Devon Greyson

The cost of drug development: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically review and assess published estimates of the cost of developing new drugs. METHODS We sought English language research articles containing original estimates of the cost of drug development that were published from 1980 to 2009, inclusive. We searched seven databases and used citation tracing and expert referral to identify studies. We abstracted qualifying studies for information about methods, data sources, study samples, and key results. RESULTS Thirteen articles were found to meet our inclusion criteria. Estimates of the cost of drug development ranged more than 9-fold, from USD

Prescription drug use during pregnancy in developed countries: a systematic review

92 million cash (USD

A critical examination of representations of context within research on population health interventions

161 million capitalized) to USD

Information behaviour of Canadian pharmaceutical policy makers.

883.6 million cash (USD

Advancing population and public health ethics regarding HIV testing: a scoping review

1.8 billion capitalized). Differences in methods, data sources, and time periods explain some of the variation in estimates. Lack of transparency limits many studies. Confidential information provided by unnamed companies about unspecified products forms all or part of the data underlying 10 of the 13 studies. CONCLUSIONS Despite three decades of research in this area, no published estimate of the cost of developing a drug can be considered a gold standard. Studies on this topic should be subjected to reasonable audit and disclosure of - at the very least - the drugs which authors purport to provide development cost estimates for.

GLBTQ content in comics/graphic novels for teens

To review the literature describing patterns of outpatient prescription drug use during pregnancy by therapeutic category, potential for fetal harm, and overall.

Attitudes and Beliefs of Pregnant Women and New Mothers Regarding Influenza Vaccination in British Columbia

Abstract Research that fulsomely characterizes context improves our understanding of the processes of implementation and the effectiveness of interventions to improve the health of populations and reduce health inequalities. Context could be a key aspect to understanding what population health interventions best address underlying conditions that contribute to systematic differences in health status at the population level. Here, we present a ‘snapshot’ of representations of context in population health intervention research published recently in some influential journals in the field of public health. In general, we found that context was treated as a ‘black box’, or as something that needs to be ‘controlled for’. Context also was used to help explain intervention ‘failure’. There were few in-depth descriptions of the hypothesized pathways or mechanisms through which context and intervention (in combination or separately) influence population health. Recognizing that research on population health interventions can be less straightforward than research conducted under more ‘controlled’ (i.e. de-contextualized) conditions, we suggest that there is a great need for new theoretical and methodological work in this area.

Health information practices of young parents

OBJECTIVES Understanding the information behaviour of policy makers targeted by knowledge translation efforts is key to improving policy research impact. This study explores the reported information behaviour of pharmaceutical policy decision-makers in Canada, a country highly associated with evidence-based practice yet still facing substantial barriers to evidence-informed health policy. METHODS We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposive sample of 15 Canadian pharmaceutical policy decision-makers. Results of the descriptive, qualitative analysis were compared with the General Model of Information Seeking of Professionals (GMISP) proposed by Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain in 1996. RESULTS Characteristics of information needs included topic, depth/breadth of questions and time sensitivity. Approaches to information seeking were variously scattershot, systematic and delegated, depending on the characteristics as well as respondent resources. Major source types were human experts, electronic sources and trusted organisations. Affective (emotion-related) outcomes were common, including frustration and desire for better information systems and sources. CONCLUSIONS The GMISP model may be adapted to model information behaviour of Canadian pharmaceutical policy makers. In the absence of a dedicated, independent source for rapid-response policy research, these policy makers will likely continue to satisfice (make do) with available resources, and barriers to evidence-informed policy will persist.

The role of information in health behavior: A scoping study and discussion of major public health models

Recently, scholars have called for more robust population and public health ethical frameworks to inform how the health of populations and individuals ought to be improved through various approaches to HIV testing practices. Our objective is to examine the breadth, range and foci of a variety of ethical issues pertaining to HIV testing approaches within the peer-reviewed literature, and how these issues address population and/or individual interests. We identify potential tensions between individual and collective approaches as well as other concerns, including equity, justice and distribution of health and risk – hallmarks of the emergent field of population and public health ethics. Based on our review, we suggest that additional theoretical work and empirical research are required in order to inform more ethically robust debates related to population HIV testing practices. Specifically problematic were consequentialist arguments that deem testing approaches as either morally permissible or impermissible without sufficient robust empirical and/or theoretical underpinnings and about how a particular approach would unfold among individuals and populations. The current review underscores the need to continue to articulate an evidence- and theory- informed population and public health ethics pertaining to HIV testing.

A narrative analysis of the birth stories of early-age mothers

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an historical perspective and current guidance for youth librarians collecting graphic novels for teens.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a brief review of the historical issues involved with censorship/intellectual freedom and comics and of current teen‐oriented graphic novels with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning of sexual orientation (GLBTQ) content in Canada and the USA. It also provides a context for negotiating intellectual freedom and collection management policy issues, and suggestions for targeted acquisitions of teen graphic novels with GLTBQ content.Findings – The paper provides a brief overview of US and Canadian censorship of comics, including how this legacy affects todays market. It recognizes the difficulty of obtaining information and recommendations for teen‐appropriate graphic novels containing GLBTQ content, and makes suggestions for core collection items.Research limitations/implications – Only English sou...