Research progress in therapy drug monitoring of levetiracetam / 中国药房

Levetiracetam （LEV） is the second generation of broad-spectrum anti-epileptic drug. LEV has the advantages of rapid absorption， short half-life， precise efficacy， good tolerance and few drug interactions. In order to improve the clinical efficacy of LEV， and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions， children， pregnant women， the elderly， and patients with renal insufficiency should receive therapeutic drug monitoring （TDM）. Clinically， the samples are usually plasma or serum， and the TDM methods are mostly immunoassay or chromatography. There is currently no consensus on the effective concentration range of LEV， and the correlation between plasma concentration and adverse reactions is also unclear. The main factors affecting LEV plasma concentration include age， pregnancy， and patient compliance. How to interpret TDM results and adjust dosage based on the results will be the focus of future work.

Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chinese Patent Medicine（Part 5）： Retrieval and Synthesis of Key Information on Rational Drug Use / 中医杂志

Recommendations for Chinese patent medicine （CPM） based on key information on rational drug use are one of the important conditions for enhancing guideline enforceability as well as facilitating guideline implementation. In this study， we discussed in detail of the key information on the rational use of CPM in five aspects， which are dosage， drug discontinuation， drug-drug and drug-food interactions， safety and economy. Following the process of multi-source search， synthesis and prioritization， it is suggested to collect key information on the rational use of CPM from a multi-source search of drug instructions， policy documents， literature， and clinical experts' experiences. Then the searched information should be summarized and prioritized with the principle that taking drug instructions as the basis and other-sources information for check and supplementation. Finally， methodological recommendations for the retrieval and synthesis of key information on rational drug use in guideline recommendations has been formed.

Consensus on whole-process pharmaceutical care for iodine contrast medium / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To explore the whole-process pharmaceutical care model of iodine contrast medium and promote the rational clinical use of iodine contrast medium. METHODS Clinical Professional Committee on Rational Drug Use of China Medical Education Association and Expert Committee on Drug Evaluation and Clinical Research of Guangdong Pharmaceutical Association organized domestic experts to establish a working group on the Consensus on the whole-process pharmaceutical care for iodine contrast medium. The working group conducted literature searches， evidence-based analysis， and discussions on the development process， indications， contraindications， adverse drug reactions， drug interactions， drug use for special population， pharmaceutical care， and other key topics to summarize the content and process of the whole-process pharmaceutical care for iodine contrast medium. This consensus was ultimately formed. RESULTS The consensus on whole-process pharmaceutical care for iodine contrast medium included an evaluation of the patient， renal function， combined drug use， and hydration regimen before examination， the presence of contrast agent extravasation or suspected acute adverse reactions during examination， observation time points and follow-up after examination， and the presentation of specific work in each stage through pharmaceutical care flowchart. The medication monitoring record form was also formed to record the work situation. CONCLUSIONS The consensus has established a whole-process pharmaceutical care system for iodine contrast medium， providing scientific evidence for clinical physicians and nursing staff in the rational use of such special drugs， and also serving as a reference for pharmacists in providing related pharmaceutical care.

Methodology for the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline for Chinese Patent Medicine（Part 1）： Development Status and Characteristics / 中医杂志

The irrational use of Chinese patent medicines （CPM） is becoming more and more prominent， which makes the demand for clinical practice guidelines of CPM gradually increase. In order to make domestic scholars understand the latest developments and existing problems of the CPM guidelines， and promote its development， this paper introduced the concept of CPM guidelines， summarized the characteristics of the two development modes， namely “taking CPM as the key” and “taking disease/syndrome as the key”， and analyzed the current methodological status of developing and reporting CPM guidelines. Based on the existed problems， three suggestions have been put forward to optimize the quality of CPM guidelines， which were clarifying the target users and scope of CPM guidelines， establishing an open and transparent mechanism of the personnel involvement and process steps， and formulating implementable and operable recommendations for the use of CPM.

