Out of the boxes,out of the silos: The need of interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce poor-quality medical products in the supply chain

In this paper, we argue that understanding and addressing the problem of poor-quality medical products requires a more interdisciplinary approach than has been evident to date. While prospective studies based on rigorous standardized methodologies are the gold standard for measuring the prevalence of poor-quality medical products and understanding their distribution nationally and internationally, they should be complemented by social science research to unpack the complex set of social, economic, and governance factors that underlie these patterns. In the following sections, we discuss specific examples of prospective quality surveys and of social science studies, highlighting the value of cross-sector partnerships in driving high-quality, policy-relevant research in this area.     

Economic impact of pharmaceutical services on polymedicated patients: A systematic review

BackgroundPolypharmacy is commonly related to poor drug adherence, decreased quality of life and inappropriate prescribing in eldery. Furthermore, this condition also leads to a higher utilization of health services resources, due to the increased risk of adverse drug events, length of stays in hospitals and readmissions rates after discharge.ObjectiveThis Systematic Review aimed to synthesize the current evidence that evaluates pharmaceutical services on polymedicated patients, from an economic perspective.MethodsSystematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies that were published until January 2021. Experimental and observational studies were included in this review, using strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and were assessed for quality using the following tools: RoB and ROBINS-I. Two independent reviewers selected the articles and extracted the data.Results3,662 articles were retrieved from the databases. After the screening, 18 studies were included: 9 experimental and 9 observational studies. The studies reported that the integration of the pharmacist as a member of the healthcare team provides an optimized use of pharmacotherapy to polymedicated patients and contributes to health promotion, providing reduction of spending on medication, reduction of expenses related to emergency care and hospitalizations and other medical expenses. The ECRs made cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit analysis, and most of the Non Randomized studies had statistically significant cost savings even considering the expenses of pharmaceutical assistance. Experimental studies reported a cost reduction varying between US$ 193 to US$ 4,966 per patient per year. Furthermore, observational studies estimated a cost reduction of varying from US$ 3 to US$ 2,505 per patient per year. The cost savings are related to decrease in emergency visits and hospitalizations, through pharmacist intervention (medication review and pharmacotherapy follow-up).ConclusionsConsidering the set of studies included, pharmaceutical care services directed to polymedicated patients may cooperate to save financial resources. Most of the interventions showed positive economic trends and also contributed to improving clinical parameters and quality of life. However, due to the majority of the studies having exploratory or qualitative methodology, it is essential to carry out more robust studies, based on full economic evaluation.     

Where are the labor markets?: Examining the association between structural racism in labor markets and infant birth weight

Racist policies and practices that restrict Black, as compared to white workers, from employment may drive racial inequities in birth outcomes among workers. This study examined the association between structural racism in labor markets, measured at a commuting zone where workers live and commute to work, and low-birthweight birth. We found the deleterious effect of structural racism in labor markets among US-born Southern Black pregnant people of working age, but not among African- or Caribbean-born counterparts in any US region. Our analysis highlights the intersections of structural racism, culture, migration, and history of racial oppression that vary across regions and birth outcomes of Black workers.     

Exploring the potential of exosomes in diagnosis and drug delivery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a cancer of the digestive system, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for approximately 90% of all PC cases. Exosomes derived from PDAC (PDAC-exosomes) promote PDAC development and metastasis. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles secreted by most cells, which can carry biologically active molecules and mediate communication and cargo transportation among cells. Recent studies have focused on transforming exosomes into good drug delivery systems (DDSs) to improve the clinical treatment of PDAC. This review considers PDAC as the main research object to introduce the role of PDAC-exosomes in PDAC development and metastasis. This review focuses on the following two themes: (a) the great potential of PDAC-exosomes as new diagnostic markers for PDAC, and (b) the transformation of exosomes into potential DDSs.     

Confounded association between proton pump inhibitor use and risk of biliary tract cancer: Result from three cohorts

Recent epidemiological studies suggested that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was associated with an increased risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC), however, confounders were not adequately controlled. Our study aimed to evaluate PPI use and subsequent risk of BTC and its subtypes in three well-established cohorts. We conducted a pooled analysis of the subjects free of cancers in UK Biobank (n = 463 643), Nurses' Health Study (NHS, n = 80 235) and NHS II (n = 95 869). Propensity score weighted Cox models were used to estimate marginal HRs of PPIs use on BTC risk, accounting for potential confounders. We documented 284 BTC cases in UK Biobank (median follow-up: 7.6 years), and 91 cases in NHS and NHS II cohorts (median follow-up: 15.8 years). In UK biobank, PPI users had a 96% higher risk of BTC compared to nonusers in crude model (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.44-2.66), but the effect was attenuated to null after adjusting for potential confounders (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.60-1.49). PPI use was not associated with risk of BTC in the pooled analysis of three cohorts (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.60-1.43). We also observed no associations between PPI use with risk of intrahepatic (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.49-2.04), extrahepatic bile duct (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.52-2.27) and gallbladder cancers (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.26-1.66) in UK Biobank. In summary, regular use of PPIs was not associated with the risk of BTC and its subtypes.     

我国家庭医生签约服务政策执行的制约因素与优化路径：基于史密斯政策执行过程模型

深化家庭医生签约服务是深化医药卫生体制改革、强化基层医疗卫生服务、实现"健康中国"战略目标的重要选择，也是当前更好维护人民群众健康的重要途径。为有效推进签约服务工作，国家陆续推出各项政策，全国各地也在积极进行实践探索，成效明显。但是，签约服务仍面临诸多问题，其中"执行难"是签约服务深度推进的一大困境。通过史密斯政策执行过程模型，结合签约服务政策执行过程，发现签约服务仍存在法治性不足、政策执行人员水平不高、激励不足、政策环境影响等诸多制约因素。因此，需要从法律和制度方面进行顶层设计、提升执行人员素质和职业认同、建立医患互信、优化政策执行环境等角度进行政策创新，探索家庭医生签约服务可持续发展的路径。     

Species,tissue and gender-related metal and element accumulation in fish species in a large reservoir (Turkey) and health risks and nutritional benefits for consumers

Concentrations of 18 metals and elements (MEs) in the gills, skin, muscle and liver of Carasobarbus luteus and Cyprinus carpio from the Atatürk Reservoir in Turkey were investigated. The results revealed that variations in the ME contents between fish species can be attributed to different diets. The highest contents of most MEs were recorded in the gills. Gender had no significant effect on the contents of most MEs in the tissues of fish species investigated. The relations between MEs in tissues and fish size were not clear and consistent. Health risk assessment methods indicated that consumption of the studied fish species is safe. It was estimated that daily consumption of 140 g of C. carpio or 170 g of C. luteus would not be expected to cause any health risks. Furthermore, it was found that fish species would provide significant benefits in terms of intake of essential MEs.