The IATDMCT Congress is fast approaching, and the March 2017 Compass opens with a useful overview of practical information for members.  Scientific reports include the current state of Vancomycin TDM, which despite more than five decades of clinical application, continues to pose challenges: novel approaches are being refined for clinical use. We revisit medicinal use of cannabis, this time from the perspective of the Toxicology Committee, and we hear about laboratory assays aimed at determining idiosyncratic, Type B, adverse drug reactions.  Finally, our German colleagues share details about a special event held to celebrate the retirement of Hans Maurer, IATDMCT past-president, who took his bow with a presentation about potions and poisons in opera and the arts: well worth a read.

Many thanks to the Compass Editorial Team:

Paula Schaiquevich
Edgar Spencer
Franck Saint-Marcoux

This month we hear from fellow Australian and colleague, Jason Roberts, whose work is recognized for advancing research in TDM to serve the critical patient, especially optimising the use of antimicrobial drugs. Building on previous work, Jason and his colleagues perform outstanding research from routine clinical work, as well as leading and participating in high quality international collaborations. Jason shares about these and various other initiatives.

Jason Roberts
Consultant Clinical Pharmacist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Professor & NHMRC Practitioner Fellow, Centre for Clinical Research University of Queensland, Australia

We’re a month behind in reporting on the most recent Compass, principally because Prof Christians’ Interview was too compelling to push back. The December issue completed the year’s circuit of meetings, where IATDMCT members were involved in Regional meetings and Scientific Committee initiatives, among other international meetings and congresses. Among the great reports from SCs, members of the Drugs of Abuse Committee bring our attention to medicinal use of Cannabis, and suggest our Association keep an eye on emerging developments.

Many thanks to the Compass Editorial Team:

Paula Schaiquevich
Edgar Spencer
Franck Saint-Marcoux

This month we hear from Uwe Christians, program leader of the Biomarker Working Group of the Immunosuppressive Drugs Scientific Committee. It’s inspiring to hear about developments at iC42, an academic laboratory that provides a wide range of bioanalytical services, from clinical trials to patient solutions. It is also the first time aptamer based analytics have been raised in an interview, in this case for biomarker assays. Exciting things are happening in Colorado.

Uwe Christians
Director, iC42: Integrated Solutions in Clinical Research and Development
University of Colorado, Colorado, USA