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Although commonly used in clinical practice, scientific literature about clozapine prescription patterns in Colombia is scarce. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in an outpatient clinic in Bogotá, Colombia. Between 2016 and 2018, clozapine was prescribed to 2603 patients, mainly for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Bipolar and Depressive Disorders, at a median dose of 100mg/day. After controlling for other variables, older age was the only variable that explained the use of doses lower than 100mg/day. Clozapine was not only used for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia, and further studies are needed to explain these differences.

Aunque se utiliza comúnmente en la práctica clínica, la literatura científica sobre los patrones de prescripción de clozapina en Colombia es escasa. Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal en el servicio ambulatorio de una clínica de referencia en Bogotá, Colombia. Entre 2016 y 2018, se recetó clozapina a 2603 pacientes, principalmente para esquizofrenia y trastornos relacionados, trastorno afectivo bipolar y trastornos depresivos, a una dosis media de 100 mg/día. Después de controlar otras variables, la edad avanzada fue la única variable que explicó el uso de dosis inferiores a 100 mg/día. La clozapina no se utilizó sólo para la esquizofrenia resistente al tratamiento, y se necesitan estudios adicionales para explicar estas diferencias.

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INTRODUCTION: Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) launched in 2022 with a goal to decrease prescription drug costs. Thus far, research has focused on possible savings if Medicare purchased its annual volume of drugs at MCCPDC prices. The aim of this study is to analyze if MCCPDC can offer savings directly to urologic patients compared with other mail-order pharmacies, local pharmacies, and with patients using health insurance. METHODS: Twelve drugs used to treat urological diseases available on MCCPDC were analyzed. Pricing data of 30-tab and 90-tab prescriptions from MCCPDC, other mail-order pharmacies, and local in-person pharmacies near our zip code 40508 (Lexington, Kentucky) were compiled. To compare if MCCPDC could offer savings to patients using health insurance to fill their prescriptions, out-of-pocket drug costs for patients from the 2020 and 2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the 2021 Medicare Part D spending data were extracted. RESULTS: Greater savings at MCCPDC were found at 90-tab prescriptions, but overall variability in prices existed. When comparing without health insurance, 9 of 12 drugs at MCCPDC were cheaper at 90 tabs with solifenacin and tadalafil saving $20 and $12 per prescription. When considering patients using insurance, abiraterone, sildenafil, and tadalafil offered savings on out-of-pocket costs at 30- and 90-tab prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: MCCPDC may offer cheaper prices for patients filling urologic medications, especially at 90-tab prescriptions. This study is the first to show patients could save money using MCCPDC and has implications for physician counseling when prescribing common urologic drugs.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of off-label and unlicensed prescriptions for a population of neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a hospital in southern Santa Catarina. Methods: Observational study with a cross-sectional design. All neonates admitted to the Intensive Care Unit during the period from March 2020 to March 2021 were included. Data collection was performed through a questionnaire made by the authors and the classification of drugs based on the Electronic Drug Description (Bulário Eletrônico) of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency and Drug Dex-Micromedex. Results: Data from 296 neonates were evaluated. The prevalence was 50,7% for prescribing off-label medications and 37,2% for unlicensed medications. The use of drugs was higher in preterm neonates, with low birth weight, 1st minute Apgar between 6-8, 5th minute Apgar between 7-8, and in need of invasive procedures. The most used off-label drugs were ampicillin, gentamicin and fentanyl (92.6, 92.0 and 26.6%, respectively), whereas the most used unlicensed drugs were caffeine, phenobarbital and bromopride (78.1, 16.3 and 10.9%, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed a large percentage of prescriptions made in the off-label (50.7%) and unlicensed (37.2%) form in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, corroborating the worrying world scenario. The most exposed neonates were precisely the most vulnerable ones and, among the most commonly prescribed medications, ampicillin and gentamicin stood out in off-label form and caffeine in unlicensed form.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de prescrições off-label e não licenciadas uma população de neonatos internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal em um hospital ao sul de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Estudo observacional com delineamento transversal. Foram incluídos todos os neonatos admitidos na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva durante o período de março de 2020 a março de 2021. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir de questionário elaborado pelos autores, e a classificação dos medicamentos, com base no Bulário Eletrônico da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária e no Drug Dex-Micromedex. Resultados: Foram avaliados dados de 296 neonatos. A prevalência foi de 50,7% para prescrição de medicações off-label e 37,2% para medicações não licenciadas. O uso dos fármacos foi maior em neonatos pré-termo, com baixo peso ao nascer, Apgar de 1o minuto entre 6-8, Apgar de 5o minuto entre 7-8, e com necessidade de procedimentos invasivos. Os fármacos off-label mais utilizados foram a ampicilina, gentamicina e fentanil (92,6, 92 e 26,6%, respectivamente), já os fármacos não licenciados mais utilizados foram a cafeína, fenobarbital e bromoprida (78,1, 16,3 e 10,9%, respectivamente). Conclusões: O estudo demonstrou grande porcentagem de prescrições realizadas de forma off-label (50,7%) e não licenciada (37,2%) na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal de análise, corroborando o preocupante cenário mundial. Os neonatos mais expostos foram justamente aqueles mais vulneráveis e, entre as medicações mais utilizadas, destacam-se a ampicilina e a gentamicina de modo off-label e a cafeína de modo não licenciado.

