American Pharmacists Association

About: American Pharmacists Association is a other organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pharmacist & Pharmacy. The organization has 2413 authors who have published 1969 publications receiving 30470 citations. The organization is also known as: APhA & American Pharmaceutical Association.

Stability of extemporaneously prepared cytarabine, methotrexate sodium, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate.

Abstract: Purpose The short-term stability of extemporaneously prepared triple intrathecal therapy, containing cytarabine, methotrexate sodium, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate, was evaluated. Methods Three batches of triple intrathecal solution were prepared using commercially available products and stored in three different packaging materials (plastic syringe system, brown glass vials, and brown glass vials filled with metal needles). The solutions were protected from light and stored at 5 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C or exposed to ultraviolet and visible light at 25 °C, compliant with the International Conference on Harmonisation. Samples were taken immediately before and after 4, 8, 24, 32, and 48 hours of storage. Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography– ultraviolet light/diode array detector assay of cytarabine, methotrexate sodium, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate was performed using a fused-core stationary phase and an acetonitrile-based gradient. First-order kinetic degradation values were calculated, and temperature dependence was evaluated using the Arrhenius equation. Results Cytarabine was stable under all storage conditions. Methotrexate sodium displayed significant degradation after light exposure but remained stable under the other storage conditions. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate was found to be the most labile component in the triple intrathecal solution. Temperature-dependent degradation was observed, resulting in 46% degradation after 48 hours at 40 °C. Two degradants were formed: methylprednisolone and methylprednisolone hydrogen succinate. Packaging material and batch-to-batch variability did not significantly influence the stability of the triple intrathecal solution. Conclusion Triple intrathecal solution of cytarabine, methotrexate sodium, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate was stable for up to 12 hours when stored at 5 °C and protected from light.

Abiraterone for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To review the clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of abiraterone acetate for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and evaluate the drug for health-system formulary inclusion.DATA SOURCES:Literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE (1977-February 2012) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts(1977-February 2012) using the search term abiraterone. References of identified articles were reviewed.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All clinical trials published in English were evaluated. Studies conducted in the setting of mCRPC were included in the literature review.DATA SYNTHESIS:Despite benefits from androgen deprivation for the treatment of prostate cancer, most patients experience disease progression within 12-48 months, a phase described as castrate resistant. Abiraterone is the only Food and Drug Administration–approved hormonal treatment option for mCRPC in men who have received docetaxel and is recommended as a second-line agent for this indication in th...

Evaluating Pharmacist-Written Recommendations to Providers in a Medicare Advantage Plan: Factors Associated with Provider Acceptance

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pharmacist-written recommendation letters to physicians, through mail or fax, are common practice in managed care settings. While rates of physician acceptance of pharmacist recommendations have been reported to average around 50%, the factors affecting the provider’s acceptance of recommendations have not been adequately explored. Identifying these factors may help to improve pharmacist-physician communication and help identify areas where physician education may benefit patient care. OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine the percentage of pharmacist-written recommendations for members enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage that was accepted by providers and (b) examine member and provider factors associated with provider acceptance. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among members enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Texas. Members were included if their medication profiles were reviewed by a health plan resident pharmacist and resulted in a recomme...