Multi-institutional Analysis of Student and Program Variables as Predictors of Performance on the NAPLEX.

Understanding student characteristics and risk factors for performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) may help schools and colleges of pharmacy target limited resources. This study aimed to evaluate two sets of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student variables for their effect on NAPLEX performance. Data were collected from five schools and colleges of pharmacy over three years (2016-2018).

National survey of schools of pharmacy on prevalence and description of wellness initiatives.

Introduction: Although the importance of student wellness has been emphasized across health professions including pharmacy, there is a lack of information on the prevalence of such wellness programs in pharmacy schools. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of student wellness programs in United States (US) schools of pharmacy and to describe their basic structure.

Methods: Deans from the 143 US schools of pharmacy were asked to participate in this study by completing an electronic survey.

Antidiabetic Drug Approved to Reduce Risk of Kidney Disease.

Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) is now approved to reduce the risk of declining kidney function, kidney failure, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease with or without type 2 diabetes.

Monoclonal Antibodies: New Drugs, New Indications.

The newest indications for monoclonal antibodies are as treatment for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, advanced triple-negative breast cancer, advanced urothelial cancer, relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, and non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations.

Embarking as "Captain of the Ship" for the Curriculum Committee.

This commentary examines the curriculum chair's responsibilities and discusses considerations when assuming this role, using a "captain of the ship" metaphor. From knowing the crew to managing a diverse set of responsibilities, the path to becoming an effective chair is challenging and each captain's stripe must be earned. Advice is provided to assist with understanding the curriculum and governance processes, as well as the chair's various roles and professional development.

The Report of the 2020-2021 Professional Affairs Standing Committee: Pharmacists' Unique Role and Integration in Healthcare Settings.

The 2020-21 Professional Affairs Committee was charged to (1) Read all six reports from the 2019-20 AACP standing committees to identify elements of these reports that are relevant to the committee's work this year; (2) Identify opportunities and models of integration of pharmacist care services in physician and other health provider practices beyond primary care; (3) Differentiate and make the case for the integration of pharmacist care services from that of other mid-level providers; and (4) From the work on the aforementioned charges, identify salient activities for the Center To Accelerate Pharmacy Practice Transformation and Academic Innovation (CTAP) for consideration by the AACP Strategic Planning Committee and AACP staff. This report provides information on the committee's process to address the committee charges, describes the rationale for and the results from a call to colleges and schools of pharmacy to provide information on their integrating pharmacist care services in physician and other health provider practices beyond primary care practice, and discusses how pharmacist-provided patient care services differ from those provided by other healthcare providers. The committee offers a revision to a current association policy statement, a proposed policy statement as well as recommendations to CTAP and AACP and suggestions to colleges and schools of pharmacy pertaining to the committee charges.

A Situational Judgment Test to Assess Students' Achievement of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards 3 and 4.

For pharmacy students to successfully meet competencies related to Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards 3 and 4, it is essential for pharmacy programs to assess student progression in the affective domain. The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the validity of a situational judgment test (SJT) for evaluating student mastery of Standards 3 and 4. A multi-institutional faculty team developed an 18-item SJT that consisted of scenarios asking the respondent to rank the effectiveness of four response options mapped to Standards 3 and 4.

A Curriculum Crosswalk of the Core Entrustable Professional Activities for New Pharmacy Graduates.

To cross reference the core entrustable professional activities (EPAs) to a complete set of educational guidance documents for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum to create a map for pharmacy educators. The Mapping EPAs Task Force consisted of nine members who first worked independently and then together in small working groups to map five assigned educational guidance documents (eg, Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education [CAPE] Outcomes, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education [ACPE] Standards 1-4, and the Essential Elements for Core Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences [APPEs]) to the Core Entrustable Professional Activities for New Pharmacy Graduates. Four working groups completed the mapping process during phases 1 and 2, which was followed by an independent quality assurance review and consensus in phase 3.

Pembrolizumab Approved for Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Cancer.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has been approved to treat metastatic or locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer. It is used in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy.

New Indication for Rilonacept.

Rilonacept (Araclyst) has been approved to treat recurrent pericarditis and to reduce the risk of recurrence in adults and children 12 years of age and older. The drug is given subcutaneously.

Abuse or Misuse of OTC Decongestant Produces Serious Adverse Effects.