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Resumo Trata-se de um artigo embasado em opinião que procura refletir sobre o antagonismo estabelecido entre a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Homem (PNAISH) com o recorte específico para DE (Disfunção Erétil) direcionado ao acesso de medicamentos. É notório que a PNAISH apresenta objetivos que vão além da saúde sexual e reprodutiva, sobretudo, mesmo após 13 anos de sua publicação, não houve incorporação de medicamentos para tratar DE no âmbito SUS. O artigo foi desenvolvido com base no cenário observado no dia a dia de atendimento aos pacientes que recebem cuidados no Serviço Ambulatorial da Saúde Masculina de um Hospital de Alta Complexidade. Isto por constatar a dificuldade dos médicos em prescreverem medicamentos para DE, por ausência de padronização no contexto SUS. Importante ressaltar, nesta perspectiva, que a prescrição de medicamentos no âmbito SUS deve seguir fidedignamente a Rename; conforme preconiza o Decreto 7.508 e, se atentar à Resolução SS-83 de 2015, vigente no estado de São Paulo. Ela estabelece que o custo da dispensação de medicamentos não contemplados na Rename, por meio da judicialização, prescritos por médico da rede estadual de saúde, poderá ser custeado pela instituição ao qual este esteja vinculado.

Abstract This is an opinion-based article that aims to reflect on the antagonism established between the National Policy of Integral Attention to Men's Health (PNAISH) with specific focus on ED (Erectile Dysfunction), directed to access to medication. It is well-known that PNAISH presents objectives that go beyond sexual and reproductive health, especially, even after 13 years of its publication, since there was no incorporation of medications to treat ED within the SUS. This article was developed based on the scenario observed in the daily care of patients who undergo treatment in the Men's Health Outpatient Service of a High-Complexity Hospital. According to this perspective, it is important to emphasize, that the prescription of medications within the SUS should faithfully follow the Rename; as recommended by Decree 7,508, observing the Resolution SS-83 of 2015, in the state of São Paulo. This establishes that the cost of dispensing medications not included in the SUS pharmaceutical assistance protocols, through judicialization, prescribed by a physician in the state health network, may be funded by the institution to which this physician is affiliated.

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Introducción: La diabetes es una enfermedad de carácter crónico, que se origina cuando el organismo pierde su capacidad de producir insulina necesaria para utilizarla de manera eficaz. La diabetes mellitus tipo 1 se caracteriza por la destrucción autoinmune de las células beta del páncreas, que conlleva a una deficiente producción de insulina. Mientras que, la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 resulta de la combinación de resistencia a la insulina junto con inadecuada secreción de la misma. En ambos casos, se utiliza el medicamento insulina para garantizar un control de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Caracterizar la prescripción del medicamento insulina Neutral Protamine Hagedorn bulbo, en una farmacia comunitaria perteneciente a la Atención Primaria de Salud del municipio Santa Clara. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva y transversal, que se corresponde con un estudio de uso de medicamentos del tipo prescripción-indicación del medicamento insulina Neutral Protamine Hagedorn bulbo en septiembre 2023. El universo estuvo conformado por 852 pacientes, que tenían prescripción por certificado para medicamentos controlados vigentes. La muestra no probabilística quedó conformada por 26 pacientes. El tipo de muestreo fue aleatorio simple y los resultados se presentaron en tablas mediante números absolutos y porcentaje. Se respetó el principio a la confidencialidad de la información revisada y los certificados para medicamentos controlados. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes del sexo femenino (76,92 %), mayores de 50 años (84,62 %), hipertensión arterial como comorbilidad (76,92 %), presentaban cuatro o más medicamentos (61,54 %) y la combinación con glibenclamida, metformina, enalapril, captopril, carvedilol, ácido acetilsalicílico, hidroclorotiazida y levotiroxina sódica fueron las interacciones medicamentosas de mayor importancia clínica. Conclusiones: La frecuencia en la prescripción de insulina Neutral Protamine Hagedorn bulbo, es similar a la encontrada en algunos estudios previos, es más representativa a partir de la quinta década de la vida y más frecuente en el sexo femenino.

