A Computational Approach
For future rational polypharmacy decisions, computational approaches will be much more favorable in comparison to empirically selected approaches, Dr. Glauser theorized. “One size will not fit all,” he commented. “We’ve actually been working on developing computational decision support system software that embodies and embeds the evidence-based efficacy and tolerability data from clinical trials with basic and advanced pharmacology principles … to create a hierarchy of individualized drug lists for patients based on known information.”
Dr. Glauser emphasized that computational support should not make the decision for the clinician, and that it is critical that clinicians continue to discuss the risk-benefit ratio of combination therapy options with their patients. “The decision-making process is becoming so complicated with so many different variables, it seems logical that we will need assistance in at least identifying the best drugs,” he said.
—Jessica Jannicelli