The initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic has worn off. Fast forward 3 years later to today, and a clearer picture has emerged of both the individual as well as broader organizational effects of prolonged stress from the pandemic. Some pharmacy personnel are leaving, others are experiencing apathy, and there are clear threats to patient safety.

Last October, Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and its generics entered shortage status. As prescribers scrambled to find alternatives for their adult and pediatric patients with ADHD, many other central nervous system stimulants have seen intermittent shortages as well.

In March 2023, FDA approved naloxone for OTC sale in a move that public health experts hope will dramatically increase access to the nasal spray and slash opioid overdose deaths.

The community pharmacy may be the very place where addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) can be a reality, not just a concept.

Many patients seek OTC relief for skin injuries each year.

A federal court in Missouri recently granted a pharmacist’s motion for a preliminary injunction after the pharmacist asserted that her constitutional right to free speech was infringed by a recently enacted state statute.

When a practitioner, patient, or caregiver accidentally instills ear drops into the eye, it may lead to an immediate burning and/or stinging sensation, and the patient may later experience pain, redness, swelling, or blurred vision.

Updates from FDA

Everyone has gas; producing and passing gas is a normal part of the digestion process.

Patients suffering from joint and muscle pain often turn to complementary and alternative medicine for relief. Arnica has a long history in treating numerous medical conditions such as insect bites, bruises, scars, fever, apprehension, sciatica, and rash, but it’s primarily recommended for inflammation, arthritis, muscle aches, and stiffness. So, what does the science say?

Mickie Cathers

In January of this year, FDA approved Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin—TheracosBio), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Brenzavvy is the fifth SGLT-2 inhibitor to become FDA approved.

Lauren Howell, PharmD

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to seriously disrupt medical practice over the next 5 to 10 years,” said Steven Charlap, MD, MBA, founder and CEO of SOAP Health, an AI-powered artificial digital human assistant that identifies, verifies, and simplifies patient-reported data collection, risk assessment, and electronic delivery.

Clarissa Chan, PharmD

In February 2023, CDC released its immunization schedules for 2023. Both adult and childhood/adolescent schedules received updates, with changes covering recommendations for COVID-19; measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; pneumococcal vaccines; and more.

Olivia Welter, PharmD

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on November 16, 2022, herpes zoster (more commonly known as shingles) is associated with an almost 30% higher long-term risk of a major cardiovascular event.

Lauren Howell, PharmD

Vaccinations are widely viewed as one of the greatest success stories in the history of public health.

Ariel L. Clark, PharmD

Drug waste costs U.S. insurers billions of dollars annually, with Medicare Part B spending increasing year by year as a result.

Corey Diamond, PharmD

Over 1.6 million people 13 years and older in the United States identify as transgender.

Jay Holloway, PharmD, AAHIVP

A Minute With...

Eric Pham, 2023 PharmD candidate, 
University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS

Member since 2018

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