Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV infection with tenofovir/emtricitabine is proven to be effective yet uptake of this preventive measure has been difficult due to several barriers such as cost, access, and misinformation. Certain subpopulations are disproportionately affected by this problem. Several methods have been developed to close the gap in care. New antiretroviral treatment strategies are being investigated for safety and efficacy in preventing HIV infection.

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of clascoterone 1% cream for the treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. Data Sources: A literature search through PubMed, MEDLINE, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted using the following keywords: clascoterone, cream, acne, and CB-03-01. Articles published between 2004 and 2020 were included in this review. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Preclinical and clinical studies describing the efficacy and safety of topical clascoterone cream were included. Data Synthesis: Early preclinical studies demonstrated that clascoterone exhibits local antiandrogenic effects without any systemic effects. Phase 2 and 3 trials demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions and mild erythema with clascoterone use. Long-term studies confirmed the favorable safety profile of the drug in subjects for up to 9 months of use, with erythema being the most common treatment-emergent local skin reaction. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Pharmacological treatment options for acne vulgaris include topical and systemic agents. Systemic antiandrogen medications are associated with adverse effects and should be avoided in pregnancy and male patients. Clascoterone is a novel topical antiandrogen drug with no systemic adverse effects. This drug provides prescribers with an appealing treatment option for male and female patients 12 years of age and older, who are not candidates for systemic drugs because of contraindications or adverse effects or who have failed other topical therapies. Conclusion: Clascoterone, a novel topical androgen receptor inhibitor, is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with acne vulgaris.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in which individuals are born, live, work, learn, play, and age that affect health, risks, functioning, and outcomes. SDOH are recognized barriers to care, risk factors for certain diseases, and associated with poorer health outcomes. Screening for SDOH in physician practices and hospitals is reportedly low. The accessibility of pharmacists and established relationships with patients make pharmacy settings ideal for identifying and mitigating social needs. An evaluation of the impact of SDOH on health outcomes and opportunities for pharmacists to embed screening into practice is warranted.

Objectives: Recently published guidelines recommend probiotics for only a few indications. However, probiotics are widely utilized by consumers due to accessibility, perceived safety, and belief that they promote gut health. The objective of this survey study was to examine probiotic use, evaluate public knowledge regarding the risks and benefits of probiotics, and identify variables that predict the use of probiotics among US adults. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted among a random sample of 1000 adults living in the US, from January 28 through February 13, 2019. Analysis was conducted with Chi-square tests and Pearson correlation with 95% confidence intervals and a significance level of 5% for all tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associations between survey respondents’ characteristics and use of probiotics. Results: Thirty-one percent of respondents stated they currently take or have taken probiotics daily, while 29% are considering future use. Sixty-four percent of daily probiotic users were taking probiotics without a medical provider’s recommendation. Six percent sought counseling from a pharmacist for over-the-counter products, including probiotics. A multivariate logistic regression showed that women, whites, 4-year college graduates, and younger respondents were more likely to report probiotic use. An additional logistic regression showed a significant conditional relationship between chronic illness, education, and white race (P<0.05). Conclusion: Guideline-recommended indications for probiotic use are limited. This study showed some respondents may be using probiotics unnecessarily. Pharmacists can educate the public about probiotic benefits and prevent unnecessary use of these products.

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