Documenting clinical pharmacist intervention before and after the introduction of a web-based tool

Objectives To develop a database for documenting pharmacist intervention through a web-based application. The secondary endpoint was to determine if the new, web-based application provides any benefits with regards to documentation compliance by clinical pharmacists and ease of calculating cost savings compared with our previous method of documenting pharmacist interventions. Setting A tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. Method The documentation of interventions using a web-based documentation application was retrospectively compared with previous methods of documentation of clinical pharmacists?? interventions (multi-user PC software). Main outcome measure The number and types of interventions recorded by pharmacists, data mining of archived data, efficiency, cost savings, and the accuracy of the data generated. Results The number of documented clinical interventions increased from 4,926, using the multi-user PC software, to 6,840 for the web-based application. On average, we observed 653 interventions per clinical pharmacist using the web-based application, which showed an increase compared to an average of 493 interventions using the old multi-user PC software. However, using a paired Student??s t-test there was no statistical significance difference between the two means (P = 0.201). Using a ??² test, which captured management level and the type of system used, we found a strong effect of management level (P < 2.2 × 10^?C16) on the number of documented interventions. We also found a moderately significant relationship between educational level and the number of interventions documented (P = 0.045). The mean ± SD time required to document an intervention using the web-based application was 66.55 ± 8.98 s. Using the web-based application, 29.06% of documented interventions resulted in cost-savings, while using the multi-user PC software only 4.75% of interventions did so. The majority of cost savings across both platforms resulted from the discontinuation of unnecessary drugs and a change in dosage regimen. Data collection using the web-based application was consistently more complete when compared to the multi-user PC software. Conclusions The web-based application is an efficient system for documenting pharmacist interventions. Its flexibility and accessibility, as well as its detailed report functionality is a useful tool that will hopefully encourage other primary and secondary care facilities to adopt similar applications.     

Cost evolution of biological agents for the treatment of spondyloarthritis in a tertiary hospital: influential factors in price

Background Spending on biological agents has risen dramatically due to the high cost of the drugs and the increased prevalence of spondyloarthritis. Objective To evaluate the annual cost per patient and cost for each biological drug for treating patients with spondyloarthritis from 2009 to 2016, and to calculate factors that affect treatment cost, such as optimizing therapies by monitoring drug serum levels, the use of biosimilar-TNF inhibitors, and official discounts or negotiated rebates in biologicals acquired by the pharmacy department. Method Retrospective, observational study in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Main outcome Annual cost per patient and per drug. Factors that influenced the costs and socio-demographic parameters and disease activity. Results A total of 129, 215, and 224 patients were treated in 2009, 2013, and 2016, respectively. The annual cost per patient decreased: EUR11,604 in 2009, EUR8513 in 2013, and EUR7464 in 2016. The introduction of new drugs drives economic competition, leading to total savings per drug, with discounts reaching 5.8, 12.4, 16.7, 17.7, 13.7, and 24.8% for original infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, ertolizumab, golimumab, and secukinumab, respectively, while rebates for biosimilar infliximab reached 31.90% in 2016. The number of patients with optimized therapies reached 47.5% in 2016, which led to cost savings of EUR798,614, in addition to savings from official discounts and rebates of EUR252,706 and savings from optimized therapies of EUR545,908 in 2016. Conclusion The cost of biological treatments declined after official discounts, negotiated rebates, and optimized therapies, leading to a significant decrease in the annual cost per patient. The greatest contribution to economic savings in biological therapy according to our study was biological therapy optimization.     

