Sotatercept: The First FDA-Approved Activin A Receptor IIA Inhibitor Used in the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

This report illustrates the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of first-in-its-class activin A receptor IIA inhibitor, sotatercept (Winrevair™), for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sotatercept is used to increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class, and decrease the risk of clinical worsening events in adults with PAH. One phase 2 trial, one phase 3 trial, and an ongoing open-label extension study is described in detail within the current text.

Assessing Confidence and Competence of Student Pharmacists in a Virtual Medication Adherence Training Program.

Objective: To assess the impact of a virtual medication adherence training (VMAT) program on students' perceived confidence and perceived competency in delivering medication adherence services via telehealth.

Methods: This pilot pre-/post-observational study consisted of 2 subsequent sections: (1) 4 asynchronous self-study modules via Canvas (Instructure, Inc.) learning management system, and (2) 2 live application-based sessions involving virtual and telephonic standardized patients.

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Pandemics: Pharmacy Students Impacting Pharmacy Practice in Puerto Rico Through Medication Therapy Management Services During Disasters.

Background: Community-based medication therapy management advanced pharmacy practice experiences (MTM APPE) can engage pharmacy students in public health initiatives, including emergency response preparedness, to successfully impact patient care. This study aimed to evaluate pharmacy students' perceptions of their experience on an MTM APPE during disasters in Puerto Rico.

Methods: After completing the MTM APPE during times of hurricanes, earthquake or pandemic, pharmacy students were asked to voluntarily participate in a questionnaire about their perception of assisting during a disaster.

Investigating the place of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and dual sodium-glucose cotransporter-1 and dual sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in heart failure therapy: a systematic review of the literature.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have been shown to have significant metabolic, renal, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease benefits. Recent randomized controlled trials have extended these benefits to patients with heart failure. In fact, the robust findings from these studies in patients with any type of heart failure have led to the incorporation of this drug class in currently updated evidence-based guidelines for this condition.

Real-World Analysis of Long-Acting and NPH-Containing Insulins on Glycemic Control.

Affordability of insulin products has become a concern in the past several years as the average price of various insulin products has increased. While awaiting legislation at the federal level that would address issues leading to high insulin costs, providers may have shifted prescribing practices to prescribe the lowest-priced insulin products to achieve patients' treatment goals. To compare the prevalence of hypoglycemic events between patients receiving lower-cost neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH)-containing human insulins and higher-cost long-acting insulin analogs in Medicare Part D enrollees within a management services organization, as well as assessing glycemic control and changes in body mass index.

Utilizing Pharmacist-Led Telehealth Services in Ambulatory Patients with Heart Failure.

: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions. Non-adherence to medications and poor dietary management for patients who suffer from this condition can lead to worsening of symptoms and hospitalization. Pharmacist interventions via telehealth have demonstrated a beneficial impact on disease management and adherence outcomes in patients with chronic conditions.

Use trends of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide among United States adults with hypertension: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.

Objectives: To estimate the national prevalence of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide use among adults diagnosed with hypertension by sociodemographic subgroup, healthcare access status, and clinical factors.

Methods: Data was extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2009-2010 through 2017-2018 survey waves. Patients at least 20 years old, diagnosed with hypertension, and on hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone were included.

Impact of Student Pharmacist-Led Transition-of-Care Services on 30-Day Hospital Readmissions at a University Call Center.

Transition of care (TOC) refers to the movement of patients between different health care settings due to changes in medical conditions and needs. Pharmacists can play an important role in TOC services as polypharmacy is a common reason for hospital readmission that costs the US taxpayers an average of $17 billion annually. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of TOC telehealth services provided by pharmacy students at a university-based call center on 30-day hospital readmission.

Is now our time? History to provider status for allied health professions and the path for pharmacists.

The designation of health care providers is limited to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical psychologists, dietitians, and social workers. Pharmacists are not federally recognized health care providers and, therefore, are not eligible for cognitive service reimbursements. This commentary explains the intentions of adding pharmacists as Medicare Part B providers, evaluates current state pharmacist provider status, and calls pharmacists, technicians, and other key stakeholders to advocate on behalf of the profession of pharmacy.

Considerations of management and marketing courses within pharmacy curricula in the United States.

Introduction: To assess the extent pharmacy programs are offering courses in management and marketing.

Methods: We sampled the extent of management and marketing coursework in the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curricula in the United States (US) by examining website descriptions of the best pharmacy schools in 2020 (N = 134) as ranked by the US News and World report. Links to curriculum descriptions and catalogs were reviewed for coursework having the words, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, or business plan in the title.

Controlling Blood Pressure During a Pandemic: The Impact of Telepharmacy for Primary Care Patients.

Studies have shown positive clinical outcomes in chronic conditions, such as hypertension, through pharmacist-delivered medication therapy management and medication adherence services. Given the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased utilization of telepharmacy strategies has been employed for managing blood pressure control. A retrospective single-center cohort study that compared in-person pharmacist visits and telepharmacy visits in primary care patients with hypertension via electronic chart review from January 2018 to July 2022.

Evaluating Pharmacist-Driven Interventions in a Primary Care Setting to Improve Proportion of Days Covered and Medication Adherence.

Medication nonadherence is the leading cause of poor health outcomes and increased risk of hospitalizations. Previous studies have shown that pharmacist interventions can help improve medication adherence and CMS quality measures. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of clinical pharmacists' interventions on medication adherence and PDC scores for ACEi/ARBs, statins, and noninsulin antidiabetic medications in the primary care setting.

The Impact of Pharmacists on Telehealth During Transitions of Care: A Literature Review.

To provide a review of pharmacists' impact during transitions of care (TOC) visits utilizing telehealth. An electronic literature review was conducted on studies that addressed pharmacists' impact on telehealth during TOC. Articles included in the review were randomized or observational studies, cohort studies, case series or case reports, literature reviews, or pilot studies conducted on adults.

Improving medication adherence in patients with hypertension through pharmacist-led telehealth services.

Background: Pharmacist-led telehealth services have resulted in improvements in several disease states, including diabetes and conditions requiring anticoagulation. Pharmacists who used telehealth methods to follow up with their patient have noticed an increase in medication adherence.

Methods: Using PubMed and EBSCO secondary databases, inclusion criteria were any peer-reviewed study design such as randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, systematic reviews, and cohort studies published within the last 10 years.

Development of a combination didactic-experiential elective course within a college-based pharmacy call center.

Background: Pharmacy graduates should be prepared to provide patient care in a variety of healthcare settings as members of an interprofessional collaborative team. College-based pharmacy call centers can serve as settings to promote interprofessional practice through didactic and experiential coursework. An elective course, Team-Based Medication Management Practices, was developed to provide student pharmacists the opportunity to learn about pharmacy-led services within value-based care models and to prepare them for interprofessional care by incorporating experiential activities within a college-based call center.

Effects of a Therapeutic Interchange Between Branded and Generic Inhaled Therapy on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

To evaluate the difference in the occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations six months preconversion compared with six months postconversion from the branded inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta 2-agonist inhalers to the generic fluticasone/salmeterol inhalers. Retrospective cohort study using a six-month pre-/post-test design Three primary care offices within a Management Service Organization (MSO) in South Florida. Patients were included in the study if they had a diagnosis of COPD (in electronic medical record [EMR]), were at least 18 years of age, were under the care of a provider at one of the three primary care clinics within an MSO, and were switched from a branded ICS/LABA inhaler to a generic ICS/LABA inhaler between May 2019 and February 2020.

Destigmatizing public health concerns and supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

The end of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 and a future without masks and restrictions are promising with the discovery of a vaccine. Still, there is much worry about the vaccine itself. Fears about what is inside the vaccine, how quickly it was created and plans for distribution are major concerns.

impact of a Pharmacy-Led Transitions of Care Program Within a Primary Care-Based Accountable Care Organization.

Objective: To assess the impact of pharmacist-led transitions of care program on 30-day readmission rates in the accountable care organization (ACO) primary care setting.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Two primary care provider (PCP) offices with an ACO in South Florida.

Management of Partial Hydatidiform Mole and Subsequent Intrauterine Adhesions: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) originates from placental tissue and is among rare human tumors that can be cured even in the presence of widespread metastases. The most common form of GTD is hydatidiform mole (HM), commonly referred to as molar pregnancy. Molar pregnancies have the potential to locally invade the uterus and metastasize and result as a result ofgestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Patient Assistance Programs and Technology in Medication Adherence.

Background: Patient assistance programs, including medication management and counseling, have the potential to improve care in chronic disease states with complex therapies. Incorporating technology as a tool to foster adherence is becoming more commonplace in practice.

Objectives: The purpose of this report is to identify barriers of medication adherence and review the impact of patient assistance programs and technology on medication adherence.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease: Stepping in the Right Direction.

We reviewed the various antithrombotic therapies available to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD). A literature review using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases used the following keywords: antithrombotic therapy, anticoagulation, peripheral artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Randomized studies written in English that assessed the use of antithrombotic therapy in patients with PAD were evaluated.

Training pharmacy residents as transitions of care specialists: a United States perspective.

Transitions of care has emerged as a point of vulnerability in global health care systems, which can lead to potential avoidable medical errors. In the United States, pharmacist-led transitions of care programs are increasing in number, with many hospitals offering discharge prescription services. However, the required training for these positions remains unclear.

Evaluating a Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Cardiovascular- and Diabetes-Related Quality Measures in a Primary Care-Based Accountable Care Organization.

Background: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes quality measures to gauge performance in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). ACO-27 (Diabetes Mellitus: Hemoglobin A1c Poor Control) and ACO-41 (Diabetes: Eye Exam), are 2 components for the Diabetes Composite measure. ACO-42 focuses on Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular (CV) Disease.

Strategies for Managing Pharmacy Experiential Education During COVID-19.

In recent months, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected almost every industry in the United States, including health care and higher education. Faculty and students at colleges and schools of pharmacy nationwide have needed to quickly adapt as the delivery of curricula has shifted to primarily online format. Additionally, experiential rotations have been significantly affected as practice settings such as hospitals and outpatient clinics have limited students' interactions with patients or stopped allowing students on-site altogether.

Improving Medication Adherence in an ACO Primary Care Office With a Pharmacist-Led Clinic: A Report From the ACORN SEED.

Background: As health care moves into the era of value-based medicine, both ambulatory and acute settings are being held accountable for the quality of care provided to patients. Previous studies have shown improved clinical outcomes through medication therapy management (MTM) due to improved medication adherence.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of a pharmacist-led MTM clinic in an accountable care organization (ACO) affiliated primary care office on adherence to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists, diabetic medications, and/or statin medications reported through Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Medicare Star Ratings.