“George” had chronic constipation. But as an older adult living with advanced Alzheimer disease, he couldn’t talk to his doctors about what might be triggering the problem or work with them to help determine the best care plan.

Sonya Collins

When patients are prescribed injectable medications to self-administer at home, it is critical that they receive education from both the prescriber and pharmacist on proper injection technique, with clear verbal and written instructions on the dose volume to measure and administer, and are provided appropriate syringes, needles, and ancillary supplies (e.g., alcohol swabs) to administer the dose.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Horsham, PA

Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of the professional duty owed by pharmacists to their patients.

David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD

Common GI complaints that can generally be managed with nonprescription treatments and self-care include belching, heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, sour stomach, and nausea.

Beyond just naming the issues, APhA and other organizations recognize that change needs to happen in the pharmacy workplace. Workplace conditions continue to be the primary reason cited for prolonged stress and burnout submitted to the Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Reporting (PWWR) portal, a confidential and anonymous way pharmacy personnel can report positive and negative experiences in pharmacy practice.

Loren Bonner

Pharmacists are among the most accessible health care providers, working with patients outside of traditional clinical environments and in highly visible and trafficked settings. As such, they are uniquely positioned to provide assistance to individuals who may be experiencing abuse or violence.

Elizabeth Briand

Updates from FDA

After deadly wildfires ripped through Lahaina, located on the western edge of Maui, pharmacists quickly mobilized to get displaced residents their medications.

Loren Bonner

Taking into consideration specific recommendations on several new classes of medications as well as placing an emphasis on social determinants of health, the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and other associations issued updated guidelines on managing chronic coronary disease.

Loren Bonner

In August 2023, FDA approved zuranolone (Zurzuvae), the first oral medication for postpartum depression. Until now, the only treatment specifically for postpartum depression was brexanolone, a 60-hour I.V. infusion administered in a health care facility.

Sonya Collins

Over a decade has passed since the first states, Colorado and Washington, legalized cannabis for recreational use. Another 5 years have gone by since the Farm Bill allowed for the sale of hemp and its derived products. And over the past several years, many states have passed legislation allowing cannabis to be used medically. But questions remain.

Ariel L. Clark, PharmD

Weight loss is big business, and the popularity of Ozempic, the FDA-approved prescription T2D drug, was boosted by those using it off-label for weight loss. Called “the poor man’s Ozempic,” psyllium husk is enjoying a rise in interest as an affordable alternative to semaglutide. But does it deliver on the promise of weight loss?

Mickie Cathers

On September 12, 2023, the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously agreed that oral phenylephrine is ineffective, setting the stage for FDA to require its removal from hundreds of nonprescription products. But why did it take so long for a decongestant that patients claimed didn’t work to be brought to the committee for evaluation?

Mary Warner

Trending Topics

Prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT)—dialysis sessions given over 6 to 12 hours—is an increasingly used treatment strategy for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Corey Diamond, PharmD

Arecent study conducted across multiple health-system specialty pharmacy sites found that pharmacist interventions can be beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Olivia C. Welter, PharmD

A recent report published online July 21, 2023, in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy highlighted what it takes to put a pharmacist-driven pharmacogenomics model into practice.

Olunife Akinmolayan, PharmD

It’s natural! Yet, as with any substance, chemical, and medication on this planet, it comes with its own baggage. Hence the circular and polarized conversations emanating across our country and globe.

Mark Garofoli, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, CPE, CTTS, WVU School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV

APhA Member News

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