Introduction: Free-of-charge (FoC) medicine schemes are increasingly available and allow access to investigational treatments outside clinical trials or in advance of licensing or NHS commissioning. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed FoC medicine schemes evaluated between 2013 and 2019 by a single NHS trust and a regional drug and therapeutics committee (DTC). The details of each locally reviewed FoC scheme, and any nationally available MHRA Early Access to Medicines Scheme (MHRA EAMS) in the same period, were recorded and categorised. Results: Most FoC schemes (95%) allowed access to medicines intended to address an unmet clinical need. Over 7 years, 90% were company-FoC schemes and 10% were MHRA EAMS that were locally reviewed. Phase 3 clinical trial data were available for 44% of FoC schemes; 37% had phase 2 data; and 19% were supported only by phase 1, retrospective observational studies, or pre-clinical data. Utilisation of company-FoC schemes increased on average by 50% per year, while MHRA EAMS showed little growth. Conclusion: Company-FoC medicine schemes are increasingly common. This may indicate a preference for pharmaceutical companies to independently co-ordinate schemes. Motivations for company-FoC schemes remain unclear and many provide access to treatments that are yet to be evaluated in appropriately conducted clinical trials, and whose efficacy and risk of harm remain uncertain. There is no standardisation of this practice and there is no regulatory oversight. Moreover, no standardised data collection framework is in place that could demonstrate the utility of such programmes in addressing unmet clinical need or allow generation of further evidence.

Fomepizole is a promising new treatment for preventing liver injury following paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. However, we need robust clinical trials to be performed to demonstrate its effect on clinical outcomes that are important to our patients and important to healthcare providers. Until such trials are performed, the toxicology community should learn the lessons from the COVID pandemic – potential novel therapeutic options may be theoretically appealing, but their effectiveness needs to be assessed in robust clinical trials before they are used in clinical practice.

Brigatinib was recently approved for the treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer and is dosed according to a one-dose-fits-all paradigm. We aimed to identify a pharmacokinetically-guided precision dosing strategy to improve treatment response with brigatinib through simulations using a previously published pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. Dosing strategies explored were the approved 180mg QD, the highest tolerable dose tested in clinical trials: 240mg QD, and two precision dosing strategies targeting the median trough concentrations following 180mg QD, and 240mg QD. We investigated the impact of alternative dosing regimens on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the probability of developing a grade ≥2 rash or grade ≥2 amylase increase. Median PFS and OS increased by 1.6 and 7.8 months, respectively between the currently approved dosing strategy and precision dosing to the median trough concentration of the 240mg dosing strategy, with only a minor increase in the probability of developing toxicity.

Cholinesterase inhibitors have been shown to improve cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), but are associated with side effects and only 20-40% of the patients clinically improve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the acute pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of a single dose of galantamine on CNS functioning in mild to moderate AD patients and its potential to predict long-term treatment response. This study consisted of a challenge phase, in which a single dose of 16 mg galantamine was administered to 50 mild to moderate AD patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over fashion. Acute PD effects were monitored with use of a CNS test battery. In the subsequent treatment phase of the study, patients were treated with open-label galantamine according to regular care. After 6 months of galantamine treatment, patients were categorized as either responder or as non-responder based on their MMSE, NPI and DAD scores. An analysis of covariance was performed to study the difference in acute PD effects between responders and non-responders. Acute decreases of absolute frontal alpha (-20.4; 95%CI=-31.6,-7.47; p=.0046), beta (-15.7; 95% CI=-28.3,-0.93; p=.0390) and theta (-25.9; 95%CI=-38.4,-10.9; p=.0024) EEG parameters and of relative frontal theta power (-3.27%; 95%CI=-5.96,-0.58; p=.0187) on EEG after a single dose administration of galantamine significantly distinguished long-term treatment responders (n=11) from non-responders (n=32) after 6 months. This study demonstrates that patients who demonstrate a reduction in EEG power in the alpha and theta frequency after a single administration of galantamine 16 mg will most likely respond to treatment.

