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Dr. Deirdre D'Arcy
Associate Professor, Pharmacy

Biography

Deirdre D'Arcy (M Pharm, PhD, MPSI); Deirdre is a qualified pharmacist (1999) and holds post graduate diplomas in both Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Improvement, and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology. She is a registered pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the General Pharmaceutical Council (UK). After spending 3 years training as a specialist clinical pharmacist, during which time she developed an interest in Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Deirdre spent some time in community pharmacy. Following this she undertook a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology, exploring methods to mathematically simulate pharmaceutical processes. Concurrently, she undertook a diploma in quality improvement and also worked part-time as a community pharmacist. She embarked on her academic career in 2005, in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS) TCD.

This unique combination and breadth of experiences, and her professional status as a qualified, registered pharmacist, has equipped Deirdre with a distinctly valuable perspective on the interplay between clinical aspects of pharmacy practice and the use of pharmaceutical technology in medicines development.

This extensive background has facilitated a range of teaching roles, didactic and experiential, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Furthermore, it has enabled her to develop and lead the novel role of Integration Co-ordinator for the new Pharmacy (Integrated) Programme, promoting integrative teaching and learning between core science, clinical, and experiential learning; and the embedding of graduate attributes and competences within the curriculum.

Context for Integration Co-ordinator role: The new Pharmacy (Integrated) Programme (first intake 2015) results from a change in the national pharmacy education requirements of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. A minimum of 12 months experiential placement-based learning, which used to take place post-graduation and before pharmacist registration, is now integrated within the core 5-year academic programme. Thus the new Pharmacy (Integrated) programme represents a mammoth shift in educational delivery by the SOPPS, with significantly different, advanced programme learning outcomes. Formal, structured integration of campus-based and experiential placement-based learning was thus novel to SOPPS pharmacy education. Furthermore, modern pedagogical perspectives on education in all health care settings have a focus on the integration of core science learning with more applied therapeutics/clinical learning content.

Deirdre has been involved in 3 International EU-funded educational projects (Institutional lead on one of these), prompting innovations in Technology Enhanced Learning and assessment methodologies. These roles and innovations are fully aligned with the recommendations of the Trinity Education Project.

Deirdre is also an active researcher, again supported by her unique combined experience of Patient-Facing practice and Pharmaceutical Technology.

Current research includes 2 main strands: 1: Application of computational modelling and simulation techniques in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology to improve processes and practice, including pharmacokinetic and dissolution modelling 2: Clinically relevant drug development and delivery to special populations.

She was an academic PI on several clinical PK research projects in collaboration with associated teaching hospital

She is involved in several international collaborations, with relevance to access to medicines and personalised medicines. Research outputs have resulted in peer reviewed publications, invited presentations at national and international level, partaking in national policy submission groups, and tangible outputs in the form of changes to medicines dosing policy and software development. Research funding sources include IRCSET, the Meath Foundation, Pharmaceutical Industry.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mea'ad M Harahsheh and Tareq L Mukattash and Samah Al-shatnawi and Rana Abu-Farha and Deirdre D'Arcy and Anan Jarab and Sawsan Abuhammad, Breastfeeding friendly pharmacy from pharmacists perspective, Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 20, (3), 2023, pem469 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Navas-Bachiller, Marina, Persoons, Tim, D'Arcy, Deirdre M., In vitro and in silico methods to investigate the effect of moderately increasing medium viscosity and density on ibuprofen dissolution rate, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 193, 2023, p74-88 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Harahsheh, Mea"ad M., Mukattash, Tareq L., Al-shatnawi, Samah, Abu-Farha, Rana, Abuhammad, Sawsan, D'Arcy, Deirdre, Jarab, Anan, Community Pharmacists" Current Practice and Educational Needs in Breastfeeding Support in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study, Journal of Human Lactation, 2023 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Taseva AR, Persoons T, D'Arcy DM., Application of an AI image analysis and classification approach to characterise dissolution and precipitation events in the flow through apparatus., European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2023, pS0939-6411(23)00108-X Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Marina Navas-Bachiller, Tim Persoons, Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Exploring bulk volume, particle size and particle motion definitions to increase the predictive ability of in vitro dissolution simulations, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, p106185 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Marina Navas Bachiller, Tim Persoons, Anne-Marie Healy, Deirdre Maria D'Arcy, Assessing the effect of moderately increasing medium viscosity on the intrinsic dissolution rate and diffusion coefficient of ibuprofen particles, 2022 Published Abstract, 2022 DOI

Alexandra Taseva, Tim Persoons, Deirdre Maria D'Arcy, Challenges and considerations of automated agglomeration detection method development with image analysis in dissolution testing, 2022 Published Abstract, 2022 DOI

Ryan TJ, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, Quigley JM, Ng NN, Ong WQ, Tey ZH, O'Dwyer M, Walsh JJ., Development of Professional Attributes through Integration of Science and Practice at First-Year Pharmacy Level, Pharmacy, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

D'Arcy, Deirdre M, Van Pham, Thi Thanh, Bachiller, Marina Navas, Fotaki, Nikoletta, Persoons, Tim, Using in silico process simulation tools in pharmacy education: Considerations for pivoting to online learning, Pharmacy Education, 2021, p124-135 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Kirwan Marcus, Munshi Reema, O'Keeffe Hannah, Judge Conor, Coyle Mary, Deasy Evelyn, Kelly Yvelynne P, Lavin Peter J, Donnelly Maria, D'Arcy Deirdre M, Exploring population pharmacokinetic models in patients treated with vancomycin during continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) , Critical care (London, England) , 25 , (1 ), 2021, p443 - Journal Article, 2021 DOI URL

