Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · Apr 2014
Impact of a drug utilization review program on high-risk use of prescription controlled substances.
Prescription drug abuse has prompted considerable concern. We evaluated a retrospective drug utilization review program to reduce controlled substance use among individuals with high-risk utilization. ⋯ Retrospective drug utilization review programs may reduce controlled substance scores and claims among individuals with patterns suggesting high-risk utilization.
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · Apr 2014
Safety analysis of Epzicom® (lamivudine/abacavir sulfate) in post-marketing surveillance in Japan.
To obtain safety and effectiveness data on a combined anti-HIV drug, Epzicom (abacavir 600 mg/lamivudine 300 mg), a post-marketing surveillance on Epzicom that was required by the Japanese regulatory authority was conducted between January 2005 and December 2010. ⋯ The post-marketing surveillance indicated that the incidence of both ischaemic heart disease and hypersensitivity associated with Epzicom was considerably low, suggesting that this drug can be safely used in the Japanese population.
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · Mar 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialUtilization patterns of antihyperuricemic agents following safety announcement on allopurinol and benzbromarone by Taiwan Food and Drug Administration.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utilization of four approved antihyperuricemic agents in Taiwan before and after two safety announcements rescinded an indication for allopurinol and added a warning on benzbromarone-induced hepatotoxicity in the year 2005. ⋯ Further research is required to evaluate the direct impacts of the safety announcements on clinical outcomes, treatment costs, and patient's quality of life.
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Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf · Mar 2014
Reductions in prescription opioid diversion following recent legislative interventions in Florida.
Florida has been at the center of the nation's ongoing prescription opioid epidemic, with largely unregulated pain clinics and lax prescribing oversight cited as significant contributors to the opioid problem in the state. ⋯ This study documented reductions in statewide opioid diversion rates following implementation of Florida's pain clinic and prescription drug monitoring program legislative interventions. Although these initial findings appear promising, continued surveillance of diversion is clearly warranted.