Drug repurposing, or repositioning, has emerged as a pivotal strategy in pharmaceutical research, offering a promising approach to uncover new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. While traditional de novo drug discovery typically requires 10-17 years and investments exceeding $2 billion with only 11% of Phase I candidates reaching approval, drug repurposing can reduce development timelines to 3-12 years at substantially lower costs, with approval rates reaching approximately 30% for de-risked compounds. The current review evaluates recent approaches, benefits, challenges and successful examples of drug repurposing. Relevant literature related to the advantages and obstacles associated with drug repurposing were reviewed. Additionally, the review demonstrates computational and data-driven methods, as well as traditional and novel examples of repurposed drugs across different therapeutic fields. Drug repurposing offers a faster and cost-effective approach to new therapies, particularly for critical conditions, such as rare diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. These advantages overcome the shortcomings of traditional drug development. Successful examples include the repurposing of dimethyl fumarate, chloroquine and daptomycin, which addressed a range of medical indications beyond the original drug uses. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that drug repurposing provides a viable solution for accelerating the process of drug discovery and addressing urgent medical needs. The integration of advanced computational methods and enhancing collaborative research projects would allow further expansion of treatment options and supporting timely solutions for critical and rare medical conditions.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern that compromises the efficacy of antibiotics, particularly due to the misuse and overuse of these agents. Beta-lactam antibiotics, widely used for their broad-spectrum activity, are increasingly threatened by bacterial resistance mechanisms. Recent studies showed that resistant Gram-negative bacteria cause many hospital infections, which makes the search for new treatments very urgent. Objective: This review explores recent advancements in the development of novel beta-lactam antibiotics, including new drug combinations and structural modifications designed to overcome beta-lactamase degradation and effectively target mutated penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Literature Review: One of the main resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative bacteria is the production of beta-lactamases, which break the beta-lactam ring and stop the drug from working. New ideas include adding more than one beta-lactam ring in the drug, combining with strong beta-lactamase inhibitors, and making hybrid structures. These strategies have shown promising results in preclinical evaluations. Conclusion: Novel beta-lactam antibiotics demonstrate significant potential in combating resistant bacterial strains. Future directions should emphasize large-scale in vivo validation, the incorporation of novel β-lactamase inhibitors, and the development of advanced drug delivery systems. Integration of these strategies may enhance the clinical applicability of β-lactams and provide sustainable solutions to address the global burden of antimicrobial resistance.

Liver cancer is a prevalent form of carcinoma worldwide. A novel chitosan-coated optimized formulation capped with irradiated silver nanoparticles (INops) was fabricated to boost the anti-malignant impact of rosuvastatin calcium (RC). Using a 2³-factorial design, eight formulations were produced using the solvent evaporation process. The formulations were characterized in vitro to identify the optimal formulation (Nop). The FTIR spectra showed that the fingerprint region is not superimposed with that of the drug; DSC thermal analysis depicted a negligible peak shift; and XRPD diffractograms revealed the disappearance of the typical drug peaks. Nop had an entrapment efficiency percent (EE%) of 86.2%, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.254, a zeta potential (ZP) of −35.3 mV, and a drug release after 12 h (Q12) of 55.6%. The chitosan-coated optimized formulation (CS.Nop) showed significant mucoadhesive strength that was 1.7-fold greater than Nop. Physical stability analysis of CS.Nop revealed negligible alterations in VS, ZP, PDI, and drug retention (DR) at 4 °C. The irradiated chitosan-coated optimized formulation capped with silver nanoparticles (INops) revealed the highest inhibition effect on carcinoma cells (97.12%) compared to the chitosan-coated optimized formulation (CS.Nop; 81.64) and chitosan-coated optimized formulation capped with silver nanoparticles (CS.Nop.AgNPs; 92.41). The bioavailability of CS-Nop was 4.95-fold greater than RC, with a residence time of about twice the free drug. CS.Nop has displayed a strong in vitro–in vivo correlation with R² 0.9887. The authors could propose that novel INop could serve as an advanced platform to improve oral bioavailability and enhance hepatic carcinoma recovery.

