Evolution of Ethical Principles in the Practice of Pharmaceutical Medicine From a UK Perspective

Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Design: Unleashing the Potential of Novel Therapeutics

Pharmaceutical design has made significant advancements in recent years, leading to the development of novel therapeutics with unprecedented efficacy and safety profiles. This review highlights the potential of these innovations to revolutionize healthcare and improve patient outcomes. The application of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data mining in drug discovery and design has made it easier to find potential drug candidates. Combining big data and omics has led to the discovery of new therapeutic targets and personalized medicine strategies. Nanoparticles, liposomes, and microneedles are examples of advanced drug delivery systems that allow precise control over drug release, better bioavailability, and targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells. This improves the effectiveness of the treatment while reducing side effects. Stimuli-responsive materials and smart drug delivery systems enable drugs to be released on demand when specific internal or external signals are sent. Biologics and gene therapies are promising approaches in pharmaceutical design, offering high specificity and potency for treating various diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Gene therapies hold tremendous potential for correcting genetic abnormalities, with recent breakthroughs demonstrating successful outcomes in inherited disorders and certain types of cancer. Advancements in nanotechnology and nanomedicine have paved the way for innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutics, such as nanoparticle-based imaging agents, targeted drug delivery systems, gene editing technologies, and regenerative medicine strategies. Finally, the review emphasizes the importance of regulatory considerations, ethical challenges, and future directions in pharmaceutical design. Regulatory agencies are adapting to the rapid advancements in the field, ensuring the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics while fostering innovation. Ethical considerations regarding the use of emerging technologies, patient privacy, and access to advanced therapies also require careful attention.

Development, validation and implementation of the medical affairs pharmaceutical physician work-related quality of life instrument

BACKGROUND

Medical affairs pharmaceutical physicians (MAPPs) are at risk for low work-related quality of life (WRQoL). The aim of this study was to develop, validate and implement the first WRQoL instrument for this population.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort clinical study, the Medical Affairs Pharmaceutical Physician Work-related Quality of Life (MAPPWrQoL) Instrument Development and Patient Registry (MAPPWrQoLReg), was registered in November 2021 (NCT05123846). Thirteen MAPPs and 12 non-MAPPs participated in development and validation between December 2021 and January 2022. Development used the Jandhyala method for observing proportional group awareness and consensus. Discriminant validity analysis used the WRQoL Scale as a reference standard and assessed whether the instrument could differentiate between the groups. Twelve MAPPs and 12 non-MAPPs self-reported their WRQoL in the registry each month from February 2022. Recruitment and data collection are ongoing; 6-month data between February 2022 and August 2022 are reported here.

RESULTS

Two participants were excluded from the registry. Chi-squared analysis showed a significant difference between the MAPPWRQoL instrument and WRQoL Scale (p = 1.029e-08) with acceptable sensitivity (89.19%) and specificity (75.00%). There were significant between-group differences for total scores at each follow-up (p = .003; n = 6 questions). Chi-squared analysis showed a significant difference between MAPPs' and non-MAPPs' ability to answer MAPPWRQoL instrument items (p = .002629), with acceptable sensitivity (91.9%) and near-acceptable specificity (66.7%). MAPPs' WRQoL did not change significantly over 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Discriminant validity of the 39-item MAPPWRQoL instrument was confirmed. The Jandhyala method successfully developed and validated a specific WRQoL instrument and may be applied to similar populations, such as junior doctors and UK general practitioners.

Professional qualifications of medical affairs pharmaceutical physicians and other internal stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry

Background: Medical affairs pharmaceutical physicians (MAPPs) have unique value to pharmaceutical companies due to their accountability for activities that benefit regulators, payors, prescribers and patients. This study assessed whether MAPPs' specialist training and education in pharmaceutical medicine could account for this level of value by determining whether there was significant variation in education and training between MAPPs and other internal stakeholders of pharmaceutical companies. Methods: A systematic search of LinkedIn profiles from the 10 pharmaceutical companies by revenue was conducted between June and October 2021. Job title and type and year of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications were extracted. A one-sided Mann-Whitney test assessed for differences in the total number of qualifications between MAPPs and other internal stakeholders involved in medical affairs using MAPPs as the reference group. Other internal stakeholders included medical affairs pharmacists (MAPharm), other medical affairs professionals (MAOth), and market access (MAcc), commercial (COmm) and sales professionals. Sub-group analysis determined differences in undergraduate and postgraduate education. Results: In total, 524 profiles were included. Compared to all other internal stakeholders, MAPPs had a significantly higher number of undergraduate (p < 0.001) and postgraduate (MAPharm, p = 0.003; MAOth, p = 0.004; MAcc, COmm and Sales, p < 0.001) qualifications. Additionally, MAPPs had a significantly longer time to industry than other internal stakeholders apart from MAPharm. Of those with clinical qualifications, MAPPs were almost twice as likely to have business qualifications. Conclusions: Of all internal stakeholders, MAPPs had the highest number of qualifications and the best match between expertise and the contextual demands of decision-makers in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical companies in the UK can use these findings to clarify role boundaries and decision-making power based on the nature and level of expertise of each internal stakeholder.