Investigation of rational drug use behaviors and knowledge levels of older individuals: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine older individuals' rational drug use behavior, their knowledge of rational drug use, and the factors affecting it. METHODS: This study was conducted cross-sectionally with 440 patients aged 65 years who received inpatient treatment in internal medicine and surgery clinics between October 2021 and November 2022 using a Rational Drug Use Scale and rational drug use behavior questions. RESULTS: The findings showed that the mean age of older adults was 72.56±5.84 years, and 51.8% were men. It was determined that 79.1% of the older adults did not check their expiration date before using the medicines, and 85.9% of them retained the remaining medicines after treatment. Results indicated that 77.3% of older adults knew less about rational drug use. Additionally, a significant difference was observed between older adults' marital status, educational status, possession of outdated drugs at home, self-use of antibiotics without examination, and mean score on the Rational Drug Use Scale (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the rational drug use knowledge level of older adults was low and that there were differences in the knowledge levels of rational drug use according to certain behaviors and factors.

Consumo de medicamentos não padronizados na saúde indígena: uso racional? / Consumption of non-standard medication in indigenous health: rational usage?

Resumo O estudo analisou o consumo de medicamentos não padronizados na saúde indígena, enfatizando a racionalidade da farmacoterapia, por meio de um estudo transversal dos dados secundários, de 2018 e 2019, no Distrito Especial Sanitário de Saúde Indígena Minas Gerais/Espírito Santo. Esses medicamentos foram classificados pela Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification. Para a comparação da origem de prescrição e da forma de aquisição, empregaram-se testes não paramétricos, avaliando o acesso a medicamentos. Verificou-se a racionalidade por meio do perfil de consumo e da opção terapêutica na lista de medicamentos padronizados. Foram consumidas 104.928 apresentações farmacêuticas, 66.967 (66%) eram para o trato alimentar e o metabolismo; 17.705 (17%) para o sistema nervoso; 12.961 (12%) para o sistema cardiovascular. Quanto aos medicamentos mais consumidos por regiões, 171 (90%) dos 190 apresentavam opção terapêutica. As prescrições foram mais provenientes do SUS. Encontraram-se diferenças na forma de aquisição dos medicamentos. O estudo apontou importante consumo de medicamentos não padronizados, podendo existir falhas na racionalidade terapêutica. Na saúde indígena, questões etnoculturais e sociais constituem desafios para o acesso aos medicamentos com uso racional.

Abstract The study analyzed the consumption of non-standard medication in the health of indigenous peoples, emphasizing the rationality of pharmacotherapy, by conducting a cross-sectional study of secondary data from 2018 and 2019 in the Minas Gerais/Espírito Santo Special Sanitary Indigenous Health Districts. These medicines were classified by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification. Non-parametric tests were applied to compare the origin of prescription and the form of acquisition, assessing access to medication. Rationality was verified through the consumption profile and the therapeutic option in the list of standardized medicines. A total of 104,928 pharmaceutical presentations were consumed, 66,967 (66%) for the alimentary tract and metabolism, 17,705 (17%) for the nervous system, and 12,961 (12%) for the cardiovascular system. With respect to medicines consumed per region, 171 (90%) out of 190 had a therapeutic option. Prescriptions were more from the SUS. Differences were found in the way the medicines were acquired. The study pointed to significant consumption of non-standard medicines, and there may be failings in therapeutic rationality. In indigenous health, ethnocultural and social issues are challenges to access to medicines with rational use.

Perspectiva neurológica en la elección del anticoagulante oral directo para la prevención del accidente cerebrovascular en fibrilación auricular / Neurological perspective in the choice of direct oral an ticoagulants for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation

Resumen La fibrilación auricular no valvular (FA) es la arritmia con potencial embolígeno más prevalente y una de las principales y crecientes causas de accidente cerebrovas cular isquémico (ACVi). El principal objetivo del uso de la anticoagulación en pacientes con FA es la prevención del ACVi. Hasta hace poco tiempo, la anticoagulación con antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVKs) era la única opción disponible. Los anticoagulantes orales directos (DOACs) como el inhibidor directo de la trombina, dabigatrán, o los inhibidores directos del factor Xa, rivaroxabán, apixa bán y edoxabán, tienen un perfil de efectividad/seguridad más favorable en comparación con los AVKs. No existen estudios que comparen la efectividad de los DOACs entre sí. La elección del DOAC depende de múltiples factores específicos del paciente, preferencias del médico, costos y accesibilidad. Entre 1-2% de los pacientes correctamente tratados con un DOAC intercurre con un ACVi cada año. La posibilidad de contar con un agente reversor debería ser tenida en cuenta al momento de la elección del DOAC, especialmente por el riesgo residual de ocurrencia de ACVi. En la actualidad, en nuestro país solo el dabigatrán cuenta con un agente reversor disponible y lo convierte en el único DOAC que no contraindica el uso de trombolisis intraveno sa con rtPA. Esta situación debería ser considerada en el momento de la elección del DOAC para la prevención de eventos tromboembólicos en pacientes con FA.

Abstract Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most preva lent arrhythmia with high embolic potential, and one of the main and growing causes of stroke. The main objec tive of anticoagulation in patients with AF is prevention of stroke. Until recently, anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) was the only available option. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran, or the direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, have a more favor able effectiveness/safety profile compared to VKAs. There are no studies comparing the efficacy of DOACs with each other. The choice of a DOAC arose from patient car achterictis, physician preferences, cost, and accessibility. Between 1-2% of patients correctly treated with a DOAC experience a stroke each year. The possibility of having a reversal agent should be taken into account when choos ing a DOAC, especially due to the residual risk of stroke occurrences even under DOACs. Currently, in our country only dabigatran has a reversing agent available, making it the only DOAC that does not contraindicate the use of intravenous thrombolysis. This should be taken into account when choosing the DOAC for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with AF.

Heart Smart Diabetes Care

The world is growing smarter day by day, and so is health care. In spite of innumerable inventions and tech-tools, however, we struggle to contain chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. We need to work together and design a rational, scientific and socially sustainable Heart Smart diabetes care ecosystem, with Heart Smart management strategies, to ensure happiness and harmony in persons who live with diabetes.

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Aim: The study was conducted to assess the prescribing behaviour for antimicrobials and various groups of drugs in tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Prescription audit was done. Total 500 presc Method: riptions were analysed for sex wise distribution, no of patients for specific age group, antimicrobials prescribed in generic name, percentage of antibiotics, antacids, NSAIDs and multivitamins, among the prescribed drugs, groups of antibiotics, drugs prescribed from National List of Essential Medicines (2022), use of fixed drug combinations, injectable preparations if any. Results: Demographic analysis showed that out of 500 patients in OPD, most were female (53%) and in the age group between 41 to 60 years. In 500 number of prescriptions,9.96% of antibiotics were prescribed; fluoroquinolones (5.42%) were prescribed more from antibiotics followed by extended spectrum penicillin (1.64%).14.78%of antacids were prescribed; PPIs (11.28%) were prescribed more from antacids.21.63% of NSAIDs were prescribed.11.66% were prescribed in generic names,65.44% drugs were prescribed from National List of Essential Medicines (2022),15.88% of FDCs were prescribed,6.13% of injectable preparations were prescribed. The rational use of antimicrobial agents is one of the main contribut Conclusion: ors to control worldwide emergence of bacterial resistance, side effects and reduced cost of the treatment.

A step toward revamping MD pharmacology curriculum by National Medical Commission: An envisioned transition from bench-side training to bedside training

With a vision to meet the changing trends and recent developments in the field of pharmacology and therapeutics, the postgraduate medical education board of the national medical commission has put forth amendments to the existing guidelines for the MD pharmacology course. Major changes include introducing a district residency-based program for 3 months apart from the clinical postings and more focus is given to the areas of rational prescribing, pharmacovigilance, and ethical aspects of research. These amendments come as a new ray of hope in developing the postgraduate student as a complete professional equipped to meet the increasing standards in the workplace be it a hospital or a research arena. Including the simulation-based approaches for training as a lesson learned from the pandemic and adopting patient-oriented learning during the course are some of the key changes in the new guidelines. This review focuses on highlighting these amendments and correlating the same with the current scenario and discusses the future areas that can be improved for comprehensive development in the pharmacology curriculum.

A Case for Horizontal Distribution of Activities between General Surgery and Surgical Super Specialties

Under the current practice in organizing surgical services, proportionate representation of disciplines is provided in the curricular planning and in corresponding clinical functions. This is based on the level of competence expected by the end of training period. The disciplines as a “whole” are placed in general surgery or super specialty. The system of vertical arrangement has some serious concerns. Paradoxically, patients with diseases of simple and routine nature of discipline categorized as super specialty are neglected. Super specialist is unable to attend on account of preoccupation with serious challenging problems. The general surgeon hesitates because of privileging issues, fear of allegations of negligence and litigation. The system of vertical division is based on premise that some disciplines deal with complex procedures and others with only simple and routine nature. This premise is incorrect. Each discipline is a mix of simple and complex cases requiring specialized treatment. Alternate modified organization of surgical service is proposed. Activities of all disciplines are scrutinized according to the level of expected competence by the end of training. Categorization is shifted from the “discipline' to “activities.” Criteria applied for classification of activities are as follows: on completion, the trainee is capable to assume full responsibility-category 1; has gained sufficient experience-category 2; and is conversant with broad understanding of management-category 3. Activities of category 1 from all disciplines are assigned to general surgery and those of category 3 from all disciplines are assigned to respective super specialty. Those in the middle, comprising difficult cases but not requiring specialized training or heavy inputs in equipment, are in category 2. They are assigned to general surgery as additional/optional items, or super specialty, guided by local factors. The scope and practice of general surgery are broadened with a shift from “residual” to “comprehensive” discipline. Advantages, concerns, collateral issues of horizontal distribution of activities, its positive impact on research and education are discussed. It is concluded that the proposed organization of surgical services is a rational, logical, and practical strategy for good-quality surgical care in the society. The super specialists need to be convinced that “taking load off” is good for the specialty.

A quality audit of the medicinal package insert information of drugs marketed in India

Background: A package insert (PI) accompanying medicinal products is a concise and accessible source of evidence-based information for health professionals and consumers alike. In India, the supplied information should be adequate and fulfill the statutory regulations of the Drug and Cosmetics Rules (1945) to ensure the safe and effective drug use. Aim and Objectives: The present observational study aimed to evaluate the uniformity and adequacy of information on PIs available in India. Materials and Methods: PIs of approved and marketed drugs were collected from pharmacies and analyzed with the help of a 30-item checklist comprising of components of statutory guidelines and other quality indicators. Each item was assigned a weightage of two points if the information was complete, one if inadequate, and 0 if absent. The total score was calculated for each PI. Results: The median score of the 150 analyzed PIs was 41 (Inter quartile range, 36.00–45.25) out of a maximum value of 60. The major deficiencies observed were in providing missed dose instructions (91.33%), further reading resources (84.67%), supporting references (83.33%), and drug disposal instructions (76%). Other notable missing information were laboratory parameter interference (68.67%), clinical trial data (62%), adverse drug reaction reporting contact information (56.67%), and list of excipients (49.33%). Conclusion: There are important inadequacies in the clinical information provided in Indian PIs which can affect patient health and hinder rational drug use. Thorough evaluation and revision of the PIs is warranted to make them more reliable and popular among users.

Cost-minimization analysis of drugs used for empirical treatment of urinary tract infection in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the commonly encountered infections and a large number of drugs are indicated in UTI ranging from oral conventional drugs to most advanced injectable drugs. Cost-minimization analysis (CMA) is employed to project the least costly drug when two treatments are shown to be therapeutic equivalents. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to perform a CMA at a tertiary care center to determine the least expensive drug for UTI and to project a cheapest alternative from available options based on the results of CMA. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over duration of 3 months in the clinical departments on patients diagnosed to have UTI and prescribed empirical antimicrobial treatment. The approval of Institutional Ethics Committee was sought before beginning the study. Pattern of drug prescription and average cost incurred in the treatment of patients with empirical antimicrobial therapy was calculated. CMA included the projection of the least expensive drug based on average cost incurred per patient in outpatients and inpatients respectively. Results: A total of 59 patients of UTI given empirical treatment were included in the study. Fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins were commonly used drugs for empirical treatment of UTI. Nitrofurantoin (average cost of 11–14 Rs. per patient) can be projected as the cheapest drug for empirical treatment of UTI on outpatient basis as well as a drug to supplement injectables in indoor patients. Injectable ciprofloxacin can be projected as the most inexpensive alternative for empirical treatment of UTI in patients of the inpatient department. Conclusion: Nitrofurantoin for oral treatment and ciprofloxacin in injectable form are cheapest among available alternatives for empirical treatment of UTI. To prevent treatment failures and increase in cost of treatment, correlation of results of CMA with local antimicrobial sensitivity pattern is important.

Heart Smart Diabetes Care

The world is growing smarter day by day, and so is health care. In spite of innumerable inventions and tech-tools, however, we struggle to contain chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. We need to work together and design a rational, scientific and socially sustainable Heart Smart diabetes care ecosystem, with Heart Smart management strategies, to ensure happiness and harmony in persons who live with diabetes.

Pattern of antiepileptic drug utilization in epilepsy patients in outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders diagnosed early in life. Availability of many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) makes it difficult to choose the appropriate pharmacotherapy. Aim and Objective: Understanding the pattern of AED prescription to evaluate the rationality of AED prescriptions in epileptic patients. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study carried out at new civil hospital, Surat for a duration of 6 months. The study involved collecting data from the case files of all the patients irrespective of age or gender diagnosed with epilepsy and undergoing treatment from any of the outpatient departments of the hospital. Demographic details, clinical diagnosis, and detailed data about the prescribed pharmacotherapy were recorded in a pre-approved data sheet. The WHO prescribing indicators were evaluated for each prescription. Descriptive statistics was used. Results: The average age of the patients was 21.64 ± 10.46 years. A total of 1565 drugs were prescribed in the 331 epilepsy patients’ prescriptions. Out of this, 551 drugs (35.21%) were antiepileptics. Most of the patients received monotherapy (75.53%). The most commonly prescribed drug was sodium valproate (46.10%) followed by phenytoin (30.13%) and carbamazepine (10%). The average AED per prescription was 1.70. Majority of the prescriptions (94.63%) used generic names. There were no injectable used and no fixed dose combinations were prescribed in any of the patients. Conclusion: The prescriptions followed the rational prescribing pattern. Treatment of epilepsy is usually by monotherapy with valproate being the most commonly used AED. Prospective studies to evaluate adverse effects and patient compliance will help in efficient policy-making decisions.

Atenção farmacêutica e farmacoterapia do idoso: uma revisão integrativa / Pharmaceutical care and pharmacotherapy for the elderly: an integrative review / Atención farmacéutica y farmacoterapia de las personas mayores: una revisión integradora

Este trabalho tem como objetivo selecionar e sintetizar as evidências da literatura sobre o contexto atual da atenção farmacêutica e farmacoterapia do idoso, considerando os aspectos clínicos e sociais envolvidos. A revisão foi conduzida de acordo com as diretrizes do protocolo PRISMA, que consiste na busca, seleção, avaliação e síntese de estudos relevantes sobre o tema. Foram selecionados 15 artigos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos. A análise dos artigos permitiu identificar que a atenção farmacêutica é um serviço que visa otimizar o uso racional de medicamentos e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes, especialmente dos idosos, que apresentam maior risco de polifarmácia, interações medicamentosas e reações adversas. A farmacoterapia do idoso envolve aspectos fisiológicos, psicológicos, sociais e econômicos que devem ser considerados na prescrição, dispensação e acompanhamento dos medicamentos. No entanto, ainda há precariedade na integração do farmacêutico nas equipes de saúde. Conclui-se que a atenção farmacêutica é uma estratégia importante a ser implementada em todas as equipes de saúde públicas e privadas, para promover o uso seguro e efetivo dos medicamentos pelos idosos, contribuindo para um envelhecimento saudável e digno.

