Determining preceptor perceptions of APPE readiness through the use of entrustable professional activities.

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacy programs are required to demonstrate that students are advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) ready, but neither a professionally recognized definition of nor a consistent approach to assess APPE readiness exists. METHODS: APPE preceptors were surveyed about the relationship of EPAs to APPE readiness in three domains, including: (1) each EPA's relative importance, (2) indicators that a student is not ready to begin APPEs, and (3) each EPA's expected level of entrustment on the first day of the first APPE. We determined consensus of EPA importance and expected level of entrustment by adapting previously published thresholds. We analyzed the association between preceptor or practice setting characteristics with ranking of EPA importance. RESULTS: Of the 431 preceptors queried, 31% responded. Ten EPAs, primarily those reflecting the first three steps of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), were identified as important with strong consensus. Ambulatory care preceptors placed higher importance on EPAs, primarily in the final steps of the PPCP and within the public health domain. Professionalism issues were most often cited as reasons for a lack of APPE readiness. There was considerable variability (weak or moderate consensus) in preceptors' expected level of entrustment per EPA. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy programs can consider prioritizing EPAs in the domains of patient care and information master when developing APPE readiness plans; professionalism should also be emphasized. Further work is needed to better understand what level of entrustment preceptors expect of an APPE ready student.

A Systematic Review of Interventions Implemented by Pharmacy Programs to Improve Postgraduate Residency Placement.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to identify the impact of interventions implemented by pharmacy programs to support students pursuing postgraduate residency training. METHODS: We conducted a literature search through March 8, 2022 to identify articles that studied an intervention made by a pharmacy program aiming to prepare students to qualify for a postgraduate residency position. Data were collected to describe each study's methods, the included population, and outcomes and to evaluate study risk of bias. FINDINGS: Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria. The evidence base is limited to observational data with significant risk of bias. Pharmacy programs use various strategies to deliver training to students opting for the residency application process: elective courses, multiyear curricular tracks, introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs), and organized professional development events. Participation in these interventions was found to be associated with higher residency match rates, with exception of IPPE where match rates were not evaluated as an outcome. Curricular tracks and multicomponent professional development events were found to be associated with the largest improvement in match rates. Participation in electives or multicomponent professional development was found to be associated with improved student knowledge and confidence in interviews. Multicomponent professional development was also found to be associated with student preparedness for the match process. Curricular tracks and IPPE were found to be associated with improved student knowledge, whereas mock interviews were associated with improved student confidence. SUMMARY: Pharmacy schools support preparation of students for the residency application and interview process in a variety of ways. The current evidence does not support one strategy to be more effective than another. Until additional evidence emerges to guide decisions, schools should select training programs based on balancing the need to support student professional development with resources and workload.

