Trailblazing Pharmacy Professor Appointed Senior Scholar: Revealing the Hidden Truths of Benzodiazepine Use

In a groundbreaking advancement in pharmacological research, Dr. Silvia Alessi-Severini has been appointed as a Senior Scholar following her illustrious career at the College of Pharmacy. Her research has shattered long-held misconceptions about the tolerance and escalation of benzodiazepine prescriptions, such as Xanax.

It's widely thought that prolonged use of these calming medications leads to increased dosages and potential abuse. However, Dr. Alessi-Severini’s pivotal study, conducted with Manitoba health data in 2016, revealed a different picture. “We showed that when prescribed for diagnosed mood disorders, dose escalation occurs only in a small minority of cases,” she asserts, dispelling myths that have persisted in both medical and public conversations.

Dr. Alessi-Severini’s journey into the heart of pharmacoepidemiology began amidst her educational pursuits in Italy and her subsequent immigration to Canada over 40 years ago. She gained significant experience consulting for health authorities in Alberta and Manitoba before joining the College of Pharmacy in 2003, where her passion for understanding real-world drug effects flourished.

Her work involves analyzing vast datasets that track patients’ interactions with the healthcare system, illuminating the complex patterns surrounding medication use and safety. The Manitoba Population Research Data Repository, one of the most comprehensive health databases globally, serves as a remarkable resource for her research.

“While artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize how we analyze data, the role of human intelligence in study design remains critical,” Dr. Alessi-Severini emphasizes. This insight is crucial as it helps ensure that research findings lead to reliable and actionable medical advice.

Among her extensive body of over 80 published studies, one of her most influential examinations focused on the increasing prescribing of antipsychotic medications to children. The findings sparked media attention and motivated further scholarly investigation into the safety and implications of such treatments.

Additionally, Dr. Alessi-Severini's research has also highlighted positive trends; notably, a marked decrease in benzodiazepine prescriptions for older adults in Manitoba by 2014, which she credits to greater awareness of the associated risks.

Her work with the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) has been instrumental, particularly in analyzing the risks associated with newer diabetes medications. For instance, a 2020 study disclosed that certain drugs were linked to a three-fold increase in the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, prompting necessary reevaluations of treatment protocols.

With Canada moving towards a national drug formulary, Dr. Alessi-Severini’s insights on equitable medication access are more relevant than ever. “Inconsistencies across provinces in drug coverage have caused significant challenges for patients. It’s essential that we create a more standardized system,” she asserts.

Reflecting on her impactful career, she takes pride in establishing a new concentration in pharmacoepidemiology at the College of Pharmacy, which has flourished under the guidance of her younger counterparts. “I’m confident that the next generation of researchers will continue to advance our understanding of medication effects in the real world,