Synthesis and evaluation of ligands for D2-like receptors: the role of common pharmacophoric groups.

Arylcycloalkylamines, such as phenyl piperidines and piperazines and their arylalkyl substituents, constitute pharmacophoric groups exemplified in several antipsychotic agents. A review of previous reports indicates that arylalkyl substituents can improve the potency and selectivity of the binding affinity at D(2)-like receptors. In this paper, we explored the contributions of two key pharmacophoric groups, that is, 4'-fluorobutyrophenones and 3-methyl-7-azaindoles, to the potency and selectivity of synthesized agents at D(2)-like receptors. Preliminary observation of binding affinities indicates that there is little predictability of specific effects of the arylalkyl moieties but the composite structure is responsible for selectivity and potency at these receptors.

Diversity characteristics of the 2008-2009 pharmacy college application service applicant pool.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the 2008-2009 Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) applicant pool in terms of diversity-related variables compared with admissions-related variables. METHODS: The relationships between the diversity variables of ethnicity, gender, parental education, and prepharmacy education, and the admissions-related variables of grade point average (GPA), pharmacy college admission test (PCAT) score, and acceptance rates were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 16,246 applicants to PharmCAS during the 2008-2009 pharmacy college and school admission cycle. Female applicants and non-underrepresented minorities (non-URMs) achieved higher mean GPAs, and male applicants and non-URMs had higher mean PCAT scores. Higher parental education was associated with higher mean GPA and PCAT scores. Mean PCAT score and GPA increased as prepharmacy education increased, with the exception of a bachelor's degree, which was associated with a lower GPA. Acceptance rates were higher among female applicants, non-URMs, and applicants with higher prepharmacy education and parental education. CONCLUSIONS: Female applicants, non-URMs, applicants with higher than a bachelor's degree, and applicants whose parents attained a doctoral degree were associated with higher mean GPAs and PCAT scores and were accepted to a higher proportion of the colleges and schools to which they applied. Colleges and schools of pharmacy can use these data as a benchmark when evaluating admissions processes.

Fostering and managing diversity in schools of pharmacy.

Organizational benefits of diversity in the workplace have been well documented. In health professions, however, diversity-related research traditionally has focused on the effect of diversity on health care disparities. Few tools exist describing the benefits of diversity from an organizational standpoint to guide pharmacy administrators and faculty members in nurturing and developing a culture of diversity. Given the scarcity of pharmacy specific data, experience from other academic areas and national/international diversity reports were incorporated into this manuscript to supplement the available pharmacy evidence base. This review summarizes the benefits of diversity from an academic organizational standpoint, discusses the issues administrators and faculty members must consider when developing programs, and provides guidance on best practices in fostering and managing diversity.

Clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus receiving medication management by pharmacists in an urban private physician practice.

PURPOSE: The clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus in an urban environment receiving pharmacist medication management in collaboration with private-practice physicians were assessed. METHODS: Patients older than 18 years with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who were receiving oral and insulin therapy and who were referred to a pharmacy clinic within a private physician practice for medication management between March 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003, were eligible for study inclusion. Data were collected at three junctures: six months before the first visit with the pharmacist (preperiod measure), on the date of clinic entry (index measure), and six months after the first clinic visit (postperiod measure). Primary outcomes analyzed were glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), weight, and blood pressure (goal, <130/80 mm Hg). Secondary outcomes analyzed were smoking cessation and initiation of aspirin, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy. RESULTS: A significant reduction in HbA(1c) from the index measure to the postperiod measure was observed (p < 0.001). No significant change was noted in weight or number of patients at goal blood pressure among the preperiod, index, and postperiod measures. No change was observed in the secondary outcomes during the study time intervals. CONCLUSION: Integrating a pharmacist into a private physician practice significantly improved patient glycemic control and maintained patients' weight and the number of patients at blood pressure goal. Clinic adherence with the American Diabetes Association recommendations was sustained.