title: Drug repositioning and repurposing: terminology and definitions in literature.
abstract: Drug repositioning and similar terms have been a trending topic in literature and represent novel drug development strategies. We analysed in a quantitative and qualitative manner how these terms were used and defined in the literature. In total, 217 articles referred to 'drug repositioning', 'drug repurposing', 'drug reprofiling', 'drug redirecting' and/or 'drug rediscovery'. Only 67 included a definition ranging from brief and general to extensive and specific. No common definition was identified. Nevertheless, four common features were found: concept, action, use and product. The different wording used for these features often leads to essential differences in meaning between definitions. In case a clear definition is needed, for example from a legal or regulatory perspective, the features can provide further guidance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langedijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: A.K.Mantel@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Aukje K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mantel-Teeuwisse
authors.affiliation: Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Diederick S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Slijkerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Schutjens de Bruin, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marie-Hélène D B
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schutjens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032882:Comprehension; D032921:Consensus; D058492:Drug Repositioning / Q000145:classification* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D056687:Off-Label Use / Q000145:classification; D061214:Patient Safety; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations