Recent and anticipated novel drug approvals (2Q 2025 through 1Q 2026)Rim, Matthew H; Dean, Collin; Aliaj, Enela; Dandino, Matthew; Howse, Tyler; Levitsky, Andrew M
doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaf147pmid: 40458049
PurposeHealth-system pharmacists play a crucial role in monitoring the pharmaceutical pipeline to manage formularies, allocate resources, and optimize clinical programs for new therapies. This article aims to support pharmacists by providing updates on new and anticipated novel drug approvals.SummarySelected drug approvals anticipated in the 12-month period covering the second quarter of 2025 through the first quarter of 2026 are reviewed. The analysis emphasizes drugs expected to have significant clinical and financial impact in hospitals and clinics, as selected from 58 novel drugs awaiting US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. This year’s pipeline features novel therapies for rare diseases, targeted cancer treatments, and new agents for various diseases states.ConclusionNovel therapies continue to strengthen the current drug pipeline.
Analysis of responses from artificial intelligence programs to medication-related questions derived from critical care guidelinesWilliams, Blake; Erstad, Brian L
doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaf075pmid: 40119714
PurposeTo evaluate the recommendations given by 4 publicly available artificial intelligence (AI) programs in comparison to recommendations in current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) focused on critically ill adults.MethodsThis study evaluated 4 publicly available large language models (LLMs): ChatGPT 4.0, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini Version 1.5, and Meta AI. Each AI chatbot was prompted with medication-related questions related to 6 CPGs published by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and also asked to provide references to support its recommendations. Responses were categorized as correct, partially correct, not correct, or “other” (eg, the LLM answered a question not asked).ResultsIn total, 43 responses were recorded for each AI program, with a significant difference (P = 0.007) in response types by AI program. Microsoft Copilot had the highest proportion of correct recommendations, followed by Meta AI, ChatGPT 4.0, and Google Gemini. All 4 LLMs gave some incorrect recommendations, with Gemini having the most incorrect responses, followed closely by ChatGPT. Copilot had the most responses in the “other” category (n = 5, 11.63%). On average, ChatGPT provided the greatest number of references per question (n = 4.54), followed by Google Gemini (n = 3.43), Meta AI (n = 3.06), and Microsoft Copilot (n = 2.04).ConclusionAlthough they showed potential for future utility to pharmacists with further development and refinement, the evaluated AI programs did not consistently give accurate medication-related recommendations for the purpose of answering clinical questions such as those pertaining to critical care CPGs.
Implementation of an electronic early treatment assessment and monitoring questionnaire for oral anticancer medicationBui, Tiffany; Looney, Brooke; DeClercq, Josh; Lynch, Bridget; Whelchel, Kristen; Nelson, Scott; Choi, Leena; D. Zuckerman, Autumn
doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaf060pmid: 40119632
PurposeTo evaluate the implementation of an electronic early treatment assessment and monitoring (eTEAM) questionnaire within the electronic health record (EHR) patient portal designed to identify early adverse effects to oral anticancer therapy requiring pharmacist intervention.MethodsThis quality improvement analysis used the 5 dimensions of the RE-AIM implementation science framework to assess use of an innovative eTEAM questionnaire sent to patients 7 to 14 days after initial counseling on oral anticancer therapy. RE-AIM outcomes included the following: reach and adoption: the number of eTEAM questionnaires sent and the number of eTEAM responses received; effectiveness: the number of pharmacist interventions resulting from the eTEAM questionnaire; implementation: pharmacist responses to a postimplementation survey and semistructured individual interviews; maintenance: responses from postimplementation semistructured individual interviews with pharmacists. Results are reported descriptively.ResultsOf the 182 patients sent an eTEAM questionnaire, 47% (n = 85) responded. Pharmacists performed 29 interventions in 25 responding patients, most often due to adverse effects (n = 25) or adherence (n = 4). Most pharmacists agreed that the eTEAM questionnaire was appealing and feasible to use and that its use positively impacted their practice and patient care. Pharmacists recommended that the eTEAM questionnaire be improved by standardizing documentation of patients’ actual oral anticancer medication start date in a discrete field.ConclusionThe eTEAM questionnaire was positively received by patients, and pharmacists were supportive of its continued use based on feasibility and impact on practice. The eTEAM questionnaire effectively identified opportunities for pharmacist interventions in patients starting oral anticancer medications.
Darbepoetin alfa use in trauma and acute care surgery patients who abstain from blood products: A case series and discussionHarris, Madilyn; Bishop, Jacqueline; Olney, William J; Ali, Dina; Nickols, Alexis; Parli, Sara E
doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxaf099pmid: 40312988
PurposeIndividuals may abstain from blood products due to religious or cultural beliefs. For trauma victims, blood loss is associated with anemia, decreasing oxygen delivery, and alternative treatment methods to blood transfusion are warranted in this population. Literature has investigated the use of epoetin alfa, an albumin-containing erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), to treat anemia for this indication; however, this may be problematic as albumin is a blood-derived product. Darbepoetin alfa is an albumin-free ESA alternative. This case series describes the use of darbepoetin alfa on anemia and outcomes in patients who abstain from blood products.SummaryTrauma and acute care surgery patients are at risk for development of anemia related to traumatic injury as well as acute blood loss. Blood product transfusion is a common therapeutic intervention; however, patients may abstain from blood product administration. The 9 patients described herein with anemia (hemoglobin concentration of <7 g/dL or hematocrit level of <21%) during a hospital stay abstained from blood products and received darbepoetin alfa. Initial hemoglobin levels ranged from 4.1 to 10.1 g/dL, and patients received darbepoetin from 1 day to up to 17 consecutive days during their hospital stay. One patient experienced a type II non–ST elevation myocardial infarction.ConclusionThe use of darbepoetin alfa appeared to be a therapeutic option to treat anemia in trauma and acute care surgery patients who abstain from blood products. Future studies are needed to compare epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa.