BackgroundLarge Language Models (LLMs) highlight their potential in supporting patient education and self-management. Their performance in responses to orthodontic questions has yet to be explored.ObjectivesThis study aims to compare the quality, empathy, readability, and satisfaction of responses from LLMs and search engines on common orthodontic questions.MethodsForty-five common orthodontic questions (six categories) and a prompt were developed, and a self-designed multidimensional evaluation questionnaire was constructed. Questions were presented to 5 LLMs and 3 search engines on December,22,2024. The primary outcomes were the median expert-rated scores of LLMs versus search engine responses on quality, empathy, readability, and satisfaction, using 5- or 10-point Likert scales.ResultsLLMs scored significantly higher than search engines in quality (4.00 vs. 3.50, p < 0.001), empathy (3.75 vs. 3.50, p < 0.001), readability (4.00 vs. 3.75, p < 0.001), and satisfaction (8.00 vs. 7.25, p < 0.001). LLM-generated responses were rated significantly higher than those from search engines in therapeutic outcomes category, appliance selection category and cost category.ConclusionsIn this cross-sectional study, the LLMs, particularly GPT-4o, outperformed search engines. These results indicate the potential of LLMs as supplementary tools for orthodontic patient education and self-management.

Distinct fibroblast assemblies establish scarless regeneration.

Monitoring prescription medication utilization can serve as a powerful indicator of health system resilience and vulnerabilities during public health emergencies. By examining shifts in medication fills, policymakers and stakeholders can identify both strengths and weaknesses in access to care for vulnerable populations. To evaluate health system responses during the COVID-19 pandemic and inform future preparedness strategies during public health crises using trends in prescription medication utilization. Using data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), we conducted an interrupted time-series analysis of monthly prescription fills among insured adults from January 2019 to December 2021. Therapeutic categories included opioids, psychotropics, antibiotics, antivirals, cardiometabolic drugs, and oncology medications. Interventional autoregressive integrated moving average models assessed immediate and trend-level changes in utilization following the pandemic onset in March 2020. We separately evaluated prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacies, including mail order, and physician-administered medications, highlighting differences in how each modality adapted to system-level disruptions. The pandemic led to an immediate decrease in prescription fills, with 3.3 fewer fills per 100 insured adults (95% CI = -0.049 to -0.016; P < 0.001). Retail pharmacy prescriptions rebounded over time, supported by telehealth and mail-order options, whereas physician-administered therapies faced sustained declines. Specific therapeutic classes showed varied responses. Opioid prescriptions decreased by 0.4 fills per 100 adults (95% CI = -0.0058 to -0.0026; P < 0.001), whereas psychotropic medication use increased by 0.8 fills per 100 insured adults (95% CI = 0.0037-0.0123; P < 0.001). Antibiotic and antiviral prescriptions declined significantly. Cardiometabolic and oncology medication utilization remained stable throughout the study period. The rebound in retail pharmacy prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the role of telehealth and mail-order services in mitigating care disruptions. However, the persistent declines in physician-administered therapies reveal structural vulnerabilities, particularly for populations requiring complex or injectable treatments. Policymakers should build on strengths such as telehealth expansion and existing successful overprescribing management programs for opioids and antibiotics and should also address gaps in access to safe in-person care, particularly for vulnerable populations. Emergency preparedness measures should also prioritize promoting mental health support to ensure comprehensive resilience in future public health crises. By incorporating prescription utilization surveillance into routine health system monitoring, stakeholders can respond proactively to emerging challenges and promote more equitable access to essential therapies during public health emergencies.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, impaired reasoning, and difficulty in daily activities. Current treatment strategies can be split into three major categories. Symptomatic pharmacologic treatments aim to improve cognition and daily behavior, providing short-term relief without altering the disease progression. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) focus on addressing the underlying pathology, including amyloid plaques, tau tangles, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction, which represent a promising approach to slow disease progression. Adjunct therapies are used to manage psychiatric and behavioral symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and agitation, which contribute significantly to patient burden. This review summarizes recent progress across these therapeutic categories, including symptomatic treatments that remain the mainstay of care, DMTs are emerging as potential breakthroughs, and adjunct therapies are essential for holistic management. In summary, an integrated strategy is ultimately required to address both the biological and clinical complexity of AD.

