Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Real-World Dispensing Of Buprenorphine In California During Prepandemic And Pandemic Periods, Yun Wang, Alexandre Chan, Richard Beuttler, Marc L. Fleming, Todd Schneberk, Michael Nichol, Haibing Lu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: The opioid overdose crisis in the United States has become a significant national emergency. Buprenorphine, a primary medication for individuals coping with opioid use disorder (OUD), presents promising pharmacokinetic properties for use in primary care settings, and is often delivered as a take-home therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the scarcity of access to buprenorphine, leading to dire consequences for those with OUD. Most existing studies, primarily focused on the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, highlight the challenges in accessing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs), particularly buprenorphine. However, these studies only cover a relatively short timeframe. Methods: To …

Cardiometabolic Genomics And Pharmacogenomics In Filipino Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Khalifa Y. Alrajeh

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the country, with significant ethnic disparities. Filipino Americans (FAs), the third-largest Asian subgroup in U.S., face an elevated burden of dyslipidemia, a primary modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Objectives: This community-based study addresses critical knowledge gaps by characterizing the cardiometabolic and genetic factors contributing to dyslipidemia among FAs and implications for personalized cardiovascular drug therapies, particularly statin pharmacogenomics (PGx). Methods: We characterized dyslipidemia prevalence in FAs and major ethnic subgroups using nationally representative NHANES data. We examined associations between uric acid (UA) levels and lipid profiles, …

Enhancing Safety Surveillance During Clinical Trials: The Development Of A Safety Data Review Handbook To Support Pharmacovigilance Clinicians, Lauren Wilson

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance (PV) Sciences include activities related to safety surveillance of pharmaceutical products, and is critical for developing safe and effective medications, vaccines and medical devices. Safety monitoring starts with preclinical research and continues through clinical trial and post marketing phases. PV scientists ensure patient safety during clinical trials through regular review and analysis of safety data. Regulations have become increasingly complex, leading to inadequately defined methods for reviewing large clinical trial safety datasets. Inconsistent safety data review (SDR) practices can result in delayed detection of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or safety signals.

METHODS: This quality improvement project used …

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Bundle For Hypertension Outcomes In Adult Patients Receiving Care In Public Health Clinics, Christine Jennifer Victorian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Hypertension (HTN) that is not adequately controlled leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart disease. It affects 116 million adults (47%) in the United States (U.S.). The HTN compliance rate in a South Texas public health clinic was 64%, below the national benchmark of 76%. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) was recommended in a joint statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Literature evidence revealed that the HBPM bundle increased BP control (< 140/90 mmHg) compliance.

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) bundle was initiated to address the low HTN compliance rate from a quality management perspective. …

Addressing The Crisis: Leveraging The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals To Prepare Student Leaders To Tackle The Opioid Epidemic, Sharon Xavioer, Laressa Bethishou, Madeline Dintzner, Reza Taheri, Jelena Lewis

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The United States faces several ongoing public health issues including the opioid epidemic. This article describes a new model aimed at providing a framework that incorporates the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to develop pharmacy student leaders through education, experiences, and development of critical skills. This holistic approach can serve as an example methodology to equip future leaders across public health domains to tackle many of the critical problems we face today.

Assessing Perspectives Of A Global Health Area Of Concentration Within The Pharmd Curriculum, Jennifer Ko, Lauren Jonkman, Vidya Balakrishna Sharma, Emily Liu, Sharon E. Connor

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction

While global health education in pharmacy expands, limited research has described the outcome of completing a global health area of concentration on career decisions, perceptions on cultural sensitivity, health disparity awareness, and global health competencies among pharmacists and students.

Methods

This mixed methods study enrolled 21 graduates and 17 student pharmacists who participated in a global health concentration at one school of pharmacy in the United States. Data sources included graduate interviews and surveys, student pharmacist focus groups, and global health competency self-assessments.

Results

Five themes emerged among graduates: (1) skills were applicable to diverse settings, (2) early exposure …

Targeting Breast Cancer: The Familiar, The Emerging, And The Uncharted Territories, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi, Arthur Manda, Riya Sidgal, Co Chung

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Breast cancer became the most diagnosed cancer in the world in 2020. Chemotherapy is still the leading clinical strategy in breast cancer treatment, followed by hormone therapy (mostly used in hormone receptor-positive types). However, with our ever-expanding knowledge of signaling pathways in cancer biology, new molecular targets are identified for potential novel molecularly targeted drugs in breast cancer treatment. While this has resulted in the approval of a few molecularly targeted drugs by the FDA (including drugs targeting immune checkpoints), a wide array of signaling pathways seem to be still underexplored. Also, while combinatorial treatments have become common practice in …

Geospatial Analysis Of Opioid Dispensing Patterns In California: A 2021 Real-World Study, Hongxia Lu, Jianwei Zheng, Yun Wang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The misuse and abuse of opioids has become a serious public health threat in the United States. The state of California has been hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic, with a noticeable increase in opioid-related fatalities and hospitalizations. This brief report paper aims to contribute to the growing literature by conducting a geospatial analysis of opioid dispensing patterns in California in 2021. The primary objective was to identify areas characterized by high-risk opioid dispending patterns and explore possible contributing factors. This retrospective study analyzed data from over 7 million records of opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions dispensed by outpatient pharmacies …

Commencement Program 2023, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

1 | Message from the President

3 | 2023 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

6 | Institutional Administration

7 | Board of Trustees

8 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | University History Highlights

11 | Criteria for Institutional Awards

13 | Loma Linda University Health and Loma Linda University Honorees

25 | The Program, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

• School of Medicine, 26
• School of Pharmacy, 52
• School of Dentistry, 69
• School of Public Health, 93
• San Manuel Gateway College, 108
• School of Allied Health Professions—Allied Health Studies, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication …

Factors Affecting Initiation And Retention Of Medication-Assisted Recovery (Mar) Within A Pilot Pharmacist-Involved Practice Model At A Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (Fqhc) During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tiffany Nguyen, Thomas Craig Cheetham, Souhiela Fawaz, Richard Beuttler, Sharon Xavioer

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid-related overdose deaths increased. Although Medication-Assisted Treatment or Recovery (MAT or MAR) is available, initiation and retention rates vary. The goal of this study was to evaluate clinical, demographic, and Social Determinant of Health factors affecting MAR initiation, on-time initiation of medications, and successful retention in the program. The secondary goal was to evaluate the impact of a novel interprofessional practice model incorporating pharmacists. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic health record data from a pilot MAR Program initiated within a California Federally Qualified Healthcare Center. Results: From September 2019 to August 2020, …

Application Of Informatics Tools To Facilitate The Practice Of Precision Medicine With Genomic Testing And Clinical Data, Michael Sayer

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

The practice of precision medicine considers a variety of sources of information to optimize patient care. Factors such as patient demographics, clinical history, and lab test values have well understood effects on treatment outcomes and influence decision making. However, effective inclusion of biomolecular data such as protein expression and DNA sequencing data within the practice of precision medicine needs continued study. Informatics tools offer solutions to allow these complex data sources to be effectively embraced. Utilization of informatics tools to visualize data pertaining to the gene selection practices of pharmacogenomic (PGx) tests effectively communicated large amounts of information into concise …

Operationalizing A Medication Safety Gap Assessment For A Large Health System, Carley Warren, Joan Kramer, L Hayley Burgess

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Medication errors continue to be a leading cause of medical errors. In the United States alone, 7000 to 9000 people die annually due to a medication error, and many more are harmed. Since 2014, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has advocated for several best practices in acute care facilities derived from reports of patient harm.

Methods

The medication safety best practices chosen for this assessment were based on the 2020 ISMP Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices (TMSBP) and health system-identified opportunities. Each month, for 9 months, select best practices were covered with associated tools to assess the …

Striving For Appropriate Antibiotic Use: A Biomarker Initiative, And Outcomes Associated With Azithromycin Exposure, Amanda Gusovsky

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

The introduction of antibiotics into clinical practice is considered the greatest medical breakthrough of the 20^thcentury. However, the use of antibiotics can contribute to the development of resistance. In the United States (U.S.), approximately 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. Moreover, some antibiotics are known to cause cardiac side effects including QT prolongation, hypotension, and ventricular arrythmias. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines appropriate antibiotic use as the effort to use “the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right …

Genetic And Pharmacogenetics Associations Of Cancer Disparities In Appalachia, Nan Lin

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Individuals residing in Appalachian regions have significant health disparities, including higher cancer incidence and mortality rates. Previous studies have addressed the impact of socioeconomic status and environmental risk factors on Appalachia cancer disparities, while few studies have evaluated genetic risk factors.

Germline whole exome sequencing samples from 7,078 individuals with cancer (759 Appalachians) were evaluated. Demographics and relatedness were assessed using KING. Ethnicity was verified by principal component analysis using TRACE, which included 6,034 individuals (85%) of European genetic ancestry. After QC filtering, 5,980 individuals were analyzed. To assess the overall predisposition of hereditary disease, gene level frequency of likely …

Studies Of Polypharmacy And Medication Therapy Management In Population-Based Cohorts, Ximena A. Oyarzun Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

According to the United States Census Bureau, 16.8% of the population was 65 years and older in 2021, and it is expected that by 2060 that number will increase to about 30% (about 114 million people). Aging is associated with physiological changes in all systems of the body. These changes impact the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs. Furthermore, older adults usually have several chronic conditions, which increases their exposure to medications. Increased vulnerability combined with increasing exposure puts elderly people at higher risk for drug interactions and adverse events.

Charlesworth et al. (2014) found that the prevalence of polypharmacy, …

Gender Differences In Administration Of Tpa In Treatment Of Ischemic Stroke, Christina Annerino

CURE Proceedings

As medicine and pharmacology advance through the years, new life-saving treatments are studied or discovered every day, and a medical emergency is no longer a death sentence. Even with conditions as serious as ischemic stroke, there is hope for survival and rehabilitation with the ‘clot-busting’ drug, tissue plasminogen activator, colloquially known as ‘tPA’. tPA is a thrombolytic agent, a substance that acts on fibrin in clots to dissolve them so they can no longer cause ischemia in blood vessels that results in a stroke. (Vega, 2022). tPA is an extremely effective treatment for ischemic stroke, demonstrated in 2013 by a …

Evaluation Of Pharmaceutically Compounded Oral Caffeine On The Impact Of Medication Adherence And Risk Of Readmission Among Preterm Neonates: A Single-Center Quasi-Experimental Study, Gul Ambreen, Manoj Kumar, Amin Ali, Syed Akbar Ali Shah, Syed Muzaffar Saleem, Ayesha Tahir, Muhammad Sohail Salat, Muhammad Shahzad Aslam, Kashif Hussain

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: Caffeine is available in an ampoule, used via parenteral and enteral routes in preterm neonates to treat apnea of prematurity (AOP) in neonates of gestational age ≥ 35-40 weeks. A longer duration of therapy has a higher risk of medication non-adherence due to higher costs and inappropriate dosage forms. Pharmaceutically compounded oral caffeine (PCC) could be an appropriate alternate dosage form. The researchers aimed to determine the impact of PCC on medication-related factors influencing medication adherence (MA) and the frequency of hospital readmission with apnea (HRA) in preterm neonates.
Methods: We conducted a single-center quasi-experimental study for this quality …

The U.S. Travel Health Pharmacists’ Role In A Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Era, Keri Hurley-Kim, Karina Babish, Eva Chen, Alexis Diaz, Nathan Hahn, Derek Evans, Sheila M. Seed, Karl Hess

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Many countries have enforced strict regulations on travel since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019. However, with the development of several vaccines and tests to help identify it, international travel has mostly resumed in the United States (US). Community pharmacists have long been highly accessible to the public and are capable of providing travel health services and are in an optimal position to provide COVID-19 patient care services to those who are now starting to travel again. Objectives: (1) To discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the practice of travel health and …

Development Of Tlc Fingerprinting Profile Of Shadanga Paniya – An Ayurvedic Formulation To Treat Symptoms Of Covid-19, Mehta D. Mehul, Kunal M. Gohil, Krunal A. Doshi

International Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

BACKGROUND: Shadanga Paniya is a compound Ayurvedic formulation that contains six ingredients. Ayurvedic Physicians have been using Shadanga Paniya to treat fever for ages. Symptoms of COVID-19 are also being treated by Shadanga Paniya. However, the Shadanga Paniya has not reported standardisation.

AIMS: To prepare Shadanga Paniya as per the standard classical protocol. To carry out qualitative tests, standardisation and TLC profile development for Shadanga Paniya.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the ingredients of Shadanga Paniya wiz. Nagarmotha, Pittapapada, Khasa, Lal Chandana, Sugandhbala and Sunthi were taken in equal amounts. All these ingredients are heated over mild heat with water. The …

Commencement Program 2022, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

1 | Message from the President

3 | 2022 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

6 | Institutional Administration

7 | Board of Trustees

8 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | University History Highlights

11 | Criteria for Institutional Awards

13 | Loma Linda University Health and Loma Linda University Honorees

27 | The Programs, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

• School of Medicine, 28
• School of Pharmacy, 52
• School of Dentistry, 67
• School of Public Health, 92
• School of Allied Health Professions - Allied Health Studies, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, …

Sources Of Patient Information For Type 2 Diabetes Self-Care In Northern Mississippi, Minh-Sang La

Honors Theses

Given the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the United States and the continuous rise of cases, especially within Mississippi, there is an increasing need to identify if, and how, patients with Type 2 Diabetes receive information about self-care. While there is data available on the topic of where patients receive their information and the influence it has on their health in other countries of the world, the research on the source of Type 2 Diabetes education in the United States is scarce. Therefore, this study aims to bridge the gap of understanding where patients with Type 2 Diabetes …

Promoting Adult Pneumococcal Vaccinations Through Pharmacy And Provider Educational Campaigns, Krysia Lesniak

Senior Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Financial Hardship From Purchasing Prescription Drugs Among Older Adults In The United States Before, During, And After The Medicare Part D “Donut Hole”: Findings From 1998, 2001, 2015, And 2021, Anthony W. Olson, Jon C. Schommer, David A. Mott, Olajide Adekunle, Lawrence M. Brown

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: Cost-related nonadherence compromises successful and effective management of chronic disease. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) aimed to increase the affordability of outpatient prescription drugs for older adults (older than age 64 years). The Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance coverage gap (“donut hole”) created by the MMA was fully closed in 2020 by the ACA.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) describe prescription drug coverage and financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs among older American adults for 2021, (2) compare these results with findings from data collected before the MMA …

Assessing Nutritional Health Knowledge In Sharing Clinic Patients With Diabetes, Minden Huntrods

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Effective diabetes prevention and management relies on nutritional behaviors, thus a basic level of health knowledge is important for patients with diabetes and their caregivers in their quest to acquire acute glycemic control and minimize negative health outcomes (Ley et al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition-related health knowledge of patients living with diabetes who are seen at the UNMC Sharing Clinic by use of a verbal questionnaire. This nutritional health knowledge assessment was a quantitative, prospective, survey-based study utilizing descriptive statistics. Approximately 86% of patients were proficient in food group and nutritious foods knowledge …

