The Effect of a Student Pharmacist Directed Health-Education Program for Elementary-School Children.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to measure the effect of an annual student pharmacist led elementary-school health education program by assessing children's comprehension of educational sessions. Secondary objectives were to evaluate student pharmacists' knowledge of health-related topics and practice skills. METHODS: Student pharmacists led interactive learning sessions for elementary school students on nutrition, physical activity, summer safety, hygiene, medication safety, and tobacco prevention. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were administered to measure change in knowledge of health promotion and healthy lifestyles. Student pharmacists also completed pre- and post-health education intervention surveys to measure change in self-perception of knowledge, confidence, and practice application of health-related topics and practice skills. RESULTS: Three-hundred and four elementary school children participated in the study with significant knowledge improvements observed in medication safety and tobacco prevention. Twenty-five student pharmacists completed surveys, resulting in a collective self-improvement in each area measured. CONCLUSION: Interactive educational sessions led by student pharmacists have a positive impact on elementary school children's knowledge. Student pharmacists also demonstrated professional growth through increased knowledge, confidence, and communication skills in interacting with pediatric populations. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: A co-curricular educational activity allowed student pharmacists to promote health and wellness to elementary students, a Healthy People 2020 goal, while also providing an opportunity to develop professional skills for future practice with pediatric patients.

Intermittent visceral edema induced by long-term enalapril administration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of intermittent visceral angioedema associated with long-term enalapril use. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old white woman developed severe abdominal pain as a result of visceral angioedema associated with long-term enalapril therapy. She had been taking enalapril 20 mg/day for 9 years prior to the first reported episodes of abdominal pain. DISCUSSION: Visceral angioedema associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is a documented adverse effect. However, onset of symptoms has never been reported after 9 years of use. Not until 2 years after initial presentation were the symptoms correlated to enalapril administration. Since discontinuation of enalapril, the patient has not reported any symptoms for >2 years. An objective causality assessment categorized this adverse drug event as a result of enalapril as possible. CONCLUSIONS: Development of angioedema from ACE inhibitors occurs in <1% of the population. Limited case reports have identified intermittent visceral angioedema from ACE inhibitors. However, it is important to recognize that this adverse effect can also occur in patients who have been treated with ACE inhibitor therapy for several years.