Survey to assess the role of pharmacy technicians and nonpharmacist staff in the operation of research pharmacies.

Purpose: Results of a survey assessing trends and innovations in the use of pharmacy technicians and other nonpharmacist staff in the research pharmacy setting are reported.

Methods: A Web-based survey was distributed to Internet communities of members of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University Health-System Consortium involved in investigational drug research and related practice areas. The survey collected data on the characteristics of institutions with pharmacy department staff dedicated to such research activities and the participation of pharmacists, technicians, and other staff in key areas of research pharmacy operations.

Improving investigational drug service operations through development of an innovative computer system.

Purpose: The development of a computerized system for protocol management, dispensing, inventory accountability, and billing by the investigational drug service (IDS) of a university health system is described.

Summary: After an unsuccessful search for a commercial system that would accommodate the variation among investigational protocols and meet regulatory requirements, the IDS worked with the health-system pharmacy's information technology staff and informatics pharmacists to develop its own system. The informatics pharmacists observed work-flow and information capture in the IDS and identified opportunities for improved efficiency with an automated system.

Interaction study between digoxin and a preparation of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha).

Hawthorn, an herbal supplement, is currently being evaluated for the treatment of heart failure. The flavonoid components of hawthorn may be responsible for hawthorn's beneficial effects in the treatment of heart failure. However, these components may also affect P-glycoprotein function and cause interactions with drugs that are P-glycoprotein substrates, such as digoxin, which is also used to treat heart failure.