Research and evaluation

Recent antibiotic reduces cancer survival after immune checkpoint inhibitors by 12%, study results show

Results from a Canadian cohort study suggest that antibiotic therapy may reduce the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.…

High drug prices not justified by research and development spending, US analysis claims

Analysis by health economists show that the median price of newly launched prescription drugs in the United States rose from US$1,400 per year in 2008 to more than US$150,000 per year in 2021.…

Pharmacists on high-risk clinical wards reduce prescribing errors, evidence review finds

Researchers used data from 19 studies to identify the most common factors that increase the chance of prescribing errors.…

Pharmacist prescribers can reduce sedative use in care homes, study demonstrates

Researchers found that pharmacist independent prescribers were able to improve outcomes for care home residents through "effective deprescribing" of anticholinergic and sedative drugs.…

Genetic testing reduces adverse drug reactions by nearly a third, major trial results confirm

The 'PREPARE' trial has demonstrated that genetic testing can significantly reduce adverse drug reactions, with the study coordinator stating there is enough evidence to "proceed with implementation".…

Should we be genetic testing before prescribing analgesics?

Managing pain is difficult because there are various factors that can influence how it is perceived, but pharmacogenomic testing may be able to help fine tune pharmaceutical interventions.…

Public and pharmacist views on the appearance of and messaging on antibiotics to address inappropriate use

The main purpose of medicines labelling and packaging is to provide clear unambiguous identification of the medicine and the conditions for its safe use. This information, together with its format and style, is essential for minimising medication errors by enabling patients, carers and healthcare pr…

Psilocybin: a psychedelic alternative to antidepressants?

Decades on from its widespread use as a recreational drug during the 1960s, research shows that psilocybin could be a credible treatment for symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders.…

Cancer vaccine combined with monoclonal antibody cuts risk of death or recurrence of melanoma by almost 50%, show phase II trial data

Experts say the data are exciting, but warn larger trials are needed in other cancer types.…

Pharmacy’s link with the natural world

The pick of November's academic papers from Parastou Donyai, chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…