Is quetiapine being misused for recreational purposes. How does its abuse compare to other second-generation antipsychotics. What are the risks and consequences of intentional quetiapine abuse. Why is quetiapine sought after for non-medical use. How can healthcare providers address the issue of quetiapine misuse.

The Rise of Quetiapine Abuse: An Emerging Trend in Drug Misuse

Quetiapine, marketed under the brand name Seroquel, is an atypical antipsychotic medication primarily used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. However, recent trends have shown an alarming increase in its misuse for recreational purposes. This phenomenon has caught the attention of healthcare professionals and researchers alike, prompting further investigation into the reasons behind this abuse and its potential consequences.

The recreational use of quetiapine represents a significant shift in drug-seeking behavior, as it differs from the typical pattern observed with other commonly abused substances. Unlike stimulants or opioids, quetiapine does not produce a euphoric “high” in the traditional sense. Instead, users report seeking its sedative and anxiolytic effects, often referring to it as a “legal high” or using street names like “Susie Q” or “Quell”.

Prevalence of Quetiapine Misuse

Studies have shown a notable increase in the off-label use and misuse of quetiapine over the past decade. According to a report by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), emergency department visits involving quetiapine misuse or abuse increased significantly between 2005 and 2011. This trend is particularly concerning given the potential health risks associated with non-prescribed use of antipsychotic medications.

• Emergency department visits related to quetiapine misuse rose by 90% between 2005 and 2011
• Quetiapine was involved in 52% of emergency department visits related to antipsychotic misuse
• Reports of intentional quetiapine abuse have been documented in various countries, including the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe

Comparing Quetiapine Abuse to Other Second-Generation Antipsychotics

While quetiapine is not the only second-generation antipsychotic to be misused, it appears to be disproportionately targeted for recreational use compared to its counterparts. This raises questions about the unique properties of quetiapine that make it more appealing for non-medical use.

Are other atypical antipsychotics also being abused? While there have been isolated reports of misuse involving medications like olanzapine and risperidone, the scale and frequency of abuse pale in comparison to quetiapine. Several factors may contribute to quetiapine’s higher abuse potential:

1. Rapid onset of sedative effects
2. Lower incidence of extrapyramidal side effects
3. Perception as a “safer” alternative to illicit drugs
4. Availability through off-label prescriptions

Unique Pharmacological Profile

Quetiapine’s pharmacological profile may explain its appeal for recreational use. Unlike some other antipsychotics, quetiapine has a relatively low affinity for dopamine D2 receptors and a higher affinity for histamine H1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. This combination results in pronounced sedative and anxiolytic effects, which may be desirable for individuals seeking to self-medicate for sleep or anxiety issues.

Methods of Quetiapine Abuse and Associated Risks

Recreational users of quetiapine have been known to employ various methods of administration, each carrying its own set of risks and potential complications. Understanding these methods is crucial for healthcare providers and addiction specialists to address the issue effectively.

Common Methods of Abuse

• Oral ingestion: Taking higher doses than prescribed or using without a prescription
• Intranasal insufflation: Crushing tablets and snorting the powder
• Intravenous injection: Dissolving tablets in water and injecting the solution
• Smoking: Mixing crushed tablets with tobacco or marijuana

What are the dangers of these unconventional methods of quetiapine use? Each method of abuse carries significant risks:

Intranasal insufflation can lead to damage of the nasal passages, increased risk of overdose due to rapid absorption, and potential for respiratory complications. Intravenous injection poses risks of vein damage, infection, and life-threatening cardiovascular events. Smoking quetiapine may result in lung damage and unpredictable drug effects.

Motivations Behind Recreational Quetiapine Use

Understanding the reasons individuals turn to quetiapine for non-medical purposes is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Research has identified several key motivations behind recreational quetiapine use:

1. Self-medication for sleep disorders or anxiety
2. Desire for sedation or relaxation
3. Attempt to alleviate symptoms of substance withdrawal
4. Perception of quetiapine as a “safe” or “legal” alternative to illicit drugs
5. Curiosity and experimentation

Why do some individuals specifically seek out quetiapine for recreational use? The appeal of quetiapine may lie in its perceived “safer” profile compared to illicit drugs, its ability to induce rapid sedation, and its potential to alleviate symptoms associated with withdrawal from other substances. Additionally, the relative ease of obtaining quetiapine through off-label prescriptions or diversion from legitimate users contributes to its accessibility for non-medical use.