Background: People with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing pharmacy services, including physical inaccessibility, communication challenges, and inadequate pharmacist training. These barriers often result in poor healthcare outcomes, which lead to a decline in the provided services. Objective: To explore hospital pharmacists’ experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving pharmacy services for individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interviews with fifteen hospital pharmacists selected through purposive sampling. Participants had to have had at least 5 years of experience and direct interaction with disabled patients. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and insights. An inductive thematic analysis approach was employed. Results: The analysis revealed five key themes: (1) physical inaccessibility of pharmacy infrastructure, (2) communication barriers, (3) training needs, (4) the role of assistive technologies, and (5) proposed service improvements. Technology was recognized as a facilitator, with tools such as Braille medication labels, automated dispensing systems, and mobile health applications identified as potential solutions. Participants also proposed structural modifications, mandatory training programs, and dedicated service pathways to address identified challenges. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach that integrates infrastructure redesign, targeted training, technological solutions, and inclusive healthcare policies. Conclusion: Improving pharmacy services for individuals with disabilities requires structural, educational, and technological interventions to enhance accessibility, communication, and service delivery. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities when accessing pharmacy services and offer actionable recommendations for improvement. From a practical perspective, healthcare institutions should prioritize mandatory disability‐awareness and communication training programs for pharmacists, focusing on skills such as sign language, assistive technology use, and inclusive communication strategies. Structural modifications to pharmacy infrastructure, including lowered counters, wider aisles, and accessible shelving, are essential to ensure physical accessibility. In addition, the integration of assistive technologies, such as Braille labels, voice‐assisted mobile apps, and automated dispensing systems, can help address communication gaps and improve medication adherence. Dedicated service pathways for patients with disabilities can further enhance privacy, reduce waiting times, and ensure personalized care delivery. From a research perspective, future studies should explore the perspectives of patients with disabilities to complement pharmacists’ insights, employ mixed‐methods approaches for a more comprehensive understanding, and conduct longitudinal studies to evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of training programs and technological interventions. Cross‐cultural comparative studies can also help identify universal challenges and region‐specific solutions. By addressing these implications, stakeholders—including healthcare institutions, policymakers, and educators—can collaboratively create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable pharmacy service environment for individuals with disabilities.

Background: Frailty, a condition characterized by diminished physiological reserves, is a significant public health concern globally, particularly due to its association with adverse outcomes such as hospitalization, dependence, and mortality. Despite the importance of early detection and prevention, public awareness about frailty remains insufficient, especially in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess public awareness of frailty and its association with disability, focusing on the socio-demographic factors that influence awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed with 1000 participants from urban and rural regions of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding frailty awareness, particularly around its prevention strategies. Results: A total of 1000 respondents participated in the survey. The majority of participants were males aged 18 to 39. The results indicated significant predictors of frailty awareness, including gender, education level, income, health status, and self-rated health. Frailty preventive techniques were more likely to be known by men, those with greater education, higher income, and better health. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted public health campaigns to improve awareness, especially among underrepresented groups. Addressing socio-demographic factors in future interventions may reduce frailty risks and support health promotion and prevention efforts in Saudi Arabia.

Paraplegia, resulting from spinal cord injury or neurological disease, presents significant challenges in long-term care and rehabilitation. Effective therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving mobility, reducing complications, and enhancing quality of life. To systematically analyze clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov that investigate pharmacological, device-based, and procedural interventions for individuals with paraplegia. A retrospective analysis of 84 paraplegia-related clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted on July 3, 2025. Studies were categorized by type (interventional or observational), intervention class (pharmacological, device-based, behavioral, biological, or procedural), and primary outcome focus. Emphasis was placed on interventional trials (n = 61), with descriptive analyses of sample size, enrollment range, and outcome categories. Among the 84 included studies, 61 (73%) were interventional and 23 (27%) were observational. Device-based interventions (n = 30) were the most frequently investigated and included exoskeleton-assisted walking, functional electrical stimulation, and robotic rehabilitation systems. Pharmacological interventions (n = 10) targeted spasticity, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular regulation. Behavioral interventions (n = 7) emphasized patient engagement and rehabilitation planning, while biological and procedural therapies (n = 7) focused on neurostimulation and regenerative strategies. Primary outcomes most commonly assessed mobility/function (n = 13), safety (n = 9), and cardiometabolic parameters (n = 6), with many studies reporting small sample sizes. Clinical trials in paraplegia research are increasingly centered on pharmacological and device-supported interventions aimed at enhancing motor recovery and minimizing secondary disability. While variability in sample size and outcome measures exists, this analysis highlights promising directions for optimizing long-term management of paraplegia. Greater standardization in trial design and outcome reporting will be essential for advancing therapeutic effectiveness and clinical applicability.