Díaz de León-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM, Lamprou DA, Fotaki N., In vitro - in vivo relations for the parenteral liposomal formulation of Amphotericin B: A clinically relevant approach with PBPK modeling., European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Díaz de León-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM, Lamprou DA, Xue WF, Fotaki N., In vitro in vivo relations for the parenteral liposomal formulation of Amphotericin B: A biorelevant and clinically relevant approach., European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V, 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Díaz de León-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM, Fotaki N., In vitro conditions for performance evaluation of products for intravascular administration: Developing appropriate test media using Amphotericin B as a model drug., European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 143, 2020, p105174 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

D'Arcy, D.M., Persoons, T., Understanding the Potential for Dissolution Simulation to Explore the Effects of Medium Viscosity on Particulate Dissolution, AAPS PharmSciTech, 20, (2), 2019 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Ryan, T.J.; Grimes, T.; Henman, M.C.; Sheachnasaigh, E.N.; O'Dwyer, M.; Roche, C.; Ryder, S.A.; Sasse, A.; Walsh, J.J. & D'Arcy, D.M, Design and Implementation of an Integrated Competency-Focused Pharmacy Programme: A Case Report., Pharmacy, 7, (3), 2019, pdoi.org/10.3390/pharmacy703012 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Ms. Cliodhna McDonald, Mr. Grant Carroll, Ms. Margaret Triggs, Dr. Patrick G Morris, Dr. Deirdre D'Arcy., An Investigation into the Factors that Determine the Clearance of High-Dose Methotrexate in Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, April 5-7 2019, 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

D.M. D'Arcy, R. Duignan, S. McCarthy, M.C. Henman, Exploring the potential for improved community pharmacy breastfeeding support-expectations and priorities of breastfeeding parents and community pharmacists, International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 47th ESCP symposium on clinical pharmacy , Belfast, Ireland, 24-26 October, 2018, 41, (289), 2019, pp323- Meeting Abstract, 2019 DOI

Ricardo Díaz de León-Ortega, Deirdre M D'Arcy, Abert Bolhius, Nikoletta Fotaki, Investigation and simulation of dissolution with concurrent degradation under healthy and hypoalbuminaemic simulated parenteral conditions- case example Amphotericin B, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 127, 2018, p423 - 431 Journal Article, 2018

Diaz de Leon-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM., Fotaki N, Use Of PBPK Modeling To Identify In Vivo Predictive Release Tests For Parenteral Liposomal Formulations., AAPS PharmSci 360, Washgington DC, USA, Nov 4-7 2018, 2018 Poster, 2018

Byrne CJ, Parton T, McWhinney B, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Enright H, Desmond R, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Roberts JA, Population pharmacokinetics of total and unbound teicoplanin concentrations and dosing simulations in patients with haematological malignancy, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 73, (4), 2018, p995 - 1003 Journal Article, 2018 URL DOI

Hugh Connors, Tim Persoons, Deirdre M D'Arcy, Exploring the feasibility of using simulation and imaging to elucidate the effects of medium viscosity on dissolution, 11th World Meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Granada, Spain, March 19-22, 2018, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

David McDonnell,D. M. D'Arcy, L.J. Crane, Brendan Redmond, A Mathematical Analysis of Drug Dissolution in the USP Flow Through Apparatus, Heat and Mass Transfer, 54, (3), 2018, p793 - 801 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

David McDonnell, D. M. D"Arcy, L. J. Crane, Brendan Redmond, A mathematical analysis of drug dissolution in the USP flow through apparatus, Heat and Mass Transfer, 54, (3), 2018, p793--801 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Diaz de Leon-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM., Fotaki N, Investigating Factors That Affect In vitro Drug Release From A Parenteral Liposomal Formulation, AAPS PharmSci 360, Washington DC, USA, Nov 4-7 2018, 2018 Poster, 2018

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Desmond R, Enright H, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Variability in trough total and unbound teicoplanin concentrations and achievement of therapeutic drug monitoring targets in adult patients with haematological malignancy, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 61, (6), 2017, pe02466-16 Journal Article, 2017 DOI TARA - Full Text

Deirdre M D'Arcy, Rose Duignan, Martin C Henman, Suzanne McCarthy, Exploring the potential for a community pharmacy based breastfeeding support service - scope for bidirectional education?, All Irreland Pharmacy Conference, Dundalk, Ireland, 17th October, 2017 Poster, 2017

William H. Marks, Lydia N. Drumright, Nigel K.H. Slater and Deirdre M. D'Arcy , Using CFD Simulations of USP4 Flow Through Cell to Visualize Fluid Movement through a Novel Drug Delivery System, FIP PSWC 2017 6th pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress, Stockholm Sweden, May 22nd-24th, 2017 Poster, 2017

William H. Marks, Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Nigel K.H. Slater, Lydia N. Drumright, Novel Drug Release Test Using USP4 Flow Through Cell for Nipple Shield Delivery System, 8th APS International PharmSci Conference 2017, University of Hertfordshire, UK, 5th-7th September, 2017 Poster, 2017

