beta-blockers are an effective and safe treatment for anxiety. • There was no evidence for a beneficial effect of beta-blockers. • Many studies had small sample sizes, missing data and high/unclear risk of bias. • Beta-blockers are increasingly prescribed for anxiety, yet there is a lack of robust evidence of effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background /Aims De-implementation, including the removal or reduction of unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing, is crucial to ensure patients receive appropriate evidence-based health care. The utilization of de-implementation efforts is contingent on the quality of strategy reporting. To further understand effective ways to de-implement medical practices, specification of behavioural targets and components of de-implementation strategies are required. This paper aims to critically analyse how well the behavioural targets and strategy components, in studies that focused on de-implementing unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing in secondary healthcare settings, were reported. Methods A supplementary analysis of studies included in a recently published review of de-implementation studies was conducted. Article text was coded verbatim to two established specification frameworks. Behavioural components were coded deductively to the five elements of the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time (AACTT) framework. Strategy components were mapped to the nine elements of the Proctor’s ‘measuring implementation strategies’ framework. Results The behavioural components of low-value prescribing, as coded to the AACTT framework, were generally specified well. However, the Actor and Time components were often vague or not well reported. Specification of strategy components, as coded to the Proctor framework, were less well reported. Proctor’s Actor, Action target: specifying targets, Dose and Justification elements were not well reported or varied in the amount of detail offered. We also offer suggestions of additional specifications to make, such as the ‘interactions’ participants have with a strategy. Conclusion Specification of behavioural targets and components of de-implementation strategies for prescribing practices can be accommodated by the AACTT and Proctor frameworks when used in conjunction. These essential details are required to understand, replicate and successfully de-implement unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing. In general, standardisation in the reporting quality of these components is required to replicate any de-implementation efforts. Trial registration Not registered.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of self-medication in urban Indian medical students and explore possible factors associated with this practice. Methods: After obtaining institutional ethics approval, 180 medical students from six medical colleges in Mumbai were recruited to participate via social media. They were administered a pre-validated questionnaire that assessed self-medication as a practice, along with the perceived stress scale (PSS-10) online. Anonymity and confidentiality were maintained Results: The prevalence of self-medication in medical students was found to be 83.9%, with no significant difference between genders or between academic years of medical education. The most used source of information for self-medicating was older prescriptions, and for procuring drugs was pharmacist stores. Common cold was the most cited indication. Anti-pyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs were the most commonly self-medicated drugs. It was found that 73.3% of medical students had self-medicated with non-over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. It was observed that 6.1% of medical students had experienced adverse drug reactions, and alarmingly, 0.6% of medical students continued self-medicating despite experiencing adverse drug reactions Conclusions: Most of the study participants admitted to having practised self-medication. It was alarming to find that an appreciable fraction of the study population had uncontrolled access to non-OTC drugs. Thus, there needs to be a greater emphasis on the education of medical students with respect to the problems encountered by self-medicating and a need to enforce stricter regulations, as well as to establish a more watertight monitoring system, to curb this hazardous practice.

Abstract Background Resistance to multiple antibiotics by several pathogens has been widely described in children and has become a global health emergency. This is due to increased use by parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. This study aims to describe the prevalence rates of antibiotic prescribing, ascertain the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs, and target improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing in the paediatric population over time in a hospital. Method A point prevalence survey of antibiotic use was performed yearly for 4 years to monitor trends in antibiotic prescribing. Data from all patients admitted before 8 a.m. on the day of the PPS were included. A web-based application designed by the University of Antwerp was used for data entry, validation, and analysis ( http://www.global-pps.com ). Results A total of 260 children, including 90 (34.6%) neonates and 170 (65.4%) older children, were admitted during the four surveys. Overall, 179 (68.8%) patients received at least one antibiotic. In neonates, the prevalence of antibiotic use increased from 78.9 to 89.5% but decreased from 100 to 58.8% in older children. There was a reduction in the use of antibiotics for prophylaxis from 45.7 to 24.6%. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic groups were third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. The most common indications for antibiotic prescription were sepsis in neonates and central nervous system infection in older children. The documentation of reason in notes increased from 33 to 100%, while the stop-review date also increased from 19.4 to 70%. Conclusion The indicators for appropriate antibiotic prescription improved over time with the introduction of antibiotic stewardship program in the department.