Introduction: Diabetes is a disease of a chronic nature which occurs when the body loses its ability to produce the insulin needed to use it effectively. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by destruction of pancreatic beta cells in genetically predisposed individuals and the consequent deficiency in insulin production while type 2 diabetes mellitus results from the combination of insulin resistance along with inadequate secretion of it. In both cases, the insulin medication is used to ensure control of the disease. Objective: To characterize the prescription profile of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin vial in Santa Clara Community Pharmacy. Methods: An observational, retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was conducted that corresponded with a medications use study, of prescription-indication type of the medication Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin vial in September 2023. The universe was 852 patients and the sample was 26 patients with NPH insulin vial prescription, the sampling was simple random and the results were presented in tables using absolute numbers and percentages. The principle of confidentiality of the reviewed information and certificates for controlled medications was respected. Results: The female sex predominated (76.92 %), older than 50 years (84.62 %), arterial hypertension as a comorbidity (76.92 %), 4 or more medications (61.54 %) and the combination with glibenclamide, metformin, enalapril, captopril, carvedilol, acetylsalicylic acid, hydrochlorothiazide and levothyroxine sodium were the most clinically important drug interactions. Conclusions: The prevalence in the prescription of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin vial is similar to that found in some previous studies, being more representative from the 5th decade of life and more frequent in the female sex.

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ABSTRACT Objective: The quality of care and safety for Telemedicine-discharged patients with suspected respiratory infections are closely related to low rates of prescriptions of unjustified and high-risk medications. This retrospective study aimed to assess adherence to the current COVID-19 guidelines in direct-to-consumer telemedicine encounters at a large center using multidrug stewardship protocols. Methods: A quarterly electronic survey utilizing medical records of individual physician care assessed various quality indicators. Physicians received ongoing adaptive feedback based on personal metrics, with Telemedicine Center recommendations derived from the 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. The study included all consecutive adults with new respiratory symptoms in the last 14 days who sought spontaneous Telemedicine consultations between March 2020 and August 2021. This study analyzed patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and other airway infections. Results: Of the 221,128 evaluated patients, 42,042 (19%) had confirmed COVID-19; 104,021 (47%) were suspected to have COVID-19; and, 75,065 (33%) had other diagnoses. Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 had a mean (+DP) age of 35±12 years. A total of 125,107 (85.65%) patients were managed at home, 2,552 (1.74%) were referred for non-urgent in-office reassessment, and 17,185 (11.7%) were referred to the emergency department for whom there was no further treatment recommendation. The antibiotic rate in confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases was 0.46%/0.65% and that for non-evidence-based prescriptions was 0.01%/0.005%. Conclusion: Guideline training and Telemedicine consultation feedback may lead to lower antibiotic and antimicrobial prescriptions in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Multidrug stewardship protocols may improve guideline adherence and reinforce the quality of care and safety in Telemedicine encounters.

