Drug Market Research Articles

Scientific substantiation of the use of iron-containing drugs in veterinary medicine

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the need to summarise current knowledge about the use of iron-containing drugs in veterinary medicine and their scientific substantiation. The purpose of this study was to analyse the results of the latest experimental data presented in the literature on the pharmacological and toxicological properties of iron-containing drugs and the specific features of their use in veterinary medicine. The study employed the method of literature analysis with the formulation of relevant substantiated conclusions and their generalisation or comparison. Iron-containing medicines are particularly relevant in modern veterinary medicine for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia in piglets. The use of iron dextran preparations is a scientifically sound and necessary preventive measure in modern pig production. Furthermore, the study covered new approaches to the development of effective antianaemic drugs for animals of other species, including calves. The study also covered the controversial issues of the use of iron-containing drugs in pregnant females for the prevention of iron deficiency in animals born from them. The analysis of the literature data presented in this study shows a prominent degree of scientific interest in the study of pharmacological and toxicological properties of iron in high valences (specifically, ferrous iron in clathrochelate form) with a view to their use in medicine. The conducted literature review suggests the multidirectional use of iron-containing drugs in various dosage forms in veterinary medicine. The study identified the key trends in the pharmaceutical market of iron-containing drugs registered in Ukraine. In recent years, there has been a growing body of scientifically based evidence indicating the effectiveness of iron-dextran complex in combination with micro- and macronutrients and vitamins. Currently, the use of iron-containing drugs in the world’s veterinary practice, considering their scientifically and experimentally proven pharmacological properties, is extremely promising. The materials of this study are of practical value for expanding the possibilities of using new forms of iron in veterinary medicine

Analysis and Reflection on Investment Status of Innovative Drugs in China

At present, China's innovative drug support policies and market volume are good, but China's innovative drug research and development(R&D) success rate and market share still need to be improved. This is related to the unreasonable investment direction of innovative drugs and the low utilization efficiency of R&D resources. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to evaluate China's present state of investment in innovation drugs and explore how to promote the effectiveness and sustainability of innovative drug investment. Through data analysis, this paper found that the scale and frequency of investment and financing of innovative drugs in China are declining. The problem with China's innovative drug investment is that the valuation of hot projects is too high, the allocation of funds is unreasonable, the investment is not in line with the actual needs of the industry, and only the pursuit of short-term returns. Given the various problems in China's innovative drug investment, the government needs to create a long-term stable environment for the innovative drug investment market and prudently formulate relevant policies to strike a balance between stimulating the market and regulating the market. Entrepreneurs should choose the direction of R&D according to their areas of expertise combined with cutting-edge scientific research progress rather than adjusting the direction of R&D to cater to the preferences of investment institutions. Investment institutions should avoid risks caused by unreasonable capital allocation by strengthening the layout of the pre-investment track and prudently carrying out project valuation analysis.

Broad evidence of xylazine in the UK illicit drug market beyond heroin supplies: Triangulating from toxicology, drug-testing and law enforcement.

Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative which has spread rapidly throughout the US illicit drug supply. This study aimed to describe the spread of xylazine throughout the UK illicit drug supply. Xylazine detections in human biological samples were collated from toxicology laboratories operating in the United Kingdom with the date, location, case type, xylazine concentration and co-detected drugs (with quantifications where performed) detailed, where permitted, by the corresponding coroner. Drug-testing cases positive for xylazine were collated from the Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances (WEDINOS) drug-testing postal service with the date, location, purchase intent and co-detected drugs detailed. Drug seizures made by UK law enforcement were communicated by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities with the date and location detailed. By the end of August 2023, xylazine was detected in 35 cases from throughout toxicology, drug-testing and drug seizure sources covering England, Scotland and Wales. There were no cases reported from Northern Ireland. Xylazine was detected in biological samples from 16 people. In most cases where full toxicology results were provided, xylazine was detected with heroin and/or a strong opioid (n = nine of 11), but this polydrug use pattern was not evident in all cases (n = two of 11), suggesting a wider circulation of xylazine in the UK illicit drug market beyond heroin supplies. Evidence from WEDINOS supports this claim, as all 14 drug samples (100%) submitted from across the UK contained xylazine; however, in none of these cases was heroin the purchase intent but rather counterfeit prescription medication tablets (n = 11 of 14), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapes (n = two of 14) or white powder (n = one of 14). Additional evidence for the spread of illicit xylazine comes from five drug seizures made by law enforcement. Xylazine has penetrated the UK illicit drug market and is not limited to heroin supplies.

