This month, we spoke with Natasha B. Leighl, BSc, MMSc, MD, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. Leighl discussed the PALOMA-3 trial results, shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2024 Conference.
In this episode, host Dr. Christina Madison interviews Dr. Bolu Oladini, PharmD, author, global medical affairs, generative AI medical content lead, Pfizer, to discuss the intersections of pharmacy, medical affairs, and AI. Dr. Oladini describes the importance of following one’s interest, and using those passions to one’s advantage when building on a career. Both Dr. Madison and Dr. Oladini also share the importance of understanding AI sources and prompts when using the available interfaces. Key...
On this episode of Pharmacy Focus, experts discuss World Psychedelics Day, which is June 20. Experts will also discuss goals of World Psychedelics Day in increasing awareness and appreciation of psychedelics' therapeutic potential while honoring traditional knowledge. Experts cover the history of psychedelics, current research on psychedelic therapies for conditions like PTSD and depression, and future directions. Proper education, screening, medication management and harm reduction practices ar...
This episode of Pharmacy Focus discusses the important role pharmacists can play in promoting mental health care for patients. Molly McGraw, PharmD, BCPS, coordinator of Pharmacy Quality UPMC Health Plan and Kim Castelnovo, RPh, Pharmacy Manager at Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, talk about the importance of mental health care for patients, how pharmacists can educate patients on their mental health medications, and implement clinical programs to optimize care. They also discuss c...
In this special Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention month episode, host Dr. Christina Madison interviews Emma White, the founder and president of the nonprofit organization Life Is Worth It, who shares her struggles with mental health as a teenager, and how she used her experience to educate others and give back to her community. White is also the Statewide Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Nevada’s Department of Education and works under the Office of Suicide Prevention managin...
Pharmacists from Mayo Clinic recap some of the latest treatment opportunities to advance patient care in the oncology space.
In this episode, host Dr. Christina Madison interviews Kate Gainer, PharmD, CEO of the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) to discuss the significance of state pharmacy associations in advocating for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, advancing public health initiatives, as well as shaping legislative priorities. Dr. Gainer also walks through her journey into pharmacy advocacy, emphasizes the importance of engagement in legislative advocacy. Key Takeaways: Importance of State Pharmacy Association...
On this episode, Amie Stephens, PharmD, director of adherence improvement and client services at Rite Aid, Emilee Kennelly, PharmD, manager of adherence improvement and clinical initiatives at Rite Aid, and Max Baire, PharmD, manager of clinical health plan solutions at Rite Aid, discuss social determinants of health (SDOH) and how they can impact patient outcomes and medication adherence. The guests explained how SDOH, like transportation barriers, food insecurity, and language barriers, can pr...
On this month's episode Laura Gillespie, PharmD, regional antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist in the Mishawaka and Plymouth Medical Centers at the Saint Joseph Health System, discussed her paper “Impact of Pharmacist-Led Initiatives on Health Care–Associated Clostridioides difficile Rates” published in the March issue of Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems. Gillespie discusses why the impact of pharmacist-led initiatives on health care–associated Clostridioides difficile (C diff) rates c...
In this episode, host Dr. Christina Madison interviews Pauline K. Long, PharmD, DCES, pharmacist and co-owner of MedsPLUS Consulting in Birmingham, Alabama. They discuss Dr. Pauline's journey into entrepreneurship, her motivations for opening her own pharmacy, the impact of her consulting business on patient outcomes, and innovative approaches to community health and wellness services, including vaccination clinics and employee wellness programs. Key Takeaways: Dr. Pauline Long's journey into en...
This episode of Pharmacy Focus: Policy Edition focuses on the DRUG Act and PBM reform efforts with Greg Baker, RPh, CEO of AffirmedRx. The DRUG Act aims to address unfair PBM practices like revenue-based compensation models that incentivize higher drug prices. Baker provides an overview of the key provisions in the legislation and their significance, and the implications of D-linking PBM compensation from drug list prices are also explored. Baker emphasizes the need for transparency in the PBM i...
This episode of Pharmacy Focus features an interview with Cristin Hackel, MSN, medical director at Nurx Women's Health by Thirty Madison, about OTC contraception and the pharmacist's role in reproductive health. The discussion covers currently available OTC options, like condoms and emergency contraceptive pills, as well as recent developments like the approval of the Opill. She explains the differences in efficacy between OTC and prescription methods and how OTC options can increase accessibili...
Ron Lanton, esq, partner at Lanton Law, discusses California's Stop Dangerous Pharmacies Act (AB 1286), which was signed into law in late 2023. He provides an overview of the key provisions of the new law, including authorizing pharmacists to make staffing decisions to ensure safety, requiring reporting of medication errors and unsafe conditions, and implementing enforcement measures if chains do not comply with the staffing and safety regulations. He also anticipates that this law will help imp...
The podcast discusses how City of Hope Chicago fully integrates oncology pharmacists into care teams by positioning them in clinics, improving communication and collaboration to minimize delays for patients and enhance care delivery.
In this special episode of Public Health Matters, host Dr. Christina Madison interviews Mamie Shepherd, a program manager and advocate with the Ryan Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, to discuss the foundation's work in establishing Seacrest Studios in children's hospitals across the country and the impact of these studios on the well-being of young patients. Mamie Shepherd, Program Manager from Ryan Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN. Key Take...
