Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Commons^™

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Usage Among Older Adult Patients By Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing In Primary And Long-Term Care Settings, Pamela M. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antibiotic overuse among older adults remains a significant patient safety and public health concern. Recent national data indicate that approximately 30%–50% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary, particularly for viral or self-limiting conditions (Chua et al., 2021). Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with more than 1.27 million deaths globally (Murray et al., 2022). This quality improvement project evaluated a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention in primary and long-term care settings. Baseline review of 167 antibiotic cases revealed 37.1% were inappropriate or questionable, and 28.7% lacked adequate diagnostic documentation. The intervention incorporated provider education, electronic health record decision-support tools, audit and …

Navigating The Gray Area: The Unregulated Surge Of Unique Glp-1 And Glp-1/Gip Products, Jordyn Belcourt, Amy Sapowadia, Charles Michael White

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To identify unique compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products that existed after the shortage grace period ended and to assess their characteristics.

Methods: Researchers searched for compounding pharmacies using specific terms on Google. They collected the formulation, ingredients, dosage, and monthly cost of products. Researchers also contacted compounding company websites with available information to ascertain further information about products.

Results: Researchers identified 26 sites selling a total of 86 semaglutide or tirzepatide products. Of the included products, 33 were unique, and 41 products were essentially copies of FDA-approved products. Unique formulations included sublingual solution (n=9), sublingual tablets (n=5), and orally …

Bioactive Constituents And Pharmacological Activities Of Curcuma Zedoaria: A Mini-Review, Abdulmutalib Allaq, Muneer M. Saleh Mohammed Saleh Alsayadi, Mustapha Salihu, Hasan M. Agha, Amena Hassan Hassan Gheeth, Fatimah Salim, Norrizah Jaafar Jaafar Sidik

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. (white turmeric) is a rhizomatous medicinal plant in the Zingiberaceae family, widely used in traditional Asian medicine. In recent years, increasing scientific attention has focused on its diverse pharmacological properties and bioactive constituents. This mini review summarises current knowledge of the phytochemical composition and biological activities of C. zedoaria, with particular emphasis on its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Phytochemical investigations using analytical techniques such as GC–MS and HPLC have revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenes (example, germacrone, curzerenone, and curdione) and curcuminoids, which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Experimental studies demonstrate …

3rd Place Contest Entry: "Examining Physicians’ Behaviors Regarding Buprenorphine Prescribing For Opioid Use Disorder", Khashayar Eshtiaghi

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Khashayar Eshtiaghi's submission for the 2026 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, a summary of their research project on physicians' behaviors regarding buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorde, and their bibliography.

Khashayar is a student in the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Marc Fleming.

2025 Novel Drug Approvals, Katherine Ghattas Pharmd, Amanda Rawa Pharmd

Transformative Medicine

The year 2025 marked another strong chapter in pharmaceutical innovation, with multiple novel therapies gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These approvals reflect continued progress in addressing unmet medical needs across a wide range of disease states. This article reviews the FDA’s 2025 novel drug approvals, spotlighting a few therapeutic advancements and emerging trends. A comprehensive table of all approved agents is provided, along with a focused discussion of four particularly impactful therapies: donidalorsen (Dawnzera), taletrectinib (Ibtrozi), delgocitinib (Anzupgo), gepotidacin (Blujepa), etripamil (Cardamyst). Each of these agents represents a step forward in its respective field and …

Drug Procurement Methods And Challenges In Asian Low And Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Ferina Septiani Damanik, Anna Wahyuni Widayanti, Muhammad Qowiyul Amin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Pharmaceutical procurement plays a pivotal role in healthcare within Asian low and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), ensuring accessibility to essential, cost-effective, and high-quality medicines. Tailored approaches are imperative due to specific challenges inherent in these countries.
Objectives: This review examines several drug procurement systems in Asian countries with LLMICs while identifying and evaluating any potential challenges that might arise within the systems.
Materials and Methods: This review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and three search engines (PubMed, Science Direct, and Research Gate) employing Boolean search terms. The search focuses on drug procurement, medicine procurement, …

Improving Hba1c And Diabetes Preventative Screening Measures In Spanish-Speaking Patients With Clinical Pharmacist Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jennifer Ko, Tila P. Nguyen, Bonnie K. Chen, Richard Beuttler

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose:

Methods:

Results:

Impact Of An Educational Intervention On Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Regarding Alcohol And Substance Use Disorders, Lina Itenberg

Student Scholar Symposium

This study examines the impact of an educational intervention on student pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and confidence regarding alcohol and substance use disorders (AUD/SUD) at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy. Current literature denotes that student pharmacists often feel unprepared to address substance use disorder in practice. This study evaluates whether a targeted educational intervention can enhance student understanding of first-line pharmacological treatments, increase confidence in handling opioid-related emergencies, and improve their ability to educate patients on harm reduction strategies, including naloxone use and opioid overdose risks. Pre- and post-intervention surveys will assess changes in students’ preparedness and identify ongoing concerns about …

Efficacy And Safety Of Glibenclamide Compared With Insulin In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Alifia Fauziyyah Haifa, Khairunnisa Qomariyanti, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Rani Sauriasari

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications compared with non-diabetic pregnancies. Pharmacological treatments, such as glibenclamide, are expected to provide optimal glycemic control and reduce these risks. However, concerns regarding its safety persist and some regulatory agencies have not approved glibenclamide for GDM treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the most recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of glibenclamide compared with insulin in the management of GDM, with a focus on maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the most recent RCT. The objective is …

Comparative Analysis Of Tuberculosis Treatment Costs: Drug-Resistant Vs. Drug-Sensitive Cases In Vietnam, Thi-Kim-Thang Dao, Dao Dinh, Mai-Hien Chuc, Hai-Anh Ha

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

This study analyses the economic and clinical implications of treating pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), focusing on direct treatment costs and patient outcomes at Da Nang Hospital for Lung Diseases in Vietnam. Data were collected from 448 inpatient TB cases throughout 2022, encompassing both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant forms of TB. Analysis revealed that drug-resistant TB patients incur significantly higher treatment costs compared to those with drug-sensitive TB, with costs escalating further among older adults and patients with multiple comorbid conditions. Specifically, treatment for drug-resistant TB averaged $463.84 per patient, significantly surpassing the $217.09 average for drug-sensitive cases, indicating the economic burden posed …

Assessing Buprenorphine Treatment Utilization And Samhsa Data Waiver Provider Distribution In 2021: A Real-World Analysis In California, Yun Wang, Tao Hu, Chih-Hung Chang, Matthew Heshmatipour, Jeff Jianfei Guo, Moom R. Roosan, Karen A. Miotto

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Qualified clinicians previously required a practitioner waiver (i.e., “DATA-waiver” or "X-waiver") to offer buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, many counties in the US experience fewer buprenorphine prescriptions due to factors such as “DATA-waiver” providers underutilizing their buprenorphine prescribing ability. Our study aimed to compare the availability of active buprenorphine-prescribing clinicians in California to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)-listed DATA waived prescribers under each 5-digit ZIP Code. This study utilized the buprenorphine prescription record data in 2021 from California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). The list of the locators for …

Enhancing Holistic Patient Care Of Black Individuals Diagnosed With Hiv And Comorbid Chronic Conditions, Marc Fleming, Saharnaz Nejdat, Jon C. Schommer, Crystal K. Hodge

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Pharmacists can play a crucial role in delivering the holistic care model. Research suggests that HIV-positive African American patients particularly benefit from this approach compared to other communities. Typically, pharmacists in community pharmacy settings are limited in their access to a patient's medical record, preventing holistic care delivery.

Objectives

This study addressed the impact of access to medical records on a holistic patient care approach among pharmacists engaged in medication therapy management.

Methods

This was a sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial of the impact of community pharmacist access to medical records during MTM for African Americans diagnosed with …

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 …

The Role Of Pharmacy In Supporting Safe And Effective Transitions Of Care, Laressa Bethishou

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Goal To inform pharmacists and pharmacy technicians of the importance of and processes for conducting transitions of care when patients are moving among healthcare settings.
Summary A narrative review of recent events and research into transitions of care (TOCs) — the movement of patients from one healthcare setting to another. To be conducted safely and effectively, the entire patient care team must optimize patient care and communicate up-to-date information among its members. As the medication experts on the healthcare team, pharmacists are well poised to receive and share information that impacts medication use and patient safety. Pharmacy technicians can play …

Perceptions Of Metabolic Syndrome Management Utilization In Relation With Patient Characteristics And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Olajide Adekunle

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Challenges in managing MetS include untreated risk factors and ineffective management, resulting in poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A significant factor contributing to these challenges is the underutilization of management services, possibly due to patients' perceptions of disease management resource utilization (PMU). Therefore, understanding patients' PMU is crucial for improving health outcomes. The study investigated PMU, explored PMU predictors, and investigated the impact of PMU and patients’ demographics on HRQoL. Using a cross-sectional design, data on perceptions of healthcare, medication, and pharmacy service utilization, prior experience with pharmacy services, demographics, and HRQoL were collected from adult individuals with obesity …

Neuroprognostication In Patients With A Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Quasi-Review Of Anti-Inflammatory Agent Administration Versus Blood Pressure Management, Julia Gabalski, Marcie Mcmahon