Liddy A.M., McLaughlin G., Schmitz S., D'Arcy D.M., Barry M.G., The pharmacokinetic interaction between ivacaftor and ritonavir in healthy volunteers, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 83, (10), 2017, p2235 - 2241, p2235-2241 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Todaro, V, Persoons, T, Groves, G, Healy, AM, D'Arcy, DM, Characterisation and simulation of hydrodynamics in the paddle, basket and flow-through dissolution testing apparatuses - a review, Dissolution Technologies, 24, (3), 2017, p24 - 36 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Anne Marie Liddy, Gavin McLaughlin, Susanne Schmitz, Deirdre D'Arcy, Michael Barry, The Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Ivacaftor and Ritonavir in Healthy Volunteers, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 83, (10), 2017, p2235 - 2241 Journal Article, 2017 DOI

Diaz de Leon-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM., Fotaki N., Towards The Development Of Clinically Relevant Dissolution Media For Parenteral Formulations, AAPS annual meeting, San Diego, USA, Nov 12-15, 2017, 2017 Poster, 2017

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Ryder SA, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Desmond R, Enright H, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Population pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin and attainment of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets in adult patients with haematological malignancy, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 23, (9), 2017, p674.e7-674.e13 Journal Article, 2017 Handle DOI TARA - Full Text

William H. Marks; Deirdre M. D'Arcy; Nigel K. H. Slater; Lydia N. Drumright, Analysing Novel Nipple Shield Drug Delivery System with CFD Simulations, 9th European Paediatric Formulation Initiative International Conference, Warsaw, Poland, 20th-21st September, 2017 Poster, 2017

Munshi R, O'Keeffe H, Coyle M, Deasy E, Fitzpatrick GJ, Lavin PJ, Donnelly M, D'Arcy DM, Exploring population pharmacokinetic models in patients treated with vancomycin during continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) on different anticoagulant modalities. , Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine 30th Annual Congress, Vienna, Austria, 23rd- 27th September, edited by . , 5 (Suppl 2), (44), 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017 URL

O'Keeffe, Hannah Marie, Munshi, Reema Mohammad, Coyle, Mary, Deasy, Evelyn, Donnelly, Maria B, Fitzpatrick, Gerard J, Lavin, Peter J., D'Arcy, Deirdre M, Exploring population Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin While Using Different Anticoagulant Modalities during Continuous Venovenous Haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week, New Orleans, LA, USA, Oct 31-Nov 5 2017, 28, (October), 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017 TARA - Full Text

William H. Marks, Lydia Drumright, Nigel K. H. Slater and Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Novel Imaging Platform for Predicting Efficacy of Nipple Shield Delivery System Designs via High-Speed Photography, 14th IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging, Melbourne, Australia, April 2017, 2017 Oral Presentation, 2017 TARA - Full Text

Diaz de Leon-Ortega R, D'Arcy DM., Fotaki N, Simulating Dissolution Profiles Of A Poorly Soluble Drug With Concurrent Degradation In Simulated Plasma Representing Patients And Healthy Subjects, AAPS annual meeting, San Diego, USA, Nov 12-15, 2017, 2017 Poster, 2017

Judge, C; Drew, T; Misran, H; Figuet, C; McGovern, L; Coyne, M; Dunne, L; Deasy, E; Lavin, P; Fahy, A; D'Arcy, DM; Donnelly, M, Experience of data extraction from multiple sources for a CVVHDF and pharmacokinetic retrospective analysis, 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Irish Nephrology Society, Dublin, Ireland, 11th March, 2016 Poster, 2016

Judge, C; Drew, T; Misran, H; Munshi, R; McGovern, L; Coyle, M; Dunne, L; Deasy, E; Lavin, P; Fahy, A; D'Arcy, DM; Donnelly, M, Development of an automated data extraction process for use in retrospective pharmacokinetic analyses: initial application to vancomycin dose and concentration data in patients using citrate and heparin CVVHDF anticoagulation modalities, Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, Milan, Italy, 1st-5th October 2016, 4(Suppl 1), (30), 2016, ppA632- Oral Presentation, 2016 DOI TARA - Full Text URL

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Ryder SA, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Enright H, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, The impact of serum albumin concentrations on the pharmacokinetics of unbound teicoplanin in patients with haematological malignancy, 26th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infections Diseases (ECCMID), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 9-12 April 2016, 2016 Poster, 2016

Serrano DR, Persoons T, D'Arcy DM, Galiana C, Dea-Ayuela MA, Healy AM, Modelling and shadowgraph imaging of cocrystal dissolution and assessment of in vitro antimicrobial activity for sulfadimidine/4-aminosalicylic acid cocrystals, European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 89, 2016, p125-36 Journal Article, 2016 DOI TARA - Full Text

Ricardo Díaz de León-Ortega, Deirdre M D'Arcy, Nikoletta Fotaki, Effect of biorelevant albumin concentration in simulated plasma on the solubility and stability of Amphotericin B, 10th World Meeting on Pharmaceutics Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology , Glasgow, April 4-7 , 2016 Oral Presentation, 2016

Deirdre M D'Arcy, Owen I Corrigan, Evelyn Deasy, Caitríona M Gowing, Maria B Donnelly, Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients during treatment with continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 71, (3), 2015, p377 - 378 Journal Article, 2015

