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.

The role of Clinical Pharmacists in the improvement of a pharmacovigilance system: A review of the reported adverse drug reactions during 2004-2010 in Mazandaran Province of Iran.

Abstract: Background : Following establishment of Iranian Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Monitoring Center in 1997, ADR committees were established in all hospitals of Mazandaran Province of Iran. Clinical pharmacists from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences have been involved with these committees since 2007. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the pharmacovigilance system before and after active involvement of clinical pharmacists. Methods : This study included Yellow Cards filled out by healthcare providers inMazandaran Province during 2004-2010. Frequency of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), route of administration, reporters, number of reports in each years and damaged organs were focuses. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16 software. P< 0.05 was considered as significant difference. Results : A total of 793 yellow cards were completed during 2004 – 2010. Only 38 ADRs(4.8%) were related to 2004-2007. Most of the reports generated by Nurses (49.3%) followed by Pharmacists and Physicians (P< 0.001). Forty-one reactions (5.2%) were serious, most related to Ceftriaxone, Desfonac and Vancomycin. Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists’ intervention regarding establishing ADR committees in the hospitals improved the output of the pharmacovigilance system, although under- reporting is still a major drawback of spontaneous reporting.

Development of a medication therapy management superbill for ambulatory care/community pharmacy practice.

Abstract: Objectives To explain the purpose of superbills, suggest strategies for incorporating superbills into pharmacy practice, and propose a model superbill for consideration by practitioners. Practice description Ambulatory pharmacies in the United States. Practice innovation Superbills have been used by physicians and other health care providers for many years as a way of efficiently communicating to the office staff, the patient, and even the insurer the types of services that have been provided at the point of care. The profession of pharmacy has not routinely used superbills in the past; however, given the recognition of pharmacists as providers of medication therapy management (MTM) services, immunizations, disease management, and other specialty preventive health services, the time has come for pharmacists to begin using superbills. Main outcome measures Not applicable. Results A sample superbill, suitable for adaptation by individual providers of medication therapy management and other clinical pharmacy services, is provided in this article. Conclusion Superbills may or may not improve the pharmacist's overall ability to receive insurance remuneration, but the authors believe that greater recognition by patients of the nondispensing activities of pharmacists can be achieved by using a superbill and that this may lead to more opportunities for payment for MTM in the future. Research is needed to assess whether incorporating superbills into a variety of pharmacy practice settings improves patient perceptions of the pharmacist and to discover how superbills effect practice efficiency.

Psoriasis: issues far more serious than cosmetic.

Abstract: Psoriasis-the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the United States-is a chronic, relapsing disease with variable clinical features and triggers that are both genetic and environmental. Psoriasis is an independent risk factor for mortality and is linked to numerous comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, clinical depression, diabetes, cancer, Crohn's disease, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, liver disease, infections, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis. While there is no cure, topical medications, phototherapy, traditional systemic agents, and biologics offer a wide array of options for management of symptoms. A combination of agents is frequently needed for moderate-to-severe cases, and positive long-term outcomes require medication adherence. Significant knowledge gaps exist on disease onset and progression along with a lack of comparative-effectiveness research on treatment regimens.

A review on mortality risks associated with antipsychotic use in behavioral and psychologic symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Abstract: Introduction: As the population ages, the prevalence rate of behavioral and psychologic symptoms of dementia (BPSD) rises, and there appears to be an increasing need for pharmacologic treatment where nonpharmacologic treatment would not suffice. Most clinicians are well aware of the increased risks of cerebrovascular event and mortality from antipsychotic use in older adults with dementia. Nevertheless, mortality risks reported in various publications still vary considerably and lack consistency to allow direct comparison between individual drugs. Methods: A literature search was conducted for primary and secondary sources of evidence regarding the mortality risks associated with antipsychotic use in BPSD. Results: Available evidence suggests that antipsychotics are indeed associated with elevated risks of cerebrovascular adverse events and mortality. There is also evidence suggestive of a varied risk among individual agents, and a dose-response as well as a time-response relationship. Discussion...

LMWH for Perioperative Anticoagulation in Patients on Chronic Warfarin Therapy

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To review current data regarding low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) use for perioperative anticoagulation in patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy.DATA SOURCES:Data were obtained from the Sixth American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy guidelines and a MEDLINE search (1996-January 2003). Search terms included heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, warfarin, perioperative care, and anticoagulants.DATA SYNTHESIS:Heparin is the most common agent used as bridge therapy for perioperative anticoagulation in patients on chronic warfarin therapy; LMWHs are also used. Studies that evaluated enoxaparin and/or dalteparin were reviewed.CONCLUSIONS:Although published studies demonstrate efficacy and safety of LMWHs, more data are needed to support their use as bridge therapy.