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsThis study aimed to evaluate trends in polypharmacy prevalence among adults with asthma in the United States.Data from the 2001–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to estimate the weighted prevalence of polypharmacy. Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to evaluate trends in polypharmacy. Trends were first evaluated overall and then stratified by asthma severity and asthma control. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with polypharmacy.From 2001 to 2020, a stable trend in polypharmacy among U.S. adults with asthma was observed (average annual percent change [AAPC]=1.02, p=0.71). Trends across different asthma severity were stable (mild asthma: AAPC=2.93, p=0.20; moderate asthma: AAPC=−2.22, p=0.35; severe asthma: AAPC=0.45, p=0.82). Trends in adults with good asthma control and those with poor control stayed constant (good control: AAPC=0.82, p=0.68; poor control: AAPC=−1.22, p=0.82). Several factors, including older age, females, Non-Hispanic Black, health insurance coverage, family income, number of healthcare visits, former smokers, multi-morbidities, asthma severity, and asthma control, were associated with polypharmacy.Polypharmacy prevalence has remained constant among U.S. adults with asthma over the past two decades. Despite a stable overall trend, disparities in polypharmacy prevalence persist across different asthma severity and control status, underscoring the need for tailored medication management to improve asthma care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: /Aims De-implementation, including the removal or reduction of unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing, is crucial to ensure patients receive appropriate evidence-based health care. The utilization of de-implementation efforts is contingent on the quality of strategy reporting. To further understand effective ways to de-implement medical practices, specification of behavioural targets and components of de-implementation strategies are required. This paper aims to critically analyse how well the behavioural targets and strategy components, in studies that focused on de-implementing unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing in secondary healthcare settings, were reported. Methods: A supplementary analysis of studies included in a recently published review of de-implementation studies was conducted. Article text was coded verbatim to two established specification frameworks. Behavioural components were coded deductively to the five elements of the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time (AACTT) framework. Strategy components were mapped to the nine elements of the Proctor's 'measuring implementation strategies' framework. Results: The behavioural components of low-value prescribing, as coded to the AACTT framework, were generally specified well. However, the Actor and Time components were often vague or not well reported. Specification of strategy components, as coded to the Proctor framework, were less well reported. Proctor's Actor, Action target: specifying targets, Dose and Justification elements were not well reported or varied in the amount of detail offered. We also offer suggestions of additional specifications to make, such as the 'interactions' participants have with a strategy. Conclusion: Specification of behavioural targets and components of de-implementation strategies for prescribing practices can be accommodated by the AACTT and Proctor frameworks when used in conjunction. These essential details are required to understand, replicate and successfully de-implement unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing. In general, standardisation in the reporting quality of these components is required to replicate any de-implementation efforts. Trial registration: Not registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication nonadherence is common and results in avoidable morbidity, mortality, and burdens on healthcare systems. This paper proposes a preventative approach to medication nonadherence. We consider existing evidence on the prevalence and determinants of nonadherence early in a patient’s medication-taking journey, and map these to potential opportunities for intervention. Many patients stop taking a new medication soon after they are prescribed it, often not collecting the medication. Early patterns of nonadherence are linked to later nonadherence via processes such as habit formation and symptom experiences. Known predictors of nonadherence may be present before someone starts a new treatment, when patients experience disruption to their lives and identity due to illness. Healthcare professionals typically have contact with patients around this time. We argue that it may be possible to prevent medication nonadherence: at the population level; by optimising the prescription process; and through low- and high-intensity interventions for patients with identified early barriers. We give examples of specific interventions and tools that might be needed to operationalise this