BackgroundJapanese traditional (Kampo) medicines are commonly prescribed in clinical practice, with increasing evidence supporting their use during pregnancy. The efficacy and safety of Kampo medicines during pregnancy have increasingly been studied; however, evidence in support of these medicines is inadequate. Thus, we conducted a temporal trend analysis of Kampo medicine prescriptions to determine the Kampo medicines for which further safety evidence is required.MethodsAdministrative data from pregnant Japanese women who visited acute-care diagnosis procedure combination hospitals between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2023, were used in this study. Therapeutic categories related to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes D numbers 5100 and 5200 were defined as target Kampo medicines. Annual prescription trends were calculated as proportions. Temporal trends in the proportion of prescriptions for each Kampo medicine were assessed using the Cochran–Armitage trend test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsBetween 2014 and 2023, the proportion of Kampo medicine prescriptions increased significantly from 12.0% to 13.6% (p < 0.001). As of 2023, tokishakuyakusan (2.9%) was the most prescribed medication, followed by kakkonto (2.4%) and daikenchuto (2.0%). From 2014 to 2023, the proportions of tokishakuyakusan (3.3% to 2.9%) and kakkonto (2.4% to 2.4%) prescriptions showed no significant temporal changes (p = 0.07 and 0.36, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of daikenchuto prescriptions increased significantly from 0.8% to 2.0% (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe primary prescribed Kampo medicines were those with established safety evidence for use in pregnant women. The proportion of Kampo medicine prescriptions for pregnant women in Japan has increased over time, with tokishakuyakusan being the most prescribed during the study period.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40780-025-00515-5.

In physiological environments, several metallic alloys, including titanium, stainless steel, cobalt–chromium, and emerging biodegradable systems such as magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), offer mechanical properties and biocompatibility suitable for load-bearing implants. With the rapid advancement of 3D printing technologies, these alloys can now be fabricated into patient-specific, complex geometries that enhance both structural performance and functional integration. Beyond serving as structural supports, 3D-printed alloys are increasingly engineered as localized drug-delivery platforms to release anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and osteogenic agents at the implant–tissue interface, addressing the dual clinical needs of site-specific therapy and mechanical stabilization. Nevertheless, this field remains underexplored because studies differ widely in alloy chemistry, surface topography, porosity, coating strategy, drug-loading methods, and release profiles, as well as in how material degradation or passivation interacts with pharmacokinetics. For the first time, this review consolidates drug-loading and elution strategies across 3D-printed alloy platforms, compares therapeutic categories in relation to alloy and coating types, and critically evaluates how the surface microstructure or alloy geometry influences release behavior.