Health Consequences of Quetiapine Misuse

The recreational use of quetiapine can lead to a range of adverse health effects, both acute and chronic. Healthcare providers must be aware of these potential consequences to effectively manage cases of quetiapine misuse and educate patients about the risks.

Acute Effects

• Excessive sedation and somnolence
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Confusion and cognitive impairment
• Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation)

Chronic Effects

• Weight gain and metabolic disturbances
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Tardive dyskinesia (although less common than with typical antipsychotics)
• Potential for physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms

Can quetiapine abuse lead to long-term health problems? Chronic misuse of quetiapine can indeed result in significant health issues. Long-term use, especially at high doses, may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular complications, and movement disorders. Additionally, abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and anxiety.

Quetiapine Abuse in Specific Populations

The misuse of quetiapine has been observed across various demographics, but certain populations appear to be at higher risk. Understanding these patterns can help target prevention and intervention efforts more effectively.

Incarcerated Individuals

Several studies have reported a high prevalence of quetiapine abuse in correctional settings. Inmates may seek out quetiapine for its sedative effects or as a substitute for other unavailable substances. This trend has led some correctional facilities to restrict or closely monitor quetiapine prescriptions.

Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

People with a history of substance abuse may be more likely to misuse quetiapine, often as a means of self-medication or to alleviate withdrawal symptoms from other drugs. Some users report combining quetiapine with other substances, such as cocaine or opioids, to enhance or modulate their effects.

Adolescents and Young Adults

There is growing concern about quetiapine abuse among younger populations, particularly in the context of polysubstance use. The perception of quetiapine as a “safe” or “legal” high may contribute to its appeal among this demographic.

How can healthcare providers identify individuals at risk for quetiapine abuse? Clinicians should be alert to several red flags that may indicate potential misuse:

• Requests for specific brands or formulations of quetiapine
• Reports of lost or stolen prescriptions
• Seeking prescriptions from multiple providers
• Signs of intoxication or withdrawal inconsistent with prescribed use
• Presence of drug paraphernalia or evidence of alternative routes of administration

Addressing Quetiapine Misuse: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention

Tackling the issue of quetiapine abuse requires a multi-faceted approach involving healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers. Several strategies can be employed to mitigate the risks associated with quetiapine misuse:

Prescription Monitoring and Guidelines

Implementing stricter prescription monitoring programs and developing clear guidelines for off-label quetiapine use can help reduce inappropriate prescribing and diversion. Healthcare providers should carefully assess the need for quetiapine prescriptions, especially in high-risk populations.

Education and Awareness

Increasing awareness among healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public about the potential for quetiapine abuse is crucial. This includes educating prescribers about the signs of misuse and providing patients with clear information about the risks of non-prescribed use.

Research and Surveillance

Continued research into the patterns and consequences of quetiapine abuse is necessary to inform evidence-based interventions. Enhanced surveillance systems can help track trends in misuse and identify emerging issues related to quetiapine and other antipsychotic medications.

Alternative Treatment Approaches

Exploring and promoting alternative treatment options for conditions commonly treated off-label with quetiapine, such as insomnia or anxiety, may help reduce unnecessary prescriptions and potential for misuse.

What role can healthcare providers play in preventing quetiapine abuse? Healthcare providers are at the forefront of addressing quetiapine misuse. They can:

• Conduct thorough patient assessments before prescribing quetiapine
• Implement regular monitoring and follow-up for patients on quetiapine
• Provide clear education about proper use, potential risks, and signs of misuse
• Be vigilant for signs of drug-seeking behavior or diversion
• Consider alternative treatments when appropriate
• Collaborate with addiction specialists when managing patients with substance use disorders

The Future of Quetiapine Use and Abuse Prevention

As our understanding of quetiapine abuse evolves, so too must our approaches to prevention and treatment. The future of addressing this issue will likely involve a combination of technological innovations, policy changes, and advancements in pharmaceutical development.

