The Pharmacy Palette: A Colorful Journey Through the World of Pharmacy, is a coloring book that features over 50 pharmacy specialties: a poison control pharmacist, a military pharmacist, a quality assurance pharmacist, and a veterinary pharmacist—just to name a few.

Loren Bonner

A bill signed into law in June 2023 makes Texas the largest state so far to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Once the law takes effect in September, health care providers will be prohibited from prescribing hormones or puberty blockers.

Lauren Howell, PharmD

Describing the various sociodemographic disparities that may be associated with vaccine uptake can be difficult, but a study published on November 11, 2022, in JAPhA characterizes differences in disease burden, and sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics for cohorts of participants who received certain common vaccines.

Jon​athan Little, PharmD

Migraine is the second leading cause of disability globally and, worldwide, 50% of the population suffered from headache and 30% have experienced migraine in the past year.

In a recent unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court of the United States recognized a subjective standard for interpreting the “usual and customary” requirement in the submission of pharmacy claims to federally funded programs.

David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD

Somatropin human growth hormone is available from multiple manufacturers using various brand names (e.g., Genotropin–Pfizer, Humatrope–Eli Lilly, FlexPro–Norditropin, Omnitrope–Novartis, Saizen–EMD Serono, Inc., Zorbtive–EMD Serono, Inc.) and in multiple dosage forms (e.g., pen devices, cartridges to be used with pen devices, vials). The indications for use vary from product to product. This variety of products, indications, and dosage forms can present challenges to specialty pharmacies.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Horsham, PA

Updates from FDA

Stinging and biting insects seem to be everywhere during the summer months, and usually cause only a local reaction. But for patients who are sensitive to compounds in the insect’s saliva or venom, bites and stings can cause reactions ranging from swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Mary Warner

Weight loss is big business with multiple supplements on the market advertising promising results. Glucomannan is one weight loss supplement gaining popularity in patients seeking to reduce cravings and control appetite as a way to lose weight. What’s behind the hype?

Mickie Cathers

FDA announced several required updates to opioid prescribing information in April 2023. The changes apply to both immediate release (IR) and extended release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioid pain medications.

Sonya Collins

According to a randomized clinical trial published April 2023 in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, self-fitted OTC hearing aids demonstrated similar clinical outcomes to audiologist-fitted hearing aids using best practices in patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss within a 6-week period.

Clarissa Chan, PharmD

While COVID-19 continues to evolve, recommendations for vaccinating against it are changing as well.

Olivia C. Welter, PharmD

Lower gastrointestinal bleeds (LGIBs) account for approximately 250,000 emergency department (ED) visits annually and occur more often than upper gastrointestinal bleeds (UGIBs), according to the latest figures.

Ariel L. Clark, PharmD

In April 2023, FDA approved Omisirge (omidubicel-onlv–Gamida Cell Ltd.), a cell therapy derived from modified donor umbilical cord blood. 

Corey Diamond, PharmD 

As physician practices try to meet outcomes required by new value-based payment models, pharmacists are being brought in to help them meet certain quality metrics.

Loren Bonner

In April 2023, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) released survey results about pharmacy workforce well-being in the hospital setting.

Esther Boadi, PharmD

In 1991, Mark Beers, MD, and colleagues at University of California Los Angeles developed the Beers Criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) for nursing home residents. Since their initial release, the Beers Criteria has been updated six times and expanded the criteria to apply to all adults 65 years and older.

Katie Meyer, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, and Hailey Mook, PharmD

A Minute With...

Meagan A. Brown, PharmD, BCACP

Clinical Associate Professor, Dept of Pharmacy Practice,
and PGY-1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Director, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, MS; Clinical Pharmacist, G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center,
Yazoo City, MS

Member since 2006

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