Currents in Pharmaceutical Research

Publication Bias: A Brief Concept Note

Muhammad Ali — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cubosomes in Drug Delivery: Exploring Their Potential for Advanced Therapeutic Applications

Saman Ali, Nouman Farooq, Sabi Ur Rehman, Fazal Ur Rehman — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cubosomes have become a subject of increasing significance because of their unique three-dimensional nano cubic lattice structure, which is composed of self-assembling lipid molecules like monoolein. A wide range of therapeutic agents, involving both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, can be encapsulated within this stable and water-dispersible structure. Cubosomes' unique cubic lattice also facilitates surface modifications and lipid content adaptation, improving drug stability and resistance to degradation. This enables precise control over the kinetics of drug release and provides an intriguing framework for the development of controlled drug release systems. As a result, cubosomes can improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects of drugs molecules. In conclusion, this review explores the potential uses of cubosomes and highlights the specifics that emphasize their significance in improving drug delivery methods.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Design: From Foundational Principles to Emerging Applications in Antiviral Therapeutics

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed drug discovery by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and accelerating timelines, particularly in research related to antiviral drugs. Traditional drug discovery methods are not able to compete with rapidly occurring viral mutations, since these are often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Hence, they have been replaced with AI techniques, capable of handling massive datasets, predicting molecular interactions, and optimizing drug candidates rapidly. AI can be used to identify novel drug molecules, drug targets, and repurposed drugs. Furthermore, it can also be used to predict chemical properties, as well as pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicology profiles by analyzing large datasets. In the early stages of drug discovery, AI aids in target identification and validation by analyzing the genomic, proteomic, and chemical data to predict disease-relevant proteins. In virtual screening and hit identification, AI replaces high-throughput screening with rapid in silico analysis. Generative chemistry approaches utilize reinforcement learning to design novel, drug-like molecules rapidly. Through off-target profiling using models such as DeepTox, AI reduces adverse effects by forecasting unintended protein interactions and drug-drug interactions, improving safety profiles. Its predictive capabilities at each development stage—from molecular screening to clinical trials—have not only accelerated the pace of antiviral drug discovery but have also reduced overall costs significantly, thus proving essential during global pandemics like COVID-19. AI can be implemented at each step of drug discovery and development, from identifying drug molecules and conducting virtual screening to lead optimization and designing clinical trials, as well as interpreting the data obtained from the trials. Antiviral drugs for viral diseases, such as COVID-19, dengue, influenza, hepatitis, and Ebola, developed using AI are mentioned in this study. It also highlights the significance of AI in healthcare, particularly in novel drug development. There is also a dark side to AI, and concerns are rising about the accuracy and quality, as well as the legal and ethical aspects of fact-driven by datasets.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Antihypertensive Medications Prescribed to Primary Hypertension Patients at District Headquarters Hospital, Kohat

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:18:53 +0000

Hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), contributes to 9.3 million deaths annually. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan, cost-effective treatment is critical due to limited healthcare resources. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of antihypertensive medications prescribed to patients with primary hypertension at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, KDA, Kohat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted over a period of six months, involving 320 patients (55.31% male, 44.69% female) aged 18-60 years. Prescription patterns and costs of antihypertensive medications (monotherapy and combination therapy) were analyzed using hospital records. The total cost of prescribed antihypertensive medications was PKR 261,153.00, with monotherapy accounting for PKR 208170.00 and combination therapy accounting for PKR 52983.00. Among monotherapies, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were the most frequently prescribed (107 prescriptions) and accounted for the highest cost (PKR 132114.00, 50.58%), followed by angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (PKR 37238.00, 14.25%). In contrast, diuretics were the most cost-effective option, costing only PKR 25.2 per unit dose. For combination therapy, amlodipine + hydrochlorothiazide combination was the most prescribed, while losartan + amlodipine combination incurred the highest cost. Monotherapy was prescribed in 67.18% of cases, with most patients showing a positive response before transitioning to combination therapy. CCBs and diuretics were found to be more cost-effective, whereas ACE inhibitors were among the most expensive options. CCBs were the most frequently prescribed in monotherapy, while the combination of amlodipine and atenolol was commonly used in multidrug regimens. The current study highlights the importance of considering patients’ socioeconomic status when initiating pharmacologic treatment. Cost-effective prescribing is crucial in the resource-limited settings of Pakistan, where balancing clinical efficacy and affordability is essential. The findings support WHO recommendations for the rational use of combination therapy and emphasize the use of low-cost medications to optimize treatment outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Impact of Community Pharmacy-based Primary Care Clinic on the Management of Chronic Diseases in Saudi Arabia