Computer-generated reports for monitoring variances in the drug budget

A computerized pharmaceutical-purchasing cost-management system that can be used to monitor variances in the drug budget is described. Variance reports on inflation, volume of drugs used, and changes in inventory are generated monthly to determine whether the pharmacy is operating within its budget. The reports are processed on an IBM personal computer with the use of a dBASE-III management software package. The price and quantity of each drug, as specified in the standard drug budget, are entered into the system; using approximately four hours per month is required for entry of the quantities and prices of drugs received as noted on the invoice. Variances in the budget are reviewed, and drug-use data are assessed to determine trends. Demand intensity (use per 1000 cases) is also tracked to determine the effects of educational programs on the proper use of drugs. Variance reports generated by a computerized budget-monitoring system provide the pharmacy with timely cost data that can be used to monitor the effects of drug-use guidelines and educational programs on the budget.     

国家组织药品集中采购对南京医科大学附属脑科医院抗精神病药使用影响分析

目的 分析南京医科大学附属脑科医院2019年1月—2021年12月执行国家组织药品集中采购政策后对抗精神病药物使用情况的影响。方法 采用回顾性研究方法对南京医科大学附属脑科医院2019年1月—2021年12月国家集采药品中抗精神病药物的用药品种、使用数量、使用金额、用药频度（DDDs）、日均费用（DDC）、排序比（B/A）、潜在节省费用等进行统计分析。结果 国家组织药品集中采购政策实施后,2021年较2020年第1批、第3批中选药品及同通用名药品使用数量分别增加了8.91%、14.73%,使用金额分别下降了13.99%、21.33%;DDDs最高的3位、DDC最低的3位均为国家集采中选品种;2021年第1批、第3批国家集采执行后潜在节省费用为470.43万元。结论 国家集采政策实施后,一定程度上解决了药品价格虚高的问题,切实降低了精神病患者的用药负担,提升了医保资金的使用效率。     

Wastage factor of intravenous infusions in a regional intensive care unit

The use and wastage of infusions of propofol and atracurium were studied over an eight-week period in an intensive care unit. Four sources of wastage were apparent, three of which were avoidable. Cessation of therapy, often as a result of decisions made by medical staff on morning ward rounds, was the most important source of wastage (75.7 and 74.6 per cent of wastage of propofol and atracurium, respectively). Advance preparation of syringes was another source, particularly for atracurium, and intermittent short infusions accounted for 8.5 per cent of wastage of propofol. Alterations in unit practice for administration of propofol and atracurium could lead to financial savings (approximately 1.5 per cent of the annual expenditure on drugs by this unit) and greater financial savings would be expected if wastage reduction policies were applied to all infusions.     

医院药库现代仓储管理的探索

医院药库的仓储管理,是医院管理的核心组成。探索和掌握医院药库现代仓储管理的方法,并用其进行仓储管理,对于医院保障临床用药、保证仓储药品质量、降低药品仓储损耗、降低药品流通成本等有十分重要的意义。     

Off-label use of anticancer drugs in eastern Switzerland: a population-based prospective cohort study

Purpose

Prevalence data on the off-label use (OLU) of anticancer drugs are limited despite OLU being controversial for medical, pharmaco-economic, and ethical reasons. We therefore quantified and characterized the OLU of anticancer drugs and compared OLU based on the national drug label with international treatment recommendations.

Methods

We prospectively collected data on patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy between October and December 2012 at hospitals affiliated with the Eastern Switzerland Oncology Network. Individual data on patient characteristics, tumor disease, and systemic treatment were collected, and each individual treatment was compared with the national drug label and international treatment guidelines.

Results

A total of 985 consecutive patients receiving 1,737 anticancer drug treatments were included in the study. Overall, 32.4 % of all patients received at least one off-label drug, corresponding to 27.2 % of all anticancer drugs administered. Major reasons for OLU were the lack of approval for the specific disease entity (15.7 %) and modified application of the anticancer drug (10 %). OLU that was unsupported by the current European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) treatment recommendations was rare (6.6 %) but higher for bevacizumab (29.6 %) due to its use in treating advanced ovarian cancer beyond the second-line setting and advanced breast cancer beyond the first-line setting and for lenalidomide (22.6 %) due to its use in treating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Conclusions

Based on data collected on our patient cohort, OLU of anticancer drugs in a European clinical setting applies to one-third of all cancer patients. ESMO-unsupported use of chemotherapies or molecularly-targeted drugs is rare, opposing concerns that the off-label use of newer anticancer drugs is a substantial clinical problem.     