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Enright H, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Population pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin in haematological malignancy patients, Abstracts of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Joint 55th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and 28th International Congress of Chemotherapy Meeting (ICAAC/ICC), San Diego, California, USA, 17-21 September 2015, 55, 2015, pp1627- Meeting Abstract, 2015

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Enright H, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Evaluation of teicoplanin loading dose regimens in patients with haematological malignancy: a population pharmacokinetic study, Haematology Association of Ireland Annual Meeting, Galway, Ireland, 16-17 October 2015, 2015 Poster, 2015

D. R. Serrano, T. Persoons, D. M. D'Arcy, C. Galiana, M. A. Dea-Ayuela, A. M. Healy, Shadowgraph Imaging of Cocrystal Dissolution and In Vitro Activity Determination , AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, Florida, USA, Oct 25-29, 2015, ppW5128- Conference Paper, 2015

Byrne CJ, Egan S, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Enright H, Deasy E, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Teicoplanin use in adult patients with haematological malignancy: Exploring relationships between dose, trough concentrations, efficacy and nephrotoxicity, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 46, (4), 2015, p406 - 412 Journal Article, 2015 URL DOI URL

:Correa, JCR (Ruela Correa, Josilene Chaves) ; D'Arcy, DM (D'Arcy, Deirdre M.); Serra, CHD (dos Reis Serra, Cristina Helena) ; Salgado, HRN (Nunes Salgado, Herida Regina), A Critical Review of Properties of Darunavir and Analytical Methods for Its Determination, CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, 44, (1), 2014, p16 - 22 Journal Article, 2014

Byrne CJ, Egan S, D'Arcy DM, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Fennell JP, Enright H, McHugh J, Ryder SA, Teicoplanin usage in adult patients with haematological malignancy in the UK and Ireland: Is there scope for improvement, Eur J Hosp Pharm, 21, (5), 2014, p301 - 305 Journal Article, 2014 URL DOI

Gervais, Brian; D'Arcy, Deirdre M., Quality risk analysis in a cGMP environment: multiple models for comprehensive failure mode identification during the computer system lifecycle, DRUG DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL PHARMACY, 40, (1), 2014, p46 - 60 Journal Article, 2014

Byrne C, Egan S, D'Arcy DM, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Fennell J, Enright H, McHugh J, Ryder SA, Teicoplanin usage in adult patients with haematological malignancy in the UK and Ireland: Is there scope for improvement?, Haematology Association of Ireland Annual Meeting, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 18-19 October 2013, 2013 Poster, 2013

Malone, M.E., Corrigan, O.I., Kavanagh, P.V., Gowing, C., Donnelly, M., D'Arcy, D.M., Pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B lipid complex in critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 42, (4), 2013, p335-342 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

M.E. Malone, C. Gowing, M. Barry, E. Deasy, P. Kavanagh, O.I. Corrigan, D.M. D'Arcy, M. Donnelly, CAN ROUTINE CLINICAL CHEMISTRY RESULTS BE RELATED TO THE VOLUME OF DISTRIBUTION OF AMPHOTERICIN B LIPID COMPLEX IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS?, Intensive Care Medicine, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, 25th Annual Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, October 13-17 2012, 38, (Supplement 1), 2012, pp0548- Meeting Abstract, 2012

Santos-Martinez MJ, Inkielewicz-Stepniak I, Medina C, Rahme K, D'Arcy DM, Fox D, Holmes JD, Zhang H, Radomski MW., The use of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) for studying nanoparticle-induced platelet aggregation., International Journal of Nanomedicine, 7, 2012, p243 - 255 Journal Article, 2012 URL

Josilene Chaves Ruela Correa, Deirdre M D'Arcy, Cristina Helena dos Reis Serra, Herida Regina Nunes Salgado, Darunavir: A critical review of its properties, use and drug interactions, Pharmacology (International Journal of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology), 90, 2012, p102 - 109 Journal Article, 2012 URL

D'Arcy, D.M., Casey, E., Gowing, C.M., Donnelly, M.B., Corrigan, O.I., An open prospective study of amikacin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients during treatment with continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration, BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 13, 2012 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Malone, M.; Gowing, C.; Barry, M.; Kavanagh, P; Corrigan, O. I.; D'Arcy, D. M.; Donnelly, M., Plasma concentrations of amphotericin B in critically ill patients, on switching from the liposomal to the lipid complex formulation , International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, European Society of Clinical Pharmacy, October 2011, 34, (1), 2012, pp147- Meeting Abstract, 2012

Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Bo Liu, Owen I. Corrigan, Investigating the effect of solubility and density gradients on local hydrodynamics and drug dissolution in the USP 4 dissolution apparatus, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 419, (1-2), 2011, p175-185 Journal Article, 2011 TARA - Full Text

Deirdre M D'Arcy, Tim Persoons, Mechanistic Modelling and Mechanistic Monitoring: Simulation and Shadowgraph Imaging of Particulate Dissolution in the Flow-Through Apparatus, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 100, (3), 2011, p1102-1115 Journal Article, 2011

D'Arcy, Deirdre M.; Liu, Bo; Persoons, Tim; Corrigan, Owen I., Hydrodynamic Complexity Induced by the Pulsing Flow Field in USP Dissolution Apparatus 4 , Dissolution Technologies, 18, (4), 2011, p6 - 13 Journal Article, 2011 URL

