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However, pseudoephedrine has been proven to work in the past when treatPhenylephrine is known to be a “decon- ing congestion, in terms of metabogestant used to relieve nasal pressure lization and approval by the FDA and stiffness often associated with a through clinical trials. cold or allergies.”1 It became popular among over-the-counter cough medicine to replace pseudoephedrine, a Removing over-the-counter cough drug limited by a law passed in 2006 medicine such as Sudafed, Dayquil, due to its ability to be processed into and Mucinex from shelves could leave methamphetamine if purchased in bulk. consumers wondering where to find
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alternatives, or whether to not buy alternatives at all. The FDA would then work with pharmaceutical companies to reformulate their products so they do not contain phenylephrine or contain a substitute, but processes like these will take time, especially during the flu season. Behind these big decisions are pharmacists who not only approve the decisions of putting drugs into the market, but also determine which ones should be removed for the safety of the people. Pharmacists have a responsibility to respond to the peoples’ needs and create safe alternatives so that over-thecounter cough medicine contains drugs and compounds that help people in the long run. References 1. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/09/12/fdapanel-declares-decongestant-phenylephrine-ineffective/ 70835249007/ 2. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/phenylephrine-fda-ruling-nasal-decongestants/ 3. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fdaclarifies-results-recent-advisory-committee-meeting-oralphenylephrine
Could Monoclonal Antibodies Be the Next Solution to the Opioid Crisis? by Sanjana Ojha, P3 Since 1999, over 555,000 people have died from prescription or illicit drug use in America1. Since 2020, over 100,000 Americans have overdosed on fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid.1 Needless to say, the opioid crisis has been an ongoing debilitating issue for this country. Some current treatments for opioid use disorder include methadone, naltrexone, and naloxone. These drugs work by either replacing the effects of opioids, preventing their effects, or reversing their effects.2 Some other examples include buprenorphine, which curbs opioid cravings, and Vivitrol, a monthly non-opioid shot that blocks the euphoria that comes from opioids. However, with the incidence of this disease still being so high, there is a considerable amount of research being conducted for additional options. One of the avenues being explored by scientists is the potential to use monoclonal antibodies to bind and neutralize the opioid, thus preventing it from reaching the brain. Much like the purpose of naloxone is to reverse opioid
effects, a monoclonal antibody would be given in the hopes of reversing opioid effects and rescuing someone from overdosing, explains Dr. Marco Pravetoni, from the University of Washington Center for Medication Development for Substance Use Disorders and Overdose.3 Monoclonal antibodies have been researched extensively for cancer and autoimmune diseases, and it is exciting to see them being studied in this context. While clinical data is not yet available, initial lab findings show that monoclonal antibodies reversed overdose and did not trigger withdrawal symptoms.
challenges facing this treatment, even if it does ultimately show efficacy in human candidates. Many are questioning if drug users would even commit to such a treatment, especially given the hefty price tag normally attached to monoclonal antibody treatments. Others argue that a better use of the funds would be to broaden access to treatments that already exist for opioid use disorder. These are both compelling arguments that must be carefully considered by all the stakeholders in healthcare, including the patients, policymakers, providers, and payers. Undisputedly, more needs to be done to tackle the opioid crisis. As scientists continue Of course, there are also numerous to pursue pharmaceutical solutions, it is critical to consider what kind of approaches may have the most meaningful impact.
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References 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding the Epidemic. (August 2023). https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html (accessed 2023 November 5). 2. Boynton E. New Opioid Vaccines Could Reduce Overdose and Save Lives. UW Medicine. Reviewed April 24, 2023. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://rightasrain. uwmedicine.org/well/research/opioid-vaccines-antibodies 3. Ovalle D. The hunt quickens for vaccines and antibody therapies against opioids. The Washington Post. Reviewed November 5, 2023. Accessed November 5, 2023. https:// www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/11/04/opioid-fentanyl-vaccine-antibody/
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