Technological Solutions

Emerging technologies may play a role in preventing quetiapine misuse. For example, digital pill tracking systems or tamper-resistant formulations could help ensure proper medication use and reduce the potential for diversion.

Policy and Regulatory Changes

Stricter regulations on off-label prescribing and enhanced prescription drug monitoring programs may be implemented to curb inappropriate use of quetiapine and other potentially abused medications.

Development of Safer Alternatives

Pharmaceutical research may focus on developing new medications with similar therapeutic benefits to quetiapine but with lower abuse potential. This could include formulations designed to deter misuse or novel compounds targeting the same symptoms with different mechanisms of action.

How might future research shape our approach to quetiapine abuse prevention? Ongoing studies into the neurobiology of quetiapine abuse, as well as investigations into the long-term outcomes of recreational use, will be crucial in developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, research into the effectiveness of various intervention approaches will help refine best practices for addressing quetiapine misuse in clinical settings.

In conclusion, the recreational abuse of quetiapine represents a complex and evolving challenge in the field of substance misuse. As a second-generation antipsychotic with a unique pharmacological profile, quetiapine has emerged as a target for non-medical use, particularly among certain high-risk populations. Understanding the motivations behind quetiapine abuse, its methods of misuse, and the associated health risks is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in addressing this issue through careful prescribing practices, patient education, and vigilance for signs of misuse. Policymakers and researchers must continue to work towards comprehensive solutions that balance the legitimate medical use of quetiapine with the need to prevent its abuse. As our knowledge of this phenomenon grows, so too will our ability to mitigate its impact on individual and public health.

The issue of recreational quetiapine use serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between pharmacology, human behavior, and societal factors in shaping patterns of drug abuse. By approaching this challenge with a multidisciplinary perspective and a commitment to evidence-based practices, we can work towards reducing the harm associated with quetiapine misuse while ensuring its availability for those who truly need it.

Quetiapine Misuse and Abuse: Is it an Atypical Paradigm of Drug Seeking Behavior?

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Quetiapine abuse – myth or reality?

Helge Waal, Jørn Henrik Vold, Svetlana Ondrasova Skurtveit

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Helge Waal

E-mail: [email protected]

Helge Waal, professor emeritus at the Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, and adviser at the National Advisory Unit on Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Oslo University Hospital

The author has completed the ICMJE form and declares no conflicts of interest.

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Jørn Henrik Vold

Jørn Henrik Vold, PhD fellow at the department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen. He is affiliated with the Bergen Addiction Research (BAR) group at the Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital.

The author has completed the ICMJE form and declares no conflicts of interest.

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Svetlana Ondrasova Skurtveit

Svetlana Ondrasova Skurtveit, senior advisor at the Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and professor at the Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo.

The author has completed the ICMJE form and declares no conflicts of interest.

Article

Quetiapine is increasingly being used as a sedative and hypnotic drug, especially in the treatment of addiction disorders. Some have warned against this practice. However, a review of the research literature lends little support to these warnings.

The risk of dependency limits the use of sedatives and hypnotics, especially in vulnerable patients. Antihistamines, antidepressants and antipsychotics are therefore often prescribed instead, but adverse effects limit their utility. Second-generation antipsychotics have significantly fewer parkinsonian adverse effects and are increasingly used. This applies to quetiapine in particular. A number of articles in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association are warning against this increase (1, 2). These drugs have been approved for treatment of mood disorders and psychoses, but the dosages indicate its use for insomnia and other sleep disorders (2). In spite of a call for a reduction in the prescribing of antipsychotics, especially to older people, the prescribing of quetiapine is increasing (3). Some recent reports have given rise to the suspicion that this increase may be due to patients who actively want such a prescription (4).