Aim: Metamizole (dipyrone) is a prodrug not detectable in serum or urine after oral ingestion. The primary metabolite is 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA), which can be N-demethylated to 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA) or oxidized to 4-formylaminoantipyrine (4-FAA) by cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent reactions. Our aim was to identify the CYPs involved. Methods: We investigated the metabolism of 4-MAA in vitro using CYP expressing supersomes and the pharmacokinetics of metamizole in the presence of CYP inhibitors in healthy volunteers. Results: The experiments in supersomes revealed CYP1A2 as the major CYP for 4-MAA N-demethylation and 4-FAA formation. CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 contributed to N-demethylation but not to FAA formation. In the subsequent clinical study, we investigated the influence of ciprofloxacin (strong CYP1A2 inhibitor), fluconazole (strong CYP2C19 inhibitor) and the combination ciprofloxacin/fluconazole on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of metamizole in n=12 healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Both ciprofloxacin and fluconazole inhibited the metabolism of 4-MAA, confirming the in vitro results. Ciprofloxacin, fluconazole and ciprofloxacin/fluconazole increased the AUC0-12h of 4-MAA by 51%, 17% and 92%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin, fluconazole and ciprofloxacin/fluconazole decreased the AUC0-12h of 4-AA by 27%, 12% and 24%, respectively, and of 4-FAA by 33%, 9% and 51%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin, fluconazole and ciprofloxacin/fluconazole increased the half-life of 4-MAA from 3.22 h (placebo) to 3.91, 3.69 and 6.07 h, respectively. Conclusion: CYP1A2 is the major CYP for the conversion of 4-MAA to 4-AA and 4-FAA. CYP1A2 inhibition increases the 4-MAA exposure by a factor of approximately 1.5, which could be relevant for dose-dependent adverse reactions.

Aim To describe the antiepileptic drug (AED) prescription pattern in pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the 2010-2019 period in the Lombardy region, Italy. Methods The Lombardy region administrative healthcare databases (2010-2019) were analysed. AEDs were classified as drugs belonging to the N03A subgroup of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. Women 15-49 years old were considered as women of childbearing age, while exposure during pregnancy was estimated taking into account the 12 months before delivery (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, ICD-9-CM codes in the diagnosis record from 650 to 659). Results During 2019, 16,605 women of childbearing age (prevalence: 14.8‰) received at least one AED prescription. Pregabalin was the most widely used antiepileptic in women of childbearing age (22.3%), followed by valproic acid (20.0%). The prevalence of AED prescription in pregnant women was 3.8‰, and levetiracetam and lamotrigine (16.6%) were the most commonly prescribed drugs. The prevalence of AED prescription did not change from 2010 to 2019 in women of childbearing age or in pregnant women. Valproic acid was one of the most used AEDs in pregnancy until 2016, after which its prescription declined from 19% to 14% of AED users. Conclusions Despite the decrease in valproic acid prescription over time, this drug is still among the most used AEDs, in particular in women of childbearing age. Educational interventions for healthcare professionals and women are needed in order to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy.

Favipiravir is one of the repurposed antiviral medications for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since the dosing regimen is a prominent factor for the success of the antiviral therapy, this prospective observational study aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetic characteristics of favipiravir in COVID-19 patients. Adult patients (n=21) hospitalized for mild to moderate COVID-19 with a positive RT-PCR test, and assigned for favipiravir treatment were included. Favipiravir was administered for 5 days, with a loading dose of 3200 mg and a 1200 mg/day maintenance dose. Serial blood samples were collected on Day-2 and Day-4 of the therapy. Laboratory findings of the patients and in-hospital mortality were assessed. Favipiravir concentrations exhibited high variations and a significant decrease during the treatment of COVID-19. The median favipiravir trough concentration (C0-trough) on Day-2 was 21.26 µg/mL whereas it decreased significantly to 1.61 µg/mL on Day-4, the area under the concentration versus time curve decreased from 345.6 µg.h/mL to 108.6 µg.h/mL, respectively. Gender seems significant to affect favipiravir concentrations. Day-2-C0-trough of female patients was significantly higher than male patients. Of the 5 patients that died, 4 were male with a significant increase in ferritin levels from Day-0 to Day-5 compared to surviving patients. In addition, there was a significant decrease in D-dimer and CRP levels in the surviving patients. Our findings indicate that favipiravir concentrations show significant changes during the treatment of COVID-19. Therapeutic drug monitoring may best guide dose adjustments in patients that do not respond to treatment with favipiravir.

Background: 64 million pharmacy filled multicompartment medication compliance aids (MCAs) are dispensed by pharmacies in England each year as a method to improve medication adherence. Despite the widespread use of MCAs and evidence that their use may be associated with harm there is no national consensus regarding MCA provision by acute hospital Trusts in England. Aim: To determine current practice for initiation and supply of MCAs in acute hospital Trusts in England and the potential consequences for patients and hospitals. Methods: A 26 item survey was distributed to all acute hospital Trusts in England. The questionnaire covered policy, initiation, supply and review of MCAs; alternatives offered; and pharmacy staffing and capacity related to MCAs. Results: 72 out of 138 (52%) Trusts responded to the survey. 60/70 (86%) had a policy for the provision of MCAs. 33/55 (60%) that supplied MCAs on discharge supplied a different prescription length for MCA vs. non-MCA prescriptions. 49/55 (89%) Trusts provided only one brand of MCA. 47/55 (85%) MCA-supplying Trusts identified frequent difficulties with MCAs and 13/55 (24%) reported employing staff specifically to complete MCAs. 30/35 (86%) MCA-initiating Trusts had an assessment process for initiation, with care agency request as the most common reason. Conclusion: There is a lack of a national approach to MCA provision and initiation by acute hospital Trusts in England. This leads to significant variation in care and has the potential to put MCA users at an increased risk of medication related harm.

A case of acute necrotising pancreatitis following the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccineAs of 22 June 2021, there have been about 400,000,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine administered world-wide. At this time, 176 cases of pancreatitis have been reported in pharmacovigilance reports submitted to the WHO.1 No epidemiological link between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and pancreatitis has been reported. We report a case of acute necrotising pancreatitis following the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This case has been reported to the New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre and the patient has consented to publication of the case report.A 43-year-old, NZ European male was diagnosed with acute necrotising pancreatitis 10 hours following the administration of his second Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. He has a background of atopy with seasonal rhinitis, eczema and asthma, all of which are ‘mild’. He takes no regular medications and takes as needed melatonin 2 mg nocte, cetirizine 10 mg for hay fever, and betamethasone and emollient cream for dermatitis. He has no family history of note and works in a senior professional role. He drinks six standard units of alcohol per week, has never been a tobacco smoker and does not use recreational drugs – and his employer undertakes regular drug testing.He had a previous episode of pancreatitis in 2011, precipitated by high alcohol intake during a holiday abroad. He is otherwise previously well. There is no family history of note, his father was a smoker and died of lung cancer in his 60s, his mother is well, he has two siblings and three children all of whom are well. He is not aware of any diseases of note in his extended family.In May 2021 he received his second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, he was well at that time. Four hours after the dose he had two 330ml bottles of 5% alcohol beer with his dinner. Six hours after the dose he became unwell with nausea, epigastric pain, and vomiting. Ten hours after the dose blood tests on admission to hospital included: white cell count 18.5 x109/L (4 - 11), neutrophils 15.5 x109/L (1.9 - 7.5), lymphocytes 0.8 x109/L (1.0 - 4.0), CRP <3 mg/L (<5), lipase 23,750 U/L (10 – 70), and triglycerides 3.3 mmol/L. Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. An ultrasound scan showed pancreatitis without evidence of cholelithiasis. He subsequently deteriorated and a computer tomography (CT) scan on 17 May, day 9 of the illness, showed severe necrotising pancreatitis with collections.During the admission under a specialist hepatobiliary surgical team, known causes of pancreatitis were excluded including: steroid use, trauma, family history of autoimmune conditions, and infection. He did not have the risk factors of obesity, smoking or heavy alcohol consumption. He had the risk factor of a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. The incidence of pancreatitis in New Zealand Europeans in this age group is approximately 50 per 100,000 per year.2 Idiopathic cases represent about 15% of these.Using the Naranjo criteria, the pancreatitis being ’caused’ by the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine score was 6 ‘probable’.3 Clinical case discussion (including a hepatobiliary surgeon, gastroenterologist and clinical pharmacologist) concluded that while idiopathic pancreatitis could not be excluded, the onset of symptoms and findings were consistent with an acute precipitating event around the time the second vaccine dose was administered.In addition to the 176 cases reported in VigiBase™, searches of PubMed and Google Scholar™ identified two published case reports of pancreatitis following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. These were following administration of the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. In one case symptoms developed several hours after vaccine administration and the other several days after vaccine administration.4,5Acute pancreatitis is a rare in patients with COVID-19 but characteristic patterns of illness have been reported.6 This raises the possibility that an immune response to either the virus or the vaccine could have common sequalae.This case of acute pancreatitis was temporally associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine suggesting a causal link. The characteristics of pancreatitis cases associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine should be examined to see if a consistent pattern is present.VigiAccess™ http://www.vigiaccess.org/ - accessed June 24, 2021.Pendharkar SA, Mathew J, Zhao J, Windsor JA, Exeter J, Petrov MS. Ethnic and geographic variations in the incidence of pancreatitis and post- pancreatitis diabetes mellitus in New Zealand: a nationwide population- based study. 2017;130(1450):14.Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther . 1981;30(2):239-245. doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.154Cieślewicz A, Dudek M, Krela-Kaźmierczak I, Jabłecka A, Lesiak M, Korzeniowska K. Pancreatic Injury after COVID-19 Vaccine—A Case Report. Vaccines . 2021;9(6):576. doi:10.3390/vaccines9060576Parkash O, Sharko A, Farooqi A, Ying GW, Sura P. Acute Pancreatitis: A Possible Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine. Cureus . Published online April 28, 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.14741Bircakova B, Bruha R, Lambert L, Grusova G, Michalek P, Burgetova A. A bimodal pattern of the onset of COVID-19 related acute pancreatitis supports both the cytotoxic and immune-related pathogenesis – a systematic review. Scand J Gastroenterol . 2021;56(7):870-873. doi:10.1080/00365521.2021.1922751