Exploring the intravenous narcotics and controlled drugs wastage and their financial impact: A descriptive single-center study

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to explore the wastage of narcotics and controlled medications and, their financial impact in a tertiary care setting over a one-year period.MethodologyThe study period was of one year, i.e., October 2020 – September 2021. The venue of study was a tertiary care hospital. The narcotic medications included Fentanyl, Tramadol, Morphine, and Meperidine. The controlled medications included Midazolam, Phenobarbital, Diazepam, Ketamine and Lorazepam. The annual consumption and wastage of the narcotic and controlled medications were documented using data report generated by narcotics and controlled medication in-charge pharmacist through the hospital’s online system. Data was reported using average, minimum and maximum values. Quantities of wastage is expressed in terms of ampoules. Costs per ampoule were calculated and expressed in both Saudi Riyal (SAR) and United States Dollar (USD). The study was approved by an ethics committee.ResultsThe annual wastage of narcotics was 3.19 % while the same for controlled medications was 21.3 %. An annual wastage of 3.81 % was reported for narcotics and controlled medications combined. The total wastage cost of narcotics and controlled medications was 15,443.1 SAR that was equivalent to USD 4085.5. Fentanyl 500mcg formulations had the highest consumption, i.e., 28,580 ampoules followed by Morphine 10 mg formulations, i.e., 27,122 ampoules. The highest ampoule wastage was observed for Morphine 10 mg formulations, i.e., 1956 ampoules. The highest % wastage was observed for Midazolam formulations, i.e., 29.3 %.ConclusionThe overall wastage was less than 5% of the total consumption, however, midazolam was observed to have the highest wastage. Shifting to prefilled syringes supplied by pharmacies, making protocols, and safely pooling costly drugs could result in significant savings.     

A cross-sectional survey of the Maltese general public on medication wastage

Background Medication wastage is a global issue, with key public health implications in terms of safety, the environment and the economy. A recently conducted systematic review of the published literature identified a lack of focus on the views of healthcare professionals and the general public. Objective To explore awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to medication wastage amongst the general public in Malta. Setting Malta. Method Survey methodology employing a pre-piloted questionnaire was developed from theoretical frameworks of behaviour. Questionnaire items comprised open, closed and 5-point Likert scales. Medication adherence as a possible factor associated with wastage was measured using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Random sample of 1920 was obtained from the Maltese electoral register 2013. Ethical approval was obtained. Main outcome measures Awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to medication wastage amongst the general public in Malta. Results Response rate was 20.4 %. The majority (70.6 %) agreed that they were fully aware of the issue of wastage and 71.9 % disagreed that they had no interest in wastage. The following were significantly related to increased awareness of wastage: older age (p = 0.003), pensioners (p = 0.011), on regular medication (p = 0.021) and obtaining free medication (p = 0.026). Lack of interest in wastage was significantly related to obtaining free medication by government (p = 0.022), with those purchasing medication being significantly more interested (p = 0.028). While 75.1 % of respondents on regular medication self-reported not being fully adherent, there were no associations with awareness (p = 0.100) and interest in wastage (p = 0.385). Unemployed were more likely to report contribution towards wastage (p = 0.010) and the presence of a healthcare professional as family member was significantly related to confidence in ability to reduce wastage (p = 0.009). 46.2 % claimed to have unused medication at home and improvement in patient’s medical condition was the main reason for this. Conclusion More effort is warranted to raise awareness of the public as an initial step in promoting behavioural change in relation to medication wastage.     

药品带量采购对某医院抗精神病药原研药和仿制药使用情况影响

目的：分析带量采购对抗精神病药品原研药和仿制药的使用情况影响,为政策制定和医院药事管理提供参考。方法：采用药物经济学方法对带量采购实施前后门诊药房抗精神病药品的数量、金额、用药频度（DDDs）、日均费用（DDC）、仿制药替代率、费用节省等进行分析。结果：带量采购政策实施后,抗精神病药中仿制药使用数量增加4%,仿制药使用金额降低3%。带量采购实施后包含带量采购中选品种的奥氮平片和利培酮片实际费用节省分别为547万元、252万元,占抗精神病药品总节省费用的85.9%,为医保费用节省501万元。结论：本次带量采购政策落地一年,一定程度上解决了药品价格虚高问题,切实降低了部分患者的用药负担,提升了医保基金的使用效率。     

Total intravenous anaesthesia: is it worth the cost?

Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) has many advocates and offers potential benefits, yet the direct costs of this technique are commonly greater than those of inhalation-based alternatives. Although many advantages are claimed for TIVA, in reality all modern anaesthetics are effective and have good safety and tolerability profiles, rendering these differences of less importance now than was perhaps once the case. The majority of direct comparisons between inhaled and intravenous anaesthetics have failed to demonstrate significant differences in recovery times, yet they have consistently shown greater direct costs associated with intravenous propofol anaesthesia. It is commonly believed that indirect costs may be offset by indirect savings achieved through more rapid recovery, reduction in adverse effects and decreased staff workloads. In some cases, these differences in outcome have not been observed, while in many where they have, indirect savings are only theoretical. Reductions in recovery time and nursing workload will only result in savings if fewer nurses are required or if the existing ones can be paid for fewer hours. Salary arrangements, peak demand for patient care, performance of multiple tasks in parallel and limitations in time accounting methodology all limit the ability to achieve such savings in reality. Drug wastage also contributes to the cost of anaesthesia and is common to both intravenous and inhaled techniques. With inhaled anaesthesia, wastage can be reduced by the use of lower fresh gas flows, which has no adverse consequences and may provide potential benefits. With intravenous anaesthesia, reducing drug wastage is difficult and potentially harmful through cross-contamination of drugs between patients. Recently, the cost of propofol has been reduced with the availability of generics, making TIVA a more attractive proposition. The costs of several inhaled anaesthetics have also decreased, however, reducing any relative benefit. Nevertheless, the net result of lowered costs is that all types of anaesthetic drugs, which typically comprise <5% of a hospital pharmacy budget, represent excellent value for money. With few new products in the immediate pipeline and most established drugs already generic or about to lose their patent protection, the expense of anaesthesia is likely to decline even further. Perhaps then we will be able to stop arguing over relatively small differences in cost and choose a technique that, in our own experienced hands, provides the best and safest patient outcomes.     

A randomized trial assessing the utility of a test-dose program with taxanes

ABSTRACT

Objective: Taxanes are commonly used anticancer agents with a potential of producing an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). We performed a randomized study to evaluate the value of a test dose given prior to the full dose of either paclitaxel or docetaxel.

Research design and methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either the administration of the full dose or to the prior administration of a 1?mg intravenous test dose of either paclitaxel or docetaxel. The primary endpoints were severity of the HSR and the cost of drug wastage due to a HSR.

Results: Two hundred and eighteen patients were randomized from three different treatment sites. The overall incidence of HSR was 6.5% and there was no significant difference in the incidence of HSR in either group. The mean HSR severity grade was 2.8 for patients without a test dose and 2.3 for those receiving a test dose. There was, however, a reduction in the wastage of taxane in the test dose arm. Wastage avoided in the test dose arm was $1573 per patient who had a HSR and $104 per patient treated with a taxane.

Conclusion: Although a test dose may not reduce the severity of a HSR with the administration of a taxane, it does reduce the cost associated with drug wastage.     

Frequency of use of QT-interval prolonging drugs in psychiatry in Belgium

Introduction Drug-induced QT-prolongation is an established risk factor for Torsade de pointes and sudden cardiac death. The list of QT-prolonging drugs is extensive and includes many drugs commonly used in psychiatry. Aim In this study we performed a cross-sectional analysis of medication profiles to assess the prevalence of drug interactions potentially leading to QT-prolongation. Setting 6 psychiatric hospitals in Flanders, Belgium. Methods For each patient, the full medication list was screened for the presence of interactions, with special attention to those with an increased risk for QT-prolongation. Current practice on QT monitoring and prevention of drug-induced arrhythmia was assessed. Main outcome measure Number of drug interactions with risk of QT-prolongation. Results 592 patients (46 % female; mean age 55.7 ± 17.1 years) were included in the analysis. 113 QT-prolonging interactions were identified in 43 patients (7.3 %). QT-prolonging interactions occurred most frequently with antidepressants (n = 102) and antipsychotics (n = 100). The precautions and follow-up provided by the different institutions when combining QT-prolonging drugs were very diverse. Conclusion Drug combinations that are associated with QT-prolongation are frequently used in the chronic psychiatric setting. Persistent efforts should be undertaken to provide caregivers with clear guidelines on how to use these drugs in a responsible and safe way.     

美国Medicaid项目处方药费用控制措施介绍及对我国的启示

目的:研究美国Medicaid项目处方药费用控制措施,为我国医保药品支出控制改革提供参考.方法:通过研读政策文件、学术论文和新闻报道等,梳理美国Medicaid项目的药品费用控制政策的做法和对医保费用影响,并提出对我国医保药品控费的建议.结果与结论:美国Medicaid项目处方药费用控制措施包括药品利用管理和药品控费新...     

Harmful excipients in medicines for neonates in Spain

Background Neonates may respond differently from adults to drug components. Hence, ingredients that seem safe in adults may not be safe in this age group. Objective To describe the content of harmful excipients in drugs used in our neonatal wards and compare the daily dose a neonate may receive with the accepted daily intake (ADI) in adults. Methods All drugs included in the hospital’s neonatal treatment guide were reviewed, using information from the package inserts or the summary of product characteristics. Those containing at least one harmful excipient (e.g., metabisulfite, sorbitol) were analyzed. Minimum and maximum usual daily drug doses were determined, and excipient exposure was estimated by extrapolation of the minimum and maximum of excipient referred to the active ingredient. These amounts were compared with ADIs for each excipient in adults. Results In total, 32 % of intravenous and 62 % of oral formulations used in neonates contained at least one harmful excipient. On quantitative analysis, 25 % of intravenous and 19 % of oral drugs contained harmful excipients exceeding the ADI in adults. Conclusion Several drugs commonly used to treat neonates contain harmful excipients in amounts that may exceed the ADI in adults. Clinicians should be aware of this to prescribe appropriate treatment in this population.     

Pharmacophore modeling, 3D-QSAR, and molecular docking study on naphthyridine derivatives as inhibitors of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1

The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is an imminent target for discovering novel anticancer drugs. In order to understand the structure–activity correlation of naphthyridine-based PDK-1 inhibitors, we have carried out a combined pharmacophore, three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR), and molecular docking studies. The study has resulted in six point pharmacophore models with four hydrogen bond acceptors (A), one hydrogen bond donor (D), and one aromatic ring (R) are used to derive a predictive atom-based 3D-QSAR model. The generated 3D-QSAR model shows that the alignment has good correlation coefficient for the training set compounds which comprises the values of R ² = 0.96, SD = 0.2, and F = 198.2. Test set compounds shows Q ² = 0.84, RMSE = 0.56, and Pearson-R = 0.84. The external validation was carried out to validate the predicted QSAR model which shows good predictive power of $ r_{m}^{2} $  = 0.83 and k = 1.01, respectively. The external validation results also confirm the fitness of the model. The results indicated that, atom-based 3D-QSAR models and further modifications in PDK1 inhibitors via pharmacophore hypothesis are rational for the prediction of the activity of new inhibitors in prospect of drug design.