Quetiapine in the treatment of addiction

Quetiapine in the treatment of addiction

Patients with addiction disorders frequently suffer from agitation, anxiety, depression and not least insomnia. Comorbid afflictions such as anxiety disorder and depression are common, due to genetic issues as well as various stresses. However, benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics reinforce the intoxicant effects and can trigger as well as reinforce the tendency to use intoxicants. Furthermore, they increase the risk of complications, including the risk of a fatal overdose. Many patients refuse to use pharmaceutical drugs that have no potential for abuse, for reasons including adverse effects. Second generation antipsychotics are generally better accepted by the patients, and in recent years quetiapine has in particular been prescribed.

Risk of abuse?

Risk of abuse?

Reports from a number of countries show that the use of quetiapine is increasing and that a considerable proportion of the prescribing is off-label (5–8). The question is what this trend reflects and how it should be assessed. The terms abuse and misuse are often used in this literature. One report uses the term recreational abuse (5). Evoy and colleagues use the term abuse-related events (7). However, these terms are not defined in terms of diagnostic criteria for addiction disorder, but are based either on their use outside the approved indication or on various criteria for hospitalisation due to poisonings or other crises. Intoxication and detoxification problems are barely described, if at all. Individual reports describe pills being crushed for inhalation or injection, and some case histories describe dosage escalation and problems with dosage tapering, but it is difficult to ascertain whether this is due to an increase in problem intensity or insufficient effect. The evidence for risk of abuse of quetiapine is generally rather weak, given that heavily addicted substance abusers tend to try out many different drugs. Moreover, problems with dosage tapering are common in the use of all types of psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

The key question is therefore whether atypical antipsychotics are sought after because of their euphoriant effects. This is rarely, if ever, clinically described, and the pharmacological profile of quetiapine renders it unlikely. The reports discuss possible mechanisms with reference to the mechanisms of action and metabolisation of quetiapine. This gives an impression of theorising that has not been confirmed by animal or clinical studies. These are therefore assumptions that in reality appear to be based on concerns over increased use. The articles do not sufficiently distinguish between use outside the approved indication on the one hand and abuse on the other. If the use and dosage increases are justified by a reduction in difficulties and symptoms, this alone does not constitute abuse.

Increased mortality from the use of quetiapine?

Increased mortality from the use of quetiapine?

A number of studies refer to increased mortality from the use of atypical antipsychotics, particularly quetiapine. A large Finnish registry study of mortality during long-term treatment of patients with schizophrenia with eleven years of follow-up is frequently cited. This study found that quetiapine was associated with slightly elevated mortality when compared to other atypical antipsychotics (9). The increase in mortality was due to an increased risk of suicide with the use of quetiapine, while cardiovascular mortality was the second lowest in this group. It is uncertain whether the increased incidence of suicide can be linked to the drug-based therapy, and in our opinion this study cannot be taken as evidence that quetiapine is associated with a higher mortality risk. The article’s message is also another, namely a recommendation to use clozapine as less problematic than other relevant drugs. In a recent study from Finland (10), with overlapping study populations and 20 years of follow-up, the ranking of quetiapine among the other antipsychotics changes in terms of both cardiovascular and total mortality. In this study there was no difference in suicide risk among users of quetiapine and patients who were not undergoing drug-based therapy.

More adverse effects?

More adverse effects?

The most common adverse effects from the use of atypical antipsychotics are weight gain, increased triglyceride level and possibly a higher prevalence of diabetes, endocrine disturbance and cardiac complications with effects on cardiac rhythm and blood pressure. The adverse effects are primarily associated with high dosages, and are common in antipsychotic therapy. When used off-label, dosages are normally low (25–100 mg/day) for some days or weeks. There is less evidence of difficulties from such use. Cates et al. found an average weight gain of 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg) in psychiatric patients who were prescribed an average of 109.3 mg of quetiapine for insomnia in addition to other antipsychotic treatment (11). A similar study showed a weight gain of 11 pounds (approximately 5 kg) after the use of up to 100 mg of quetiapine per day for one year (12). This may indicate that quetiapine accounts for a certain tendency towards weight gain, which is also found in the use of other antipsychotics. A comprehensive study comparing the problems inherent in the use of various types of atypical antipsychotics, based on a database of poisonings in the United States, gives little indication of specific risks (5). There was a somewhat increased tendency towards reduced alertness and a somewhat reduced tendency towards dystonia in connection with quetiapine intoxication when compared to other antipsychotic drugs. However, the similarities predominate. Nor was the severity of the intoxication any worse in case of quetiapine: 73.4 % of the intoxications were deemed to carry little medical risk and 24.6 % were considered moderately hazardous. Hazardous conditions were identified in 2 % of the cases of quetiapine intoxication. This is somewhat below the average for all antipsychotic drugs.

