The expectations for patients and pharmacists are a little different at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT. Most patients are not expecting to have a pharmacist visit them,” said Kevin Awugah, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist covering the medical rehabilitation unit and neurobehavioral units. Patients certainly don’t think a pharmacist will come read to them, either—but that happens on occasion when pharmacists and other hospital staff volunteer to read books to pediatric patients on weekends.

Loren Bonner and Aina Abell

If you’re confused about Rutledge v Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA, the association that represents PBMs)—the upcoming Supreme Court case about an Arkansas state law regulating PBMs’ pharmacy reimbursement rates—you’re not alone.

Rachel Balick

It is important that the pharmacy profession protect the public from pharmacists whose impairment may threaten the public health.

David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD

Even a pharmacy that feels prepared can get spooked by the sudden sight of a state board of pharmacy (BOP) inspector.

Rachel Balick

In a recent study published in Circulation, researchers found that one in eight patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the United States did not adhere to their medications because of cost.

Aina Abell

Updates from FDA

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium–glucose transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could improve care for a new patient population, according to researchers in an updated report on management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Rachel Balick

Older Americans are increasingly facing the issue of medication overload—use of multiple medications that pose a greater risk of harm than benefit.

Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met in Atlanta on February 26–27, 2020, to discuss the current influenza season and vaccine effectiveness; coronavirus; Ebola, dengue, and rabies vaccines; and other immunization topics.

Stephan L. Foster, PharmD, FAPhA

Vitamin E, the collective name for a group of fatsoluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities, is found naturally in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.

Mary Warner

Constipation is a common GI complaint usually best managed with a combination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions.

Daniel L. Krinsky, RPh, MS

Trending Topics in Health-System Pharmacy

Updates to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines, published in Stroke late in 2019, detail early management of acute ischemic stroke in both prehospital and hospital care settings, including secondary prevention therapies initiated in the hospital, with a focus on hospital care interventions.

Joey Sweeney, PharmD, BCPS

Epinephrine can save lives during anaphylaxis, but it can also be confusing to administer.

Loren Bonner

Pharmacists involved with caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can improve quality outcomes by optimizing medication adherence, therapeutic drug monitoring, and patient education.

Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD

HIV places a high burden on the health care system. Persons infected with HIV are at increased risk for multiple comorbidities and require lifelong follow-up and care. In the United States, approximately 1.2 million persons are infected with HIV, and lifetime cost associated with the disease is approximately $485,000. In 2018, 37.9 million persons worldwide were living with HIV, and 1.7 million new infections and 770,000 deaths were attributed to the illness.

Maria I. Lopez, PharmD, AAHIVP and Betty J. Dong, PharmD, FASHP, FAPhA, FCCP

APhA Member News

Take the Crossword Challenge

Almost weekly, “Helen” seemed to land in the hospital. Her complaints were the same every time: She felt weak, lethargic, fatigued, and confused. But the MRIs and CT scans turned up nothing.

Sonya Collins