Objectives. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of community pharmacist-led interventions to optimize the use of antibiotics and identify which interventions are most effective. Methods. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA-P guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42020188552). PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for (randomised) controlled trials. Included interventions were required to target antibiotic use, be set in the community pharmacy context and be pharmacist-led. Primary outcomes were quality of antibiotic supply and adverse effects while secondary outcomes included patient reported outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the ‘Cochrane suggested risk of bias criteria’ and narrative synthesis of primary outcomes conducted. Results. Seventeen studies were included covering in total 3,822 patients (mean age 45.6 years, 61.9% female). Most studies used educational interventions. Three studies reported on primary outcomes, twelve on secondary outcomes and two on both. Three studies reported improvements in quality of dispensing where interventions led to more intensive symptom assessment and a reduction of OTC or wrong choice antibiotic supply. Some interventions led to higher consumer satisfaction, effects on adherence were mixed. All studies had unclear or high risks of bias across at least one domain, with large heterogeneity between studies. Conclusions. Our review suggests some possible positive results from pharmacist-led interventions, but the role of the pharmacist needs to be expanded. This review should be interpreted as exploratory research, as more high-quality research is needed. Authors did not receive funding for the review.

Abstract Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a circulating cytokine that is implicated in a range of inflammatory diseases. However, the broad effects of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) signalling on other circulating cytokines is not known. Using summary-level data from genome-wide association studies, we leveraged genetic variants that proxy IL-6R signalling in two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate effects on levels of 40 circulating cytokines. Increased genetically proxied IL-6R signalling was associated with reduced levels of 10 circulating interleukins, chemokines, and growth factors. The findings from this study support feedback effects of IL-6R signalling on reducing levels of a range of circulating cytokines and identify compensatory mechanisms that may be modulating its inflammatory effects. These results provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which IL-6R signalling may be contributing to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Aim: To conduct the first systematic synthesis of existing evidence reviews on interventions to enhance medication safety in RACS, to establish and compare their effectiveness. Method: This umbrella review included examination of meta-analyses, scoping and systematic reviews. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane library database of Systematic Reviews) were explored for eligible reviews. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the JBI Critical Appraisal Instrument for Systematic reviews and Research Syntheses by two authors. Results: Fourteen reviews covering 166 unique, primary studies were included. Interventions were grouped according to type: medication review (n= 12); staff education (n= 8); multidisciplinary team meetings (n= 6); computerised clinical decision support systems (n= 5); and transferring medicines information between health care settings (n= 1). Most reviews showed mixed evidence to support interventions’ effectiveness, due to the significant heterogeneity between original research studies in respect to sites, samples sizes and intervention periods. However, in all intervention categories, pharmacists’ collaboration with other health care professionals was most beneficial, showing definitive evidence for improving medication safety and quality of prescribing in RACS. The evidence suggests that combining two or more interventions is the most promising approach, despite this presenting implementation barriers in the resource-limited environments of many RACS, and methodological challenges in identifying the precise contribution of individual interventions, when implemented concurrently. Conclusion: Health stakeholders should explore a combination of at least two interventions, such as medication review and staff education, to improve medication safety in RACS.

Aims:Filgotinib is a potent, oral, JAK1-preferential inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This report describes exposure-response (ER) analyses of filgotinib for dose confirmation based on three Phase 3 and two Phase 2 studies in moderate to severe RA patients. Methods:The PK exposures used in ER analyses were derived from population pharmacokinetic analysis. The relationship between filgotinib exposures and various efficacy endpoints (ACR20/50/70 and DAS28) was assessed over octile groups of exposures by using combined exposures of filgotinib and GS-829845 (major, active metabolite). For the ER analyses of safety, exposures were examined between subjects who experienced and who did not experience the evaluated safety events, which was conducted separately for filgotinib and GS-829845. Results:Exposure efficacy relationships consistently revealed high response rates across the exposure range for filgotinib 200 mg once daily dose. A trend of increasing response with increasing exposure was observed over the exposure range for the primary and multiple secondary efficacy endpoints, with exposures associated with the 200 mg dose primarily residing on the curve plateau. For exposure-safety analyses, filgotinib and GS-829845 exposures were similar irrespective of presence/absence of the evaluated safety endpoints, indicating no exposure-safety relationship for common TEAEs, common laboratory abnormalities, serious TEAEs, or serious infections. Conclusions:ER analyses confirmed that filgotinib produced more robust therapeutic effects across the exposure range observed at 200 mg once daily compared to lower doses. The positive exposure-efficacy relationship and a lack of exposure-safety relationship on the evaluated safety endpoints supported the 200 mg once daily dose for commercialization.

Children frequently respond differently to therapies compared to adults. Differences also exist between paediatric age groups for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in both efficacy and safety. Paediatric pharmacovigilance requires an understanding of the unique aspects of children with regards to, for example, drug response, growth and development, clinical presentation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), how they can be detected and population specific factors (e.g. more frequent use of off-label/unlicensed drugs). In recognition of these challenges a group of experts has been formed in the context of the conect4children (c4c) project to support paediatric drug development. This expert group collaborated to develop methodological considerations for paediatric drug safety and pharmacovigilance throughout the life-cycle of medicinal products which is described in this article. These considerations include practical points to consider for the development of the paediatric section of the risk management plan (RMP), safety in paediatric protocol development and safety data collection and analysis. Furthermore, they describe the specific details of post-marketing pharmacovigilance in children using, for example, spontaneous reports, electronic health care records, registries and record-linkage, as well as the use of paediatric pharmacoepidemiology studies for risk characterisation. Next the details of the assessment of benefit-risk and challenges related to medicinal product formulation in the context of a Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) are presented. Finally, practical issues in paediatric signal detection and evaluation are included. This paper provides practical points to consider for paediatric pharmacovigilance throughout the life-cycle of medicinal products for RMPs, protocol development, safety data collection and analysis and PIPs.

Background: Higher anticholinergic burden from medications is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive function decline. A mechanistic pathway has never been established. We aimed to determine whether chronic inflammation may mediate these associations. Methods: Participants were drawn from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, Norfolk cohort (40-79 years at baseline). The anticholinergic cognitive burden score (ACB) was calculated at baseline/first (1HC) (1993/97) and second (2HC) (1998/2000) health checks. Plasma fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured during 1HC and Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) during 2HC. Cross-sectional associations between ACB and inflammatory markers were examined for 1HC and 2HC, respectively. The prospective association was also examined between 1HC ACB and 2HC inflammatory markers. All models adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle factors, co-morbidities and medications. Results: 17,678 and 22,051 participants were included in cross-sectional analyses for CRP, and fibrinogen, respectively. A total of 5,101 participants with available data for TNF-α and IL-6 were included in the longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectionally, a point increase in the ACB was associated with a significant increase in all inflammatory markers (beta (standard error): fibrinogen – 0.035g/l (0.006), p<0.001; CRP 0.284mg/l (0.044), p<0.001; TNF-α 0.031pg/ml (0.010), p=0.002; and IL-6 0.112pg/ml (0.033), p=0.001. Longitudinally, a unit increase in the ACB was associated with a significant increase in TNF-α 0.028pg/ml (0.011), p=0.013 and IL-6 0.076 pg/ml (0.035), p=0.029. Conclusion: Higher anticholinergic burden was significantly associated with higher inflammatory markers. Inflammation may mediate the relationship between exposure to anticholinergic medications and adverse outcomes