This episode highlights using celebrities and local advocates to promote public health initiatives and raise awareness of health topics. Experts shared examples of how Oprah Winfrey and the Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness of issues like racial health disparities and ALS, respectively. Ensuring authentic connections between celebrities and health issues as well as coordination among stakeholders were highlighted as important factors for effective celebrity endorsements. The role of pharmaci...
Editor’s Note: This was recorded prior to Wegovy being approved for cardiovascular disease. View the story here . This podcast episode discussed the impact of celebrity endorsements on trends in weight loss drugs like Ozempic, body image issues, and the role of pharmacists in educating patients on appropriate use of GLP-1 medications for weight management and chronic diseases. Experts Include: Patricia Mars, MD, owner and medical director of Venus By Mars Cosmetic Surgery and La Paloma Surgery C...
On this episode, experts discuss the role of celebrity endorsements and trusted local figures in addressing vaccine hesitancy. Experts commented on studies examining how peer influencers and endorsements from figures like Dr. Fauci can increase vaccine acceptance by making the issues more relatable. However, they also noted the need to understand different factors contributing to hesitancy as well as ensuring endorsements match the right target audience and local context to be most effective. Th...
The podcast discussed the impact and effectiveness of celebrity endorsements in the pharmaceutical industry. It covered how health care professionals are working to address misinformation through community outreach and multicomponent interventions. Regulation differences between prescription drugs, OTC medications, and dietary supplements were highlighted by Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP, the Public Health Pharmacist. Celebrity endorsements were said to potentially contribute to misinf...
In this special episode of Public Health Matters, Dr. Christina Madison and special guest, Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon emphasize the steps that need to be made in improving both language and cultural competency in health care. They also discuss Dr. Cucalon Calderon’s advocacy work—particularly in vaccine advocacy—in public health, preventative health services, and health equities in underserved communities. About the Guest: Jose Cucalon Calderon MD FAAP is a Board-Certified Pediatrician practicing...
This podcast episode provided an oncology news roundup focusing on 4 updates related to non-small cell lung cancer treatment. It discussed the role of pharmacists in chemotherapy management for NSCLC patients and barriers like insurance coverage. It also reviewed two recent FDA drug approvals for advanced NSCLC and results from a phase 3 trial that did not meet its primary endpoint. The podcast aimed to break down the latest news in the oncology pharmacy space for listeners.
This podcast episode discusses addressing social determinants of health through pharmacy practice with guest speaker, Amanda Ryan from the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). She provides an overview of PQA's third edition Social Determinants of Health Guide and how it can help pharmacists and pharmacies address social determinants of health (SDOH) barriers in their communities. The discussion covers topics like the role of pharmacists in nutrition education and food insecurity screening, as well a...
In this episode, we discuss 3 new pharmacy policies and initiatives across the United States as part of a new "RX rundown" format. First, California enacted the Stop Dangerous Pharmacies Act to improve patient safety through mandatory error reporting, minimum staffing, and expanded technician roles. Then, E-prescribing was discussed as a way to enhance accuracy, safety, and reduce costs and errors, though national standards and privacy issues present challenges. Lastly, New Jersey is piloting an...
In this special episode of Public Health Matters for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Dr. Christina Madison and special guest Alsean Bryant discuss Bryant's work in addressing health and racial disparities within the HIV community. They also highlight Bryant’s journey to becoming a PrEP provider as well as the intersection of pharmacy, public health, and music in his life and career. Key Takeaways: Pharmacists play a vital role in public health, particularly in addressing health disparitie...
On this month's episode, Pharmacy Times provides a recap of the latest advancements in hematology and breast cancer, shared at the 2023 American Society of Hematology conference and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium conference.
In this special edition of Public Health Matters, your host, Dr. Christina Madison, takes you on an exciting journey through the wonders of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. As a public health pharmacist, Dr. Madison explores the cutting-edge developments in health tech, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence showcased at CES. Check out the video here . Key Innovations Highlighted Innovations: Vivoo: An at-home urine test kit allowing users to test for various conditions, providin...
On this episode, Dae Lee, Pharm.D., Esq., CPBS , and Harini Bupathi, Esq, attorneys at Frier Levitt, engage in a thought-provoking conversation on the evolving landscape of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) audit strategies, regulations, and enforcement. The discussion covers notable trends in PBM audit strategies, challenges and opportunities for pharmacies in 2024. Key Takeaways PBM audit strategies are continually evolving, and pharmacies should stay vigilant in adapting to emerging trends. The ...
Anaïs Webster Mennuti, PharmD and Kristin Speer, PharmD, BCPS, discuss their new documentary that highlights the understaffed and overwhelmed reality of retail pharmacy.
In this episode of Pharmacy Focus, Deeb Eid, PharmD, RPh, founder and host of the RxPOSED podcast, discusses a comprehensive overview of independent pharmacists prescribing. As we step into 2024, Eid shares insights into the current landscape, the anticipated developments, and the evolving responsibilities and challenges that pharmacists may encounter due to updated state laws and regulations. Key Takeaways: Eid sets the stage by offering a brief but insightful overview of the landscape of indep...
Host Jack Mozloom, vice president of Public Affairs and Marketing at the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), speaks with Matthew Seiler, RN, Esq, general counsel at NCPA. The discussion spans recent legal developments, including a new class action lawsuit, updates on the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice's merger guidelines, insights into the NCPA Trust, and a crucial meeting with State Attorneys General. Key Takeaways A new class action lawsuit has potential impl...
