New Indication for Dupilumab.

Dupilumab (Dupixent) has been approved to treat eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms. This is the first drug approved to treat this disease.

New Second-Line Treatment for B-Cell Lymphoma.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) has been approved for use as a second-line drug in patients with large B-cell lymphoma who are resistant to, or who relapse within 12 months of, first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Confirming the patient's identity and matching it to the drug are critical as this is an autologous infusion. Nurses should premedicate patients to minimize the risk of hypersensitivity reactions.

New Drug Treats Rare Genetic Overgrowth Disorder.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved alpelisib (Vijoice) to treat a rare noninherited genetic disorder called PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum.

OTC Products Promoted for Joint, Bone, and Muscle Conditions May Contain Potentially Dangerous Active Drug Ingredients.

Over-the-counter products sold under the names Artri or Ortiga may contain active drugs that are not listed on the products' labeling. Adverse effects from these hidden ingredients are possible.

New Drug for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) has been approved for the treatment of adult patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy.

New Approved Use for Keytruda.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is now approved as a single agent to treat advanced endometrial carcinoma that is microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient in those whose disease has progressed following prior systemic therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.

New Adjuvant Treatment for High-Risk Early Breast Cancer.

Olaparib (Lynparza) is now approved for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients who have, or are suspected to have, the germline variation of BRCA-mutated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative high-risk early breast cancer and who were previously treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.

Considerations for remediation policy and procedures in pharmacy education.

Introduction: Despite the heterogeneous nature of remediation definitions, processes, and impact on learning, it is commonly understood as a process for identifying student deficiencies in knowledge, skills, and attitudes that need to be corrected prior to student progression in the program.

Commentary: Current issues related to remediation in pharmacy education include inconsistencies in practices and types within and among institutions, a lack of correlation to student academic success, effects on attrition both positive (student staying on-time for graduation) and negative (students sitting back one year), increase in faculty workload, and negativity or stigma associated with the student.

Implications: Key considerations in developing and implementing remediation policies and procedures include being student-focused, providing a positive frame for remediation, implementing a clear process, and early identification of students who need help.

Application of sulfur and nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots as sensitive fluorescent nanosensors for the determination of saxagliptin and gliclazide.

In this study, highly fluorescent sulfur and nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (S,N-CQDs) were used as fluorescent nanosensors for direct spectrofluorimetric estimation of each of gliclazide (GLZ) and saxagliptin (SXG) without any pre-derivatization steps for the first time. S,N-CQDs were synthesized employing a simple hydrothermal technique using citric acid and thiosemicarbazide. The produced S,N-CQDs were characterized using different techniques including fluorescence emission spectroscopy, UV spectrophotometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy.

FDA Evaluating Possible Serious Risks From Umbralisib.

Initial clinical trial data for umbralisib (Ukoniq), a drug currently approved to treat relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma and relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, indicate that umbralisib may increase the risk of death or serious adverse effects when given with a specific monoclonal antibody to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Patients receiving umbralisib to treat lymphomas should be evaluated closely for adverse effects. Nurses and other health care providers should report any of these adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch program.

First Generic Cyclosporine Drops for Dry Eye.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of Restasis, the cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion eye drops used to treat dry eye.The generic version is expected to provide cost savings for patients, especially those whose insurance does not cover Restasis.

Diabetes Drug Now Approved for Heart Failure.

The diabetes drug empagliflozin (Jardiance) is now approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with heart failure, even if they do not have diabetes.Nurses and NPs should monitor patients for adverse effects, especially fluid deficits.

Examining Validity for the Pharmacy Affective Domain Situational Judgment Test.

With the integration of the affective domain in the pharmacy accreditation standards, it is important for programs to have methods for formatively assessing student competency in these areas. The objective of this study was to examine the validity evidence for a recently developed situational judgment test to assess the affective domain contained in the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016. After pilot testing items in multiple pharmacy schools, a revised 15-item situational judgment test instrument was developed measuring the affective domain as it relates to the pharmacy profession.

