Evaluating pharmaceutical literature

EVALUATING PHARMACEUTICAL LITERATURE
Instructions:
1. Identify a scholarly, peer-reviewed article that compares two psychotropics
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o The article should: (1) compare psychotropics (it should compare at least two, but no more than three), (2) come from a peer reviewed journal, and (3) be published within the last five years
2. Carefully read the article and answer all questions that are listed on this document: EVALUATING PHARMACEUTICAL LITERATURE.docx
Actions
o If a question in the document is not relevant to the study you selected, just note this in your submission
Format requirements:
o This assignment may be written as an essay OR bulleted question/answer list
o APA format is required
o As a reminder, answers to these questions should not be copied and pasted directly from the article. However, you may copy and paste graphs if it helps to answer the questions.
Tips:
o Studies with experimental designs are required for this assignment. Do not choose a meta-analysis, systematic review, or literature review. For example, look for “randomized control trial” “randomized” “fixed dose” “flexible dose” or “active reference” in the title or description.
o There are a series of optional resources (listed at the bottom of the page) that may help you with this assignment. Please note, they were published longer than 5 years ago; however, they do a nice job of explaining different concepts.
Article:
· What is the purpose of the study?
· Name the study design and analytic methods.
· List the study variables:
· How was this sample size determined?
· What were the inclusion/exclusion criteria? Specifically, discuss age, gender, race, specific diagnostic criteria and socioeconomic status of the participants in this trial:
· Did the sample size [change/stay the same/disappear]? What was the final sample size?
§ How do the people who dropped out (if any) compare on measure of severity of the disorder? How did the people who dropped out compare on side effects?
· How much more effective is this drug than older, better-known drugs?
· What was the clinical measure used for the outcome?
· Was the clinical outcome that was measured relevant to clients?
· How long has this drug been on the market?
· What is the data on the development of side effects; how long do they take to develop?
· What is the data on side effects that might be expected to diminish over time?
· Were measurements stopped prior to the point at which serious side effects develop?
· Summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the research. This is your opinion as to the efficacy, safety & utility of this pharmaceutical agent for the intended population.

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