Age, gender, and setting's effect on community pharmacists' stress and confidence in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Reports of increased stress among healthcare workers were commonplace during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about community pharmacists' experiences. Objective: To characterize community pharmacists' stress and confidence during the early COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated factors. Methods: Pharmacists who worked in a brick-and-mortar community pharmacy (e.g., big-box, chain, independent, or grocery pharmacies) located in Connecticut and had regular face-to-face interaction with the public were surveyed. Survey items were selected from the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and adapted from the Emergency Risk-Communication (ERC) framework. Data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA. Results: Survey results suggested pharmacists experienced moderate levels of stress, as negative responses to PSS-10 items ranged between 6.4% to 43.3%, respectively. Overall, pharmacists had high rates of confidence in their ability to manage the pandemic, agreeing or strongly agreeing that they could manage their own mental health (73.1%), and communicate the risks of the pandemic (72.0%). However, 28.0% reported that they had avoided talking about the pandemic because it made them feel "stressed, or nervous." Women and those working in chain community pharmacies tended to report significantly higher rates of stress to several items in the PSS-10 compared to men and pharmacists working in non-chain settings. Women and chain community pharmacists were also significantly more likely to report overall that they had avoided talking about public health risks because it made them feel anxious, stressed, or depressed (29.4% men vs. 34.5% women χ2 (4) > 22.6, p < 0.01). However, confidence to communicate critical risk messages neither differed between men and women (77.6% men vs. 68.8% women χ2 (4) > 8.3, p = 0.08), nor between chain and non-chain community pharmacists (71.0% chain vs. 73.7% non-chain χ2 (4) > 8.9, p = 0.32). Conclusion: Being female, younger age, and employed at a chain pharmacy were associated with higher rates of stress and lower self-confidence among community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol Fumarate Co-suspension Metered Dose Inhaler: A Triple Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To review current evidence on the use of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate (BGFF) triple therapy delivered via metered dose inhaler (MDI) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and offer clinical practice insights. DATA SOURCES: We used PubMed to conduct the literature search from 1946 through June 30, 2021, using budesonide, glycopyrrolate or glycopyrronium, and formoterol. STUDY SELECTION AND EXTRACTION: We included clinical trials in patients with COPD along with pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: In all, 19 citations were included. BGFF MDI reduces the risk of exacerbations regardless of exacerbation history compared with dual bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting ß-agonist. Rescue inhaler use decreased, and patient-reported outcomes of symptoms and well-being improved with triple therapy. Mortality was decreased with the higher-dose BGFF MDI in comparison to dual bronchodilator therapy. Dysphonia and candidiasis were more common with BGFF MDI compared with dual bronchodilators, as was pneumonia. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: BGFF MDI is the second FDC triple therapy approved for COPD treatment. BGFF MDI improves important patient outcomes in COPD, including exacerbation risk. The unique co-suspension technology allows delivery of 3 active ingredients in 1 inhaler, a potential benefit to overcome adherence and technique-related barriers. These benefits must be gently weighed against the increased risk of pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The findings from phase 3 trials support the efficacy and safety of triple therapy in COPD. Future studies are needed to confirm potential mortality benefit and the role of triple therapy in patients without an exacerbation history.

Efficacy of azilsartan medoxomil with chlorthalidone in hypertension.

Azilsartan medoxomil (AZL) is the most recently approved angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) for treating patients with hypertension. A fixed-dose combination product with AZL and the thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone (CLD) is now available to treat individuals who require additional blood pressure lowering. For this review, a literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and the keywords and MeSH terms azilsartan, azilsartan medoxomil, chlorthalidone, thiazide, blood pressure and hypertension. References for retrieved articles were also scanned for relevant citations. No language restrictions were used. AZL is structurally related to candesartan and has been shown to provide more potent angiotensin receptor antagonism versus other ARBs. CLD is a thiazide-like diuretic with a longer half-life and greater blood pressure lowering efficacy than hydrochlorothiazide. The combination of AZL plus CLD has superior efficacy to other ARBs alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide based on extensive evaluation in clinical trials. This superior efficacy is not offset by a large imbalance in clinically important adverse events.

Clinical pharmacists as key members of the patient-centered medical home: an opinion statement of the Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Ambulatory Care Practice Research Network (PRN) considers the role of clinical pharmacists to be fundamental to the success of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model. Within the PCMH, pharmacists can improve the health of populations by participating in activities that optimize medication management. Multiple published articles support clinical pharmacist involvement in the PCMH with regard to promotion of team-based care, enhanced access, care coordination, and improved quality and safety of care. A survey of clinical pharmacist members of ACCP who operate in such a model depict a variety of activities, with some members pioneering new and innovative ways to practice clinical pharmacy. Although this is a significant opportunity for pharmacists in the primary care setting, a unified vision of pharmacy services is needed. It is our hope that with continued efforts focused on obtaining national provider status, clinical pharmacy can use the PCMH model to solidify the future of primary care pharmacy. The following is an opinion statement of the ACCP Ambulatory Care PRN regarding the vital role of clinical pharmacists in the PCMH.

Canagliflozin, a novel SGLT2 inhibitor for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the available clinical data on canagliflozin and provide formulary considerations as to its place in the current treatment approach of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of the literature in MEDLINE and Web of Science was performed through July 2013 using the key words and medical subject headings canagliflozin, JNJ-28431754, TA-7284, and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor. A manual search of references from reports of clinical trials or review articles was performed to identify additional relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Citations eligible for inclusion were in vitro or in vivo evaluations of canagliflozin with no restrictions on patient population or indication used. Data related to the patient populations and outcomes of interest were extracted from each citation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Five clinical trials (n = 2775 subjects) have been published evaluating canagliflozin in patients with T2DM. A single study evaluated canagliflozin monotherapy, while the others included various add-on therapies. Four studies included placebo groups with 2 others using sitagliptin as an active control. Compared with placebo (+0.14%), canagliflozin monotherapy at doses of 100 to 300 mg/d decreases hemoglobin A1c by -0.77% to -1.03% from baseline. Reductions in fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and systolic blood pressure were seen. Because of the increase in glucosuria with the drug, patients (especially females) are at increased risk of genital mycotic infections. The overall safety of canagliflozin (eg, cardiovascular, oncologic, pancreatic, bone) is also yet to be fully elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: Canagliflozin is comparable to second-line oral medications in terms of effectiveness but has limitations in affordability and long-term safety data.

Lorcaserin: a novel serotonin 2C agonist for the treatment of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and its prevalence continues to increase. Adjunctive treatment with pharmacotherapy is often reserved for individuals who fail to achieve their intended weight goals with diet and exercise alone. Current approved therapies for weight loss include phentermine, diethylpropion, orlistat, and phentermine/topiramate. The objective of this paper was to review the place of lorcaserin, a novel serotonin 2C agonist, which was FDA approved in July 2012. Unlike contemporary lipase inhibitors and sympathomimetic amines, lorcaserin is purported to reduce food consumption and increase satiety. SCOPE: A systematic review of the literature for all relevant articles was performed through January 2013 using MEDLINE, Web of Science, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts using key words related to lorcaserin. FINDINGS: Three phase III clinical studies have been published evaluating the efficacy and safety of lorcaserin in various obese populations. A higher proportion of patients receiving lorcaserin (∼47%) lost more than 5% body weight from baseline in comparison with the placebo group (∼25%; p < 0.05 in all studies). Those receiving the recommended dose of lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily lost on average ∼6 kg of body weight from baseline versus ∼3 kg with placebo. Patients with diabetes mellitus also saw significant reductions in their HbA1c with lorcaserin (∼0.9%) versus placebo (∼0.4%; p < 0.001). Lorcaserin is generally well tolerated with the most commonly experienced adverse events being nausea, dizziness, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, and nasopharyngitis. Cardiovascular evaluations showed no appreciable increase in valvulopathy with lorcaserin use versus placebo. CONCLUSION: For now, pharmacists should continue to recommend the use of lorcaserin as a complement to, not in lieu of, ongoing lifestyle and behavioral modification.

Pharmacist-generated electronic consults to improve hypertension management in a multisite health centre: pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Utilisation of the electronic medical record (EMR) is believed to facilitate timely access to patient information, enhance communication between care team members and further promote clinical decision support. OBJECTIVE: To determine if pharmacist-generated electronic consults (e-consults) improve blood pressure control among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in a multisite health centre. METHODS: Pharmacists generated hypertension medication e-consults with review by primary care provider (PCP) during the patient appointment. We conducted a retrospective review of consults to determine types of pharmacist recommendations, PCP acceptance rates, and blood pressure changes. RESULTS: Pharmacists generated a total of 60 e-consults, 41 patients with a systolic blood pressure above their respective goal; e-consults were accepted 46% ( n = 19) of the time. CONCLUSION: This pilot project demonstrates a unique way for pharmacists to proactively utilise the EMR when delivering coordinated care within a multisite health centre. In addition, pharmacists were successfully integrated into the planned care approach.