Spooner AM, Deegan C, D'Arcy DM, Gowing CM, Donnelly MB, Corrigan OI, An evaluation of ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients undergoing continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration., BMC Clinical Pharmacology, 11, (1), 2011, p11 Journal Article, 2011 DOI TARA - Full Text URL

D'Arcy DM, Liu B, Bradley G, Healy AM, Corrigan OI, Hydrodynamic and species transfer simulations in the USP 4 dissolution apparatus: considerations for dissolution in a low velocity pulsing flow, Pharmaceutical Research, 27, (2), 2010, p246-58 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

C. F. Mahon, A. McLaughlin, J. Canavan, D. Darcy, C. Gowing, M. Donnelly, A Description Of The Methodology To Measure Concentrations Of Vancomycin In Bronchial Secretions Of Ventilated ICU Patients, Am J Respir Crit Care Med , Annual Meeting of the American Thoracic Society , New Orleans, USA, May 2010, 181, (1), 2010, ppA4564- Meeting Abstract, 2010

B. Liu, D. D'Arcy, I. Kovacevic, J. Parojcic, O. Corrigan, Investigating the role of the flow through apparatus (USP4) in In vitro in vivo correlation using a BCS class II model drug., AAPS Journal, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, USA, 12, ((S2)), 2010 Meeting Abstract, 2010

M.E. Malone, D.M. D'Arcy, O.I. Corrigan, P. Kavanagh, M. Donnelly, Determination of the timescale to reach therapeutic concentrations in tracheal aspirate, following parenteral administration of liposomal amphotericin B., AAPS Journal, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, USA, 12 , ((S2)), 2010 Meeting Abstract, 2010

Jelena Parojčić, Mira Zečević, Deirdre D'Arcy, Milan Antonijević, Simon Walker, Mila Bo ič and Stane Srčič, Qualified Person Learning Programme Development: An Example of the Tempus Joint Project Activity, Annual Conference of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy Annual Conference, Catania, Italy, June 24-26, 2010, 2010 Poster, 2010 URL

D'Arcy DM, Healy AM, Corrigan OI, Towards determining appropriate hydrodynamic conditions for in vitro in vivo correlations using computational fluid dynamics, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 37, (3-4), 2009, p291 - 299 Journal Article, 2009

David McDonnell, Brendan Redmond, Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Anne Marie Healy, Owen I. Corrigan, An Analysis of Drug Dissolution Rates in the USP 24 Type 2 Apparatus, Proc. Appl. Math. Mech., 9, 2009, p691 - 692 Journal Article, 2009

Niall M. McMahon, Lawrence J. Crane, Heather J. Ruskin, Martin Crane, Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Anne Marie Healy, Owen I. Corrigan, A numerical model of a drug particle dissolving in a dissolutoin test apparatus, Proc. Appl. Math. Mech., 9, 2009, p655 - 656 Journal Article, 2009

B. Liu, D.M. D'Arcy, O.I. Corrigan, Can a soluble excipient increase drug dissolution under mild hydrodynamic conditions by enhancing natural convection?, PharmSciFair, Nice, France, June 2009, 2009 Poster, 2009

D'Arcy D.M., Liu B., O'Dwyer R., Bradley G., Corrigan, O.I., Dissolution in the flow through apparatus - use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate hydrodynamiceffects, AAPS Journal, AAPS Annual Conference, 10, (S2), 2008 Meeting Abstract, 2008

D'Arcy, D.M., Corrigan, O.I., Healy, A.M., Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate hydrodynamics involved in in vitro in vivo correlations (IVIVC) , EUFEPS/COST B 25 conference on Bioavailability (BA) and Bioequivalence (BE): Focus on physiological factors and variability., Athens, Greece, October, 2007 Poster, 2007

D'Arcy D.M., Corrigan, O.I., Healy, A.M., Investigating the hydrodynamics involved in early in vito in vivo correlations - computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of hydrodynamics in the Levy beaker apparatus., PSWC 3rd World congress of the Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the FIP., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, April, 2007 Poster, 2007

Deirdre D'Arcy, Owen Corrigan, Anne Marie Healy, Evaluation of hydrodynamics in the basket dissolution apparatus using compuational fluid dynamics - Dissolution rate implications, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 27, 2006, p259 - 267 Journal Article, 2006

Deirdre D'Arcy. Owen Corrigan, Anne Marie Healy, hydrodynamic simulation (Compuational fluid dynamics) of asymmetrically positioned tablets in the paddle dissolution apparatus: impact on dissolution rate and variability, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 57, 2005, p1243 - 1250 Journal Article, 2005

D'Arcy DM, Corrigan OI, Healy AM, Hydrodynamic simulation (computational fluid dynamics) of asymmetrically positioned tablets in the paddle dissolution apparatus: impact on dissolution rate and variability, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 57, 2005, p1243 - 1250 Journal Article, 2005

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Matthias G. Wacker, Sandra Klein, Vivek Shah, Matthew D. Burke, Gregory Hunter, and Hao Xu, In-Vitro Product Performance of Parenteral Drug Products: View of the USP Expert Panel , Dissolution Technologies, Nov, 2022, p204 - 218 Journal Article, 2022 TARA - Full Text DOI

