December 7 Practice & Trends On The Cover Collaborate to innovate - New delivery models offer trailblazing ways pharmacists provide care PT December 2023 For years, some pharmacists have been working in collaboration with health care providers in models that generate revenue through the delivery of various Medicare services. The most common example of this is pharmacists who deliver chronic care management (CCM) services to patients who meet the qualifications. Loren Bonner
December 7 Practice & Trends On The Docket Court limits patient responsibility to detect pharmacy inaccuracy PT December 2023 A “wrong-drug” error in order processing is the most frequent type of pharmacy malpractice lawsuit. In some circumstances, a patient’s failure to recognize a wrong-drug error can be a defense to a pharmacy malpractice case based on what is legally referred to as “contributory negligence.” David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD
December 7 Practice & Trends Cultural Competence One size does not fit all: Providing access to patients with disabilities PT December 2023 About one in four adults live with a disability, according to CDC. Disabilities—whether of the body or mind, lifelong or temporary— are a universal experience that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Mickie Cathers
December 7 Practice & Trends Self-care Product Survey Oral care, pain and inflammation, and other PT December 2023 Tooth hypersensitivity affects 10–30% of the population, and worldwide, 30% have experienced migraine and 50% of the population suffered from headache in the past year.
December 7 Practice & Trends CPAs Collaborative practice now allowed in all 50 states PT December 2023 On August 17, 2023, Delaware became the 50th state to pass legislation allowing pharmacists and prescribers to enter into collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) in which one or more pharmacists can provide patient care and drug therapy management services that are not otherwise permitted to be performed by a pharmacist. Lauren Howell, PharmD
December 7 Practice & Trends Prison Pharmacy Pharmacists can provide care for psychiatric conditions within the prison system PT December 2023 Mental health and psychiatric conditions affect millions every year. Within the prison system, inmates’ mental health conditions are compounded by limited providers, lack of access, and complexity of care. Ariel L. Clark, PharmD
December 7 Practice & Trends COVID-19 Vaccines Commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines raises concerns about access PT December 2023 Until this fall, COVID-19 vaccines have been free for everyone in the United States regardless of insurance, finances, or immigration status. But HHS has now phased out that program, and COVID-19 vaccines have transitioned to the commercial market. Sonya Collins
January 9 Practice & Trends Self-care Product Survey Pediatrics and women’s health PT December 2023 There are many options to treat most bothersome symptoms for children. For some women, nonprescription drugs are first-line options to treat uncomplicated vaginal infections, and patient preference is preferred in product selection.
December 7 Today's Perspective Today's Perspective Actions for today, hope for the future PT December 2023 The pharmacy profession is in the midst of a crisis. I frequently speak with student pharmacists and new graduates who are understandably concerned. Although each individual’s situation is unique, there are a few things I share with these pharmacists in response. Kristin Wiisanen, PharmD, FAPhA, FCCP
December 7 Association Perspective Association Perspective Pharmacy’s best days… PT December 2023 APhA held a student leadership event in Washington, DC, recently. Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, EVP and CEO of APhA
December 7 Bulletin Today Bulletin Today News Roundup PT December 2023 Results from a new study in JAMA found that the Million Hearts Model, which paid participating health care organizations to assess and reduce patients’ CVD risk, decreased myocardial infarction and stroke rates for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 40 to 79 years at high or medium risk for these events.
December 7 Drugs & Diseases Psychotropic Stewardship The case for psychotropic stewardship as more youth prescribed medication PT December 2023 Roughly 12% of pediatric patients are prescribed psychotropic medications, with vulnerable populations—such as those in foster care—prescribed these medications at even higher rates. Loren Bonner
December 7 Drugs & Diseases Anemia Gastrointestinal bleeding from low-dose aspirin may increase risk of anemia in older adults PT December 2023 Results from the ASPREE randomized, double-blind clinical trial, which were published in the July 2023 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, validated the concept that aspirin at low doses may cause damage to the GI tract. Clarissa Chan, PharmD
December 7 Drugs & Diseases Gastroenterology Experts release best practices for management of belching, abdominal bloating, and distention PT December 2023 For many people, GI issues can cause significant disruptions to their daily lives. Belching, abdominal bloating, and distention are some of the primary symptoms that cause discomfort and can lead patients to seek care with a gastroenterologist. Olivia C. Welter, PharmD
December 7 Drugs & Diseases On The Shelf Can ashwagandha soothe stress? PT December 2023 As health concerns over anxiety and stress levels have grown in recent years, sales of ashwagandha have also soared as demand spiked for supplements addressing mood and stress. Mickie Cathers
December 7 Drugs & Diseases OTCs Today The dos and don’ts of treating kids’ colds and coughs PT December 2023 As any parent or teacher knows, children of all ages are likely to catch a cold at least once over the course of cold and flu season, whether from their siblings, neighborhood friends, or classmates. Mary Warner
December 7 Health Systems HCV Pharmacist-led clinic reduces barriers to care in treating hepatitis C virus PT December 2023 In the United States, approximately 2.4 million people are living with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including more than 65,000 in Washington state. Elizabeth Briand
December 7 Health Systems Infusions Hospital’s process improvement harmonizes I.V. infusion medications across multiple systems PT December 2023 Bringing together an electronic health record (EHR) system, an infusion smart pump library, and an I.V. infusion policy to share consistent information can be a challenge for any large hospital system. Corey Diamond, PharmD
December 7 Health Systems Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic protocol could reduce unnecessary prescriptions PT December 2023 COVID-19 illness with bacterial coinfection can be difficult to identify because coronavirus presents similarly to bacterial infection. Emily Albers, PharmD
December 7 CPE CPE Offering timely communication: An OTC update PT December 2023 There are an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 OTC products on the market in the United States. Kelly L. Scolaro, PharmD
December 7 Crossword Challenge Crossword Challenge Crossword Challenge: Test Your Knowledge! PT December 2023 Take the Crossword Challenge