This paper aims to select and synthesize evidence from the literature on the current context of pharmaceutical care and pharmacotherapy of the elderly, considering the clinical and social aspects involved. The review was conducted according to the guidelines of the PRISMA protocol, which consists of the search, selection, evaluation and synthesis of relevant studies on the topic. Fifteen articles that have met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The analysis of the articles allowed the identification that pharmaceutical care is a service that aims to optimize the rational use of medicines and improve the quality of life of patients, especially the elderly, who present a higher risk of polypharmacy, drug interactions, and adverse reactions. The pharmacotherapy of the elderly involves physiological, psychological, social, and economic aspects that must be considered when prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring medications. However, there is still a precariousness in the integration of the pharmacist in health teams. It is concluded that pharmaceutical care is an important strategy to be implemented in all public and private health teams, to promote the safe and effective use of medicines by the elderly, contributing to a healthy and dignified aging.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo seleccionar y sintetizar la evidencia de la literatura sobre el contexto actual de la atención farmacéutica y la farmacoterapia de las personas mayores, considerando los aspectos clínicos y sociales implicados. La revisión se ha realizado siguiendo las directrices del protocolo PRISMA, que consiste en la búsqueda, selección, evaluación y síntesis de estudios relevantes sobre el tema. Se seleccionaron 15 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión establecidos. El análisis de los artículos permitió identificar que la atención farmacéutica es un servicio que tiene como objetivo optimizar el uso racional de los medicamentos y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes, especialmente de los ancianos, que presentan un mayor riesgo de polifarmacia, interacciones medicamentosas y reacciones adversas. La farmacoterapia del anciano implica aspectos fisiológicos, psicológicos, sociales y económicos que deben ser considerados a la hora de prescribir, dispensar y monitorizar los medicamentos. Sin embargo, todavía existe una precariedad en la integración del farmacéutico en los equipos de salud. Se concluye que la atención farmacéutica es una estrategia importante a ser implementada en todos los equipos de salud públicos y privados, para promover el uso seguro y eficaz de los medicamentos por los ancianos, contribuyendo para un envejecimiento saludable y digno.

Atuação de um centro regional de informação sobre medicamentos na baixada fluminense de 2020 a 2022 / Performance of a regional drug information center in the baixada fluminense from 2020 to 2022 / Acción de un centro regional de información médica en la baja fluminencia de 2020 a 2022

No ano de 2020 observou-se um aumento da divulgação de informações parciais e sem embasamento científico sobre COVID-19. Nesse contexto, o Centro Regional de Informação sobre Medicamentos (CRIM) em uma Universidade Pública, torna-se um importante disseminador de informações referenciadas. Este trabalho foi realizado para identificar, por meio dos dados obtidos nos canais de comunicação em que essas ações virtuais foram desenvolvidas, o alcance atingido por cada publicação e evento. Dentre os materiais produzidos, 38,5% foram relacionados à COVID-19; 26,9% ao uso de medicamentos; 21,1% às datas representativas da área da saúde; e 13,5% às informações sobre doenças. Destacaram-se temas como: "Qual a diferença entre medicamento referência e genérico?"; "A importância de tomar o medicamento com água"; "CAFEÍNA: Uso indiscriminado"; "Interações fármacos x alimentos"; e "Imunização Infantil: Devo vacinar meu filho contra a COVID-19?". As ações de educação continuada, somadas às visualizações dos eventos produzidos totalizaram 5.160 visualizações. Destaca-se o IV Simpósio sobre Uso Racional de Medicamentos (URM) e o I Simpósio de Direitos Humanos e Saúde Mental que, em sua totalidade, somaram 3.459 visualizações. As ações reforçam a necessidade de promover práticas voltadas à informação para garantia do uso eficaz, seguro e racional de medicamentos.

In 2020, there was an increase in the dissemination of partial and scientifically unsupported information about COVID-19. In this context, the Regional Drug Information Center (RDIC) in a Public University becomes an important disseminator of referenced information. This work was carried out to identify, through the data obtained from the communication channels in which these virtual actions were developed, the reach atteined by each publication and event. Amongst the materials produced, 38.5% were related to COVID-19; 26.9% to the use of medication; 21.1% to representative dates in the health area; and 13.5% to information about diseases. Topics such as: "What is the difference between reference and generic medicine?"; "The importance of taking the medicine with water"; "CAFFEINE: Indiscriminate use"; "Drug x food interactions"; and "Childhood Immunization: Should I vaccinate my child against COVID-19?". Continuing education actions, added to the views of the events produced, totaled 5,160 views. We highlight the IV Symposium on Rational Use of Drugs (RUD) and the I Symposium on Human Rights and Mental Health which, in their entirety, totaled 3,459 views. The actions reinforces the need to promote information-oriented practices to ensure the effective, safe and rational use of medicines.