approach in practice and propose new directions for research to promote early engagement with medication to prevent nonadherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased prescribing and dispensing of new drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to less stringent prescription regulations has led both to bringing therapies closer to the patient, as required by post-Covid-19 European policies, and to an unpredictable increase in health care spending. In particular, in Italy, with the introduction of the National Plan for Reconstruction and Resilience, an attempt has been made to give more prescriptive freedom to the General Practitioner (GP). Through the introduction of prescriptive notes, patients can directly go to the primary care physician for the prescription of chronic therapies, without going to the specialist doctor anymore. Note 100, introduced at the beginning of 2022, defines the prescription of specific categories of medicines which are indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and which are directly prescribed by the GP. This study aimed to analyze the prescribing trend of these medicines, by comparing the first half of the year 2021, without Note 100, with the first half of the year 2022, afterwards the introduction of the new regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foundation doctors and nurses are the clinicians most closely involved in fluid assessment, intravenous (IV) fluid prescription and administration. However, both groups report challenges regarding IV fluids. At a large NHS trust in England, adherence to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline CG174, regarding IV fluids, was largely unknown. Aims: To assess the baseline adherence, within the hospitals, to CG174 and identify areas for improvement. Methods: A set of 12 audit standards were developed and used to collect data across 29 clinical areas between September 2022 and May 2023, with 255 patients receiving IV fluids at any time during their inpatient stay included. Findings: For two standards target adherence of 95% was achieved, with an adherence less than 50% in most. Areas of particularly poor adherence included assessing and meeting fluid and electrolyte requirements, patient reassessment and developing IV fluid management plans. Conclusion: Trust baseline adherence to NICE CG174 requires improvement, particularly regarding patient assessment and reassessment, and meeting electrolyte requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adjusting drug dose levels based on equations that standardize the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to a body surface area (BSA) of 1.73m2 can pose challenges, especially for patients with extremely high or low body mass index (BMI). The objective of the present study of patients with CKD and diabetes was to assess the impact of deindexing creatinine-based equations on estimates of kidney function and on the frequency of inappropriate prescriptions of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Methods: The prospective CKD-REIN cohort is comprised of patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m². The inclusion criteria for this study were the use of OADs and the availability of data on weight, height and serum creatinine. We compared data for three BMI subgroups (group 1 <30 kg/m²; group 2 30-34.9 kg/m²; group 3 =35 kg/m²). Inappropriate prescriptions (contraindicated or over-dosed drugs) were assessed with regard to the summary of product characteristics and the patient's kidney function estimated with the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, the 2021 CKD-EPI equation, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation, their deindexed estimates, and the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula. The impact of deindexing the equations was evaluated by assessing 1) the difference between the indexed and deindexed eGFRs, and 2) the difference in the proportion of patients with at least one inappropriate OAD prescription between the indexed and deindexed estimates. Results: At baseline, 694 patients were receiving OADs. The median BMI was 30.7 kg/m², the mean BSA was 1.98m², and 90% of patients had a BSA >1.73m². Deindexing the kidney function estimates led to higher eGFRs, especially in BMI group 3. The proportion of patients with at least one inappropriate prescription differed greatly when comparing indexed and deindexed estimates. The magnitude of the difference increased with the BMI: when comparing BMI group 1 with BMI group 3, the difference was respectively -4% and -10% between deindexed 2021 CKD-EPI and indexed CKD-EPI. Metformin and sitagliptin were the most frequent inappropriately prescribed OADs. Conclusion: We highlight significant differences between the BSA-indexed and deindexed versions of equations used to estimate kidney function, emphasizing the importance of using deindexed estimates to adjust drug dose levels - especially in patients with an extreme BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) are state-level registries of prescriptions and dispensations