Traditional herbal prescriptions composed of multiple botanicals remain central to ethnopharmacological practice; however, their chemical basis and classification remain poorly understood. Non-volatile compound analyses of herbal medicines are well established, but comparative studies focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) across multi-herbal prescriptions are scarce. To enhance the chemical understanding of traditional formulations and clarify prescription-level characteristics, this study applied headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME–GC–MS) to characterize VOC-based chemical signatures in 30 prescriptions composed of 76 herbal ingredients. Multivariate analyses such as principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal PLS-DA (OPLS-DA) enabled systematic differentiation of various prescriptions and identified 25 discriminant VOCs, 9 of which were common among multiple therapeutic categories. These shared compounds, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and 4H-pyran-4-one derivatives, reflect recurrent chemical patterns associated with broad-spectrum applications, whereas category-specific volatiles (including isopsoralen, senkyunolide, and fenipentol) delineated therapeutic boundaries, even among prescriptions with overlapping botanicals. Capturing both shared and distinct volatile signatures clarified ambiguous boundaries between categories such as cold, inflammation, or diabetes versus kidney disorder prescriptions, thereby linking chemical patterns with ethnopharmacological indications. Together, these findings highlight VOC profiling as a valuable diagnostic and interpretive tool that bridges traditional categorization systems with modern chemical analysis, offering a robust framework for future pharmacological and mechanistic investigations. Such an approach not only substantiates traditional categorization but also provides a practical basis for quality control and pharmacological evaluation of multi-herbal formulations.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a rapidly expanding key therapeutic category, originally pioneered for haematological malignancies, now being developed into treatments for solid tumours and non-malignant immune-mediated conditions. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies have some relatively unique toxicities which can affect the liver, in addition to potential drug-induced liver injury and hepatitis B virus reactivation. This manuscript was developed by the IQ Consortium (International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development) Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI) Initiative that consists of members from 17 pharmaceutical companies, in collaboration with academic and regulatory DILI experts. The aim was to produce a comprehensive guide to summarise the hepatic effects of CAR-T, and to propose an approach to the investigation of liver test changes. The clinical characteristics of liver test changes in association with cytokine release syndrome and immune-effector cell haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are described, to enable these anticipated hepatic effects to be distinguished from other causes of abnormal liver tests. The frequency and timing of many primary and secondary liver conditions that may present after CAR-T therapy are described. This review provides the first detailed description of both anticipated and unpredictable hepatic effects of CAR-T cell therapies and is intended to assist in the future characterisation of hepatic effects of CAR-T therapies as programmes move into areas with a different benefit/risk profile, such as autoimmune or other non-oncology indications.

IntroductionAccelerated approval facilitates timely access to innovative drugs in the USA, but confirmatory trials are required for traditional approval. This study evaluated alignment between United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations regarding drugs converted by the FDA from accelerated to traditional approval. This research addresses a gap in the literature by examining drugs across all therapeutic categories converted to traditional approval after 2020.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed drug-indication pairs granted FDA accelerated approval and converted to traditional approval between January 2020 and October 2024. Data from EMA, MHRA, and NICE documents were reviewed to identify decisions regarding market authorization (EMA and MHRA) and coverage recommendation type (NICE). Drug-indication pairs were categorized by FDA therapeutic classification, including infectious diseases (vaccines and non-vaccines), cancer, hematologic, neurological, and other disorders.ResultsFrom January 2020 to October 2024, 115 drug-indication pairs received FDA accelerated approval. Eight of these were later withdrawn and 78 remain with ongoing confirmatory trials, while 29 successfully verified clinical benefit and were converted to traditional approval. Among these, 25 received EMA market authorization and 21 received MHRA market access after departure from the European Union (EU), with 14 requiring additional monitoring. By October 2024, 14 pairs had not been reviewed by NICE. Eight drug-indication pairs received a “recommended” status, two were “optimized” for smaller populations, and two were recommended for the Cancer Drugs Fund. One appraisal was terminated, and two were not recommended due to insufficient clinical benefits or cost effectiveness.ConclusionsThis study showed that FDA decisions to convert drugs from accelerated to traditional approval do not always align with EMA, MHRA, and NICE recommendations, highlighting potential global differences in regulatory and reimbursement criteria. Next steps will focus on analyzing NICE appraisal rationales, clinical evidence, and cost-effectiveness considerations to better understand these discrepancies, particularly in the post-EU departure period.

Introduction: The postpartum period is a critical phase for maternal health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Togo, modern healthcare coexists with deeply rooted, yet largely undocumented, endogenous knowledge systems for postpartum care. This ethnopharmacological and ethnonutritional heritage, vital for restoring maternal vitality, faces erosion and lacks integration with biomedicine, posing potential safety risks. This study aimed to systematically document, analyze, and evaluate the traditional knowledge governing postpartum healthcare in the Yoto prefecture of Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods ethnopharmacological study was conducted from July to September 2024. Semi-structured interviews were administered to 305 informants (traditional healers, birth attendants, mothers, and elders) selected via purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis to understand local etiologies and quantitative ethnobotanical indices (Use Value, UV; Informant Consensus Factor, ICF) to assess knowledge consensus. A literature review was performed to assess the pharmacological plausibility and toxicological risks of key species. Results: The local postpartum care model is a coherent system based on the perceived vulnerability of the new mother, focusing on healing an internal wound (88.9%), "restoring blood" (83.6%), and "warming the body" (84.6%). We documented over 21 plant taxa, with leaves (76.5%) and decoctions (63.5%) being the most frequent preparations. An exceptionally high ICF (0.99) was found for all three main therapeutic categories (uterine cleansing, anti-anemic, and wound healing), indicating a highly robust, shared knowledge system. Key species identified by high Use Value included Tetrapleura tetraptera (UV=0.87), Moringa oleifera (UV=0.83), and Alstonia boonei (UV=0.76). A state of medical pluralism was confirmed: 89.8% of women use modern health facilities, yet only 14% discuss their traditional remedy use with providers. Conclusion: The traditional postpartum knowledge in Yoto is a sophisticated system with high pharmacological plausibility for many practices. However, this study identifies significant public health risks, notably the use of potentially hepatotoxic plants (A. boonei) and the intensive use of antiplatelet-rich spices (e.g., Zingiber officinale) that may exacerbate postpartum hemorrhage. The profound communication gap between traditional and modern systems creates a dangerous blind spot. Urgent pharmacological validation and culturally competent communication strategies are required to integrate these systems safely and effectively.

ObjectiveThis scoping review evaluates the current use of driving simulators in neurorehabilitation, focusing on diagnostic assessment and therapeutic training in neurological populations.Data SourcesWe searched nine major databases for studies published through September 2025, using broad terms related to simulated driving and neurorehabilitation.Review MethodsFollowing PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we used ASReview software with active learning to identify relevant studies. Articles were grouped into diagnostic, therapeutic, review, and special interest categories, with data charted manually by two reviewers.ResultsOf 224 included articles, 124 addressed diagnostic use and 25 examined therapeutic interventions. Simulated driving was often evaluated for its predictive value in determining fitness-to-drive. Combined with neuropsychological tests, simulator outcomes reliably identified key cognitive predictors such as attention and executive function. Twenty-eight studies included on-road driving comparisons, supporting simulator validity. Simulator-based interventions showed benefits for patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's disease, particularly for improving tactical driving skills and awareness. Benefits were more pronounced in individuals with mild to moderate impairments. Simulators were generally well-accepted across patient populations.ConclusionDespite the heterogeneity of the literature, there is evidence to support the use of driving simulators as a promising tool for evaluating and improving fitness to drive in neurorehabilitation.

Lyophilization (freeze-drying) has become a cornerstone pharmaceutical technology for stabilizing biopharmaceuticals, overcoming the inherent instability of biologics, vaccines, and complex drug formulations in aqueous environments. The appropriate literature for this review was identified through a structured search of several databases (such as PubMed, Scopus) covering publications from late 1990s till date, with inclusion limited to peer-reviewed studies on lyophilization processes, formulation development, and process analytical technologies. This succinct review examines both fundamental principles and cutting-edge advancements in lyophilization technology, with particular emphasis on Quality by Design (QbD) frameworks for optimizing formulation development and manufacturing processes. The work systematically analyzes the critical three-stage lyophilization cycle—freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying—while detailing how key parameters (shelf temperature, chamber pressure, annealing) influence critical quality attributes (CQAs) including cake morphology, residual moisture content, and reconstitution behavior. Special attention is given to formulation strategies employing synthetic surfactants, cryoprotectants, and stabilizers for complex delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, and biologics. The review highlights transformative technological innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cycle optimization, digital twin simulations, and automated visual inspection systems, which are revolutionizing process control and quality assurance. Practical case studies demonstrate successful applications across diverse therapeutic categories, from small molecules to monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, showcasing improved stability profiles and manufacturing efficiency. Finally, the discussion addresses current regulatory expectations (FDA/ICH) and compliance considerations, particularly regarding cGMP implementation and the evolving landscape of AI/ML (machine learning) validation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. By integrating QbD-driven process design with AI-enabled modeling, process analytical technology (PAT) implementation, and regulatory alignment, this review provides both a strategic roadmap and practical insights for advancing lyophilized drug product development to meet contemporary challenges in biopharmaceutical stabilization and global distribution. Despite several publications addressing individual aspects of lyophilization, there is currently no comprehensive synthesis that integrates formulation science, QbD principles, and emerging digital technologies such as AI/ML and digital twins within a unified framework for process optimization. Future work should integrate advanced technologies, AI/ML standardization, and global access initiatives within a QbD framework to enable next-generation lyophilized products with improved stability and patient focus.

