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The Latest from UBC’s Therapeutics Initiative
Since its inception in 1994, the UBC Therapeutics Initiative has published bi-monthly Therapeutics Letters on common therapies to increase awareness and improve prescription habits. These letters are distributed to both physicians and pharmacists in BC with an aim to identify and provide insight on problematic therapeutic issues in a brief, simple and practical manner.
Take a look at the latest letters from The Therapeutics Initiative
[101] Study 329: Why is it so important?
November 22, 2016
Study 329 is a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) sponsored trial with 22 academic authors that compared paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo for adolescent depression. In this trial 275 adolescents with major depression were randomized in a double-blind fashion to paroxetine (93), imipramine (95) or placebo (87) for 8 weeks. Those who completed 8 weeks were studied in a 6-month continuation phase.
[102] Indacterol for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
January 26, 2017
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory condition characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction. It is caused by exposure to noxious particles or gases, with exposure to cigarette smoke the most common cause. Several classes of drugs can be prescribed: short and long-acting beta2 (β2) agonist, short and long-acting antimuscarinic, inhaled corticosteroids and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors.
[103] Is the current ‘glucocentric’ approach to management of type 2 diabetes misguided?
March 15, 2017
A recent Alberta modeling study suggests that lifetime risk of diabetes is now 50% for non-indigenous Canadians and 80% for First Nations Canadians. If true, type 2 diabetes (DM2) will become the most common primary care diagnosis. Costs including medical visits, capillary blood glucose (CBG) laboratory tests, and drug therapies will threaten other social priorities.
How are these letters developed?
Considerable research and collaborative work goes into developing the Therapeutics letters. The process involves a literature review and development of the message by different working groups of the Therapeutics Initiative. A draft of the letter is review by specialists who are expert in the particular therapeutic area and members of the Scientific Information and Education Committee.
About The Therapeutics Initiative
The Therapeutics Initiative was established in 1994 by the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in cooperation with the Department of Family Practice at The University of British Columbia with the Department of Family Practice at The University of British Columbia with its mission to provide pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals with up-to-date, evidence-based, practical information on drug therapy. Visit www.ti.ubc.ca or follow them on Twitter @Drug_Evidence to learn more.
- Guest Post, Therapeutics Letter