O'Dwyer M, Ryan T, Ryder S, D'Arcy DM, Walsh J. , Innovative Development and Evaluation of Professional Attributes through Integration of Science and Practice at First Year Pharmacy Level , Irish Network of Healthcare Educators Conference, TBSI, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland , February 2020, 2020 Oral Presentation, 2020

Deirdre D'Arcy, UKCPA: Medication while breastfeeding, Pharmacy Magazine, 28th September, 2018, p(Extend your learning) Journal Article, 2018 URL

Munshi R, O'Keeffe H, Coyle M, Deasy E, Lavin P, Donnelly M, D'Arcy DM., Exploring population pharmacokinetic models in patients treated with vancomycin during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) on different anticoagulant modalities. , 39th All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy Conference, Cork, Ireland, April 24-25, 2017, 2017 Oral Presentation, 2017

Deirdre M D'Arcy, Simulation and Comparison of Hydrodynamics in Compendial Dissolution Apparatuses Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), USP Workshop on Computer Modeling - In vitro and In vivo Studies, USP Meetings Center, Rockville, MD USA, October 23-25, 2017, 2017, US Pharmacopeial Convention Invited Talk, 2017

Byrne CJ, Roberts JA, McWhinney B, Ryder SA, Fennell JP, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Egan S, Enright H, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, Population pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin and attainment of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets in adult patients with haematological malignancy, Trinity College Dublin: Faculty of Health Sciences Research Day, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 15 September 2016, 2016 Poster, 2016

Byrne CJ, McWhinney B, Roberts JA, Fennell JP, Egan S, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Enright H, Ryder SA, McHugh J, D'Arcy DM, Pharmacokinetic analysis of teicoplanin in patients with haematological malignancy, 37th All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy Research Seminar, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 30-31 March 2015, 2015 Poster, 2015

Byrne C, McHugh J, Egan S, Fennell J, Enright H, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, Teicoplanin dosage in adult patients with haematological malignancy: Can we improve on current practices?, Irish Antimicrobial Pharmacists Group, Dublin, Ireland, 22 October 2014, 2014 Oral Presentation, 2014

Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, McHugh J, 'A prospective, single-centre, cohort study to determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of teicoplanin in adult patients with haematological malignancy', Dublin, Ireland, 2014, - Protocol or guideline, 2014 URL

Byrne C, Egan S, D'Arcy DM, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Fennell J, Enright H, McHugh J, Ryder SA, Teicoplanin usage in adult patients with haematological malignancy in the UK and Ireland: Is there scope for improvement?, Tallaght Hospital Research Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland, 20 November 2014, 2014 Poster, 2014

Catherine J. Byrne, Sheila A. Ryder, Jerome P. Fennell, Philomena O'Byrne, Evelyn Deasy, Sean Egan, Helen Enright, Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Johnny McHugh, Teicoplanin dosing in haematological malignancy - is it time to reconsider?, TBSI annual symposium, Dublin, May 2014, 2014 Oral Presentation, 2014

Byrne C, McHugh J, Egan S, Fennell JP, Enright H, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, Teicoplanin dosage in haematological malignancy: Is it time to reconsider?, 36th All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy Research Seminar, Dublin, Ireland, 14-15 April 2014, 2014 Oral Presentation, 2014

Catherine Byrne, Sean Egan, Deirdre D'Arcy, Philomena O'Byrne, Evelyn Deasy, Jérôme Fennell, Helen Enright, Johnny McHugh, Sheila Ryder, Teicoplanin Usage in Adult Patients with Haematological Malignancy in the UK and Ireland: Is there scope for improvement? , Haematology Association of Ireland Conference 2013, Belfast, Ireland, 2013, 2013 Poster, 2013

Byrne C, McHugh J, Egan S, Fennell JP, Enright H, O'Byrne P, Deasy E, Ryder SA, D'Arcy DM, Teicoplanin dosing in haematological malignancy - is it time to reconsider?, Tallaght Hospital Pharmacy Department Education Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 26 September 2013, 2013 Oral Presentation, 2013

M.E. Malone, C. Gowing, M. Barry, E. Deasy, P.V. Kavanagh, O.I. Corrigan, D.M. D'Arcy, M. Donnelly, Do plasma protein levels influence the volume of distribution of Amphotericin B Lipid Complex?, Intensive Care Society of Ireland Annual Scientific Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, June 2012, 2012 Poster, 2012

Deirdre M. D'Arcy, Tim Persoons, 'Simulation of dissolution rate profiles of pharmaceutical systems', School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dept. of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, 2012, - Software, 2012 URL

Malone M.E., Gowing C., Barry M., Deasy E., Kavanagh P.V., Corrigan O.I., D'Arcy D.M., Donnelly M. Clinical pharmacokinetics research group, Pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B lipid complex in critically ill patients on and off continuous venovenous heeamodiafiltration, All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference, Cork, 2012, 2012 Poster, 2012

M.E. Malone, C. Gowing, M. Barry, E. Deasy, P.V. Kavanagh, O.I. Corrigan, D.M. D'Arcy, M. Donnelly, Determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of amphotericin B in critically ill patients during continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration-analytical methodology and clinical trial design, All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference, Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 2010, 2010 Oral Presentation, 2010