of controlled substances and were designed to help prescribers make decisions before prescribing controlled substances. This work examines the effectiveness of a statewide campaign created to promote use of the PMP as a public health tool. Methods: Survey data were collected among 199 prescribers, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Prescribers who recalled the campaign (compared to those who did not recall the campaign) had higher perceptions of the PMP as a public health tool, as a clinical decision-making tool, as a tool for patient-centered care, as a tool for having conversations with patients about opioid misuse, and as a tool to improve clinical performance. Conclusions: Policy makers and statewide organizations should consider using health campaigns as they can be effectively used to promote the PMP as a public health tool in terms of increasing PMP usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The COVID‐19 pandemic caused significant disruption to routine activity in primary care. Medication reviews are an important primary care activity ensuring safety and appropriateness of prescribing. A disruption could have significant negative implications for patient care. Using routinely collected data, our aim was first to describe codes used to record medication review activity and then to report the impact of COVID‐19 on the rates of medication reviews. Methods: With the approval of NHS England, we conducted a cohort study of 20 million adult patient records in general practice, in‐situ using the OpenSAFELY platform. For each month, between April 2019 and March 2022, we report the percentage of patients with a medication review coded monthly and in the previous 12 months with breakdowns by regional, clinical and demographic subgroups and those prescribed high‐risk medications. Results: In April 2019, 32.3% of patients had a medication review coded in the previous 12 months. During the first COVID‐19 lockdown, monthly activity decreased (−21.1% April 2020), but the 12‐month rate was not substantially impacted (−10.5% March 2021). The rate of structured medication review in the last 12 months reached 2.9% by March 2022, with higher percentages in high‐risk groups (care home residents 34.1%, age 90+ years 13.1%, high‐risk medications 10.2%). The most used medication review code was Medication review done 314530002 (59.5%). Conclusions: There was a substantial reduction in the monthly rate of medication reviews during the pandemic but rates recovered by the end of the study period. Structured medication reviews were prioritized for high‐risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Genetic testing can be used to improve the safety and effectiveness of commonly prescribed medicines—a concept known as pharmacogenetics. This study aimed to quantify members of the UK public's preferences for a pharmacogenetic service to be delivered in primary care in the National Health Service. Methods: Members of the UK population were surveyed via an online panel company. Respondents completed 1 of 2 survey versions, asking respondents to select their preferred pharmacogenetic testing service in the context of a presentation of low mood or pain. A conditional logit model was estimated, before the best functional form for the dataset was identified. Preference heterogeneity was identified via latent class analysis. Coefficients from the final selected models were used to estimate uptake in the context of different hypothetical pharmacogenetic services. Results: Responses from 1993 individuals were included in the analysis. There were no differences observed in preference between the 2 clinical scenarios. Conditional logit analysis, using maximum likelihood estimation, indicated that respondents preferred to have noninvasive tests and wanted their data to be shared between different healthcare organizations to guide future prescribing. There was a preference for regional over national data sharing initiatives, and respondents preferred to have access to their data. Predicted uptake varied considerably, ranging from 51% to >99%, depending on design of the service. Conclusion: This study identifies public preferences for a pharmacogenetic testing service and demonstrates how predicted uptake can be impacted by relatively minor adaptations. This highlights areas for prioritization during development of future pharmacogenetic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pharmaceutical incentivisation of physicians for profit maximisation is a well-documented health system challenge. This study examined general practitioners' (GPs) reactions to pharmaceutical incentivisation offers in one region in Pakistan. Methods: We used the Standardised Pharmaceutical Sales Representative (SPSR) method and qualitative interviews with GPs. SPSRs were field researchers representing mock pharmaceutical companies who recorded their observations of 267 GPs' responses to pharmaceutical incentivisation offers. We triangulated SPSR data using qualitative interviews with a subset of the same GPs to gather information about how they interpreted different interaction outcomes. Results: We found four major outcomes for GPs being offered incentives by pharmaceutical companies for prescribing medications. GPs might agree to make incentivisation deals, reject incentivisation offers, disallow PSRs to access them, or remain indeterminate with no clear indication of acceptance or rejection of incentivisation offers. GPs rejecting SPSRs' incentivisation offers indicated having active commitments to other pharmaceutical companies, not being able to work with unheard-of companies, and asking SPSRs to return later. Conclusions: The GP-pharmaceutical sales representative interaction that centres on profit-maximisation is complex as offers to engage in prescribing for mutual financial benefit are not taken up immediately. The SPSR method helps understand the extent of distortion of practices impacted by incentivisation. Such an understanding can support the development of strategies to control unethical behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Historically IV and enteral fluids given during acute kidney injury (AKI) were restricted before the introduction of continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) when more liberal fluids improved nutrition for the critically ill. However, fluid accumulation can occur when higher volumes each day are not considered in the fluid balance prescribing and the NET ultrafiltration (NUF) volume target. Key Messages: The delivered hours of CRRT each day are vital for achievement of fluid balance and time off therapy makes the task more challenging. Clinicians inexperienced with CRRT make this aspect of AKI management a focus of rounding with senior oversight, clear communication, and "precision" a clinical target. Sepsis-associated AKI can be a complex patient where resuscitation and admission days are with a positive fluid load and replacement mind set. Subsequent days in ICU requires fluid regulation, removal, with a comprehensive multilayered assessment before prescribing the daily fluid balance target and the required hourly NET plasma water removal rate (NUF rate). Future machines may include advanced software, new alarms – display metrics, messages and association with machine learning and "AKI models" for setting, monitoring, and guaranteeing fluid removal. This could also link to current hardware such as on-line blood volume assessment with continuous haematocrit measurement. Summary: Fluid balance in the acutely ill is a challenge where forecasting and prediction are necessary. NUF rate and volume each hour should be tracked and adjusted to achieve the daily target. This requires human and machine connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Strong patient interest in the use of medicinal cannabis to treat various clinical indications has sparked global legislative changes. Practitioners are vital in implementing regulatory changes and facilitating patient access to medicinal cannabis, however, little is currently known about the factors influencing practitioners' uptake. Recent rapid increases in practitioner applications to prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia provides a unique backdrop to examine the current factors influencing prescribing behaviours. This qualitative study examined Australian practitioners' perspectives on prescribing medicinal cannabis to provide a comprehensive exploration of the potential factors influencing uptake in clinical practice. Methods: Seventeen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Australian health‐care practitioners. Transcripts were analysed using the Framework approach to thematic analysis and cross‐mapped to appropriate domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results: We identified four themes related to the barriers and facilitators to prescribing medicinal cannabis: (i) clinical capabilities needed to prescribe; (ii) prescribing an unapproved therapeutic good; (iii) negative attitudes towards prescribers in the medical community; and (iv) divergent beliefs about clinical utility. Discussion and Conclusions: Practitioners face multiple pervasive barriers to prescribing medicinal cannabis. Beliefs about clinical utility appear to be highly influential in shaping prescribing behaviours. Moreover, our findings suggest that a medicinal cannabis 'specialisation' has emerged within the Australian medical community. Findings demonstrate that a range of complex and multifaceted factors influence practitioners' medicinal cannabis prescribing behaviours. We highlight several considerations for policy and practice to support safe and appropriate patient access to medicinal cannabis in this emerging area of clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study which assessed fluid prescribing knowledge among middle-grade trainees in diabetes through hypothetical scenarios. It emphasizes that fluid prescribing, predominantly carried out by junior team members, often reflects senior staff preferences rather than individual knowledge levels, highlighting the need for improved training and adherence to evidence-based guidelines.

