Aina Abell and Rachel Balick

A Utah pharmacist was charged with theft of a controlled substance and with obstruction of justice. A jury found the pharmacist not guilty of theft, but guilty of obstructing justice.

David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD

Have a chance to talk to a policymaker but not sure how to express pharmacy’s needs? This guide outlines APhA’s positions on the most important matters facing pharmacy. Personalize them with your own stories or patients’ stories to enhance their impact.

APhA staff

Pharmacists want to help their patients. But when it comes to counseling those who have celiac disease or gluten allergies, there’s probably a lot pharmacists need to know.

Loren Bonner

The market for direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing is booming. DTC genetic testing is marketed directly to consumers, and the kits can be bought online or in stores, including in pharmacies.

Loren Bonner

Can acupuncture and acupressure reduce pain in patients with cancer?

Loren Bonner

A string of errors associated with the high-alert drug tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant used primarily to prevent rejection in transplant recipients, prompted the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) to review the literature and analyze related events reported to FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the ISMP National Medication Errors Reporting Program (MERP).

Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Horsham, PA

Updates from FDA

Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy—Allergan) has received FDA approval as the first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.

Cara Aldridge Young

Older adult patients presenting for both the influenza and recombinant herpes zoster vaccine can receive these vaccinations together, according to CDC.

Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD

Both the adult and the child and adolescent 2020 immunization schedules are now available on CDC’s website following the release of the new recommendations from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

APhA staff

Toxicologists, health care practitioners, and others are noticing an alarming trend as physicians have begun prescribing fewer opioids: Gabapentin prescriptions and subsequent misuse of the painkiller have increased.

Loren Bonner

With springtime fast approaching, certain “critters” will make their presence known via bites and stings. Insect bites and stings are common, and anyone who spends time outdoors is at risk.

Daniel L. Krinsky, RPh, MS

Iron, a mineral that is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement, is an essential component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, two proteins that supply oxygen for metabolism.

Mary Warner

Trending Topics in Health-System Pharmacy

Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) must be implemented at all acute-care hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid by March 30, 2020, according to a new CMS rule released late last year.

Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD

Researchers estimate that at least 30% of antibiotics prescribed in the outpatient setting are unnecessary and inappropriate. Outpatient antibiotic use is close to 50% for patients receiving the wrong drug, the wrong dose, and/or the wrong duration.

Maria G. Tanzi, PharmD

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recently published its Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI) 2030, which looks forward to the coming decade and changes to pharmacy practice within both acute and ambulatory settings of health systems.

Joey Sweeney, PharmD, BCPS

Long-term use of benzodiazepines has been known to produce complications related to discontinuation, withdrawal symptoms, increased risk of accidental overdose when combined with other central nervous system depressants, persistence of benzodiazepine-related adverse effects, physical dependence, and benzodiazepine use disorders.

Jeffrey Gold, PharmD, BCPP

APhA Member News

Take the Crossword Challenge

“Elena” had just learned she had type 2 diabetes when Jennifer Rodis, PharmD, met her at University Health Connection, a primary care clinic for Ohio State University (OSU) employees.

Sonya Collins