Forced degradation studies include the degradation of new drug substance and drug product at conditions more severe than accelerated conditions. These studies illustrate the chemical stability of the molecule which further facilitates the development of stable formulation with suitable storage conditions. ICH guidelines demonstrate certain degradation conditions like light, oxidation, dry heat, acidic, basic, hydrolysis etc. ICH Q1A, QIB and Q2B exemplify the forced degradation studies. This review overviews the strategic approaches and trends in forced degradation studies.

This study aimed to assess the differential effects of first-generation (FGA) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) on the prevalence of risk factors for metabolic syndrome among mentally ill patients in Qatar. We also wanted to check if there is proper adherence with the guidelines for prescribing antipsychotics and the monitoring of metabolic effects in this population. We collected the available retrospective data (socio-demographic, psychiatric, anthropometric, and metabolic measures) from the records of 439 patients maintained on antipsychotics. The majority were males, married, employed, having a psychotic disorder, and receiving SGA. Patients on SGA showed more obesity, higher BP, and more elevated triglycerides compared to those on FGA. The prevalence of the abnormal metabolic measures was high in this sample, but those on SGA showed a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal body mass index and BP. Obesity and hypertension were common in patients maintained on antipsychotics, especially those on SGA. Polypharmacy was common, and many metabolic measures were not monitored properly in those maintained on antipsychotics. More prospective studies with guided monitoring of the patients' clinical status and metabolic changes are needed to serve better this population of patients.

Objective Even though all guidelines recommend generally against antipsychotic polypharmacy, antipsychotic polypharmacy appears to be a very common practice across the globe. This study aimed to examine the prescription patterns of antipsychotics in Qatar, in comparison with the international guidelines, and to scrutinize the sociodemographic and clinical features associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy. Methods All the medical records of all the inpatients and outpatients treated by antipsychotics at the Department of Psychiatry–Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Doha, Qatar (between October 2012 and April 2014) were retrospectively analyzed. We retrieved the available sociodemographic data, psychiatric features, and details on the medication history. Results Our sample consisted of 537 individuals on antipsychotics (2/3 were male; mean age 33.8±10.2 years), prescribed for a psychotic disorder in 57%, a mood disorder in 9.3%, and various other diagnoses in 33.7%. About 55.9% received one antipsychotic, 29.6% received two antipsychotics, and 14.5% received more than two antipsychotics. Polypharmacy was associated with younger age (p = 0.025), being single (p<0.001), the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (p<0.001), and previous admissions to psychiatry (p<0.001). Conclusions Antipsychotic polypharmacy appears to be quite common in Qatar, as it is the case in many other countries, in contrast with most international recommendations. Studies are needed to explore the reasons behind this disparity.

Imatinib is one of the first cancer therapies that has shown a potential for a novel approach in cancer treatment. Imatinib represents a therapeutic breakthrough as a targeted therapy in the form of selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) specifically BCR-ABL, c-KIT, PDGFRA. It has become the first line drug in management of several cancers. Apart from its remarkable success in CML, it has also shown promising results in the treatment of gastro-intestinal stromal tumors, clonal eosinophilic disorders, philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphatic leukemia and in steroid-refractory chronic graftversus-host disease because of its anti-PDGFR action. Introduction of Imatinib has radically improved the outcome of patients and has geared up further research into development of designer drugs with molecular targets. Apart from clinical profits of Imatinib in several cancers, it is associated with drug resistance and intolerance. This article gives a comprehensive review of the development, biology, utility, dosing, and limitations of Imatinib in oncology.

Objective:Qatar is a developing Arab country where most of the population consists of immigrants. This study assessed the associations between immigration and psychosis in Qatar and the factors contributing to the new diagnosis of psychosis. Methods:Data was collected retrospectively for all patients with psychotic disorders over two years. The patients’ records were retrieved from the Mental Health Services in Doha, Qatar. Results:The percentage of international immigrants presenting with a diagnosis suggestive of the first onset of psychosis was higher than that of Qataris and Arabs. The latter two groups had more chronic forms of psychosis, mainly schizophrenia. International immigrants received the lowest dosage of antipsychotics. There were minor differences in the psychotic and treatment profiles. Conclusion: Language, family structure, and other social-cultural factors might contribute to this new onset of psychosis among international immigrants in Qatar.