Basmah Albabtain, Lama Altuwijri, Hadeel Almutairi, Mohammed Abdulkarim Alkhars — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In Saudi Arabia, community pharmacies offer individualized, patient-centered care through primary care clinics. To accomplish the healthcare goals set in the country's Vision 2030, this method plays a key role in managing chronic diseases and improving medication management. Hence, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of primary care clinics within community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on their role in delivering personalized, patient-centered care. A chart review approach was utilized in this study conducted at Aldwaa Pharmacy Clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The primary objective was to assess the variations in hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (%) from baseline. In the same way, the evaluation of blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose (FG), neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms was included as the secondary objective. Measurements were taken at the start and during the two follow-up periods, with patient satisfaction measured after the final visit. It was determined that pharmacist-led interventions significantly dropped HbA1c levels from a median of 7.3% at baseline to 6.9% in both Period 1 and Period 2 follow-ups (p < 0.001). BMI also exhibited significant improvement, dropping from a median of 32.5 kg/m² at baseline to 30.7 kg/m² by the Period 2 follow-up (p = 0.035). Furthermore, patient satisfaction remained notably high, with over 93% reporting being very satisfied with the services. While other secondary outcomes showed improvement, the changes were not statistically significant. The study concluded that community pharmacy-based primary care clinic positively impacts patient health outcomes and patient satisfaction. So, integrating these services into the broader healthcare system is essential to achieve national healthcare goals.

Harnessing Synergistic Antimicrobial Potency: Clindamycin Phosphate and Aloe Vera Topical Gel for Advanced Acne Therapy

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Topical drug delivery presents a promising approach for the treatment of dermatological conditions, such as acne vulgaris. This study examined the combination of clindamycin phosphate (C.P), a potent topical antibiotic, with Aloe vera (A. vera), recognized for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, to formulate topical gels for acne management. The principal aim of the study was to develop and assess topical gels that utilize the antimicrobial properties of C.P and A. vera. The study anticipated that this combination would enhance antimicrobial effectiveness, potentially improving acne treatment results and reducing hyperpigmentation. Utilizing the cold dispersion method, the study crafted topical gels incorporating a blend of excipients including Carbopol 940, oleic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol (PG), eucalyptus oil, methyl paraben, and propyl paraben. Optimization of viscosity, spreadability, and permeability was meticulously executed through Design Expert 11 software. The resultant optimized gels underwent rigorous in-vitro characterization to gauge their performance. Notably, these gels demonstrated desirable rheological attributes, boasting a pH of 7.1, spreadability and viscosity values of 32.9 g.cm/sec and 38.25 Pa.s, respectively. Furthermore, the drug content adhered to stringent USP standards (90%-110%), while in-vitro drug release studies depicted a commendable profile. Moreover, the gels exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity and heightened antimicrobial efficacy against acne-causing bacteria. This compelling combination renders the formulated gels stable, reproducible, and skin-compatible, thus underscoring their potential as efficacious topical formulations for managing acne.

Demographic Determinants of E-Pharmacy Utilization and Perceived Barriers Among Adults in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Muhammad Faheem, Waqas Akram, Ali Akhtar, Mahtab Ahmad Khan, Zuha Shahid — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

E-pharmacy facilities are growing at a very fast rate across Pakistan. However, much remains to be learned about how they are being utilized across the country. These connections are important to understand in order to make healthcare more accessible and to make effective policy decisions. This paper aimed at investigating the relationship between the demographics of individuals in Lahore, Pakistan and their use of online pharmacies, as well as the demographic predictors of hindrances that do not allow them to use these services. A sample of adults in Lahore participated in a cross-sectional study conducted between April 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024. The participants were selected through the convenience sampling method to ensure variability in their digital exposure, education levels, and socioeconomic background. Structured questionnaires were employed to gather data on demographics, perceived barriers, and e-pharmacy usage. The study found that the perception and usage of e-pharmacy services is strongly associated with the demographic characteristics of the individuals. Among the 450 respondents, the level of knowledge regarding e-pharmacy services was mostly high but only a moderate percentage of respondents used these services regularly. The use of e-pharmacy was found to be statistically significantly related to age group, level of education, socioeconomic status, and type of mobile phone used (p < 0.05). The participants who were younger, better educated, and from upper socioeconomic groups were more likely to use e-pharmacy services. Fear of getting counterfeit medicines, distrust of online platforms, low levels of digital literacy, high delivery fees, and poor awareness of the available services were the most common barriers among non-users. These results suggest that despite awareness, there still remain several structural and perceptual obstacles that prevent the popularization of e-pharmacies in the local context. The current study found that the barriers and willingness of people to use e-pharmacies in Lahore is strongly associated with their demographic background. These results indicate that there is a need to provide specific initiatives to address the problem of trust and digital literacy, particularly among less educated people.