Research Programs in Pharmacoepidemiology and Safety Services

The pediatric infectious disease pharmacoepidemiology research program includes a variety of treatment indications, primarily in upper and lower respiratory disease.  Ongoing studies include the prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infections, treatment of NTM infections in cystic fibrosis, treatment of otitis media and antibiotic safety issues related to ototoxicity.

This program is centered on children and adults eligible for Medicaid benefits, which covers close to 50% of all youth in the United States. Healthcare utilization data is extracted for more than 50 million individuals, from 29 US states, from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Medicaid Extract Files (MAX).  MAX is linked in part to vital statistics birth and death certificates, and disease specific registry data.  The program is funded through grants from CMS and AHCA.  Example publications in pediatric infectious disease Pharmacoepidemiology.

Psychotropics Pharmacoepidemiology

The psychiatric disease pharmacoepidemiology research program has centered on comparative safety and effectiveness of psychotropic treatments.  Ongoing studies include the comparative safety and effectiveness of treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and the epidemiology of psychotropic polypharmacy.

The program is focused on children and adults eligible for Medicaid benefits using state and national healthcare utilization data (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Medicaid Extract Files).  Data is linked in part to vital statistics birth and death certificates and driving performance data from the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles.  The program is funded by AHRQ and AHCA.

Example of publications in psychotropic Pharmacoepidemiology.