Deirdre M. D'Arcy, CFD in dissolution testing: considerations for the design and use of hydrodynamic simulations, Dissolution Testing, Prague, Czech Republic, 20-21 October 2009, 2009 Oral Presentation, 2009

Deirdre M D'Arcy, The role of hydrodynamics in dissolution testing, Dissolution Testing, Bioequivalence and Bioavailability Strategies Conference 2008, London, UK, 26-27 June, 2008, 2008 Oral Presentation, 2008

Research Expertise

Description

My research interests can be presented as 2 main themes: 1. Application of computational modelling and simulation techniques in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, to improve processes and practice. I have used a number of different computational modelling and simulation approaches and packages in 2 main contexts: A) Clinical Pharmacokinetics: Clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) involves modelling the time course of a medicine in the body, in order to understand the medicine's journey through the body. This then facilitates design of optimal dosing regimens (dose and interval) to achieve therapeutic goals. My clinical PK work to date has focussed on optimising antibiotic use. I am the academic PI for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Research Group, a collaboration with Tallaght Hospital. I have worked with both the Intensive Care Unit and Haematology Departments, and the hospital Pharmacy Department. B) Pharmaceutical Drug Development: My modelling and simulation in Pharmaceutical Drug Development has focussed on dissolution modelling. Dissolution testing involves determination of the rate and extent of drug dissolution and release from any dosage form. It is an essential component of early stage drug formulation development, and also quality control (QC). Of global research interest are i) the development of dissolution testing methodologies which best reflect the in vivo environment for drug release, to support early stage formulation development, and ii) understanding sources of variability in dissolution testing to minimise risk of failure to meet specifications in QC testing of manufactured batches. I have developed significant expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of fluid dynamics within different dissolution test apparatuses, assisting determination of sources of variability from a QC perspective and also in vivo relevant dissolution method development. Furthermore, I have co-developed a dissolution simulation package with Dr. Tim Persoons (Dept. of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, TCD). We have accompanied this simulation package with a novel investigational tool for visualisation of dissolution, based on the principles of shadowgraph imaging. 2. Clinically relevant drug development and delivery to special populations. The dual concepts of access to medicines and personalised medicines are highly relevant in today's global pharmaceutical environment. Based on a combination of my clinical and pharmaceutical technology experience and expertise, my research addresses both of these concepts.Relevant international collaborations include those with Cambridge University and University of Bath, UK, exploring the development of dissolution and drug release testing methodologies which will support drug development for two specific populations: critically ill patients and neonates/infants. My collaboration with Cambridge University focussed on the development of a dissolution testing environment from a nipple shield designed specifically with the aim of drug delivery to neonates while breastfeeding. My collaboration with University of Bath focusses on the development of dissolution testing for lipid-based parenteral formulations, with the dissolution medium representing the characteristics of plasma in critically ill patients. Of topical significance is my collaboration with the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and the School of Medicine, TCD, investigating the role of pharmacokinetic "boosting" drugs in reducing dosing (cost) of expensive medicines. Finally I have had an intereset in investigating the potential for provision of breastfeeding support in a community pharmacy environment. Primarily this focusses on support for medication use (in either baby or mother) during breastfeeding, but with a general health promotion angle also.

