Astropharmacy: Pushing the boundaries of the pharmacists' role for sustainable space exploration

Luke Sawyers; Claire Anderson; Matthew J Boyd; Volker Hessel; Virginia Wotring; Philip M Williams; Li Shean Toh

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.02.002

Astropharmacy: Pushing the boundaries of the pharmacists' role for sustainable space exploration

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022 Sep;18(9):3612-3621. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.02.002. Epub 2022 Feb 12.

Authors

Luke Sawyers¹, Claire Anderson¹, Matthew J Boyd¹, Volker Hessel², Virginia Wotring³, Philip M Williams⁴, Li Shean Toh⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
² Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia.
³ Human Performance in Space, International Space University, France.
⁴ Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
⁵ Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Lishean.toh@nottingham.ac.uk.

PMID: 35183459
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.02.002

Abstract

Background: Human physiology undergoes extensive changes in space potentially leading to alterations in the way a medication functions. Understanding the efficacy behind Pharmacological Countermeasures (PCMs) and deliverable pharmacy services is imperative for the future presence of humans in space. However, while the pharmacist plays an integral role for human health terrestrially, pharmacist input has been minimal for human health in the space sector. Here, we explore the pharmacist's potential role in larger medical teams for future missions.

Objective: To explore pharmacy and space sector stakeholder perspectives regarding the pharmacist's role in the space sector.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with pharmacy (n = 31) and human health-related space sector stakeholders (n = 26) across the globe from governmental, commercial, industry and academic sectors. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify stakeholders. Interviews and focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results: Three themes - medication management, medication-related research and medication and health information - were generated. The importance of medication optimisation within commercial and federal spaceflight participant medication regimens was cited as necessary for sustainable space exploration. Both groups advocated for pharmacists' involvement with in-situ medication manufacturing and medication-related research, particularly regarding space-based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug profiling. Other essential roles included the pharmacist's role in providing medication information to spaceflight participants and other healthcare professionals on their health status and medication use risk in the context of space.

Conclusions: With the advancement of accessible, commercial space travel and humans becoming an inter-planetary species, the opportunity to tackle PCM needs via a more extensive and comprehensive collaborative effort between the space, medical and pharmacy sectors is essential for sustainable space exploration.

Keywords: Astropharmacy; Medicines management; Medicines optimisation; Space.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel
Community Pharmacy Services*
Humans
Pharmaceutical Services*
Pharmacists
Professional Role
Space Flight*