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Introducción: En Colombia son escasos los datos sobre el uso de los inhaladores en pacientes con EPOC. Objetivo: Describir la técnica de uso de inhaladores de dosis medida y polvo seco en pacientes de un hospital colombiano. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo en pacientes mayores de 40 años con EPOC atendidos en un hospital en La Virginia, Risaralda, Colombia, entre el 1 de septiembre de 2019 al 31 de enero de 2020. La unidad de análisis fueron los pacientes. Se incluyeron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y lista de chequeo para uso de inhaladores. Se aplicaron frecuencias y proporciones para variables discretas, estadísticas de tendencia central y dispersión para variables continuas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 104 pacientes con edad media de 73,6 ± 10,1 años; 57 eran mujeres (54,8 %). Además, 48 pacientes estaban clasificados como GOLD-D (46,2 %). Igualmente, 89 pacientes manifestaron haber recibido educación sobre el uso de broncodilatadores (85,6 %). Los más frecuentes fueron los inhaladores de dosis medida (DM) en 95 casos (91,3 %), seguido de los de polvo seco unidosis (7,7 %). Así mismo, 37 pacientes que usaron DM sin inhalocámara (35,6 %) no cumplieron los pasos de la lista de chequeo. En el sistema multidosis, el más realizado fue cerrar de manera adecuada el inhalador y el menos ejecutado, expulsar el aire lentamente evitando hacerlo cerca del inhalador (n = 6; 5,7 %). Discusión: Se lograron describir las características de la técnica de uso de los inhaladores en pacientes con EPOC. A pesar de que ningún paciente logró utilizar el inhalador de forma "perfecta", la mayoría han recibido educación por parte de los profesionales de la salud. Conclusión: Un alto porcentaje de pacientes usa inadecuadamente los dispositivos para suministrar los broncodilatadores. Esto puede impactar negativamente en el control de la enfermedad.

Introduction: In Colombia, there is limited data on the use of inhalers in patients with COPD. Objective: The objective was to describe the technique of using metered-dose inhalers and dry powder in patients in a Colombian hospital. Methods: Observational, descriptive study of patients over 40 years of age with COPD, treated in a hospital in La Virginia, Risaralda, Colombia, between September 1st, 2019 and January 31st, 2020. The unit of analysis were patients in consultation. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, and a checklist for use of inhalers were included. Frequencies and proportions were applied for discrete variables, statistics of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables. Results: A total of 104 patients with an average age of 73.6 ± 10.1 years were included; 57 were women (54.8%). In addition, 48 patients were classified as GOLD-D (46.2%). Similarly, 89 patients reported having received education on the use of bronchodilators (85.6%). The most common were metered-dose (MD) inhalers in 95 cases (91.3%), followed by single-dose dry powder inhalers in eight patients (7.7%). Likewise, 37 patients who used DM without inhalochamber (35.6%) did not comply with the steps of the checklist. In the multidose system, the most performed was to properly close the inhaler and the least performed was to expel the air slowly, avoiding doing so near the inhaler (n=6; 5.7%). Discussion: The characteristics of the technique of using inhalers in patients with COPD were described. Although no patient was able to use the inhaler "perfectly", most have received education from health professionals. Conclusion: A high percentage of patients misuse the devices to deliver bronchodilators. This can negatively impact the control of the disease.

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Introducción: El uso de fármacos con potencial cardiotóxico para tratar enfermedades no cardiovasculares coexistentes resulta un agravante evitable. Objetivo: Evaluar la prescripción de 5 fármacos cardiotóxicos en pacientes con enfermedades cardiovasculares. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal (enmarcado en los estudios de utilización de medicamentos) de marzo a diciembre de 2020 en el Policlínico Santa Cruz (Artemisa, Cuba), en una población de 234 sujetos con enfermedades cardiovasculares que habían sido tratados con domperidona, azitromicina, ciprofloxacina, ibuprofeno y diclofenaco. Las variables estudiadas fueron: sexo, edad, consumo de fármacos cardiotóxicos, motivo de indicación, enfermedades cardiovasculares, forma farmacéutica, dosis diaria, intervalo de las dosis y duración del tratamiento. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Los fármacos más prescritos fueron la azitromicina (n= 63), el ibuprofeno (n= 59) y la ciprofloxacina (n= 57). Sus principales motivos de indicación fueron, respectivamente, la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (38,1 por ciento), las infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos (28,8 por ciento), y las infecciones del tracto urinario (43,8 por ciento). La principal enfermedad cardiovascular fue la hipertensión arterial. Para los 5 fármacos seleccionados se reportó su esquema terapéutico (forma farmacéutica, dosis diaria, intervalo de dosis y duración del tratamiento). Conclusiones: Aunque en todos los casos el motivo de indicación es el adecuado, los fármacos pueden sustituirse por otros de menor riesgo cardiovascular. En su mayoría, los esquemas terapéuticos son correctos, salvo en los casos de la domperidona (duración prolongada) y el diclofenaco (altas dosis)(AU)