AJEDI in Science: Leveraging Instructor Communities to Create Antiracist Curricula.

Gateway college science courses continue to exclude students from science, disproportionately discriminating against students of color. As the higher education system strives to reduce discrimination, we need a deliberate, iterative process to modify, supplement, or replace current modalities. By incorporating antiracist, just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (AJEDI) principles throughout course design, instructors create learning environments that provide an antidote to historically oppressive systems.

Fostering empathy and self-efficacy in pharmacy students through service learning.

Background: Pharmacy student proficiency in direct patient interactions is an integral component of the doctor of pharmacy curriculum. Service-learning experiences offer pharmacy students valuable opportunities to develop self-efficacy and empathy while serving communities with unmet needs. The objective of this review is to evaluate the impact of service-learning experiences on the self-efficacy and empathy of pharmacy and other health professions students.

Development of a survey to assess the impact of substance use disorder education on student pharmacists' perspective.

Introduction: The objective of this manuscript is to outline the process involved in the development and validation of a survey that is optimal for assessing the impact of a substance use disorder (SUD) elective course.

Methods: Face validation was performed once the initial survey was developed. Additionally, field validation was performed by surveying a small population of pharmacy students enrolled in the elective course.

Gaps and Opportunities for Faculty Workload Policies in Pharmacy and Health Professions Education.

Faculty workload is difficult to delineate and quantify equitably because of the various factors and diverse roles that define faculty positions. This is especially true in health professions education, including pharmacy. Nonetheless, ensuring fair and transparent distribution of faculty workload is necessary for equity and engagement of the faculty workforce.

Tezspire Approved for Severe Asthma.

Tezepelumab-ekko (Tezspire) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an add-on maintenance therapy for people ages 12 years and older with severe asthma symptoms not controlled by current medication.The drug must be given subcutaneously by a health care provider.

New Drug for Atopic Dermatitis.

Tralokinumab-ldrm (Adbry) is now approved for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults whose disease has not been controlled by topical therapies.Nurses and NPs should teach patients how to administer the drug subcutaneously and that more than one injection is needed to fulfill the prescribed dose.

New Dental Warning for Buprenorphine.

The labeling for transmucosal buprenorphine products will now include a warning that the drug may cause serious dental problems such as tooth decay, cavities, oral infections, and tooth loss.Nurses and NPs should complete an oral history and assessment prior to patients beginning treatment. Patients should be informed of these potential adverse effects and encouraged to receive regular dental care.

First Drug to Reduce Proteinuria in Berger's Disease.

Budesonide (Tarpeyo) has received accelerated approval to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease.Nurses should assess if any coprescribed drugs could induce a drug-drug interaction via the cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme system. Because budesonide causes immunosuppression, patients are at high risk for developing infections and should be told to avoid anyone who is known to have an infection.

Sickle Cell Drug Approved for Children Ages Four to 11.

Voxelotor (Oxbryta) has received accelerated approval to treat sickle cell disease in children ages four to 11 years. This is a new indication for the drug.Voxelotor prevents red blood cells from forming a sickle shape, reducing the damage to tissues and red blood cells that is common with sickle cell disease.

New Adjunct Therapy for Elevated Lipid Levels.

Inclisiran (Leqvio) has been approved as adjunct therapy, along with diet and statin therapy, to treat adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who require additional reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol despite maximal statin therapy.Inclisiran is administered subcutaneously by a nurse or other health care provider.

Feeding the Soul via Creation of a Suborganization to Promote a Sense of Community.

Pharmacy faculty commonly report feeling stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out. Women may be disproportionally impacted by personal and professional demands. The purpose of this commentary is to describe one mechanism for creating a suborganization (Circle) that establishes a supportive community to combat burnout and promote professional fulfillment.

New Treatment for Polycythemia Vera.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (Besremi) is the first interferon for treating polycythemia vera and the first approved medication for this condition that can be taken regardless of the patient's treatment history. It is administered subcutaneously every two weeks.Like other interferon alfa products, ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft has a boxed warning that it can cause or aggravate neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders, which can be life-threatening or fatal.