How useful is quetiapine in the treatment of sleep disorders?

How useful is quetiapine in the treatment of sleep disorders?

Debernard et al. state that quetiapine is not a sleeping pill (2). As a first-line treatment for primary insomnia, this is undoubtedly correct. A large-scale review of the benefit of quetiapine for insomnia concludes that in light of the adverse effects, such use is unwarranted (13). This applies to all atypical antipsychotics (14). To be sure, some studies point out desirable effects for certain types of sleep disorders, but these studies are methodologically weak. Studies that include placebo-controlled effect on sleep lend little support to the use of quetiapine for insomnia, but suggest an effect in those who also suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalised anxiety (15).

The neurobiology behind sleep and sleep mechanisms is complex, and mental disorders affect sleep in various ways. The effect of drugs, e.g. quetiapine, can vary from one patient to another. The benefit for primary insomnia can be real in cases of complex conditions. For example, quetiapine has a separate indication as supplementary treatment for depressive disorders (16). A comprehensive review of the benefits and difficulties associated with the use of all registered atypical antipsychotics showed that their benefit varied somewhat between the different formulations (17). Quetiapine was found to be more useful than the others for generalised anxiety, but not for other conditions. Our assessment is that quetiapine might be attempted for sleep disorders or agitation when the use of benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics is undesirable.

Norwegian experiences

Norwegian experiences

Data from the Norwegian Prescription Registry show that 5 183 persons were prescribed with quetiapine in 2005. In 2018, this number had risen to 63 125 persons (18). Thereby, the one-year prevalence had increased to 1.2 %. These figures also include treatment of psychoses and affective disorders, but the increase is nevertheless considerable. However, no reports of usage problems have been submitted by the departments for addiction treatment. The medical advisor at the Emergency Addiction Services and Detoxification, Oslo University Hospital, has on request reviewed the department’s clinical experience and concluded that the department has not registered any increased prescribing of or demand for quetiapine. In exceptional cases the department has encountered patients who have been prescribed with, or despite regular prescribing have used ‘supratherapeutic’ doses, but they have no information on patients having obtained quetiapine from others (P. Krajci, personal communication).

The heads of units that provide drug-assisted rehabilitation convene twice annually to discuss experiences. At the last session (2–3 December 2019) only one of a total of twenty units reported having encountered a wish for increased dosage. All the others reported exclusively problem-free, though often moderately beneficial use. The LASSO programme (drug-assisted harm-reducing substitution treatment in Oslo), which provides a low-threshold option for persons with addiction disorder in central Oslo, does not know of any patients who have requested this drug. This suggests that there is little demand for it in the central Oslo drug scene.

Norway has relatively high overdose mortality. 95 % of the autopsies after such deaths take place at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital. Its annual statistics provide information about the findings (19). The number of deaths where antipsychotics were detected increased considerably from 2009 to 2015, but not in subsequent years. In 2018 a little more than 2 000 investigations were carried out, and intoxicants or pharmaceutical drugs were detected in somewhat more than 1 500 of these. Olanzapine was found in 3 % and quetiapine in 4 % of the examinations (H.M. Edvardsen, Department of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, personal communication). In a large-scale Nordic study from 2012, quetiapine was not deemed to be the man intoxicant in any of 194 cases of overdose deaths in Norway. The substance was later detected in seven persons (3.6 %), but it was not known whether this was due to prescribed treatment (20).

