Intended and unintended use of cathinone mixtures.

INTRODUCTION: Cathinones are one of the most popular categories of new psychoactive substances (NPS) consumed. Cathinones have different pharmacological activities and receptor selectivity for monoamine transporters based on their chemical structures. They are incorporated into NPS mixtures and used with other NPS or 'traditional' drugs. Cathinone use represents significant health risks to individuals and is a public health burden. METHODS: Evidence of poly-NPS use with cathinones, seizure information, and literature analyses results on NPS mixtures was systematically gathered from online database sources, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Bluelight, and Drugs-Forum. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results highlight the prevalence of NPS with low purity, incorporation of cathinones into NPS mixtures since 2008, and multiple members of the cathinone family being present in individual UK-seized samples. Cathinones were identified as adulterants in NPS marketed as being pure NPS, drugs of abuse, branded products, herbal blends, and products labelled "not for human consumption." Toxicity resulting from cathinone mixtures is unpredictable because key attributes remain largely unknown. Symptoms of intoxication include neuro-psychological, psychiatric, and metabolic symptoms. Proposed treatment includes holistic approaches involving psychosocial, psychiatric and pharmacological interventions. CONCLUSION: Raising awareness of NPS, education, and training of health care professionals are paramount in reducing harms related to cathinone use.

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) compared with traditional assessment methods.

OBJECTIVES: To compare objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and traditional assessment methods among recent pharmacy graduates. METHODS: Individual student performance in OSCEs was compared with performance on traditional pharmacy-practice examinations at the same level of program study. RESULTS: A moderate correlation was found between individual attainment in OSCE examinations and on traditional pharmacy practice examinations at the same level. CONCLUSIONS: OSCEs add value to traditional methods of assessment because the 2 evaluation methods measure different competencies.