Shortages of antiseizure medications in Australia and the association with patient switching, and adherence in a community setting

Welton, Jeremy M.; Stratton, Giles; Schoeninger, Brittany; Low, Min Hui; Moody, Anita; D’Souza, Wendyl

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109145

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Furthermore, the decreased number of beneficiaries may be linked to several factors, including the widespread use of antiseizure medications and the potential impact of medication shortages. In recent years, antiseizure medications have seen severe shortages, which may be attributed to the high market concentration of manufacturers and their limited capacity for spare production [ 29 ]. For example, 67.6% of patients on levetiracetam switched to different brands during these shortages, which may have ultimately led to price hikes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Trends in Commonly Used Drugs for Spinal Fusion and Brain Tumor Resection: An Analysis of the Medicare Part D Database

Doad,

Gupta,

Leavitt

et al. 2023

Biomedicines

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With the incidence of central and peripheral nervous system disorders on the rise, neurosurgical procedures paired with the careful administration of select medications have become necessary to optimize patient outcomes. Despite efforts to decrease the over-prescription of common addictive drugs, such as opioids, prescription costs continue to rise. This study analyzed temporal trends in medication use and cost for spinal fusion and brain tumor resection procedures. The Medicare Part B Database was queried from 2016 to 2020 for data regarding spinal fusion and brain tumor resection procedures, while the Part D Database was used to extract data for two commonly prescribed medications for each procedure. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression were completed for the analyzed variables. The results showed a significant negative correlation between the number of spinal procedure beneficiaries and the cost of methocarbamol, as well as between the annual percent change in spinal beneficiaries and the annual percent change in oxycodone cost. Linear regression revealed that oxycodone cost was the only parameter with a statistically significant model. Moving forward, it is imperative to combat rising drug costs, regardless of trends seen in their usage. Further studies should focus on the utilization of primary data in a multi-center study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Trends in Commonly Used Drugs for Spinal Fusion and Brain Tumor Resection: An Analysis of the Medicare Part D Database

Doad,

Gupta,

Leavitt

et al. 2023

Biomedicines

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show abstract

“…The patients who did not seek emergent medical care mainly had stroke mimics and minor strokes, indicating patient-related factors driven by the fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 during transportation and ambulatory and hospital care[44].Many respondents indicated a shortage of medicines, equipment, and devices during the most severe restriction periods that are still ongoing. The drug scarcities relevant to neurological care include anticonvulsive drugs, thrombolytic agents, antiplatelet medication, and contrast agents[45][46][47]. The demand related to the significant number of severely ill COVID-19 cases, preexisting issues with the supply chain, and closed factories due to lockdowns resulted in a shortage of drugs for neurological patients early in the pandemic.…”

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confidence: 99%

The COVID‐19 pandemic and neurology: A survey on previous and continued restrictions for clinical practice, curricular training, and health economics

Rakusa,

Moro,

Akhvlediani

et al. 2023

Euro J of Neurology

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Background and PurposeThe COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Here, we assessed the pandemic's impact on clinical service, curricular training, and financial burden from a neurological viewpoint during the enforced lockdown periods and the assumed recovery by 2023.MethodsAn online 18‐item survey was conducted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) NeuroCOVID‐19 Task Force among the EAN community. The survey was online between February and March 2023. Questions related to general, demographic, clinical, work, education, and economic aspects.ResultsWe collected 430 responses from 79 countries. Most health care professionals were aged 35–44 years, with >15 years of work experience. The key findings of their observations were as follows. (i) Clinical services were cut back in all neurological subspecialties during the most restrictive COVID‐19 lockdown period. The most affected neurological subspecialties were services for patients with dementia, and neuromuscular and movement disorders. The levels of reduction and the pace of recovery were distinct for acute emergencies and in‐ and outpatient care. Recovery was slow for sleep medicine, autonomic nervous system disorders, neurorehabilitation, and dementia care. (ii) Student and residency rotations and grand rounds were reorganized, and congresses were converted into a virtual format. Conferences are partly maintained in a hybrid format. (iii) Affordability of neurological care and medication shortage are emerging issues.ConclusionsRecovery of neurological services up to spring 2023 has been incomplete following substantial disruption of neurological care, medical education, and health economics in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The continued limitations for the delivery of neurological care threaten brain health and call for action on a global scale.

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Effects of Valproic Acid Supply Shortage on Pharmacy Operations in a Region of Japan

Matsunuma,

Sunaga,

Hirose

et al. 2024

Cureus

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IntroductionValproic Acid (VPA) is an essential drug in epilepsy treatment, yet it has faced supply instability in Japan. The extent of the VPA shortage and the associated increase in pharmacists' workload and collaboration with healthcare organizations remains unclear. This study investigates the potential effects of these disruptions on the roles of pharmacists. MethodsA questionnaire was administered to pharmacies in Hachioji City, Japan. The survey addressed inventory management, patient complaints, and the potential effects on pharmacy operations during VPA supply instability. A chi-squared test of independence was conducted to compare the most unstable VPA supply period with the current supply situation. Supply stability according to pharmacy characteristics such as the number of prescriptions received per day and primary patient age group was also evaluated. ResultsOf the 42 pharmacies surveyed, 76.2% reported changes in prescription processing due to VPA supply issues. The main challenges were increased workload in inventory management and patient concerns regarding medication availability and quality. Pharmacies primarily serving clinical prescriptions and pediatric patients were the most affected by the supply instability. DiscussionThis study highlighted the potential effects of VPA supply instability on pharmacy operations. Pharmacists are expected to provide continuous treatment to patients through effective counseling and medication guidance to alleviate anxiety and concerns related to supply shortages.

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Shortages of antiseizure medications in Australia and the association with patient switching, and adherence in a community setting

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

Economic Trends in Commonly Used Drugs for Spinal Fusion and Brain Tumor Resection: An Analysis of the Medicare Part D Database

Economic Trends in Commonly Used Drugs for Spinal Fusion and Brain Tumor Resection: An Analysis of the Medicare Part D Database

The COVID‐19 pandemic and neurology: A survey on previous and continued restrictions for clinical practice, curricular training, and health economics

Effects of Valproic Acid Supply Shortage on Pharmacy Operations in a Region of Japan

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