Studies Shine in Platinum and Gold

UHCOP Researchers Earn Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Medals for Depression, MS Medication Projects

April 9 — Two University of Houston College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) researchers have been recognized with top honors from the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) for their respective studies related to depression and multiple sclerosis (MS).

UHCOP Ph.D. candidate Sourab Ganna, Pharm.D. ('22), and Research Assistant Professor Jieni Li, Ph.D. ('24), MPH, received Platinum and Gold medals, respectively, for their exceptional abstracts submitted for presentation at the AMCP 2025 annual meeting March 31-April 3 in Houston.

Ganna’s abstract, "Cost-Effectiveness of Dextromethorphan-Bupropion (Auvelity) Among Major Depressive Disorder Adult Patients," not only earned the highest medal recognition, but also was selected for a podium presentation at the meeting—a distinction given to only four abstracts each year.

Ganna’s research evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Auvelity, a novel combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion approved by the FDA in 2022 as a second-line therapy for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded to first-line treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Ganna's research found that Auvelity showed higher clinical effectiveness compared to standard care.

"One study reported a remission rate, a key indicator of treatment success, of 39.5% with Auvelity versus 17.3% with placebo at week six," Ganna said. "Additionally, Auvelity showed a rapid onset of action, with significant symptom improvement observed as early as week one."

With its current annual price ranging from $7,500-13,500 depending on dosing, Auvelity could additionally be considered cost-effective if its price were reduced below $4,482.90 annually.

Co-authors were UHCOP's Mustafa F. & Sanober Lokhandwala Endowed Professor Rajender R. Aparasu, Ph.D., FAPhA, fellow student Javeria Khalid, Pharm.D., MPhil, and Assistant Professor Moosa Tatar, Ph.D.

Li's abstract, "Trends in Disease-modifying Therapies Among Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis over the Past Decade," was awarded a Gold medal. The research uses multi-year Medicare claims data to examine the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in older adults with MS between 2011 and 2021. The study found that the number of older adults diagnosed with MS increased by 67.3% over the past decade, with 99,502 older adults diagnosed in 2021 compared to 59,479 in 2011.

A key finding of Li's work was the substantial increase in DMT use among this population, which rose by 225% over the same period. Li’s study also found that the most frequently prescribed DMTs were interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate. The study examined demographic factors such as age, sex, race and ethnicity—finding that the majority of patients prescribed DMTs were female (77.5%) and aged between 66 and 70 (72.5%). Most of the patients were white (89.3%), followed by African American patients at 7.1%. Li concluded that with the increasing availability of new and more effective DMTs, further evaluation of the treatment outcomes for older adults with MS is essential.

Li's study was coauthored by Aparasu, who serves as the principal investigator for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-funded project.

According to AMCP, abstracts were evaluated by an expert panel of reviewers based on five criteria: relevance, originality, quality, bias and clarity. Only 15% of submitted abstracts are awarded medals, with the highest scoring submissions receiving Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

— Lauren Nguyen