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Kassem AB, Al Meslamani AZ, Elmaghraby DH, Magdy Y, AbdElrahman M, Hamdan AM, Mohamed Moustafa HA. The pharmacists' interventions after a Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Pharm Policy Pract 2024; 17:2372040. [PMID: 39011356 PMCID: PMC11249153 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2372040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Healthcare systems in developing countries faced significant challenges during COVID-19, grappling with limited resources and staffing shortages. Assessment of the impact of pharmaceutical care expertise, particularly in critical care units during the pandemics, in developing countries remains poorly explored. The principal aim of our study was to assess the impact of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC), comprising clinical pharmacists, on the incidence, types, and severity of medication errors and associated costs in using COVID-19 medications, especially antibiotics. Methods An interventional pre-post study was carried out at a public isolation hospital in Egypt over 6 months. Results Out of 499 medication orders, 238 (47.7%) had medication errors, averaging 2.38 errors per patient. The most frequent were prescribing errors (44.9%), specifically incorrect drug choice (57.9%), excessive dosage (29.9%), treatment duplication (4.5%), inadequate dosage (4.5%), and overlooked indications (3.6%). Linezolid and Remdesivir were the most common medications associated with prescribing errors. Pharmacists intervened 315 times, primarily discontinuing medications, reducing doses, introducing new medications, and increasing doses. These actions led to statistically significant cost reductions (p < 0.05) and better clinical outcomes; improved oxygen saturation, decreased fever, stabilised respiratory rates, and normalised white blood cell counts. So, clinical pharmacist interventions made a notable clinical and economic difference (66.34% reduction of the expenses) in antibiotics usage specifically and other medications used in COVID-19 management during the pandemic. Conclusion Crucially, educational initiatives targeting clinical pharmacists can foster judicious prescribing habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira B. Kassem
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Z. Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dina H. Elmaghraby
- Kafr El Dawar General Hospital, Department of infectious disease, Ministry of Health, Beheira, Egypt
| | - Yosr Magdy
- Kafr El Dawar General Hospital, Department of infectious disease, Ministry of Health, Beheira, Egypt
| | - Mohamed AbdElrahman
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon, Iraq
- Clinical pharmacy Department, Badr University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M.E. Hamdan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
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Al Meslamani AZ. The long-term clinical impact of digital endpoints and biomarkers in data collection. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2024; 24:697-699. [PMID: 38362754 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2024.2320233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research quality of care Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Hodel KVS, Fiuza BSD, Conceição RS, Aleluia ACM, Pitanga TN, Fonseca LMDS, Valente CO, Minafra-Rezende CS, Machado BAS. Pharmacovigilance in Vaccines: Importance, Main Aspects, Perspectives, and Challenges-A Narrative Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:807. [PMID: 38931474 PMCID: PMC11206969 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pharmacovigilance plays a central role in safeguarding public health by continuously monitoring the safety of vaccines, being critical in a climate of vaccine hesitancy, where public trust is paramount. Pharmacovigilance strategies employed to gather information on adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) include pre-registration data, media reports, clinical trials, and societal reporting. Early detection of AEFIs during clinical trials is crucial for thorough safety analysis and preventing serious reactions once vaccines are deployed. This review highlights the importance of societal reporting, encompassing contributions from community members, healthcare workers, and pharmaceutical companies. Technological advancements such as quick response (QR) codes can facilitate prompt AEFI reporting. While vaccines are demonstrably safe, the possibility of adverse events necessitates continuous post-marketing surveillance. However, underreporting remains a challenge, underscoring the critical role of public engagement in pharmacovigilance. This narrative review comprehensively examines and synthesizes key aspects of virus vaccine pharmacovigilance, with special considerations for specific population groups. We explore applicable legislation, the spectrum of AEFIs associated with major vaccines, and the unique challenges and perspectives surrounding pharmacovigilance in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Valéria Saraiva Hodel
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Bianca Sampaio Dotto Fiuza
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Souza Conceição
- Department of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Augusto Cezar Magalhães Aleluia
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Southwestern Bahia State University (UESB), Campus Vitória da Conquista, Vitória da Conquista 45031-300, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Thassila Nogueira Pitanga
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
- Laboratory for Research in Genetics and Translational Hematology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador 40296-710, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Larissa Moraes dos Santos Fonseca
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Camila Oliveira Valente
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), SENAI CIMATEC University Center, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia State, Brazil
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Al Meslamani AZ. Adverse drug event reporting among women: uncovering disparities in underserved communities. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2024; 23:543-545. [PMID: 38551021 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2024.2337745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research quality of Care Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Al Meslamani AZ, Abdel-Qader DH, Kassem AB, Al Mazrouei N. Disparities in drug safety practices in developing nations: focusing on underlying factors and implications for global health. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2024; 23:393-397. [PMID: 38436276 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2024.2326488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Amira B Kassem
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Nadia Al Mazrouei
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Al Meslamani AZ. Why are outcome-based drug safety research studies scarce? Insights into operational challenges and potential solutions. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2024; 23:145-148. [PMID: 38214223 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2024.2305368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Morris R, Ali R, Cheng F. Drug Repurposing Using FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database. Curr Drug Targets 2024; 25:454-464. [PMID: 38566381 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501290296240327081624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Drug repurposing is an emerging approach to reassigning existing pre-approved therapies for new indications. The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) is a large database of over 28 million adverse event reports submitted by medical providers, patients, and drug manufacturers and provides extensive drug safety signal data. In this review, four common drug repurposing strategies using FAERS are described, including inverse signal detection for a single disease, drug-drug interactions that mitigate a target ADE, identifying drug-ADE pairs with opposing gene perturbation signatures and identifying drug-drug pairs with congruent gene perturbation signatures. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of these different approaches using existing successful applications in the literature. With the fast expansion of adverse drug event reports, FAERS-based drug repurposing represents a promising strategy for discovering new uses for existing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612, USA
| | - Rahinatu Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612, USA
| | - Feng Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33612, USA
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