Identification Of Community Knowledge On Lead Contamination And Analysis Of Lead Level In Fish, Sita Nurwulan, Sophi Damayanti, Lia Amalia

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Poisoning is an event of human exposure to poisonous substances that are harmful to the body at certain doses. Lead is a heavy metal that can cause toxicity, including neurotoxic effects, hypertension, digestive system disorders, bone and tooth growth disorders, immune system disorders, infertility, and fetal disorders. Fish is a source of nutrients that are often consumed by people, however can also accumulate lead. This study aimed to analyze the lead level in fish and identify the community knowledge level regarding lead contamination in fish. Identification of community knowledge levels regarding lead. Identification of community knowledge levels regarding lead contamination …

Pharmacists Provision Of Non-Dispensing Services In Health Professional Shortage Areas, Haley L. Kessinger, Emily R. Landis

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Background: Individuals living in primary care health professional shortage areas (PCHPSAs) experience health inequities. Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals with an opportunity to provide care to underserved populations. The objective of this study was to compare non-dispensing services provided by Ohio community pharmacists in PCHPSAs and non-PCHSPAs.

Methods: An electronic, IRB-approved 19-item survey was sent to all community pharmacists practicing in full PCHPSA counties and a random sample practicing in non-PCHPSA counties in Ohio (n=324). Questions assessed current provision of non-dispensing services as well as interest and barriers regarding such services.

Results: Seventy-three usable responses were received (23% response rate). …

Breast And Prostate Cancer Screening: Recommendations From The American Cancer Society Versus The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Eric Chung, Elizabeth Kramer, Katlyn Brown, Farabi Alam, Olivia Henton, Natalie Dipietro Mager

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Over the past decades, opportunities for pharmacists to be actively involved in screening, education and referral for patients have grown. As these opportunities have increased, so too has the importance of being knowledgeable about the corresponding recommendations and guidelines. At times, various expert organizations may publish contradicting guidelines for a particular disease state or preventive medicine recommendation. This article focuses on the general background and history of two such expert groups, the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and compares the two entities’ recommendations for breast and prostate cancer as of April 2017. It is critical …

Development And Management Of Depression During And After Pregnancy, Alexa Bouts, Maria Patnella, Jourdan Ujlaki, Emily Wells, Hannah Lamb, Michelle Musser

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Depression during pregnancy is common, whether it is a new onset of the disease or emerging symptoms of the already existent disease. Due to patient and prescriber concerns with antidepressant use during pregnancy, approximately three-quarters of those diagnosed with depression remain untreated. Furthermore, up to half of pregnant women with depression remain undiagnosed due to lack of recognition. As a result, both mother and fetus are at risk for negative health outcomes including substance abuse, functional impairment, increased risk of postnatal depression and poor pregnancy outcomes. Benefits must be balanced against the risks when considering pharmacologic treatment options to manage …

The Use Of Advanced Spectral Imaging To Reveal Nanoparticle Identity In Biological Samples, Qamar A. Alshammari, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Ayan K. Barui, Saud O. Alshammari, Andromeda M. Nauli, Nir Katzir, Ashraf M. Mohieldin, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used in drug delivery therapies, medical diagnostic strategies, and as current Covid-19 vaccine carriers. Many microscope-based imaging systems have been introduced to facilitate detection and visualization of NPs. Unfortunately, none can differentiate the core and the shell of NPs. Spectral imaging has been used to distinguish a drug molecule and its metabolite. We have recently integrated this technology to a resolution of 9 nm by using artificial intelligence-driven analyses. Such a resolution allowed us to collect many robust datapoints for each pixel of an image. Our analyses could recognize 45 spectral points within a pixel to …

Centracare Launch Of Covid Antiviral Therapy, Jessica Miller, Todd Lemke Pharmd, Dennis Heinen Rph

Nursing Posters

• Efficiently monitor the limited available stock of oral antiviral COVID therapies during surge states
• Prescribe safely and appropriately
• Dispense to patients close to home.