Provision of Pharmacy Services to Psychiatric Patients: A Perspective

This article describes New York State's experience in advancing its mental health pharmacy programs. Implementation in a systematic fashion of accountable drug distribution services and basic clinical services is described. The approach used builds upon a firm foundation using a unit-dose system, a prerequisite before progressing with clinical initiatives. This base of activity is then improved by implementing computerization, clinical prescribing guidelines for drug use evaluation, and direct patient involvement with medication education. The planning necessary in order to prepare a unit-dose system is described. Issues considered include staffing estimates, recruitment of a work force, and training of new and existing staff. The problems encountered in implementing change within a large state bureaucracy, as well as the rewards and frustrations of working in this challenging environment, are discussed.

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Low Vision Services in an Agency: Structure and Philosophy

Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness ◽

10.1177/0145482x7506900601 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 69 (6) ◽

pp. 241-248

Author(s):

Eleanor E. Faye ◽

Clare M. Hood

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Low Vision ◽

Medical Director ◽

The Other ◽

Special Services ◽

Full Discussion ◽

Loan System ◽

Training Services ◽

And Training

The development and present structure of the comprehensive Low Vision Service of the New York Association for the Blind are used as the basis for a full discussion of the operation of such a clinical service, including its positive and negative features. The clinic is administered by a medical director and by an administrator who coordinates the work of a staff consisting of ophthalmologists, optometrists, low vision assistants, volunteers, registrar, and receptionist. A separate Optical Aids Service stocks low vision aids which it sells by prescription to clinics, doctors, and patients within and without the agency. Referrals for special services are made to the other departments of the agency. Also described are the low vision examination itself, follow-up and training services, and the aid loan system.

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Recent Progress in Lipid Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics: Opportunity and Challenges

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13060840 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 840

Author(s):

Sarah I. Bukhari ◽

Syed Sarim Imam ◽

Mohammad Zaki Ahmad ◽

Parameswara Rao Vuddanda ◽

Sultan Alshehri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Loading ◽

Drug Distribution ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Host Immune System ◽

System A ◽

Conventional Drug ◽

Diagnostic Agents ◽

Causes Of Mortality ◽

Cancer Theranostics ◽

Poor Efficacy

Cancer is one of the major leading causes of mortality in the world. The implication of nanotherapeutics in cancer has garnered splendid attention owing to their capability to efficiently address various difficulties associated with conventional drug delivery systems such as non-specific biodistribution, poor efficacy, and the possibility of occurrence of multi-drug resistance. Amongst a plethora of nanocarriers for drugs, this review emphasized lipidic nanocarrier systems for delivering anticancer therapeutics because of their biocompatibility, safety, high drug loading and capability to simultaneously carrying imaging agent and ligands as well. Furthermore, to date, the lack of interaction between diagnosis and treatment has hampered the efforts of the nanotherapeutic approach alone to deal with cancer effectively. Therefore, a novel paradigm with concomitant imaging (with contrasting agents), targeting (with biomarkers), and anticancer agent being delivered in one lipidic nanocarrier system (as cancer theranostics) seems to be very promising in overcoming various hurdles in effective cancer treatment. The major obstacles that are supposed to be addressed by employing lipidic theranostic nanomedicine include nanomedicine reach to tumor cells, drug internalization in cancer cells for therapeutic intervention, off-site drug distribution, and uptake via the host immune system. A comprehensive account of recent research updates in the field of lipidic nanocarrier loaded with therapeutic and diagnostic agents is covered in the present article. Nevertheless, there are notable hurdles in the clinical translation of the lipidic theranostic nanomedicines, which are also highlighted in the present review along with plausible countermeasures.

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