Conclusion and recommendations

Conclusion and recommendations

We cannot see any evidence that the increased use of quetiapine is due to increased abuse or addiction to this drug in Norway. However, like other atypical antipsychotics, the drug can cause serious intoxication, and it has metabolically adverse effects indicating that its use should be restricted to necessary and useful treatment. Quetiapine is approved for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, but its use outside the approved indications has increased, for example in treatment of addiction, sleep disorders and agitation when the use of benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics should be avoided or restricted. Quetiapine is also used to support tapering and withdrawal from benzodiazepine addiction. Such treatment should be undertaken over a shorter period of time and with lower dosages, and its use should be assessed against its clinical benefit and in light of the problem that even lower dosages can result in weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels.

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   Klein L, Bangh S, Cole JB. Intentional recreational abuse of quetiapine compared to other second-generation antipsychotics. West J Emerg Med 2017; 18: 243–50. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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   Chiappini S, Schifano F. Is there a potential of misuse for quetiapine? Litterature reviews and analyses of the European Medicines Agency/European Agency Adverse Drug Reactions’ Database. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 38: 72–9. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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   Evoy KE, Teng C, Encarnacion VG et al. Comparison of abuse and misuse reports to the fda adverse event reporting system with other second-generation antipsychotics. Subst Abuse 2019; 13: 1178221819844205. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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   Osborne V, Davies M, Layton D et al. Utilisation of extended release quetiapine (Seroquel XL™): Results from an observational cohort study in England. Eur Psychiatry 2016; 33: 61–7. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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    Taipale H, Tanskanen A, Mehtälä J et al. 20-year follow-up study of physical morbidity and mortality in relationship to antipsychotic treatment in a nationwide cohort of 62,250 patients with schizophrenia (FIN20). World Psychiatry 2020; 19: 61–8. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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    Cates ME, Jackson CW, Feldman JM et al. Metabolic consequences of using low-dose quetiapine for insomnia in psychiatric patients. Community Ment Health J 2009; 45: 251–4. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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    Williams SG, Alinejad NA, Williams JA et al. Statistically significant increase in weight caused by low-dose quetiapine. Pharmacotherapy 2010; 30: 1011–5. [PubMed][CrossRef]

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Cardioprogress Foundation for the Promotion of Cardiology

Innovative technologies in medicine. International Congress DATS 2023 (Baku, Azerbaijan)
The International Medical Congress DATS 2023 was held in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, from June 17 to 22, 2023, organized by the Tabib State Administration for Medical Territorial Services of Azerbaijan.

A new scale has been developed to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetes
Experts developed the SCORE2-Diabetes score to predict the ten-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes. The tool can be used to address the need for intensive diabetes management and prescribing drugs to prevent cardiovascular complications.

WHO does not recommend the use of non-carbohydrate sweeteners for weight control
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend the use of carbohydrate-free sweeteners for weight control and to reduce the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. Their long-term use may increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality.

ACC publishes expert consensus on the management of patients with heart failure
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published an expert consensus on the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The statement covers in detail the issues of diagnosis and therapy.

Congratulations and lecture “Medics’ contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War”
Dear Colleagues!

The Cardioprogress Foundation congratulates you on the occasion of the Great Victory. Doctors and physicians made a great contribution to the victory during the Great Patriotic War.

How to optimize the management of a patient with arterial hypertension
In March of this year, the XIХ All-Russian Congress “Arterial hypertension 2023: the current state of the problem” was held.

Commemoration of World Health Day 2023 and 75 years of WHO
On World Health Day, 7 April 2023, the World Health Organization celebrates its 75th anniversary. WHO was founded by a collective initiative of the nations of the world in 1948 to promote human health, keep the world safe, and serve the interests of vulnerable populations so that everyone, wherever they are, has the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of health and well-being.

In South Korea, the regulator approved the smart ring for monitoring blood pressure
South Korean medical startup Sky Labs has received national regulatory approval for a wearable blood pressure monitoring device. The cardio tracker has the shape of a ring, is worn on the finger and helps to quickly adjust the dosage of medicines for outpatients.

Spain to develop device for non-invasive monitoring of implanted stents
Nimble Diagnostics, a subsidiary of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, has raised €1 million on the market to develop the first medical device to monitor patients with implanted stents. This will avoid serious complications and improve the quality of medical care.