A rising number of cases of misuse and abuse of propylhexedrine (Benzedrex), an over-the-counter nasal decongestant, have been documented. Misuse of this drug can lead to serious and potentially fatal cardiac and psychiatric adverse effects.

Perspectives of patients with chronic pain about a pain science education video.

Purpose: Patients have responded in variable ways to pain science education about the psychosocial correlates of pain. To improve the effectiveness of pain education approaches, this study qualitatively explored participants' perceptions of and responses to pain science education.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative content analysis of interviews with fifteen, adult patients (73.

New Treatment for Relapsed or Refractory Large B-cell lymphoma.

Lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi), a personalized cell-based gene therapy, has been approved to treat adults with various relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas.

New Drug Protects Against Myelosuppression Secondary to Lung Cancer Chemotherapy.

Trilaciclib (Cosela) is approved to protect normal bone marrow cells from damage secondary to chemotherapy in adults receiving a platinum-etoposide chemotherapy regimen or a topotecan chemotherapy regimen for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Teaching "Crafty Microbiology": Safely Teaching Hands-On Microbiology Skills at Home.

Using nontoxic craft items and disposable lab consumables, we have developed nine modules to teach fundamental, hands-on microbiology lab skills safely at home. These "Crafty" teaching modules can be paired with virtual instruction and/or data collected by an instructor to replicate traditional microbiology lab exercises that characterize an unknown microbe. Materials and procedures used were carefully chosen to best mimic the texture of media, represent microbial diversity, assess aseptic technique, and produce analyzable data from results.

Labeling Changes for Vinca Alkaloid Chemotherapies.

The labeling for vinca alkaloid chemotherapy drugs is being revised to remove instructions for their administration with use of a syringe. This revision is in response to inadvertent intrathecal administration of vinca alkaloids, which is normally fatal.

First Extended-Release Injectable Drug Therapy for HIV.

Cabenuva-an injectable formulation of cabotegravir and rilpivirine and the first injectable complete therapy for adults with HIV-1-is now approved.It is administered once a month as two intramuscular injections following a month of treatment with the oral forms of these drugs.

Concerns About Fluoroquinolones and Aortic Aneurysm.

Recent research indicates that all adults may be at risk for aortic aneurysm after fluoroquinolone use, not only those with aortic aneurysm risk factors.

New Adjuvant Drug for Lung Cancer.

A new adjuvant treatment, osimertinib (Tagrisso), has been approved for patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have certain mutations.The most common adverse effects of treatment are leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, anemia, rash, musculoskeletal pain, nail toxicity, neutropenia, dry skin, stomatitis, fatigue, and cough.

First Oral Hormone for Treating Prostate Cancer.

Relugolix (Orgovyx) has been approved for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is the first oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist.As with other androgen deprivation therapy, there is a risk of prolonging the QT or QTc interval with relugolix.

Monoclonal Antibody Approved to Treat Ebola.

Ansuvimab-zykl (Ebanga), a human monoclonal antibody, has been approved to treat Zaire ebolavirus (Ebolavirus) infection.The most common adverse effects of the drug are fever, tachycardia, diarrhea, vomiting, hypotension, tachypnea, and chills; these are also common symptoms of Ebolavirus infection.

Multilevel Barriers and Facilitators to Sustainability of a Universal Trauma-Informed School-Based Mental Health Intervention Following an Efficacy Trial: A Qualitative Study.

Limited research exists about factors that influence the sustainability of preventive school mental health interventions when research support ends. This study assessed barriers and facilitators to sustaining RAP (Relax, be Aware, do a Personal rating) Club, a trauma-informed universal mental health intervention, in urban schools following efficacy trial implementation. Between 2016-2018, 13 Baltimore City schools implemented RAP Club.

New Treatment for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome.

Mepolizumab (Nucala) has been approved to treat hypereosinophilic syndrome.Nurses should read the package insert for directions on how to reconstitute and administer the drug subcutaneously. Patient education will be needed regarding use of the autoinjector.

Stronger Boxed Warning for Benzodiazepines.

The boxed warning for drugs in the benzodiazepine class has been strengthened to further emphasize the risk of overdose and death, especially if combined with opioids, alcohol, or illicit drugs, and the risk of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal.