Pharmacogenetic information in Swiss drug labels - a systematic analysis

Implementation of pharmacogenetics (PGx) and individualization of drug therapy is supposed to obviate adverse drug reactions or therapy failure. Health care professionals (HCPs) use drug labels (DLs) as reliable information about drugs. We analyzed the Swiss DLs to give an overview on the currently available PGx instructions. We screened 4306 DLs applying natural language processing focusing on drug metabolism (pharmacokinetics) and we assigned PGx levels following the classification system of PharmGKB. From 5979 hits, 2564 were classified as PGx-relevant affecting 167 substances. 55% (n = 93) were classified as "actionable PGx". Frequently, PGx information appeared in the pharmacokinetics section and in DLs of the anatomic group "nervous system". Unstandardized wording, appearance of PGx information in different sections and unclear instructions challenge HCPs to identify and interpret PGx information and translate it into practice. HCPs need harmonization and standardization of PGx information in DLs to personalize drug therapies and tailor pharmaceutical care.

HLA-associated adverse drug reactions - scoping review

Alleles of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system have been associated with the occurrence of idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Accordingly, it is assumed that pre-emptive testing for the presence of certain HLA alleles (HLA-typing) could prevent these ADRs in carriers. In order to perceive the current evidence for HLA-associated ADRs, we conducted a scoping review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The literature search on PubMed and on Embase was carried out on the July 8 and 9, 2020, respectively. To be included in the scoping review, the studies had to investigate an association of any HLA-associated ADR with any small molecule approved and available on the Swiss market. We considered English and German primary literature published since 2002. A total of 149 studies were included, whereof most were retrospective, whereas one was a prospective randomized controlled trial. The majority of the studies (n = 33) described the association of HLA-B*15:02 with carbamazepine. It was not possible to directly compare the studies, as they were too heterogeneous in terms of the ADR definition, the HLA alleles, the number of participants, and the study types. Therefore, we summarized the results in a descriptive manner. Even if an interpretation of the outcomes remains open, the descriptive overview revealed the prevailing complexity and uncertainty in the field. For the future, consistent definitions on the different phenotypes need to be established and applied and the reporting of association studies should follow a harmonized structure.

Subcutaneous Drugs and Off-label Use in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous drug administration is an interesting approach for symptom control in hospice and palliative care. However, most drugs have no marketing authorization for subcutaneous administration and are therefore used off-label. In order to meet the requirements of a safe and effective drug therapy, especially in highly vulnerable patients, it is essential to investigate the scope of evidence of these common practices.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of available data on the tolerability and/or effectiveness of subcutaneously administered and off-label used drugs.

METHOD

We performed a scoping review according to the PRISMA extension to identify data available on the tolerability and/or effectiveness of 17 predefined drugs that are commonly administered subcutaneously in Swiss hospices and hospice-like institutions and that have no marketing authorization (off-label use).

RESULTS

The scoping review identified 57 studies with most data available on their tolerability (68% local, 54% systemic), clinical effects (82%), details on dosage (96%) and routes of application (100%). Information on pharmacokinetic properties was mostly missing and only available for fentanyl, levetiracetam, midazolam, and ondansetron. For seven drugs, less than five articles were identified and no studies on codeine or clonazepam were available.

CONCLUSION

This work provides an overview of current evidence on subcutaneous and off-label used drugs in hospice and palliative care. Although both are common practices, evidence on tolerability and effectiveness, particularly pharmacokinetic data, is limited and the identified information gaps need to be closed. This work establishes a basis for further research in this area.

Developing indicators for medication-related readmissions based on a Delphi consensus study

BACKGROUND

Medication-related readmissions challenge healthcare systems by burdening patients, increasing costs and straining resources. However, to date, there has been no consensus study on indicators for medication-related readmissions.

OBJECTIVES

This Delphi study aimed to develop a consensus-based set of indicators for detecting patients at risk of medication-related readmission.

METHODS

An expert panel of clinical pharmacists, physicians and nursing experts participated in a two-round Delphi study. In round 1, 31 indicators taken from the literature were rated for relevance on a scale from 1 to 9, with a median rating of 7 or higher suggesting relevance. The RAND/UCLA method was used to determine consensus. In round 2, indicators lacking consensus were re-rated together with a series of new indicators generated by the experts. Additional details were sought for some indicators. The main outcomes were the relevance of, consensus on, and completeness of the proposed indicators for identifying risks of 30-day medication-related readmission.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight experts participated in round 1. Consensus was found for all the indicators, with 25 included and 6 excluded. Thirty-four experts participated in round 2. Consensus was found for all 5 newly suggested indicators, and 4 were included. The expert panel prioritized the following indicators: (1) insufficient communication between different healthcare providers, (2) polypharmacy (≥7 medications), (3) low rates of medication adherence (twice-weekly mistakes or missing administration), (4) complex medication regimens (≥3 doses, ≥2 dosage forms and ≥2 administration routes per day), and (5) multimorbidity (≥3 chronic conditions). The final set comprised 29 indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

The indicator set developed for flagging potential medication-related readmissions could guide priorities for clinical pharmacy services at hospital discharge, improving patient outcomes and resource use. A validation study of these indicators is planned.

Prescription Trends in Hospice Care: A Longitudinal Retrospective and Descriptive Medication Analysis

BACKGROUND

In hospice and palliative care, drug therapy is essential for symptom control. However, drug regimens are complex and prone to drug-related problems. Drug regimens must be simplified to improve quality of life and reduce risks associated with drug-related problems, particularly at end-of-life. To support clinical guidance towards a safe and effective drug therapy in hospice care, it is important to understand prescription trends.

OBJECTIVES

To explore prescription trends and describe changes to drug regimens in inpatient hospice care.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective longitudinal and descriptive analysis of prescriptions for regular and as-needed (PRN) medication at three timepoints in deceased patients of one Swiss hospice.

SETTING/SUBJECTS

Prescription records of all patients (≥ 18 years) with an inpatient stay of three days and longer (admission and time of death in 2020) were considered eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

Prescription records of 58 inpatients (average age 71.7 ± 12.8 [37-95] years) were analyzed. The medication analysis showed that polypharmacy prevalence decreased from 74.1% at admission to 13.8% on the day of death. For regular medication, overall numbers of prescriptions decreased over the patient stay while PRN medication decreased after the first consultation by the attending physician and increased slightly towards death.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription records at admission revealed high initial rates of polypharmacy that were reduced steadily until time of death. These findings emphasize the importance of deprescribing at end-of-life and suggest pursuing further research on the contribution of clinical guidance towards optimizing drug therapy and deprescribing in inpatient hospice care.

Pharmacists' clinical roles and activities in inpatient hospice and palliative care: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Pharmacists contribute to medication safety by providing their services in various settings. However, standardized definitions of the role of pharmacists in hospice and palliative care (HPC) are lacking.

AIM

The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the evidence on the role of pharmacists and to map clinical activities in inpatient HPC.

METHOD

We performed a scoping review according to the PRISMA-ScR extension in CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed. We used the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on the Pharmacist's Role in Palliative and Hospice Care as a framework for standardized categorization of the identified roles and clinical activities.

RESULTS

After screening 635 records (published after January 1st, 2000), the scoping review yielded 23 publications reporting various pharmacy services in HPC. The articles addressed the five main categories in the following descending order: 'Medication order review and reconciliation', 'Medication counseling, education and training', 'Administrative Roles', 'Direct patient care', and 'Education and scholarship'. A total of 172 entries were mapped to the subcategories that were added to the main categories.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review identified a variety of pharmacists' roles and clinical activities. The gathered evidence will help to establish and define the role of pharmacists in inpatient hospice and palliative care.