Projects

  • Title
    • An investigation to determine an appropriate teicoplanin dosage regimen for the treatment of Gram-positive infection in patients with haematological malignancy.
  • Summary
    • Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that has bactericidal activity against aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria including multi-resistant staphylococci. Along with vancomycin, it has become one of the treatments of choice for Gram-positive sepsis, including infections caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Teicoplanin has a structure and spectrum of activity similar to that of vancomycin but its pharmacokinetic properties are quite distinct. For these reasons, teicoplanin is often the preferred choice over vancomycin for the treatment of Gram-positive infection in patients with haematological malignancy. Despite this, specific dosage guidelines and an appropriate target trough level for this patient group have not been determined. Higher doses have been suggested for patients with haematological malignancy, but increasing the dose not only increases the risk of adverse effects but also reduces the cost-effectiveness when compared to vancomycin. Therefore, most patients with haematological malignancy continue to receive standard doses of teicoplanin and therapeutic drug monitoring is not widely practised. As patients with haematological malignancy are at high risk for developing severe Gram-positive infections, underdosing of teicoplanin is of great concern. The aims of this project are to determine current teicoplanin prescribing practices, to investigate whether certain clinical or patient factors contribute to efficacy or toxicity of teicoplanin or to trough levels attained, and to conduct a prospective trial to determine pharmacokinetic characteristics of teicoplanin in patients with haematological malignancy. Phase 1, a survey of teicoplanin practice in all Irish/UK haematology services, was completed in June 2013. Findings revealed that the majority of hospitals rely on the manufacturer's standard dosage regimen rather than therapeutic drug monitoring as an indicator for therapeutic dosing and that local practices lack a clear evidence base. Data gathering for Phase 2, a retrospective study of teicoplanin dosage and clinical outcomes in teicoplanin-treated patients with haematological malignancy at Tallaght Hospital, was completed in November 2013. Results suggested a positive relationship between teicoplanin concentration and treatment outcome. Findings also suggested a risk of underexposure if conventional doses of teicoplanin are used in patients with haematological malignancy. A model was developed for dosage optimisation of teicoplanin in patients with haematological malignancy. Nephrotoxicity analysis suggested that teicoplanin is well tolerated at the renal level. Phase 3, a clinical trial to determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of teicoplanin in patients with haematological malignancy, was commenced in subjects in March 2014.
  • Funding Agency
    • Meath Foundation (In collaboration with Tallaght hospital Haematology and PHarmacy departments).
  • Date From
    • March 2012
  • Title
    • Simulation of dissolution rate profiles of pharmaceutical systems
  • Summary
    • This project involves the development of software code which allows generation of a simulated profile of particles dissolving over time. It includes simulation of dissolution under a range of pharmaceutical industry-standard test conditions. Dissolution testing is a routine testing process in the pharmaceutical industry. Both instrumentation and operational characteristics of the dissolution test are rigidly defined. It is a recognised problem that dissolution results can fall out of specification,suggesting that a drug is being released too slowly or too quickly. These out of specification results could be due to (unintentional) changes in many stages of the manufacturing process, or could be as a result of a change in the operation or specifications of the dissolution testing apparatus itself. Existing solutions concern either running experimental tests, or use of certain dissolution theory and models, which do not always take the detailed operational characteristics of the test procedure into account. This technology allows insight into effects of the testing conditions on the dissolution rate, without having to run real-time dissolution tests to check each effect.
  • Date From
    • October 2008
  • Date To
    • Present
  • Title
    • A clinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of amphotericin B lipid complex in critically ill patients
  • Summary
    • Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) has been used extensively to treat proven or suspected severe fungal infections. In this project, the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy - continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) on the pharamcokinetics of ABLC in critically ill patients was examined. Sixteen patients (21 profiles) were recruited to the study; 9 profiles undergoing CVVHDF and 12 profiles not undergoing CVVHDF, during their ABLC treatment. Non compartmental analysis was performed to calculate the following PK parameters of AMB: clearance (Cl), volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) and half life (t1/2). In the current study, wide variability was observed in both intra- and inter-patient PK of AMB, after the administration of ABLC. Multiexponential kinetics of AMB, after the administration of ABLC, were also observed. The median values of Cl, Vss and t1/2 calculated within a sampling interval of AMB were determined to be 27 L/h and 44 L/h, 1500 L and 2000 L, 34 hours and 33 hours for patients undergoing CVVHDF and not undergoing CVVHDF respectively. No statistical difference was found between PK parameters of AMB in patients undergoing and not undergoing CVVHDF. Also, the maximum amount cleared by CVVHDF was less than 1% of ABLC dose. Statistically significant relationships were observed between Vss and albumin and C reactive protein (CRP), where a decrease in albumin and an increase in CRP levels were related to an increase in Vss. In addition, a trend effect was demonstrated where an increase in the daily dose of noradrenaline administered was related to an increase in plasma AMB concentrations.
  • Funding Agency
    • In collaboration with the ICU, Tallaght hospital (part funded by Cephalon Ireland Ltd).
  • Date From
    • October 2008
  • Date To
    • July 2013
  • Title
    • Effect of hydrodynamics in the USP apparatus 4 on dissolution/drug release rates
  • Summary
    • The dissolution rates of model compounds of low- to intermediate-solubility were examined under conditions of no forced convection (natural convection) and at low flow rates in the USP 4 dissolution apparatus (Flow-through apparatus). The hydrodynamics of the flow-through apparatus were simulated using the CFD software, Fluent. The effect of low, time-dependent fluid velocities on dissolution was being examined, in particular with relevance to the estimated magnitude of fluid velocities in the GI tract. The effect of natural convection was found to have a signfiicant impact on dissolution rate under low velocity conditions.
  • Funding Agency
    • IRCSET
  • Date From
    • October 2007
  • Date To
    • July 2012

Keywords

ANTIBIOTICS; CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS; COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD); COMPUTER MODELING AND SIMULATION; DISSOLUTION; DISSOLUTION MECHANISMS; DISSOLUTION RATES; DISSOLUTION TESTING; Dosage Forms; Drug Delivery Systems; FORMULATIONS; Methods of Drug Delivery; PHARMACODYNAMICS; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacotherapy; PK/PD; STERILE

Recognition

Representations

Member of USP Expert Panel in Product Performance Testing 2019-

Member of accreditation committee for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme for Pharmacists 2011/12 -2012/13

Irish Institute of Pharmacy: Member of Peer Review Panel for Assessment of CPD Programmes December 2014 to present

Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP): Member of working group for IIOP submission to National Maternity Strategy 2015

Committee for Women's Health group, United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association 2016 to 2020

Regular peer-reviewer for relevant scientific and clinical journal (13) 2009 to present

External examiner -PhD thesis - University of Barcelona 2017

External examiner- MSc thesis - University of Western Cape, South Africa 2016

Adjudicator at Hospital Pharmacy Association of Ireland (HPAI) annual meeting -poster competition 2011

Member of the Accreditation Working Group for the Five-Year Integrated Pharmacy Programme 2014-present

Institutional Lead -PQPharm (Postgraduate Qualification in Pharmacy) International educational project funded under the the EU Tempus Programme 2009-2013

Awards and Honours

Sotax Award for Dissolution Innovation September 2010

Tocher Medal from Robert Gordon University 1st place final year pharmacy exams July 1998

Memberships

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland 2002 – Present

United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association 2009 – 2021

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC-UK) 1999 – Present