Supplying a Pharmacy for NASA Exploration Spaceflight: Challenges and Current Understanding

In order to maintain crew health and performance during long-duration spaceflight outside of low-Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners must be capable of providing a safe and effective pharmacy. Given few directed studies of pharmaceuticals in the space environment, it is difficult to cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NPJ microgravity 2019-06, Vol.5 (1), p.14-12, Article 14
Main Authors: Blue, Rebecca S, Bayuse, Tina M, Daniels, Vernie R, Wotring, Virginia E, Suresh, Rahul, Mulcahy, Robert A, Antonsen, Erik L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/92/436/108
631/92/436/1729
631/92/436/2388
692/700/459/1748
Aerospace Medicine
Applied Microbiology
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotechnology
Classical and Continuum Physics
Immunology
Life Sciences
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacy
Review
Review Article
Space exploration
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space flight
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
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Summary:In order to maintain crew health and performance during long-duration spaceflight outside of low-Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners must be capable of providing a safe and effective pharmacy. Given few directed studies of pharmaceuticals in the space environment, it is difficult to characterize pharmaceutical effectiveness or stability during spaceflight; this in turn makes it challenging to select an appropriate formulary for exploration. Here we present the current state of literature regarding pharmaceutical stability, metabolism, and effectiveness during spaceflight. In particular, we have attempted to highlight the gaps in current knowledge and the difficulties in translating terrestrial-based drug studies to a meaningful interpretation of drug stability, safety, and effectiveness in space. We hope to identify high-yield opportunities for future research that might better define and mitigate pharmaceutical risk for exploration missions.
ISSN:2373-8065
2373-8065
DOI:10.1038/s41526-019-0075-2