International practice of preventing illegal drug trafficking

The scientific article examines issues related to the international practice of preventing the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs. Studying this topic, it was found that currently a significant number of organized criminal groups involved in the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs are international. Raw materials for the production of drugs can be grown in one country, processed in another, transported in transit through a third, and settled in a fourth.Even members of such criminal groups or organizations may have different origins and nationalities, and may speak different languages. That is why the investigation of such crimes becomes much more complicated. It was established that with close and coordinated interaction of the relevant law enforcement agencies of different states, it is most expedient to detain the entire criminal group or organization, and not just a small part of it, which in itself would not be able to stop its criminal activity, and therefore protect the population from the negative influence of narcotics means. It was found out that it is necessary to carefully monitor the state of illegal drug trafficking in neighboring states, as the distribution of narcotic substances and precursors in Ukraine may depend on it, and to take appropriate measures to combat such crimes. We also agree with the opinion of the United Nations, which was published in the World Drug Report 2023, that corruption and drug trafficking are related, mutually reinforcing and complementary crimes. It was established that international experience must be adapted to the specifics of an individual country.External factors affecting the drug market in Ukraine were outlined (war, internally displaced persons, the state of combating illegal drug trafficking in neighboring countries, interaction with foreign law enforcement agencies to prevent illegal drug trafficking). Statistics presented in the United Nations World Drug Report 2023 have been studied and highlighted. Especially vulnerable groups of people for drug addiction have been singled out.

Human metabolism of four synthetic benzimidazole opioids: isotonitazene, metonitazene, etodesnitazene, and metodesnitazene

Following isotonitazene scheduling in 2019, the availability of alternative 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (nitazenes) on the global drug market increased, resulting in many fatalities worldwide. Nitazenes are potent µ-opioid receptor agonists with strong narcotic/analgesic effects, and their concentrations in biological matrices are low, making the detection of metabolite biomarkers of consumption crucial to document use in clinical and forensic settings. However, there is little to no data on the metabolism of the most recently available nitazenes, especially desnitro-analogues. The aim of the research was to assess isotonitazene, metonitazene, etodesnitazene, and metodesnitazene human metabolism and identify specific metabolite biomarkers of consumption. The four analogues were incubated with 10-donor-pooled human hepatocytes, and the incubates were analyzed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and data mining with Compound Discoverer (Thermo Scientific); the analysis was supported by in silico metabolite predictions with GLORYx open-access software. Metabolites were identified in postmortem blood and/or urine samples from two metonitazene-positive and three etodesnitazene-positive cases following the same workflow, with and without glucuronide hydrolysis in urine, to confirm in vitro results. Twelve, nine, twenty-two, and ten metabolites were identified for isotonitazene, metonitazene, etodesnitazene, and metodesnitazene, respectively. The main transformations were N-deethylation at the N,N-diethylethanamine side chain, O-dealkylation, and further O-glucuronidation. In vitro and autopsy results were consistent, demonstrating the efficacy of the 10-donor-pooled human hepatocyte model to predict human metabolism. We suggest the parent and the corresponding O-dealkyl- and N-deethyl-O-dealkyl metabolites as biomarkers of exposure in urine after glucuronide hydrolysis, and the corresponding N-deethyl metabolite as additional biomarker in blood.

The Role of the Police Force as a Law Enforcement Agency in Preventing Drug Trafficking in the Sea Routes of North Maluku Province Indonesia

This research aims to examine the role of the police force in enforcing the law on drug trafficking via sea routes in North Maluku Province, Indonesia. It also aims to analyze the factors that hinder the effective law enforcement against drug abuse in North Maluku Province. This was empirical legal research which was conducted by studying the legal reality in the field. Indonesia is a great potential market for drugs. North Maluku province becomes one of the gateways to smuggle drugs into Indonesia via sea routes. Unfortunately, the authorities that have the authority to carry out action or prevention have not performed as expected. Therefore, the involvement of the community, especially fishermen in this area, is a necessity. There must also be the support of other authorities such as the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian National Navy, to prevent the spread of drugs in North Maluku.

Perceptions of Pharmacy Students Toward Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy

Abstract Introduction: The advancement of community and clinical pharmacy services relies on the ongoing enhancement of patient care, and artificial intelligence (AI) can be a pivotal factor in this progression. Despite the growing use of AI in different areas of pharmacy, there is less awareness among pharmacy students toward this technology. Material and Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A total of 100 pharmacy students from Sudan participated in the study. Data were collected through an online electronic questionnaire. The data collected included information about sociodemographics: knowledge toward AI, attitude toward AI, and satisfaction of students with the use of AI in their pharmacy practice. Results: More than two-thirds of the participants (70%) heard about AI, half of them (52%) did not know any application of AI in pharmacy, and 61% of participants were not taught about AI in medical school. On the other hand, 60% of participants did not know the application of AI in pharmacy, whereas 20% stated it can be applied to help in marketing, communications, dispensing, and manufacturing of drugs, more than half of the participants (54%) they thought that the use of AI in pharmacy is good, but that does not replace the role of the pharmacist in the field of pharmacy. There is a statistically significant association between the name of the university and the satisfaction of students with the use of AI in their pharmacy practice (P = 0.003). Conclusion: AI entails the amalgamation of human expertise and resources with AI. As research on AI progresses, with numerous intriguing applications currently underway, some may perceive it as a necessary malevolence, even among those who view it as an adversary. Comprehensive knowledge and familiarity with AI are indispensable in all areas of pharmacy practice. Pharmacy students should receive instruction in the fundamental principles of data science and the basics of AI as part of their study, namely through a health informatics program.

Appearance of hexahydrocannabinols as recreational drugs and implications for cannabis drug testing – focus on HHC, HHC-P, HHC-O and HHC-H

This study investigated the effects of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and other unclassified cannabinoids, which were recently introduced to the recreational drug market, on cannabis drug testing in urine and oral fluid samples. After the appearance of HHC in Sweden in 2022, the number of posts about HHC on an online drug discussion forum increased significantly in the spring of 2023, indicating increased interest and use. In parallel, the frequency of false positive screening tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid, and for its carboxy metabolite (THC-COOH) in urine, rose from <2% to >10%. This suggested that HHC cross-reacted with the antibodies in the immunoassay screening, which was confirmed in spiking experiments with HHC, HHC-COOH, HHC acetate (HHC-O), hexahydrocannabihexol (HHC-H), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC-P), and THC-P. When HHC and HHC-P were classified as narcotics in Sweden on 11 July 2023, they disappeared from the online and street shops market and were replaced by other unregulated variants (e.g. HHC-O and THC-P). In urine samples submitted for routine cannabis drug testing, HHC-COOH concentrations up to 205 (mean 60, median 27) µg/L were observed. To conclude, cannabis drug testing cannot rely on results from immunoassay screening, as it cannot distinguish between different tetra- and hexahydrocannabinols, some being classified but others unregulated. The current trend for increased use of unregulated cannabinols will likely increase the proportion of positive cannabis screening results that need to be confirmed with mass spectrometric methods. However, the observed cross-reactivity also means a way to pick up use of new cannabinoids that otherwise risk going undetected.

Evaluation of the Activities of Commonly Dispensed Antibiotics at Bayero University Kano Health Care Services Unit

There is a growing concern about the effectiveness of antimicrobials in developing countries. Multifaceted factors contribute to the escalation of antibiotic resistance. The counterfeiting of antibiotic drugs is one facet of this. Antibiotics are the most counterfeited medicines worldwide. However, the WHO Committee for the review of Medicines accentuates surveillance checks even after the marketing of drugs or at the dispensing point. This study evaluated the activities of commonly dispensed antibiotics at Bayero University Kano health care service pharmacy unit. Fourteen brands of different antibiotics with the active ingredients amoxicillin, azithromycin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline were used. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Typed strains of E. coli (ATCC 25923) and S. aureus (ATCC 25922) were also tested. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin-containing formulations had efficacy against all the clinical isolates and typed organisms. All organisms except K. pneumoniae were sensitive to azithromycin. Ceftriaxone was active only against E. coli (both clinical isolate and typed organism). About 71% of the antibiotics tested were not sensitive to the tested organisms. The inactivity observed may be due to the counterfeit or substandard nature of the antibiotics, ineffective storage, or the development of resistance. This necessitates more research to determine the extent of the problem and its causes at a large scale.

МАРКЕТИНГОВЫЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО РЫНКА СЕДАТИВНЫХ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННЫХ СРЕДСТВ, РАЗРЕШЁННЫХ К ПРИМЕНЕНИЮ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

In the modern world, stressful situations and stress-related disorders have become widespread among the population, representing one of the most pressing medical and social problems. Experts from around the world have traced a clear connection between stress and the development of many diseases, both from the somatic, mental and behavioral levels. Regardless of gender and age, social and cultural status, any person is susceptible to stress, and physical, emotional, informational and/or any other impact can act as a provoking factor [7,8]. When diagnosing disorders caused by stressful events, medical specialists rely on patient complaints arising at the somatic level, without taking into account the mental component, while timely treatment of ordinary stressful conditions that reduce the response adaptive functions of the body, using sedatives, will help to avoid overstrain of the body and prevent the stage of exhaustion [1,7]. The purpose of the study is to analyze the pharmaceutical market for sedative drugs registered in the Russian Federation Federation. During the research, official sources of information on the nomenclature of sedatives were used: the State Register of Medicines, the Register of Medicines and the Vidal Medicines Directory with up-to-date information for 2023. The main analysis methods used in this article are: methods of grouping, retrospective, logical, graphic and structural analysis, content analysis. As a result of the study, the main trends in the development of the range of sedative drugs were determined, and a macro-contour of the pharmaceutical market of the group under study was compiled according to the main leading characteristics of drugs.

2023년 FDA 승인 펩타이드 의약품

Peptide drugs generally show high performance in terms of safety, target affinity, and efficacy, but have limitations such as low bioavailability and short half-life. To improve this, new synthetic and analytical techniques have been developed, and the global market for peptide drugs has made great strides in the past few years, with novel peptide drugs being applied to multiple therapeutic areas. In line with this trend, 5 out of 55 new molecular entities (NMEs) approved by the FDA in the year 2023 were peptide drugs, which is an increasing trend in the last few years. In this review article, we will discuss the mechanisms of action and clinical indications, chemical structure and design, and pharmacokinetic perspectives of 6 FDA-approved peptide drugs in 2023 including 5 NMEs.

АНАЛИЗ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО РЫНКА ПРЕПАРАТОВ, СОДЕРЖАЩИХ ЭКСТРАКТИВНЫЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИ АКТИВНЫЕ ВЕЩЕСТВА РАСТОРОПШИ ПЯТНИСТОЙ

Natural flavolignans of milk thistle are widely used in pharmaceutical practice in the form of herbal remedies for the treatment of various hepatopathologies. In medical practice, medications (medicines) and dietary supplements containing extractive substances of milk thistle fruits are used. The therapeutic effect of drugs containing extractive substances of milk thistle is due to the stabilizing effect of flavolignans on hepatocyte membranes and neutralization of free radicals in the liver. By having a stabilizing effect on cell membranes, the extractive components of milk thistle prevent the release of intracellular components (transaminases) and promote the regeneration of liver cells. The work carried out a marketing analysis of the pharmaceutical market of drugs in Volgograd containing extractive substances of milk thistle and an assessment of their therapeutic effect in medical practice. The conducted research showed the presence on the pharmaceutical market of Volgograd of a wide range of over-the-counter medications containing extract of milk thistle fruits, both domestic and foreign produced. It was revealed that prescription drugs are not available in pharmacy organizations in Volgograd. It is shown that the main segment contains preparations containing milk thistle extractives in the form of dietary supplements. The analyzed price segment of drugs and dietary supplements is defined as average.

Insights into the human metabolism of hexahydrocannabinol by non-targeted liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), 6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol, is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid that has presented challenges to analytical laboratories due to its emergence and spread in the drug market. The lack of information on human pharmacokinetics hinders the development and application of presumptive and confirmatory tests for reliably detecting HHC consumption. To address this knowledge gap, we report the analytical results obtained from systematic forensic toxicological analysis of body-fluid samples collected from three individuals suspected of drug-impaired driving after HHC consumption. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed using non-targeted liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The results provided evidence that HHC undergoes biotransformation reactions similar to other well-characterized cannabinoids, such as ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol. Notably, HHC itself was only detectable in plasma samples, not in urine samples. The observed Phase I reactions involved oxidation of C11 and the pentyl side chain, leading to corresponding hydroxylated and carboxylic acid species. Additionally, extensive glucuronidation of HHC and its Phase I metabolites was evident.

Synthetic Cathinones: Epidemiology, Toxicity, Potential for Abuse, and Current Public Health Perspective.

Synthetic cathinones, derived from cathinone found in the plant Catha edulis, represent the second largest and most frequently seized group of new psychoactive substances. They are considered as β-keto analogs of amphetamine, sharing pharmacological effects with amphetamine and cocaine. This review describes the neurotoxic properties of synthetic cathinones, encompassing their capacity to induce neuroinflammation, dysregulate neurotransmitter systems, and alter monoamine transporters and receptors. Additionally, it discusses the rewarding and abuse potential of synthetic cathinones drawing from findings obtained through various preclinical animal models, contextualized with other classical psychostimulants. The review also offers an overview of current abuse trends of synthetic cathinones on the illicit drug market, specifying the aspects covered, and underscores the risks they pose to public health. Finally, the review discusses public health initiatives and efforts to reduce the hazards of synthetic cathinones, including harm reduction methods, education, and current clinical management strategies.

In vitro and in vivo metabolic study of three new psychoactive β-keto-arylcyclohexylamines.

Since the 2000s, an increasing number of new psychoactive substances have appeared on the illicit drug market. β-Keto-arylcyclohexylamine compounds play important pharmacological roles in anesthesia; however, because these new psychoactive substances have rapidly increasing illicit recreational use, the lack of detailed toxicity data are of particular concern. Therefore, analysis of their metabolites can help forensic personnel provide references and suggestions on whether a suspect has taken an illicit new psychoactive β-keto-arylcyclohexylamine. The present study investigated the in vitro and in vivo metabolism and metabolites of three β-keto-arylcyclohexylamines: deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine and bromoketamine. In vitro and in vivo models were established using zebrafish and human liver microsomes for analysis of Phase I and Phase II metabolites by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Altogether, 49 metabolites were identified. The results were applied for the subject urine samples of known fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine consumer screen analysis in forensic cases. Hydroxy-deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, hydroxy-fluoro-N-ethyl-ketamine and hydroxy-bromoketamine were recommended as potential biomarkers for documenting intake in clinical and forensic cases.

Characterization of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Effects of the Phenethylamine 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA in Adolescent and Adult Male Rats.

The proliferation of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the drug market raises concerns about uncertainty on their pharmacological profile and the health hazard linked to their use. Within the category of synthetic stimulant NPS, the phenethylamine 2-Cl-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA) has been linked to severe intoxication requiring hospitalization. Thereby, the characterization of its pharmacological profile is urgently warranted. By in vivo brain microdialysis in adolescent and adult male rats we investigated the effects of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in twobrain areas critical for the motivational and rewarding properties of drugs, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Moreover, we evaluated the locomotor and stereotyped activity induced by 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and the emission of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to characterize its affective properties. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA increased dialysate DA and 5-HT in a dose-, brain area-, and age-dependent manner. Notably, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA more markedly increased dialysate DA in the NAc shell and mPFC of adult than adolescent rats, while the opposite was observed on dialysate 5-HT in the NAc shell, with adolescent rats being more responsive. Furthermore, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA stimulated locomotion and stereotyped activity in both adolescent and adult rats, although to a greater extent in adolescents. Finally, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA did not stimulate the emission of50-kHz USVs. This is the first pharmacological characterization of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA demonstrating that its neurochemical and behavioral effects may differ between adolescence and adulthood. These preclinical data could help understanding the central effects of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA by increasing awareness on possible health damage in users.

Homeless people’s experiences of the illicit drug supply during COVID-19

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many industries, and reports indicate that this includes the illicit drug market. Recent research suggests that the homeless are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic, and the UK Government has acted to house rough sleepers. Research is scarce regarding homeless people’s experiences of the illicit drug market. This study aims to explore homeless people’s experiences of the drug supply in the UK during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach Eight homeless people who use illicit drugs, residing in hostels for homeless people in Southampton, participated in semi-structured one-on-one telephone-based interviews. Findings A thematic analysis revealed five themes: availability of drugs, presence of dealers, quality of drugs, finances and personal experiences. Participants reported varying experiences of the drug supply, with lockdown measures expressed as the main reason for reduced supplies, as users found it difficult to find dealers and generate income for purchasing drugs. Research limitations/implications The results may lack generalisability to the wider population, such as rough sleepers and drug dealers, suggesting a need for further research into people’s experiences of the drug supply during COVID-19. Research on this topic could be more in-depth through the use of research methods that are convenient for the homeless population. Practical implications Services should invest in harm reduction services and encourage homeless people who use drugs to engage in substitution treatment. Homeless services should provide psychological support for homeless people who use drugs. Social implications The changes in homeless people’s behaviour following the pandemic may have implications for their interactions with the rest of society (e.g. begging in town centres may reduce). These changes in behaviour may also change the way society can best support homeless people. Originality/value The results are partially consistent with other research findings about the illicit drug supply; however, they also suggest that some individuals experienced minimal change in the illicit drug supply.

Target and suspect screening of psychoactive substances in seizures and oral fluid exploiting retention time prediction and LC-MS/MS analysis

BackgroundNovel psychoactive substances (NPS) are a group of substances, mainly of synthetic origin, characterized by toxicological properties extremely dangerous. The main difficulty in recognizing NPS in seizures and biological samples lies in their dynamic nature, related to the continuous synthesis and introduction on the market of new drugs, often with very similar structures to existing ones. The aim of this study was the creation of a robust and versatile method for the analysis of traditional drugs and NPS in different matrices. ResultsBoth target analysis and suspect screening methodologies were developed. The strategy used for suspect screening allowed to collect data through a scheduled multi reaction monitoring (sMRM) survey which triggered the collection of enhanced product ion (EPI) spectra when a compound met information dependent acquisition (IDA) criteria. The retention time of the different drugs, which was crucial to define the sMRM survey scan parameters, was predicted with a Quantitative Structure Retention (Chromatographic) Relationship (QSRR) model by Multiple Linear Regression. The model was validated through the evaluation of training set predictions, an external validation set and a leave-one out strategy; the results showed that the method fit for its purpose. The target method was validated in oral fluid as a testing matrix, with excellent results in term of recovery, accuracy, precision and matrix effect. Finally, the performances of the suspect method were evaluated by analysing a mixture containing 8 reference standards not included in the initial dataset, as well as seizures and real oral fluid samples. Four NPS were putatively identified in the analysed samples. SignificanceThe advantage of the proposed approach is the possibility of quantifying 65 classical drugs of abuse and NPS and, at the same time, detect and putatively identify 146 additional drugs in one single LC-MS/MS run. This is an innovative strategy for multi analyte detection and enables detection of low concentrations of drugs in complex biological matrices such as oral fluid. Considering the highly dynamic drug market, a strength of this strategy is that the analytical method can be kept up to date through the addition of new compounds based on the last drug monitoring bodies alerts without the need of authentic standards.

Developing strategic foresight for drug policy: trends, scenarios, and implications

Background This study utilized foresight analysis to project drug policy trends and challenges in Finland up to 2030. It aimed to develop scenarios and strategies for addressing critical issues and to explore alternative policy options. Methods A comprehensive methodology was employed, including scope analysis, horizon scanning, trend analysis, and scenario building along with the expert panels. This approach facilitated the identification and categorization of trends into mega-trends, emerging trends, and weak signals, ensuring a robust and inclusive analysis. Results Key findings include mega-trends, such as changing drug policies and rising economic burdens. Emerging trends highlight the increase in synthetic, polydrug, and prescription drug use, vulnerability in certain subgroups, and growing drug-related mortality. Weak signals point to the advent of online drug marketplaces and new treatment methods. Past foresight studies agree on market growth and policy inertia but diverge on resource allocation and older generation targeting. Conclusion Developed scenarios and strategies address issues like increasing drug prevalence, service gaps, and market diversification, advocating for integrated approaches in demand reduction, governance, law enforcement, environmental protection, and harm reduction services. This research highlights the significance of participatory foresight methods in shaping Finnish drug policy, offering valuable insights for future trajectories and affirming the importance of foresight in this field.

α-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP) and α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP): A Review.

New Psychoactive Substances are currently a serious and growing problem affecting public health worldwide. By 2022, 1184 of these substances had been identified over a period of 16 years. Within these, α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP) and α-pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PiHP) have emerged, two synthetic cathinones from the pyrovalerone derivates subgroup that are positional isomers of each other. Alpha-PHP appeared on the Japanese illicit drug market in 2014 and, two years later, α-PiHP was identified for the first time in China. They were placed in schedule II on the list of Psychotropic Substances under International Control in 2020 and in March 2023, respectively. Both cathinones have no therapeutic potential for medical use and therefore are abused for recreational habits, which can lead to fatalities. The most frequent adverse effects reported are cardiac, psychiatric, and neurologic, and fatal intoxications have already been described. In Portugal, their consumption and consequent seizures are more prevalent on the archipelagos, which has been aggravating the health situation. In conclusion, these types of substances are a challenge for forensic toxicology since they are easily synthesized, modified, and placed on the market. Therefore, more studies to develop analytical methods to detect them and more comprehensive legislation should be applied. Thus, this review aimed to address the legislative, physicochemical, toxicological, and analytical aspects of both substances.