Objectives: A lot of medication risks related to high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) therapy still remain to be identified and standardized. This study aims to establish an evidence-based practice guideline for individualized medication of HDMTX. Methods: The practice guideline was launched by the Division of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Chinese Pharmacological Society. The guideline was developed following the WHO handbook for guideline development and the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM). The guideline was initially registered in the International Practice Guidelines Registry Platform (IPGRP-2017CN021). Systematic reviews were conducted to synthesis available evidence. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted by questionnaires to evaluate patients’ perception and willingness on individualized medication of HDMTX. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the quality of evidence and to grade the strength of recommendations. Results: Multidisciplinary working groups were included in this guideline, including clinicians, pharmacists, methodologists, pharmacologists and pharmacoeconomic specialists. A total of 124 patients were involved to integrate patient values and preferences. Finally, the guideline presents 28 recommendations, regarding evaluation prior to medication (renal function, liver function, pleural effusion, comedications, genetic testing), pre-treatment and routine dosing regimen, therapeutic drug monitoring (necessity, method, timing, target concentration), leucovorin rescue (initial timing, dosage regimen and optimization), management of toxicities. Of them, 12 are strong recommendations. Conclusions: We developed an evidence-based practice guideline with respect to HDMTX medication using a rigorous and multidisciplinary approach. This guideline provides comprehensive and practical recommendations involving the whole process of HDMTX medication to health care providers.

Aim: Different to inhibitory drugs of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), diuretics are known to decrease blood pressure (BP) and stimulate renin release by the kidneys. Despite plasma aldosterone (PA) level is mostly regulated by the RAAS activity, serum potassium has been shown to be an important factor in animal models and humans. Here we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials investigating the effects of diuretic therapy on PA and its correlation with change in potassium and BP. Methods: Three databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Titles were firstly screened by title and abstract for relevancy before full-text articles were assessed for eligibility according to a pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 1139 articles were retrieved of which 45 met the pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria. The average standardised difference in mean PA change was similar for all classes of diuretic (mean, 95% CI); thiazide/thiazide-like 0.304 (0.169, 0.440), loop 0.927 (0.37, 1.49), MRA/potassium-sparing 0.264 (0.174, 0.355) and combination 0.466 (0.142, 0.789), Q = 6.475, P = 0.091. In subjects previously untreated with another antihypertensive, there was a significant relationship between PA change and change in systolic BP but no relationship with the change in potassium. Conclusion: In RCTs of diuretic therapy in hypertension, there is an increase in PA with all classes of diuretic and no between-class heterogeneity. Change in PA is not related with potassium but correlates to the change in BP in subjects previously untreated with another antihypertensive medication.

Aim: A better knowledge of opioid prescribing patterns would help to identify areas of potential improvement in cancer pain management. This study aimed to identify potential inappropriate use (PIU) of strong opioid analgesics in cancer outpatients in their last year of life. Methods: A retrospective cohort of cancer patients dead between 2011 and 2014 and who were exposed as outpatient to a strong opioid analgesic in the last year of life was identified in the “Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires” (a 1/97th random sample of the French general population). Prescribing patterns of strong opioids were analyzed and PIU was defined by at least one of these criteria: overlapping prescriptions; contraindicated prescriptions; lack of laxatives; potential drug interactions; prescription in patients hospitalized for opioid-related disorders. Factors associated with PIU were investigated through a multiple logistic regression model. Results: One third of the 2,236 patients (median age 72 years (IQR: 61-82), 44.1% of women) presented a PIU (insufficient laxative prescription (19.6% of patients), insufficient background treatment with transmucosal fentanyl (14.8%), overlapping prescriptions (2.6%)). The rate of PIU significantly decreased from 37.6% (2011) to 29.8% (2014). For patients with a duration of opioid use  3 months, factors associated with PIU were fentanyl prescription (aOR=2.36; 95% CI [1.86-3.00]) and previous use of strong opioid (aOR=1.88; [1.50-2.36]) Conclusion: In France, one third of cancer patients exposed to strong opioids experienced PIU and this proportion tended to decrease over time. There is still room for progress in cancer pain management at the end of life.