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.

Integration of a Clinical Community Pharmacist Position: Emphasis on Workflow Design

Abstract: Objective To design and implement a scope of practice for a clinical pharmacist position and assess the clinical and economic impact of a Diabetes Medication Management Program in a community pharmacy setting. Setting Independent community pharmacy in an urban area. Practice Description Standard dispensing and consultative services and durable medical equipment supplies and services were offered in the pharmacy. Approximately 260 prescriptions were dispensed per 10-hour workday. Practice Innovation Pharmacy workflow was redesigned with workstations in which each position was occupied at all times by pharmacy technicians or pharmacists. Clinical pharmacy interventions were delivered while normal dispensing processes continued. Interventions A Clinical Community Pharmacist provided education and counseling to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes as well as services to patients with other chronic diseases. Results During the first 6 months of the project, 221 clinical interventions weremade; 16 patients with diabetes (who had received 67 of the interventions) were enrolled in a medication management program. Conclusion A Clinical Community Pharmacist in an urban setting can deliver clinical services during the normal dispensing process using an efficient workflow design.

Stability of extemporaneously prepared rifaximin oral suspensions.

Abstract: Purpose The stability of extemporaneously prepared rifaximin oral suspensions was studied. Methods An oral suspension of rifaximin 20 mg/mL was prepared by thoroughly grinding six 200-mg tablets of rifaximin in a glass mortar. Thirty milliliters of Ora-Plus and 30 mL of either Ora-Sweet or Ora-Sweet SF were mixed and added to the powder to make a final volume of 60 mL. Three identical samples of each formulation were prepared and placed in 2-oz amber plastic bottles with child-resistant caps and were stored at room temperature (23–25 °C). A 1-mL sample was withdrawn from each of the six bottles with a micropipette immediately after preparation and at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days. After further dilution to an expected concentration of 20 μg/mL with mobile phase, the samples were assayed in duplicate using stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography. The samples were visually examined for any color change and pH was tested on each day of analysis. Stability was determined by evaluating the percentage of the initial concentration remaining at each time point and defined as retention of at least 90% of the initial concentration of rifaximin. Results At least 99% of the initial rifaximin remained throughout the 60-day study period in both preparations. There were no detectable changes in color, odor, taste, or pH and no visible microbial growth in any sample. Conclusion Extemporaneously prepared suspensions of rifaximin 20 mg/mL in 1:1 mixtures of Ora-Plus with either Ora-Sweet or Ora-Sweet SF were stable for at least 60 days when stored in 2-oz amber plastic bottles at room temperature.

Statins and Progression of Calcified Aortic Stenosis

Abstract: Objective:To review the evidence evaluating the efficacy of statins in reducing the progression of calcified aortic stenosis (AS).Data Sources:MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched (all up to November 2006) for studies evaluating the use of statins to reduce the progression of calcified AS. Search terms included statin, HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, calcified AS, valve stenosis, and calcified stenosis. Additional primary trials were located by searching references noted in review articles.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Clinical trials published in the English language were selected for review. Primary efficacy outcomes evaluated were changes in aortic valve measurements, hemodynamic measures of AS, and change in measures of AS severity.Data Synthesis:TWO prospective clinical trials and 5 retrospective studies were included in this review. All of the retrospective studies demonstrated that statin use was associated with a statistically significant delay in the progression of AS. One prospective obs...

Million dollar ride: Crime committed during involuntary scopolamine intoxication.

Abstract: Scopolamine, also known as burundanga, is a tropical alkaloid produced by species of plants such as Hyoscyamus albus and Datura stramonium.1 Uses of these plants around the world range from food to ornaments to medicinal preparations that take advantage of their strong anticholinergic, antiemetic, and hallucinogenic properties.2-4 Criminal administration of extracts of Datura has been reported in South America since the 1950s.2 The most intriguing phenomenon seen in burundanga intoxication is not the anticholinergic side effects (ie, mydriasis, confusion, and palpitations), but the submissive and obedient behaviour of the victim.2 This phenomenon is caused by a reduction in declarative memory.5 Criminals typically use burundanga to take their victims on the “million dollar ride,” during which victims submissively withdraw money from a bank machine. The drug is commonly blown in the faces of the victims or placed in their beverages. Victims often surrender their valuables to the criminals without resistance. Neither the victim nor the surrounding people are aware that a crime is being committed and, as a result, there are usually no witnesses. Although it is well known in South America, criminal use of scopolamine has rarely been described in the Canadian primary care literature. This report serves to educate FPs regarding the importance of considering scopolamine intoxication in the setting of amnesia and anticholinergic toxidrome.

Ritonavir-Enhanced Pharmacokinetics of Nelfinavir/M8 during Rifampin Use

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To describe a case of successful protease inhibitor–based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) concomitant with rifampin.CASE SUMMARY:In a 7-month-old male infant with tuberculosis and HIV-1 infection, tuberculosis therapy including rifampin and HAART containing the protease inhibitor nelfinavir 40 mg/kg every 8 hours was started. Intensive steady-state pharmacokinetic sampling from baseline to 8 hours revealed very low plasma concentrations of nelfinavir: area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–24) <10% of adult population values for 750 mg every 8 hours and nonquantifiable concentrations of nelfinavir's principal metabolite (M8). Nelfinavir 40 mg/kg every 8 hours was then substituted with nelfinavir 30 mg/kg twice daily plus ritonavir 400 mg/m2 twice daily. Intensive steady-state (0–12 h) pharmacokinetic sampling was repeated. Nelfinavir concentrations had improved, but remained low when compared with adult population values of 1250 mg every 12 hours: AUC0–24 21.9 versus 4...