Standardizing lines of treatment (LOT) in multiple myeloma: Real-world validation of an automated rule-based algorithm

Comparable response rates to therapies in idiopathic multicentric castleman disease patients with and without expert-confirmed diagnoses

Evaluation of inhalation device prescribing trends: A retrospective database study in Japan.

This study aims to evaluate the scientific basis of aromatherapeutic applications by analyzing the botanical contents, frequency of use and therapeutic purposes of aromatherapy prescriptions used in the field of health in Türkiye. The prescriptions obtained from the archives of Istanbul Beyazıt Halk Pharmacy were examined and evaluated in terms of the herbal species, families, usage values (UV), functional consensus index (FIC) and chemical components included in the prescriptions. According to the data obtained, the most frequently used plants in prescriptions are Lavandula angustifolia, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia rosmarinus and Eucalyptus globulus; these plants are seen to have high UV values. FIC analysis revealed a high consensus in some therapeutic categories, especially respiratory disorders (FIC = 0.87). In addition, it was determined that the majority of the analyzed plants contain volatile components with scientifically proven therapeutic effects. These findings show that aromatherapy is increasingly being adopted in both traditional and modern medical approaches in Türkiye and that its prescription use is beginning to gain a certain systematic structure. However, in order to make aromatherapy applications more effective and safer, clinical guidelines need to be established and scientifically based standardization processes need to be developed.

Polypharmacy is referring to use of multiple medications. Over time, the definition of polypharmacy has evolved to encompass actions such as taking unnecessary or using multiple drugs from the same therapeutic category to treat a single disease or health problem. Generally, the concurrent use of five or more medications is widely accepted as a threshold for classifying polypharmacy. This condition is associated with an increased risk of negative health outcomes, as the potential adverse effects may outweigh the therapeutic benefits. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy. A total of 400 participants, aged 20 to 78 years, were recruited for a questionnaire-based survey. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22. The primary factors contributing to polypharmacy were identified using binary logistic regression. A p-value of &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 400 participants, 166 individuals (41.5%) reported taking more than five medications simultaneously, indicating a high prevalence of polypharmacy in Malacca. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of multiple comorbidities was the most significant factor associated with polypharmacy in this population. The prevalence of polypharmacy in Malacca was high, with 41.5% of participants affected. The study identified the presence of multiple chronic illnesses as the primary contributor to this trend. These findings are crucial for informing future research and interventions, and may serve as a reference for developing guidelines to manage and reduce polypharmacy in similar populations.

