Scientific program

Speakers
- Bjorn Wettermark – University of Uppsala, Sweden – FISPE Member
- Claudia Osorio de Castro – Fiocruz – Brazil – ISPE Member
- Lisa Pont – University of Sidney- FISPE Member - FISPE

Duration: 4h

Summary of content and objectives
Drug Utilization Research (DUR) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on studying the patterns, determinants, and outcomes of drug use in real-world populations. It plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness, safety, and quality of drug therapies, providing valuable insights to healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, policymakers, and the pharmaceutical industry. The objectives of this course include: to examine the utilization patterns of drugs in various populations; Determinants of Drug Use (to identify the factors influencing drug prescribing, dispensing, and consumption); To monitor and assess the safety of drugs in real-world settings. To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of drugs in achieving therapeutic goals and improving patient outcomes; To understand how drugs impact healthcare resource utilization; To promote rational drug use by identifying areas of inappropriate or suboptimal prescribing.

Speakers
- Macarius Donneyong – University of Ohio – USA -FISPE Member
- Maribel Salas- Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Adjunct Scholar U Penn & Rutgers University- USA; FISPE
- Mina Tradous – University of Toronto

Duration: 4h

Summary of content and objectives
Machine learning in pharmacoepidemiology involves using advanced data analysis techniques to study the effects of medications on populations. It leverages large datasets, such as electronic health records and clinical trial data, to identify patterns and associations related to drug safety, efficacy, and usage. By applying machine learning algorithms, researchers can: Predict adverse drug reactions; Optimize treatment outcomes; Enhance observational studies. The objectives of this course include: to understand fundamental concepts and types of machine learning, recognize the importance of ML in pharmacoepidemiology and gain hands-on experience with a simple ML tool.

Speakers
- Luciane C Lopes, University of Sorocaba, Brazil – ISPE Member
- Tais Galvão – RESS Chief Editor, BraziI - ISPE Member
- Vincent Lo Re – PDS Chief Editor, Pennsylvania University, USA - ISPE Member

Duration: 4h

Summary of content and objectives
In the field of pharmacoepidemiology, effective communication of research findings is crucial for advancing knowledge and informing clinical practice. PhD students are often tasked with disseminating their research through scientific publications, yet many face challenges in articulating their ideas clearly and adhering to the rigorous standards expected by peer-reviewed journals. The objectives of this course include to equip students with essential skills for preparing and evaluating scientific articles, focusing on the specific nuances of pharmacoepidemiological research. By understanding the critical components of a well-structured article and the peer-review process, students will be better prepared to contribute to the scientific community and enhance the impact of their work.

Speakers
- Marcio Galvao, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil – ISPE Member
- Lisa Pont – University of Sidney- FISPE Member

Duration: 4h

Summary of content and objectives
Deprescribing involves reducing or discontinuing medications that may no longer be necessary or may be causing harm, especially in older adults. The objectives of this course include: Understanding Deprescribing Principles. Exploring Real-World Data Sources that can be used to study deprescribing practices. Review Pharmacoepidemiologic Methods as applied to deprescribing research. How to identify potential candidates for deprescribing using real-world data, considering factors such as polypharmacy, drug interactions, and patient-specific characteristics. Discuss methodologies to evaluate the impact of deprescribing interventions, including changes in medication use, clinical outcomes, adverse events, and healthcare utilization. Apply Learnings to Case Studies.

Duration: 90 min

Speaker: Bjorn Wettermark, Uppsala University, Sweden, ISPE Member

Rationale: Addressing Pharmacoepidemiology Disparities in a Global Context" focuses on the urgent need to identify and address variations in drug use, safety, and effectiveness across diverse populations, emphasizing the critical role of inclusive research and tailored policies to improve global health equity.

Duration: 90 min

Moderator: Maribel Salas, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Adjunct Scholar U Penn and Rutgers University, USA, FISPE

Speaker:
- Marcia Goncalves de Oliveira, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, Brazil
- Carmem Lúcia Pessoa da Silva, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PAHO GLASS leader Project)
- Vincent Lo Re, Pennsylvania University, USA
- Elisangela Lima, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rationale and objectives: This panel will present and discuss the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America and contextualize it at the global level, highlighting the need for region-specific data to inform effective interventions and policies. This panel will discuss the application of pharmacoepidemiology methods to identify, monitor and evaluate AMR trends, assess the impact of some programs for the LatAm region including the AWARE (Access, Watch, and Reserve) indicators of antimicrobial usage, and promote collaboration among stakeholders to drive evidence-based decision-making in the region.

Duration: 90 min

Moderator: Claudia Osorio de Castro, ENSP- Fiocruz Brazil – ISPE Member

Speaker:
- Augusto Guerra, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil - ISPE Member
- Angela Acosta, ICESI, Colombia – ISPE Member
- Macarius Donneyong – University of Ohio – USA - ISPE Member
- Bjorn Wettermark, Uppsala University, Sweden, ISPE Member

Rationale and objectives: Collection of Primary and Secondary Data for Pharmacoepidemiology Studies underscores the critical importance of accurate and comprehensive data to evaluate medication use, safety, and effectiveness, which forms the backbone of evidence-based healthcare decisions. This panel aims to discuss best practices, challenges, and innovative approaches in collecting high-quality primary and secondary data for pharmacoepidemiology research, fostering collaborations that can enhance data quality and expand research capacity in diverse healthcare settings.

Duration: 90 min

Moderator: Maria Pilar Sánchez Olavarria

Speaker:
- Ursula Kirchmayer – Department of Epidemiology, ASL Roma - ISPE Member
- Maria Caterina Milone, Universidad de Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco
- Dr. Oscar Lopez, Director de escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, , One Health para América Latina, Iberoamérica y Caribe

Rationale and objectives: Integrating Planetary Health and Eco-Pharmacovigilance: Addressing Sustainable Drug Use highlights the urgent need to consider pharmaceuticals' environmental impacts across their life cycle, aiming to protect both human health and ecological systems. This panel explores strategies for sustainable drug use that align with planetary health principles, promote eco-pharmacovigilance practices, and encourage collaboration between healthcare, environmental, and policy sectors to minimize pharmaceutical pollution.

Duration: 90 min

Moderator: Luciane Cruz Lopes, University of Sorocaba, Brazil, ISPE member

Speaker:
Affirmative team: Arguing that AI has the potential to fully replace human being in Pharmacepidemiological studies
- Felipe Ferre, CONASS, Brazil
- Raphael Aguiar, UFMG, Brazil

Negative team: Arguing that human expertise is indispensable in Pharmacoepidemiological studies, and AI cannot replace it.
- Leonardo Castro – ENSP – Fiocruz, Brazil
- Illara - Fiocruz, Brazil

Rationale and objectives: This is a dynamic and thought-provoking debate on a central question: What is the ethical limit to using AI in pharmacoepidemiology studies? As an artificial breakthrough, its potential to revolutionize pharmacoepidemiological research has generated excitement and concern. This session will explore the balance between human expertise and machine efficiency, examining whether AI can genuinely replicate the nuanced juice and critical thinking that humans possess. Expert panellists will argue both sides of the motion, providing insights into AI-driven pharmacoepidemiological studies' ethical, practical, and scientific implications. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the current capabilities of AI, its limitations, and what the future might hold for the field. This lively and engaging debate promises to be educational and highly entertaining.