Introduction: The use of drugs with cardiotoxic potential to treat coexisting noncardiovascular diseases results in avoidable aggravation. Objective: To assess the prescription of 5 cardiotoxic drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study (framed in the studies of drug utilization) was carried out from March to December 2020 in the Policlínico Santa Cruz (Artemisa, Cuba), in a population of 234 subjects with cardiovascular diseases who had been treated with domperidone, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, ibuprofen and diclofenac. The variables studied were: sex, age, consumption of cardiotoxic drugs, reason for indication, cardiovascular disease, pharmaceutical form, daily dose, dose interval, and duration of treatment. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: The most prescribed drugs were azithromycin (n= 63), ibuprofen (n= 59) and ciprofloxacin (n= 57). Their main reasons for indication were, respectively, community-acquired pneumonia (38.1 percent), skin and soft tissue infections (28.8 percent), and urinary tract infections (43.8 percent). The main cardiovascular disease was arterial hypertension. For the 5 selected drugs, their therapeutic scheme (pharmaceutical form, daily dose, dose interval and duration of treatment) was reported. Conclusions: Although in all cases the reason for indication was adequate, the drugs can be substituted by others of lower cardiovascular risk. For the most part, the therapeutic regimens are correct, except in the cases of domperidone (prolonged duration) and diclofenac (high doses)(AU)

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of prescription writing in the context of public primary health care. BACKGROUND: Prescription errors are one of the leading patient safety problems in primary care and can be caused by errors in therapeutic decisions or in the quality of prescription writing. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in a municipality in Northeastern Brazil. The assessment instrument (including 13 indicators and one composite indicator) was applied to a representative sample of drug prescriptions from the 24 Family Health Teams providing Primary Health Care in the municipality, dispensed in January 2021. Estimates of compliance and their 95% confidence intervals and graphical analysis of frequencies are assessed globally and stratified by dispensing units and prescribers. FINDINGS: The average composite prescription writing quality on a 0-100 scale was 60.2 (95% CI 57.8-62.6). No quality criteria had 100% compliance. The highest compliance rates were found for 'frequency of administration' (98.9%) and 'identification of the prescriber' (98.9%). On the other hand, 'recorded information on allergy' (0.0%), 'patient's date of birth' (1.7%), 'nonpharmacological recommendations' (1.7%), and 'guidance on the use of the drug' (25%) were the indicators with lower compliance, contributing to 69% of the noncompliances found. The type and frequency of the errors in the quality of prescription writing uncovered in this study confirm the continuing need to tackle this problem to improve patient safety. The results identify priority aspects for interventions and further studies on the quality of prescription writing in the context of Primary Health Care in Brazil.

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Objective: To evaluate the association between self-rated evidence-based medicine (EBM) competencies and the prescription of drugs without scientific evidence against mild COVID-19 (present with any of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 but who do not have shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging) among recently graduated physicians in Peru. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study where we evaluated a non-probability sample of recently graduated physicians during June and July 2021 (end of second wave of COVID-19 in Peru). Self-rated EBM competencies were assessed by four domains (formulation of a clinical question, search, analysis, and application) using a Likert scale with scores from zero to four ("Very inadequate" = 0, to "Very Adequate" = 4), it was considered as "Adequate" if the score was three or four. In addition, the variable "General competence on EBM" was rated as "Adequate" if in all domains evaluated it presented an adequate self-rating. For the outcome, drug prescription, we considered the use of ivermectin, azithromycin, other antibiotics, hydroxychloroquine, dexamethasone, and anticoagulants (drugs with no efficacy demonstrated for patients with mild COVID-19). To assess the association, we used Poisson regression models with robust variances and obtaining crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Of a total of 239 physicians included 70.7% prescribed at least one drug without scientific evidence. A total of 51.1% reported adequate ratings in all evaluated domains of EBM. Self-rating the "Clinical Question Formulation" competency as adequate was associated with a lower frequency of prescribing medications for mild COVID-19 (aPR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91-0.95). While self-rating as adequate the competency of "Identify possible implications of investigations" was associated with an increase in the prescription of such drugs (aPR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). Additionally, self-rating all domains as adequate were associated with less prescription (aPR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.90-0.96). Conclusion: Seven out of ten recently graduated physicians prescribed some type of medication without scientific evidence to treat patients with mild COVID-19. Having adequate self-perceived EBM competencies was associated with a lower frequency of prescribing medications without scientific evidence to manage patients with mild COVID-19.