En el año 2020 se produjo un aumento en la difusión de información parcial y no se obtuvo ninguna base científica sobre el COVID-19. En este contexto, el Centro Regional de Información sobre Medicinas (CRM) de una Universidad Pública se convierte en un importante difusor de información referenciada. Este trabajo se llevó a cabo para identificar, mediante los datos obtenidos en los canales de comunicación en los que se desarrollaron estas acciones virtuales, el alcance alcanzado por cada publicación y evento. De los materiales producidos, el 38,5% estaban relacionados con el COVID-19; el 26,9% con el uso de medicamentos; el 21,1% con las fechas representativas del área de salud; y el 13,5% con información sobre enfermedades. Temas como: "¿Cuál es la diferencia entre la medicina de referencia y la genérica?"; "La importancia de tomar el medicamento con agua"; "CAFEÍNA: uso indiscriminado"; "Interacciones medicamentosas versus alimentos"; e "Inmunización infantil: ¿debo vacunar a mi hijo contra COVID-19?". Las acciones de la educación continua, sumadas a las visualizaciones de los eventos producidos, alcanzaron un total de 5.160 visitas. Se destacan el cuarto simposio sobre el uso racional de los medicamentos (UDA) y el primer simposio sobre derechos humanos y salud mental, que en su totalidad sumaron hasta 3.459 visualizaciones. Las medidas adoptadas refuerzan la necesidad de promover prácticas orientadas a la información para garantizar el uso eficaz, seguro y racional de los medicamentos.

Feasibility of Combination of Antagonism Chinese Medicinals based on the Theory of “Eighteen Antagonisms” / 中医杂志

The “eighteen antagonisms” of Chinese medicinals have been regarded as taboos in the field of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， and the connotations have gradually been narrowed down in the development of TCM. From the historical perspective， “eighteen antagonisms” are not an absolute taboo in terms of the combination of medicinals， and the existing types of antagonism medicinals are also worth further discussion. From the perspective of toxicological effects， the toxicology of the “eighteen antagonisms” mainly comes from the enhancement of the toxic and side effects of a certain herb， rather than the combination of two herbs. From the perspective of pharmacodynamic actions， the combination of some antagonism medicinals can achieve therapeutic effects that cannot obtained by conventional medicinals， which is feasible and reasonable in clinical practice. Therefore， it is believed that the application of combining some antagonism medicinals based on “eighteen antagonisms” is of positive significance. Moreover， strict combination， processing and decoction methods should be noted in the use of antagonism medicinals. All mentioned above will provide reference for the correct recognition and use of the combination of “eighteen antagonisms”， and broaden the combination thinking for the treatment of clinical diseases with TCM.

Expert consensus on off-label drug use in the three Northeastern provinces of China（solid tumors and hematology） / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To provide theoretical basis for the rational use of drugs in medical institutions， assist in improving the quality of pharmaceutical services， and thus meet clinical drug demands. METHODS Adopting consensus meetings， Liaoning Pharmaceutical Association，Jilin Pharmaceutical Association and Heilongjiang Pharmaceutical Association collaborated with clinical and pharmaceutical experts in the region to compile the expert consensus on off-label drug use in the three Northeastern provinces of China after many votes and discussions by collecting and collating the information related to off-label drug use in medical institutions from the three northeastern provinces of China，and referring to and citing off-label drug use stated in some expert consensus and medication catalog. RESULTS Finally， a total of 198 pieces of off-label drug use information for 70 drugs were included in the two sections of solid tumors and hematological diseases in Consensus of Experts on Drug Use beyond the Instructions in the Three Provinces of Northeast China. CONCLUSIONS Consensus of Experts on Off-label Drug Use in the Three Northeastern Provinces of Northeast China （solid tumors and hematology）offers a theoretical foundation for rational drug use in the treatment of solid tumors and hematological diseases within medical institutions，and has a positive significance in improving the effectiveness and safety of drug treatment.

Review of clinical use of Dingqing Tablets in a Tertiary A Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine / 药学实践杂志

Objective To improve the quality of prescriptions and promote the rational drug application of Dingqing Tablets by investigating the outpatient prescriptions in a tertiary A hospital. Methods A total of 4 796 prescriptions of outpatient pharmacy patients from August 1, 2020 to August 1, 2021 were extracted from the hospital information system by the hospital information software, focusing on the analysis of indications, usage and dosage, drug interaction, etc. Results 10 departments including hematology department and geriatrics department were used Dingqing Tablets, and the irrationality was mainly manifested in the superposition of drug flavors and drug interactions. Conclusion Dingqing tablets were widely used in clinic and had remarkable curative effect. However, there are certain risks in the use of Dingqing tablets. It is necessary to add medication education and supervision to promote the safe and rational use of drugs in clinic.