Background: In patients with infectious diseases, remote consultation (RC) may be questionable compared with face-to-face office consultation (OC), not only because of the lack of physical examination but also because of the risk of overprescribing antibiotics (ATBs). Aim: To analyse ATB prescription in OC versus RC in a sample of French GPs. Design & setting: This is a retrospective observational cohort study in general practice in 2021. Anonymised data were collected from voluntary GPs. Method: The influence of the mode of consultation on ATB prescription was analysed using a χ² test. A secondary multivariate analysis investigated the factors influencing the use of OC or RC in patients who received at least one ATB. Results: In total, 35 503 consultations with an identifiable rating were included, corresponding to seven doctors' activities, practising with five locums and three residents. ATBs were prescribed in 10.41% of RCs and 6.77% of OCs (P<0.01). RC was associated with more frequent prescription of ATBs for respiratory and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) viral infections and urinary tract infections. For patients aged 20–40 years, ATB prescription was more associated with RC. Conclusion: RC is associated with a more frequent ATB prescription than OC, mostly for patients aged 20–40 years, who are most likely to use new technologies; and for urinary tract infections or respiratory and ENT viral infections. Further studies on RC outcomes should be conducted to better analyse the impact of RC on the prescribing of ATBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) die 10–20 years earlier than the general population. They have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) yet may experience lower cardioprotective medication prescribing. Aim: To understand the challenges experienced by GPs in prescribing cardioprotective medication to patients with SMI. Design & setting: A qualitative study with 15 GPs from 11 practices in two Scottish health boards, including practices servicing highly deprived areas (Deep End). Method: Semi-structured one-to-one interviews with fully qualified GPs with clinical experience of patients with SMI. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Participants aimed to routinely prescribe cardioprotective medication to relevant patients with SMI but were hampered by various challenges. These structural and contextual barriers included the following: lack of funding for chronic disease management; insufficient consultation time; workforce shortages; IT infrastructure; and navigating boundaries with mental health services. Patient-related barriers included patients’ complex health and social needs, their understandable prioritisation of mental health needs or existing physical conditions, and presentation during crises. Professional barriers comprised GPs' desire to practise holistic medicine rather than treating via cardioprotective prescribing in isolation, and concerns about patients' medication concordance if patients were not prioritising this aspect of their health care at that particular time. In terms of enablers for cardioprotective prescribing, participants emphasised continuity of care as fundamental in engaging this patient group in effective cardiovascular health management. A cross-cutting theme was the current GP workforce crisis leading to ‘firefighting’ and diminishing capacity for primary prevention. This was particularly acute in Deep End practices, which have a high proportion of patients with complex needs and greater resource challenges. Conclusion: Although participants aspire to prescribe cardioprotective medication to patients with SMI, professional-, system- and patient-level barriers often make this challenging, particularly in deprived areas owing to patient complexity and the inverse care law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the mainstay of treatment for the prevention of strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) account for increasing OAC in patients with AF. However, prescribing DOACs for patients with established AF poses various challenges and general practice pharmacists may have an important role in supporting their management. Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions in general practice in optimising the use of OAC therapies in AF. Design & setting: A retrospective observational study in general practices in Bradford. Method: The data were collected retrospectively from 1 November 2018–31 December 2019 using electronic health record data. The data were analysed: 1) to identify patients with AF not on OAC; 2) to describe inappropriate DOAC prescriptions; and 3) to calculate HAS-BLED scores. Results: Overall, 76.3% (n = 470) of patients with AF received OAC therapy, and of these, 63.4% received DOACs. Pharmacist-led interventions increased DOAC prescribing by 6.0% (P = 0.03). Inappropriate DOAC use was identified in 24.5% of patients with AF, with underdosed and overdosed identified in 9.7% and 14.8%, respectively. Post-intervention, inappropriate prescribing was reduced to 1.7%. The mean HAS-BLED score decreased from 3.00 to 2.22 (P<0.01). Successful transition from vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy to DOACs was achieved in 25.7% of patients. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led interventions have successfully improved the use of OAC therapies in patients with AF, and effectively managed the bleeding risks and transition from VKA to DOAC therapy, in line with guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) in patients admitted under general medical units has been shown to reduce medication errors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the PPMC model on medication errors in patients admitted under cancer units in Victorian hospitals. Methods: A prospective cohort study comparing cohorts before and after the introduction of PPMC was conducted. This included a 2-month pre-intervention phase and 3-month intervention phase. PPMC was implemented during the intervention phase as new model of care that enabled credentialed pharmacists to chart all admission medications, including pre-admission or new medications and cancer therapies, in collaboration with the admitting medical officer. The proportion of medication charts with at least one error was the primary outcome measure. Results: Seven health services across Victoria were included in the study. The majority of health services were using paper-based prescribing systems for oncology. Of the 547 patients who received standard medical medication charting, 331 (60.5%) had at least one medication error identified compared to 18 out of 416 patients (4.3%) using the PPMC model (p < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) inpatient length of stay was 5 (2.9–10.6) days in pre-intervention and 4.9 (2.9–11) days in intervention (p = 0.88). In the intervention arm, 42 patients had cancer therapy charted by a pharmacist with no errors. Conclusions: PPMC was successfully scaled into cancer units as a collaborative medication safety strategy. The model was associated with significantly lower rates of medication errors, including cancer therapies. PPMC should be adopted more widely in cancer units in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past two decades will be remembered for the rapid advances in our understanding of the significant role that the human microbiome plays in health, illness and longevity, but it remains a vast concept, one that is largely uncharted. Its contribution to human health is brought about by a myriad microbiome-associated physiological mechanisms complemented by its genetic ability, which is around 150 times that of the human genome. Many strategies are being devised to 'engineer' or augment an unfavourable microbiome. The use of probiotic products represents one of these strategies since they can augment the gut microbiome and improve health. However, their correct, effective and safe use is clouded by many variables. Probiotic drugs are used for two main reasons: mostly to improve general health but also in some illnesses for which evidence has been generated. The use of probiotic products to maintain general health is in most instances not supported by scientific evidence. Precision in the reconstitution of an unfavourable microbiome as in disease or the maintenance of a favourable microbiome is the ultimate goal. This is not possible at the bedside because of an incomplete understanding of the human microbiome. This could lead in turn to the overuse of unregulated probiotic products which may be ineffective or even harmful, as in the case of immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this article is to offer guidance on current best practices in prescribing probiotic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing incidence of opioid‐related harm associated with inappropriate opioid prescription underscores the need for effective interventions directed at enhancing analgesic prescribing practices. Analgesic stewardship (AGS) programs have emerged to facilitate appropriate analgesic use, reducing analgesic‐related harm and optimising patient outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of an AGS program on the appropriateness of opioid analgesia prescribing for adult inpatients within a metropolitan health network during the initial two months following program implementation. Method: This retrospective audit examined de‐identified aggregate data of 100 adult inpatients of a major Australian metropolitan hospital network between August–September 2022. The multidisciplinary AGS program involving pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff provided clinical interventions and recommendations for patients, supported by organisational interventions, including education and guideline reinforcement. Data collection included patient demographics, clinical data, and AGS program recommendations documented in patient medical records. Ethical approval was granted by the Eastern Health Office of Research and Ethics (Reference no: QA23‐015‐91886) and the study confirms to the Australian Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Results: It was found that 51% of opioid‐naïve patients were prescribed modified‐release opioids for acute non‐cancer pain, contrary to local guidelines. The AGS program recommendations resulted in an 89.7% cessation of these prescriptions. For non‐opioid‐naïve patients, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean Oral Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose of 19.85 mg (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.3–29.4 mg, p < 0.05). AGS recommendations were predominantly adhered to, with 82% showing full or partial compliance. Conclusion: This study highlights the positive impact of an AGS program on the appropriateness of opioid analgesic prescribing for adult inpatients. These findings support the implementation of AGS programs into healthcare systems to mitigate opioid‐related harm and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]