Background : Although prescribing errors (PEs) are a major threat to patient safety in primary care, there is a scarcity of data on their occurrence and nature in Jordanian primary care. Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the incidence, types, severity, and predictors of PEs in Jordanian primary healthcare, as well as the nature and outcomes of pharmacist interventions. Method : This was a prospective observational study conducted in 12 community pharmacies across Jordan over 12 weeks. Results : Of the 617 patients included, 102 experienced PEs, resulting in a total of 165 erroneous medication orders. The overall incidence rates of PEs and patients with errors were 14.9% and 16.5%, respectively. The most common erroneous therapeutic category was antibiotics (24.8%), followed by analgesics (14.5%). The most common type of PE was wrong drug (33.33%), followed by omission errors (25.52%) and wrong dose (17.19%). The least common type was wrong duration (10.94%). Of the 192 PEs identified, nine (4.69%) were deemed lethal, 42 (21.88%) severe, and 75 (39.06%) moderate in severity. The most common dosage form for patients with errors was tablets (55.7%). The total number of pharmacist interventions was 216, of which 66.7% were process-based and 33.3% outcome-based. Among these interventions, 75.0% were fully accepted by patients and 68.5% were fully approved by physicians. Conclusion : Overall, PEs in primary care were common and could cause severe harm. Wrong drug, omission, and wrong dose were the most frequent types of PEs. Pharmacist interventions were crucial and fell into two major categories: process-based and outcome-based.

Abstract Immunoglobulin G (IgG) plays a vital role in equine immunity, serving as the principal antibody involved in long-term immune protection and pathogen neutralization. Historically, the significance of IgG in horses was first recognized through studies of neonatal isoerythrolysis and failure of passive transfer (FPT) in foals, where inadequate ingestion or absorption of colostrum-derived IgG led to heightened morbidity and mortality. Early research emphasized the necessity of timely colostrum intake and investigated diagnostic and stall-side assays such as the zinc sulfate turbidity, total protein, and radial immunodiffusion to quantify serum IgG levels in neonatal foals. Studies have expanded to examine the influence of maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy and the impact those factors have on colostrum quality, including IgG concentration. In modern times, IgG continues to be a cornerstone of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and advances in molecular immunology and monoclonal antibody technology have enabled detailed characterization of IgG subclasses. This has enhanced our understanding of their roles in vaccine response, allergic disease, and chronic infections. A recent key advancement in our understanding of IgG dynamics has been the elucidation of the role of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in several livestock species. FcRn is responsible for protecting IgG from lysosomal degradation, thereby extending its half-life and maintaining serum IgG levels. This receptor not only underlies the success of passive transfer but also has implications for the design of IgG-based therapeutics. Although our understanding of IgG in horses has significantly advanced over the years, challenges remain, including variability in IgG response due to genetic and environmental factors, limited equine subclass-specific reagents, and the ongoing need to support fundamental functional research to deepen our understanding of IgG biology. Nonetheless, the evolution of IgG research in horses reflects broader trends in veterinary immunology and highlights the antibody’s enduring importance across developmental, diagnostic, and therapeutic categories. Continued multidisciplinary efforts will be crucial to advancing the molecular understanding of IgG mechanisms and leveraging its biological capabilities to optimize equine health.

Objective: To explore the most dispensed drug categories in females and males in the United States and to examine sex differences in dispensed therapeutics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: This descriptive study utilizes prescription dispensing data to assess drug therapeutic category trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: This study draws data from US outpatient pharmacies to provide insights into prescription dispensing practices. Participants: The analysis encompasses a wide range of patients accessing outpatient pharmacy services (from Symphony Health Metys® [Metys®] database), categorized by sex and age, for the period January 1, 2019-December 31, 2020. Interventions/Exposures: The study focuses on prescription dispensing patterns without any specific interventions or exposures. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes include the identification of the most dispensed therapeutic categories, their distribution by sex and age, and any differences in prescription dispensing. Results: Across various age groups, psychotherapeutic drugs and respiratory therapies were consistently among the most dispensed therapeutic categories for males and females. Vascular agents emerged as a top choice for those aged 41 years and above. Contraceptives were prevalent among females aged 17 to 40 years. Furthermore, females received more prescriptions than males across most categories. Notably, between the pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic periods (2020), the prescriptions dispensed differed by an estimated 15 million prescriptions. Conclusions and Relevance: This study sheds light on prescription dispensing trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings offer valuable insights into medication utilization by sex and age and the potential effects of the pandemic on dispensing patterns.