Effect of Pharmacist-Led Interventions on Diabetes Distress Among People With Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions on diabetes distress and glucose management among people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a community care clinic.

Methods: Adults with T2DM were recruited during routine visits at the pharmacist-run clinic. Participants completed a baseline A1C, demographic survey, Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).

Online survey of consumer awareness and perceptions of a Massachusetts law for 12-month supply of contraception.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize awareness of a 2017 Massachusetts (MA) law that ensures access to a 12-month supply of short-acting contraceptive methods (e.g., pill, patch, and vaginal ring) among short-acting contraceptive users in MA and to identify perceived benefits and concerns of a 12-month supply.

Sharps Disposal Practices Among People With Diabetes in a Community Care Clinic.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine sharps disposal practices among people with diabetes in a community care clinic. Secondary objectives were to identify patterns of sharps use and barriers to proper use.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to patients at a community care clinic in person and via mail.

Non-invasive ways of administering insulin.

Background And Aims: Insulin is crucial in the management of diabetes. However, requires injection which itself comes with some challenges. Alternative delivery routes have been investigated that are needle-free, with enhanced absorption and bioavailability.

Twelve-month supply of short-acting contraception methods: Pharmacists' perspectives on implementation of new state law.

Background: Oral contraceptives and other short-acting reversible contraceptive (SARC) methods such as the patch, vaginal ring, and medroxyprogesterone injections are used by approximately 30% of people using contraception. People may face barriers in obtaining a timely and adequate supply of their SARCs. It is well established that dispensing more than 1-month supply at a time is more convenient for patients, improves continuation, and decreases the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Carbonation dysgeusia associated with topiramate.

Purpose: A case of carbonation dysgeusia associated with the use of topiramate is reported in order to bring awareness to a lesser-known adverse effect of the medication so that providers may be able to more effectively counsel patients and provide potential solutions.

Summary: A 39-year-old Caucasian woman with longstanding epilepsy was initiated on topiramate therapy after experiencing a generalized seizure (she reported not taking any antiepileptic medication for years). Topiramate was started at a dosage of 25 mg by mouth twice daily and after 3 weeks titrated to a dosage of 100 mg by mouth twice daily for maintenance therapy.

Community pharmacists' interventions and documentation during medication therapy management encounters delivered face-to-face versus via telephone: The devil is in the details.

Background: To date, no studies are available comparing in-person versus telephone-administered medication therapy management (MTM) encounters in a community pharmacy setting with respect to medication-related problems, interventions and documentation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate types of medication-related problems, interventions, and documentation among patients receiving MTM face-to-face versus over the telephone.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all completed comprehensive medication reviews (CMR) between 2011 and 2017 in 14 community pharmacies in Western Massachusetts, USA that belong to one district of a national chain.

Medication Adherence With Diabetes Medication: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence regarding risk factors associated with nonadherence to prescribed glucose-lowering agents, the impact of nonadherence on glycemic control and the economics of diabetes care, and the interventions designed to improve adherence.

Methods: Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaborative, BIOSIS, and the Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases were searched for studies of medication adherence for the period from May 2007 to December 2014. Inclusion criteria were study design and primary outcome measuring or characterizing adherence.

Medication taking and diabetes: a systematic review of the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence of the challenges and barriers to medication taking (adherence) and to summarize the interventions that improve medication taking in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Collaborative, and the Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases were used to obtain articles identified by using the MeSH headings of diabetes, medication, oral hypoglycemic agents, oral antihyperglycemic agents, oral antidiabetic agents, insulin, adherence, medication taking, compliance, fears, treatment, and electronic monitoring. Only articles published in English between 1990 and May 7, 2007, and including individuals of all ages with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus were included.

Inhaled insulin: Exubera.

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of Exubera, a novel, dry-powder formulation of insulin for inhalation, and describe patient satisfaction and quality-of-life data.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1966-November 2004) was conducted using the key words inhaled insulin and Exubera for clinical trials limited to human research published in English. BIOSIS Previews and the American Diabetes Association Scientific Abstracts were used for published abstract information.

Randomized trial of pharmacist interventions to improve depression care and outcomes in primary care.

Purpose: The impact of pharmacist interventions on the care and outcomes of patients with depression in a primary care setting was evaluated.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with a new episode of depression and started on anti-depressant medications were randomized to enhanced care (EC) or usual care (UC) for one year. EC consisted of a pharmacist collaborating with primary care providers to facilitate patient education, the initiation and adjustment of antidepressant dosages, the monitoring of patient adherence to the regimen, the management of adverse reactions, and the prevention of relapse.

Collaborative care model to improve outcomes in major depression.

Objective: To develop a pharmacist intervention to improve depression care and outcomes within a primary care setting.

Methods: Pragmatic, randomized trial of a clinical pharmacist collaborative care intervention versus usual care in a busy, academic family practice clinic.

Results: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with a new episode of major depression and started on antidepressant medications were randomized to enhanced care (EC) or usual care (UC) groups.