Need another training course to prescribe oral contraceptives or perform HIV testing and prevention? As states advance pharmacists' scope of practice, they're adding more training requirements for pharmacists, ignoring that pharmacists—like other health care providers—have professional responsibilities and are educated and trained.

Loren Bonner

One in five pharmacies that dispensed other controlled substance prescriptions to Medicaid patients never filled a single buprenorphine prescription, according to new study findings published on May 17, 2024, in JAMA Health Forum.

Loren Bonner

As the professional responsibilities of pharmacists rapidly expand, and as the standards of practice for pharmacists gradually evolve, it is important to consider whether pharmacy laws create boundaries for pharmacy practice. A recent legal case from Illinois discusses the possible regulatory limits for pharmacist scope of practice.

David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD

In an APhA 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition session on changing fields in pharmacy, Emlah Tubuo, PharmD, set the tone from the get-go: the presentation would be about changing an individual’s state of mind—not necessarily a physical practice site.

Loren Bonner

Updates from FDA

Although GLP-1 receptor agonists are becoming more and more popular for weight loss, many patients are still looking for a nonprescription way to shed excess pounds. Numerous supplements are marketed for quickly burning fat, but only Alli, a half-strength OTC version of prescription orlistat (Xenical), is FDA-approved for weight loss.

Mary Warner

Tulsi, the holy basil, is a supplement commonly sold as a tea and advertised as a way to boost a healthier immune system, relieve stress, and promote relaxation. Can this aromatic, perennial herb native to Southeast Asia provide overall relief?

Mickie Cathers

Combined nicotine replacement therapy (CNRT) and varenicline have been well established as first line options for smoking cessation. But which treatment regimen is best after an initial failure to abstain from smoking?

Lauren Howell, PharmD

Obesity medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists can help patients lose significant amounts of weight. However, up to half of patients who take a GLP-1 stop taking it after a year, and often regain most of the weight they lost. Now a study published in the March 2024 issue of The Lancet suggests that engaging in supervised exercise while taking a GLP-1 may help patients maintain their weight loss even after they stop taking the medication.

Terri D’Arrigo

Without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the global temperature is projected to rise by up to 2.9° C (5.2° F) by the end of the century. The effects of climate change can already be seen in changing weather patterns, an increase in natural disasters, and exacerbations of existing conditions for those who are most vulnerable.

Sonya Collins

Managing asthma can be a daily challenge for the 300 million people worldwide who suffer from the condition, with everything from air pollution to pet dander contributing to attacks. A study published in the April 2024 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice has shed light on another potential trigger: the regular use of household disinfectants and cleaning products, including green products.

Elizabeth Briand

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic fungal infection affecting immunocompromised patients. The disease is prevalent in patients with HIV, but its incidence has risen in recent decades, and it now affects more patients not infected by HIV than those infected with it.

There may be a major drug interaction, resulting in serious bleeding, between commonly prescribed medications for patients with AFib, according to a study published in the May 14, 2024, issue of JAMA.

Lauren Howell, PharmD

In its June 2024 issue, the published a multi-society guideline for the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It builds upon a 2020 guideline, offering clinicians several revisions and new recommendations to consider, including guidance about a new class of medication, genetic factors to take into account for patients, and contraindications for treatment.

Olivia C. Welter, PharmD

For patients already coping with OUD, pain management during hospitalization can pose additional risks. An article in the May 2024 issue of NEJM Evidence offers clinicians recommendations for managing acute pain in hospitalized patients with OUD who are already being treated with buprenorphine.

Elizabeth Briand

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recently released the 2023 National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings, revealing significant advancements in hospital pharmacy operations.

Aiya Almogaber, PharmD

Part 1 (Pharmacy Today, April 2024) of this series on new FDAapproved therapeutic agents marketed in 2023 reviewed five new drugs: bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy–TheracosBio), sotagliflozin (Inpefa–Lexicon), zavegepant hydrochloride (Zavzpret–Pfizer), lecanemabirmb (Leqembi–Eisai; Biogen), and fezolinetant (Veozah–Astellas).

Daniel A. Hussar, PhD

Crossword Challenge

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