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of stoke where a blood vessel bursts and causes the subarachnoid space to become filled with blood. Traditional nursing management of SAH includes close monitoring of blood pressure goals in order to prevent complications such as vasospasm. Vasospasm causes delayed cerebral ischemia and neurological deficits secondary to the initial injury. Recent research has expanded understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind the neuroinflammatory cascade that occurs after a SAH. In this study, a methodical search was conducted through the CINAHL and PubMed databases to form a quasi-review of current research. The comparison of traditional …

Improving Pharmacist-Led Pediatric Patient Education On Oral Chemotherapy At Home, Anika Patel, Christopher M. Nguyen, Kristin Willins, Elsabella Y. Wang, Grace Magedman, Sun Yang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Oral chemotherapy (OC) has been increasingly used in pediatric patients diagnosed with cancer, which is primarily managed in the outpatient setting. Different from adults, pediatric patients face unique challenges in administering these hazardous medications at home. Because of the complexity of pediatric pharmaceutical care and the hazardous nature of chemotherapy agents, comprehensive patient education is imperative to mitigate the potential safety risks associated with OC administration at home. Pharmacists play a vital role in patient education and medication consultations. However, the lack of practice guidelines and limited resources supporting OC counseling are noted. Additional barriers include insufficient knowledge and training …

Authorizations, Prices, And Labeling Differences Of Therapeutic Biologics Marketed In The United States And Saudi Arabia, Turki Altowairgi

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Since 1982, Saudi Arabia (SA) and the United States (US) have seen an increase in therapeutic biologics authorization. However, each country has regulatory regulations governing the approval of these cutting-edge drugs. The high cost of biologics financially burdens healthcare systems and delays patient access to these treatments. Sometimes a company selling the same medications in various countries will have conflicting information on drug labels.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the characteristics of therapeutic biologics authorization by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of December 31, 2021. The study also compared the US …

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 …

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, …

An Economic And Regulatory Analysis Of Breast Cancer Drugs Approved By The Us Food And Drug Administration, Abdullah Althomali

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. The pharmacological options for breast cancer include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which are used for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. This study assessed trends in FDA approvals and prices at the market entry of new drugs indicated for breast cancer in the period 1980-2022. The study also evaluated the factors associated with the price of the new breast cancer drugs at market entry.

Material and Methods

Regulatory data were collected from the FDA website, and …

Pharmacists’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of The Legalization Of Medical Marijuana In Mississippi, Faith Houston

Honors Theses

The legalization of medical cannabis in Mississippi was a debated topic among all citizens. This thesis specifically explored pharmacists’ perceptions and knowledge as medical professionals who will be involved with patients certified to use medical cannabis. Information was gathered using a voluntary online survey on the Qualtrics platform to produce a cross-sectional, descriptive study.

From the information gathered, it was apparent that pharmacists in Mississippi have varying opinions regarding medical marijuana. Some are in favor of using these products, and some are not. However, as cannabis has been officially accepted and put into patient's medical plans both current and future …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Pharmacists’ Response To The Opioid Crisis: A California Naloxone Survey, Jerika T. Lam, Moom Roosan, Mary A. Gutierrez, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This study aimed to assess pharmacists’ response to the current opioid crisis in California, particularly regarding the prevalence of naloxone furnishing (or dispensing without a prescription) and prescriptions for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) drugs for opioid use disorder (OUD) to patients and consumers.

Approvals And Prices Of Systemic Antibiotics In Saudi Arabia And The United States, Saad Alharthi

Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS) Theses

Introduction

Antibiotics is one of the therapeutic classes with the highest level of consumption in the world. Despite the global diffusion of antibiotics, their availability and prices vary by country. This study assessed differences in the availability and prices of systemic antibiotics marketed in the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia and evaluated the factors associated with the differences in prices of systemic antibiotics marketed in both countries.

Material and Methods

We collected regulatory data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) and the …

Gaps In Patient Education On Safe Handling And Disposal Of Oral Chemotherapy Drugs: A Pilot Prospective Cohort Survey Study, Sun Yang, Priya Patel, Alexandra Corcoran, Eric Dobberpuhl, Samantha Isidro, Dustin Le, Analise Klassen, Jay Rho, David Tran, Richard Beuttler, Neda Noori Nassr, Katherine Gruenberg, Siu-Fun Wong

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Oral anticancer chemotherapy (OC) has been misperceived as being safer than intravenous chemotherapy, leading to its increased risk of improper handling and disposal. This survey study assessed the knowledge, practices and attitudes of pharmacists and patients regarding OC handling and disposal, gaps in knowledge and barriers to patient education. Methods

Surveys were developed based on literature review and pilot study validation results. Patients completed a 33-item paper or electronic survey whereas pharmacists completed a 38-item electronic survey. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test computed using the R Project were used for analyses. Results

Pharmacist group (16/25, 62.5%) and patient …

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 …