Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Cracking The Code Of Hbv Persistence: Cutting-Edge Approaches To Targeting Cccdna In Chronic Hepatitis B With Or Without Pyogenic Liver Abscesses, Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Mahmood Khan, Muhammad Nouman Tariq, Syed Shahan Gilani, Muhammad Raza, Rakshana Munuswamy, Naveen Bose, Dilber Uzun Ozsahin, Ilker Özşahin, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a formidable global health challenge, driving severe liver complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). At the core of HBV persistence lies covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a viral reservoir that fuels ongoing infection despite antiviral treatments. This review highlights molecular mechanisms governing cccDNA formation, maintenance, and clearance, spotlighting innovative therapeutic strategies to disrupt this key viral element. We explore cutting-edge approaches, including epigenetic modulation to silence cccDNA, RNA interference (RNAi) for viral RNA degradation, and CRISPR/Cas genome editing to excise cccDNA directly. Additionally, emerging antiviral therapies and immunotherapies, …

Editorial: Machine Learning Advancements In Pharmacology: Transforming Drug Discovery And Healthcare, Moom Rahman Roosan, Ramgopal Mettu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"In recent years, the integration of machine learning (ML) into pharmacology has revolutionized how we approach drug discovery, disease modeling, and therapeutic development. By leveraging vast datasets and computational power, ML has enabled researchers to uncover patterns, predict outcomes, and accelerate drug development processes that were previously unimaginable. This Research Topic on 'Machine Learning Advancements in Pharmacology' features five impactful studies that highlight the diverse applications and potential of ML in this field. These contributions, encompassing original research and a systematic review, exemplify the transformative role of ML in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in pharmacology."

6,7-Dichloro-1h-Indole-2,3-Dione-3-Oxime Functions As A Superagonist For The Intermediate-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel KCa3.1, Joshua A. Nasburg, Kyle C. Rouen, Connor J. Dietrich, Heesung Shim, Miao Zhang, Igor Vorobyov, Heike Wulff

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

NS309 (6,7-dichloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-oxime) is widely used as a pharmacological tool to increase the activity of small- and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. NS309 is assumed to function as a positive allosteric gating modulator. However, its binding site and the molecular details of its action remain unknown. Here, we show that NS309 has a profound effect on the calcium-dependent gating of the intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel KCa3.1. In inside-out experiments, 10 μM NS309 shifted the calcium EC50 from 430 to 31 nM. In whole-cell experiments, changing free intracellular calcium from 250 nM to 3 μM decreased the EC50 of …

Crosstalk Between Nnos/No And Cox-2 Enhances Interferon-Gamma-Stimulated Melanoma Progression, Anika Patel, Shirley Tong, Moom R. Roosan, Basir Syed, Amardeep Awasthi, Richard B. Silverman, Sun Yang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Objectives: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the melanoma tumor microenvironment plays opposing roles, orchestrating both pro-tumorigenic activity and anticancer immune responses. Our previous studies demonstrated the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in IFN-γ-stimulated melanoma progression. However, the underlying mechanism has not been well defined. This study determined whether the nNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2 signaling pathways crosstalk and augment the pro-tumorigenic effects of IFN-γ in melanoma. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis of patient and cellular proteomic data was conducted to identify proteins of interest associated with IFN-γ treatment in melanoma. Changes in protein expression were determined using various analytical techniques including …

Safety Of Omadacycline Versus Standard-Of-Care Oral Antibiotic Treatment For Bone And Joint Infections: Interim Results From An Open-Label, Non- Inferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial, Amy Y. Kang, Guarina Garcia Delgado, Donna Phan Tran, Evelyn A. Flores, Vanessa Romo-Kozan, Isabel Payan, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

The incidence of bone and joint infections (BJIs) continues to increase, and existing oral BJI antibiotics have limitations. Omadacycline may be a potential treatment option for BJI treatment due to activity against doxycycline-resistant S. aureus and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales for which there are often no viable oral options. However, the safety of omadacycline in this setting is poorly defined.

Methods

We performed an open label, randomized, controlled clinical trial of adults with BJIs in the outpatient setting. Participants were randomized to omadacycline-containing regimen (omadacycline 300mg po daily) or Standard-of-Care (SOC) antibiotics. Adjunctive antibiotics were permitted in addition to omadacycline. Safety …

Orchestrating Cytosolic Access: The Partnership Of Cationic Lytic Peptide L17e And Potassium Channel Kca3.1, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

In this issue of Molecular Therapy, the study by Kuriyama et al.¹ represents an advance in the field of intracellular delivery systems by elucidating a novel mechanism for cytosolic delivery mediated by a cationic amphiphilic lytic peptide L17E (IWLTALKFLGKHAAKHEAKQQLSKL-amide). The investigators demonstrate that the peptide achieves cytosolic delivery primarily through transient plasma membrane disruption, bypassing some of the endocytic pathways, and highlight the pivotal role of the calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, encoded by the gene KCNN4, in facilitating this process. These findings offer a deeper understanding of peptide-mediated delivery using a potassium channel and raise intriguing questions about …

A Practical Guide To Grade Adjustment Or Curving For Pharmacy And Other Professional Health Programs, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The peer-reviewed literature on the adjustment or curving of assessments in health profession programs is almost non-existent. This communication aims to present potential methods of grade adjustment for individual questions or entire assessments. Simulated data for a 25-item assessment were used as an example to analyze the effects of different methods of grade adjustment on students’ scores. Grade adjustments were made by adjusting the points for individual questions or the scores for the entire assessment. Adjustment for the individual questions was carried out by dropping the question, adding points to those who missed the question, or adding a bonus point …

Brain Delivery Of Erythropoietin Results In A Significant Reduction Of Brain Aβ And Spatial Memory Deficits In The App Knock-In Mouse Model, Rudy Tieu Chang, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, Grace-Ann Chuli Roules, Emi Iwasaki, Nataraj Jagadeesan, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Although novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have begun to show modest therapeutic effects, agents that target hallmark AD pathology and offer neuroprotection are desired. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone with neuroprotective effects but is faced with challenges including limited brain uptake and increased hematopoietic side effects with long-term dosing. Therefore, EPO has been modified and bound to a chimeric transferrin receptor monoclonal antibody (cTfRMAb); the latter shuttles EPO past the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into brain parenchyma and reduces its plasma exposure and potential for side effects. Our study sought to characterize the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of …

Chronic Heavy Alcohol Intake And Liver-Specific Lrp-1 Reduction Increase Amyloidosis In Alzheimer’S Disease Mice, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, G. Chuli Roules, Ross A. Steinberg, Urvashi R. Panchal, Nataraj Jagadeesan, Adenike Oyegbesan, Trinh Roselyn, Joshua Yang, Sharda R. Bhagwat, Hiya Rakholia, Rutvi D. Mevawala, Moom Roosan, Derick Han, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Chronic heavy alcohol drinking may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but studies in rodent AD models more closely mimic chronic moderate alcohol drinking in humans and largely focus on the brain. The role of the liver, which is significantly impacted by chronic heavy alcohol intake, in driving brain changes in alcohol-dependent AD remains unexplored. Our study using intragastric-ethanol feeding, which mimics chronic heavy alcohol intake in humans, in C57BL/6J mice showed significant AD-relevant changes in the brain and liver. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how hepatic changes using this model of chronic heavy drinking drive …

Mitigating The Risk Of Qtc Prolongation When Using Haloperidol For Acute Treatment Of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome In Adolescents And Young Adults, Sandra Merino, Lissette Tordera, Allison Jun, Sun Yang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Objectives: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), associated with long-term cannabinoid use, has been increasingly observed in emergency room visits as more states in the U.S. have legislatively permitted medical and recreational marijuana use. The acute management of CHS primarily focuses on antiemetic treatment and supportive care. However, both the condition itself and the antiemetic drugs, such as haloperidol, may cause QTc prolongation. Methods: We reported two adolescent cases admitted to the emergency department for acute antiemesis management of CHS who received haloperidol treatment. A literature review was performed through October 2024 for previously published cases of QTc prolongation and/or …

Proteoglycan 4 (Lubricin) And Regulation Of Xanthine Oxidase In Synovial Macrophage As A Mechanism Of Controlling Synovitis, Khaled A. Elsaid, Ling X. Zhang, Thomas Zhao, Ava Marks, Derek Jenkins, Tannin A. Schmidt, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Synovial macrophages (SMs) are important effectors of joint health and disease. A novel Cx3CR1 + TREM2 + SM population expressing the tight junction protein claudin-5, was recently discovered in synovial lining. Ablation of these SMs was associated with onset of arthritis. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is a mucinous glycoprotein that fulfills lubricating and homeostatic roles in the joint. The aim of this work is to study the role of PRG4 in modulating synovitis in the context of SM homeostasis and assess the contribution of xanthine oxidase (XO)-hypoxia inducible factor alpha (HIF-1a) axis to this regulation.

Methods

We used Prg4FrtloxP/FrtloxP …

Hyperglycemia Causes Differential Change In Macrophage Population In The Lacrimal Gland, Conjunctiva And Cornea, Saleh Alfuraih, Amy Tran, Lois Kim, Rais Ansari, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Due to its location, the ocular surface is exposed to environmental microbes. Innate immune cells including macrophages are first line defense against infections. In vitro exposure to high glucose as well as diabetes-associated hyperglycemia has been shown to affect innate immune cell function and population. The present study was designed to examine the effect of diabetes-associated hyperglycemia on the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva and cornea macrophage population, phenotypic changes and cytokines/chemokines.

Methods: Mouse model of Streptozotocin-induced diabetes was used to induce hyperglycemia. Immunostaining for CD11b and F4/80 was performed to stain macrophages in whole mount cornea, conjunctiva and 50 µm …

A Conjugate Of An Egfr-Binding Peptide And Doxorubicin Shows Selective Toxicity To Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Phi-Phung Than, Shih-Jing Yao, Emad Althagafi, Kamaljit Kaur

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Selective targeting of cancer cells via overexpressed cell-surface receptors is a promising strategy to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and minimize off-target side effects. In this study, we designed peptide 31 (YHWYGYTPERVI) to target the overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Peptide 31 is internalized by TNBC cells through EGFR-mediated endocytosis and shares sequence and structural similarities with human EGF (hEGF), a natural EGFR ligand. Unlike hEGF, peptide 31 does not induce cell migration in TNBC cells. A novel conjugate of peptide 31 with doxorubicin (Dox) retains selectivity for TNBC cells and exhibits significant toxicity comparable …

Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Cirrhosis Does Not Alter The Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability To Sucrose In Rats, Mohammad K. Miah, Ulrich Bickel, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Contradictory results have been reported about the effects of liver diseases on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability to markers. For instance, both an increase and no change in the BBB permeability to BBB markers sodium fluorescein and Evans blue have been reported in experimental cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. These contradictory effects might be due to inherent limitations of these markers and/or methodological issues. Here, we investigated the time course of the impact of BDL in rats on BBB permeability using a recently developed stable isotope labeled marker [¹³C]sucrose, which is expected to be …

Students’ Performance And Perceptions Of Mock Trials As A Teaching And Assessment Activity Over Three Years At Two Institutions, Ettie Rosenberg, Shih-Ying H. Hsu, Hoai-An Truong, Reza Taheri

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: This study aimed to evaluate students’ performance and perception of a mock-trial teaching, learning, and assessment activity over three years at two institutions.

Methods: A mock trial (courtroom-style debate) implemented over three years (2017-2019) in a first professional year (P1) course at two institutions offered active learning in literature critique and evaluation, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, professionalism, and self-awareness. Student teams researched, prepared, and debated controversial topics as counsels, witnesses, or jurors for alternate mock trials. Descriptive analyses evaluated judge and juror trial scores and the 2019 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) survey.

Results: The mock trials involved 319 student …

Unravelling The Erythropoietin Heterodimeric Complex: In Silico Analysis Of Complex Assembly And Binding Interface, Atiya Habib, Urooj Qureshi, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Aftab Ahmed, Zaheer Ul-Haq

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Erythropoietin (Epo), a glycosylated protein categorized as a member of the cytokine family, is responsible for the modulation of erythrogenesis. Besides this, the nonhaematopoietic effects of Epo are associated with tissue-protective activity via an antiapoptotic pathway. This function of Epo is linked with its heterodimeric form, i.e. EpoR/βcR belonging to the cytokine family as well. Both receptors are dissected into three domains: extracellular (also known as ligand-binding domain), transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain. The transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are assumed to play a paramount role in dimerization and tissue protection. However, the tertiary structure of cytoplasmic domains of both …

Predicting And Monitoring Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Using Artificial Intelligence In Pancreatic Cancer, Guangbo Yu, Zigeng Zhang, Aydin Eresen, Qiaoming Hou, Farideh Amirrad, Sha Webster, Surya M. Nauli, Vahid Yaghmai, Zhuoli Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers, primarily due to its late diagnosis and limited treatment options. This review examines the challenges and potential of using immunotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a promising tool to enhance early detection and monitor the effectiveness of these therapies. By synthesizing recent advancements and identifying gaps in the current research, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how AI and immunotherapy can be integrated to develop more personalized and effective treatment strategies. The insights from this review may guide future research efforts …

A Protocol For Immunostaining Of Macrophages In Whole-Mount Mouse Cornea, Conjunctiva, And Lacrimal Gland, Saleh Alfuraih, Dhruv Patel, Wonsuk Choi, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Rais Ansari, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The healthy lacrimal functional unit contains a resident macrophage population. Here, we present a protocol for immunofluorescent staining of macrophage markers, CD11b, F4/80, and CD206, in whole-mount mouse cornea, conjunctiva, and 50-μM-thick lacrimal gland section. We describe steps for dissection, fixation, permeabilization, and blocking. We then detail procedures for the detection and spatial localization of macrophages through immunostaining and confocal imaging. This approach circumvents the need to obtain thin tissue sections and acquire macrophage images from each tissue section.

Identification Of New Leads Against Ubiquitin Specific Protease-7 (Usp7): A Step Towards The Potential Treatment Of Cancers, Sumaira Javaid, Seema Zadi, Muhammad Awais, Atai-Tul Wahab, Humaira Zafar, Innokentiy Maslennikov, M. Iqbal Choudhary

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Ubiquitin-specific protease-7 (USP7) is an important drug target as it regulates multiple proteins and genes (such as MDM2 and p53) with roles in cancer progression. Its inhibition can hinder the function of oncogenes, increase tumor suppression, and enhance immune response. The current study was designed to express USP7 in a prokaryotic system, followed by screening of small molecules against it using biophysical methods, primarily STD-NMR technique. Among them, 12 compounds showed interaction with USP7 as inferred from NMR-based screening. These compounds further caused destabilization of USP7 by reducing its melting temperature (T_m) up to 6 °C in …

The Role Of Peptides In Combatting Hiv Infection: Applications And Insights, Naiera M. Helmy, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Peptide-based inhibitors represent a promising approach for the treatment of HIV-1, offering a range of potential advantages, including specificity, low toxicity, and the ability to target various stages of the viral lifecycle. This review outlines the current state of research on peptide-based anti-HIV therapies, highlighting key advancements and identifying future research directions. Over the past few years, there has been significant progress in developing synthetic peptide-based drugs that target various stages of the viral life cycle, including entry and replication. These approaches aim to create effective anti-HIV therapies. Additionally, peptides have proven valuable in the development of anti-HIV vaccines. In …

Predisposing, Enabling, And Need Factors Influencing Health-Related Quality Of Life Among People With Metabolic Syndrome, Olajide Adekunle, Yun Wang, Ismaeel Yunusa, Marc L. Fleming, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, Lawrence M. Brown

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Objective

Methods

A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Pharmacists' Readiness To Provide Long-Acting Injectable Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In California, Raiza Beltran, Lauren A. Hunter, Laura J. Packel, Loriann De Martini, Ian W. Holloway, Betty J. Dong, Jerika Lam, Sandra I. Mccoy, Ayako Miyashita Ochoa

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background:

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low among people who could benefit, some of whom may prefer alternatives to oral PrEP, such as long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP). We evaluated the potential for LAI-PrEP provision in pharmacies through a mixed methods study of pharmacists in California, where Senate Bill 159 enables pharmacists to independently provide oral PrEP.

Methods:

In 2022–2023, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of California pharmacists and pharmacy students (n = 919) and in-depth interviews with pharmacists (n = 30), both of which included modules assessing attitudes about PrEP provision. Using log-binomial regression, we estimated prevalence ratios …

Molecular Targets For Breast Cancer Therapy, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women, and for a while, it surpassed lung cancer as the most diagnosed cancer, regardless of gender, in 2020 [1]. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are still the first line of treatment, despite extensive research in molecularly targeted drugs. Therefore, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still known as the most challenging type for treatment due to the limited identified targets. Inherent and acquired resistance are still major hurdles in breast cancer therapy, which further highlights the importance of identifying new molecular targets in this battle. The inherent resistance of unresponsive …

At A Crossroads: The Crucial Role Of Pharmacists In Healthcare Teams To End The Hiv Epidemic, Jerika Lam, Jennifer M. Cocohoba

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Therapeutic advances in treatment and prevention have slowed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, yet the virus and complications related to it still claim an alarming 630,000 lives globally every year.^1,2 The United States’ goals for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative include reducing new infections by 90% by the year 2030 and advancing health equity through key treatment and prevention initiatives.³ Multiple agencies, professions, and patient groups are working diligently to achieve the EHE goals. Pharmacists have long recognized that our profession is a key resource in ending the HIV epidemic. We demonstrate this in the …

Global Perspective Of The Risks Of Falsified And Counterfeit Medicines: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Aonghus J. Feeney, Jeffery A. Goad, Gerard T. Flaherty

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Methods

Identifying The Roles Of Mir-17 In Ciliogenesis And Cell Cycle, Ashwaq Alanazi, Ayan K. Barui, Ashraf M. Mohieldin, Ankan Gupta, Ramani Ramachandran, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Emerging evidence suggests a significant contribution of primary cilia to cell division and proliferation. MicroRNAs, especially miR-17, contribute to cell cycle regulation and proliferation. Recent investigations have highlighted the dysregulated expression of miR-17 in various malignancies, underlining its potential role in cancer. However, the correlation between primary cilia and miR-17 has yet to be fully elucidated. The present study examines the presence of miR-17 in primary cilia. The miR-17 expression is studied in selected ciliary protein knockdown cells. Using in situ hybridization (ISH), we identified the subcellular localization of miR-17 in both cilium and cell body. We confirmed the importance …

One More Negative Regulator Of Ac6: S-Nitrosylation, Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"In this issue of the Journal, Maghsoudi and colleagues (pp. 82–96) report a series of studies that delineate the biochemical and pharmacological mechanism of this resistance (4). The study focuses on adenylyl cyclase (AC), an enzyme crucial for pulmonary vasodilation through its action of synthesizing cAMP. There are nine isoforms of AC (AC1–AC9) that are all stimulated by Gs but otherwise are distinct in their regulatory qualities, subcellular localization, and expression profiles throughout the body (5). AC6 plays a significant role in fetal and neonatal lung, especially in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, where …

Diesel Exhaust Particles Alter Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Camp Producing Capacity In Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri, Marina Trombetta-Lima, Hong Yan, Ana L. Manzano-Covarrubias, Hoeke A. Baarsma, Asmaa Oun, Melissa Mol Van Der Veen, Emily Oosterhout, Amalia M. Dolga, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Samuel Santos Valenca, Martina Schmidt

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Air pollution from diesel combustion is linked in part to the generation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). DEP exposure induces various processes, including inflammation and oxidative stress, which ultimately contribute to a decline in lung function. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is critical for lung homeostasis. The impact of DEP on cAMP signaling is largely unknown.

Methods: We exposed human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to DEP for 24–72 h and evaluated mitochondrial bioenergetics, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and the components of cAMP signaling. Mitochondrial bioenergetics was measured at 72 h to capture the potential and accumulative effects of …

Impact Of A Pharmacist-Led Hcv Treatment Program At A Federally Qualified Health Center, Jerika T. Lam, Sharon Xavioer

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Pharmacists are key players who can help to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in the United States. This pilot retrospective study evaluated the impact of a pharmacist-led HCV treatment program in a federally qualified health center (FQHC) primary care clinic setting. The primary outcome was to assess sustained virologic response (SVR) rates 12 weeks after patients were initiated and completed their oral direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment regimens. Methods: This pilot retrospective study included historical analyses of patients who received DAA treatment in the pharmacist-led HCV treatment program in a FQHC clinic between 1 January 2019 and 31 …

Transitions Of Care Practice Models: Innovations Across Different Health Settings, Laressa Bethishou, Noah Fang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Being discharged from a hospital may be a joyous occasion for a patient with a long length of stay, but this process may also be riddled with medication issues. With a deluge of new medications, unclear instructions, and new costs that may be unaffordable, many patients face challenges that are all too common. Additionally, the medication list may be fraught with discrepancies of missing or inaccurate home medications, duplicate therapies of new medications prescribed, or drug-drug interactions of old and new medications.

Pharmacists and pharmacy personnel who support patients during transitions of care (TOC) are very familiar with the consequences …