ABSTRACT
In the era of big data, the establishment of a free database, containing all the immune drug targets and associated cell types, is of great value. To this aim, the Guide to Immunopharmacology has been created in a joint effort between the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Here we highlight the structure and content of the database, which includes up-to-date quantitative information on the fundamental science underlying each immune target. A set of practical examples and tools for data mining are summarized to support immune research into drug discovery and therapeutics.
Subject(s)
Allergy and Immunology/education , Databases, Pharmaceutical , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Pharmacology, Clinical/education , Big Data , Data Mining , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , International Cooperation , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Pharmaceutical Research/education , Societies, Scientific/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Given the critical role that the immune system plays in a multitude of diseases, having a clear understanding of the pharmacology of the immune system is crucial to new drug discovery and development. Here we describe the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Guide to Immunopharmacology (GtoImmuPdb), which connects expert-curated pharmacology with key immunological concepts and aims to put pharmacological data into the hands of immunologists. In the pursuit of new therapeutics, pharmacological databases are a vital resource to researchers through providing accurate information on the fundamental science underlying drug action. This extension to the existing IUPHAR/British Pharmacological Society Guide to Pharmacology supports research into the development of drugs targeted at modulating immune, inflammatory or infectious components of disease. To provide a deeper context for how the resource can support research we show data in GtoImmuPdb relating to a case study on the targeting of vascular inflammation.
Subject(s)
Databases, Pharmaceutical , Drug Development , Drug Discovery , Immune System/diagnostic imaging , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Allergy and Immunology/education , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Atherosclerosis/drug therapy , Atherosclerosis/immunology , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Humans , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , International Cooperation , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Pharmaceutical Research/education , Pharmacology, Clinical/education , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Signal Transduction/immunology , Societies, Scientific/organization & administration , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
AIMS: This article examines the outputs of pharmaceutical education with the development of the pharmacy profession and how that affects pharmaceutical innovation. It also discusses different models of collaboration between the academic and pharmaceutical industry in order to achieve a healthy collaboration between the stakeholders. METHODS: The perspective, experiences and insights of educators from various backgrounds, origin and educational levels were sought regarding the role of pharmacy education in providing pharmaceutical research and development workforce. RESULTS: Many countries around the world are currently undertaking major reforms in pharmacy education due to the changing landscape of health and healthcare delivery. These reforms must be accompanied by robust systems to assure that the quality of educational structures, processes and outcomes will produce competent pharmacy graduates in the future. It is also considered imperative that pharmacy academic institutions should establish collaboration with the drug development units, the pharmaceutical industry and government agencies for sustainability and positive research outcomes. CONCLUSION: Shortcomings in pharmacy curricula need to be addressed and the authors have proposed the 'TARGET' approach for the development of integrated pharmacy curriculum to substantially contribute to pharmaceutical research and development.
Subject(s)
Education, Pharmacy/methods , Pharmaceutical Research/education , Pharmacists , Professional Competence , Career Choice , Cooperative Behavior , Curriculum , Drug Industry , Health Care Reform , Humans , Pharmacists/psychology , UniversitiesABSTRACT
The term comparative effectiveness research (CER) took center stage with passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009). The companion US$1.1 billion in funding prompted the launch of initiatives to train the scientific workforce capable of conducting and using CER. Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) focused these initiatives on patients, coining the term 'patient-centered outcomes research' (PCOR). Educational and training initiatives were soon launched. This report describes the initiative of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America (PhRMA) Foundation. Through provision of grant funding to six academic Centers of Excellence, to spearheading and sponsoring three national conferences, the PhRMA Foundation has made significant contributions to creation of the scientific workforce that conducts and uses CER/PCOR.
Subject(s)
Comparative Effectiveness Research/trends , Pharmaceutical Research/trends , Academic Medical Centers , Association , Humans , Patient Outcome Assessment , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , Pharmaceutical Research/education , Schools, Medical , United StatesABSTRACT
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists residency accreditation standards require all postgraduate residency training programs to teach and evaluate a resident's ability to advance practice through project development and presentation, underscoring the importance of conducting research in today's professional climate. Although many residents express strong interest in research participation and contributing to the medical literature, many obstacles to publication have been identified. We aim to illustrate a deliberate approach to teaching this material and structuring the longitudinal experience in a way that maximizes resources to overcome these barriers. Such efforts should aid residents, advisors, and program directors in establishing curriculum which leads to successful completion and publication of pharmacy resident's research projects.
