Drug Shortages and the Role of the Pharmacy Technician: A Review

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 247-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle N Mangan ◽  
Mary F Powers

Objective: To increase pharmacy technicians' awareness of national drug shortages, enabling them to understand why drug shortages occur and how they can help ameliorate the effects that a drug shortage may have in their workplace. Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE and PubMed (1950 through July, 2011) using the following search terms: drug shortages, drug shortages and legislation, drug shortages and law, and drug shortages and safety. Additionally, resources on drug shortages from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the FDA, and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices were used. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles describing drug shortages, drug shortages and legislation, and managing drug shortages in the health care setting were included. Data Synthesis: The effects of drug shortages on pharmacy departments and the health care system as a whole can place significant strain on pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians can play a key role in the initial management of a drug shortage by being responsible for such tasks as validating shortage details and duration with manufacturers, determining the institution's current stock and history of use of a medication, and remaining up-to-date on current drug shortages to help keep patients and other health care professionals informed. Conclusions: Pharmacy technicians are a valuable resource for pharmacists in the management of drug shortages and can work with pharmacists to perform operational and assessment tasks after a drug shortage has been identified.

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Grossman ◽  
Tina Zerilli

Health care practitioners have increasingly used the Internet to obtain health and medication information. The vast number of Internet Web sites providing such information and concerns with their reliability makes it essential for users to carefully select and evaluate Web sites prior to use. To this end, this article reviews the general principles to consider in this process. Moreover, as cost may limit access to subscription-based health and medication information resources with established reputability, freely accessible online resources that may serve as an invaluable addition to one’s reference collection are highlighted. These include government- and organization-sponsored resources (eg, US Food and Drug Administration Web site and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Drug Shortage Resource Center Web site, respectively) as well as commercial Web sites (eg, Medscape, Google Scholar). Familiarity with such online resources can assist health care professionals in their ability to efficiently navigate the Web and may potentially expedite the information gathering and decision-making process, thereby improving patient care.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 678-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Puto ◽  
Jody S Garey

OBJECTIVE: To review pemetrexed, a novel multi-targeted antifolate agent. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted (1985–September 2004) using MEDLINE and CANCERLIT. Recent abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology were also included, along with the manufacturer's information. Key words were pemetrexed, LY-231514, Alimta, multi-targeted antifolate, malignant pleural mesothelioma. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant information on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety and efficacy of pemetrexed from clinical trials was selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Pemetrexed inhibits folate metabolism and purine/pyrimidine synthesis. Based on Phase I and II trials, pemetrexed has antitumor activity in solid tumors such as lung, colorectal, and cervical. A pivotal Phase III study in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) demonstrated survival superiority of pemetrexed—cisplatin regimen versus cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: Pemetrexed is a promising new drug for the treatment of solid malignancies, most notably MPM.


Author(s):  
Elham Navab ◽  
Mehraneh Shali

Background: The practical difficulties for patients with stroke include lack of information about their condition, poor knowledge of the services and benefits available. Specialist Stroke nurses provide education and support services for people with Stroke  in many health care systems. A key goal is helping and empowering unable people to self-manage their stroke and supporting caregivers of these valnurable population, too.Objective: The objective of this review was to assess the role of specialist nurse in care for patients following a stroke and their caregivers support.Search methods: The databases CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct and Synergy were searched from 1988 to 2017 using the keywords Stroke, Specialist Nurse, Care, Caregivers and support. Bibliographies of relevant papers were searched, and hand searching of relevant publications was undertaken to identify additional Studies.Selection criteria: All studies of the effects of a specialist nurse practitioner on short and long term stroke outcomes were included in the review.Data collection and analysis: Three investigators performed data extraction and quality scoring independently; any discrepancies were resolved by consensus.Findings:  Stroke, Specialist Nurse, Care, Caregivers concepts and labels are defined and measured in different and often contradictory ways by using 31 founded study.Conclusions: The findings indicate a dissonance in the views of different stakeholders within the care system. The division of labour associated with nursing care and specialist nurse requires further exploration. The contrasting paradigms of health care professionals and people with stroke regarding models of disability were highlighted.  Stroke, like other chronic illnesses, requires substantial nursing care. There is a growing number of specialist nurses in the workforce, however, little is known how their role interfaces with other nurses.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apolline Adé ◽  
Denis Lebel ◽  
Jean-François Bussières

<p><strong>RÉSUMÉ</strong></p><p><strong>Contexte : </strong>La littérature scientifique portant sur l’application des connaissances (AC) est vaste et complexe et les publications sur les interventions dans le domaine de la santé concernent surtout les médecins et les infirmières. Pour autant que les auteurs sachent, il n’existe pas de revue documentaire s’intéressant à l’AC et à ses retombées en pharmacie.</p><p><strong>Objectif : </strong>Décrire le profil des interventions visant l’AC en pratique pharmaceutique.</p><p><strong>Source des données : </strong>La plateforme Knowledge Translation+ (KT+) a été utilisée pour en extraire des articles publiés entre janvier 2010 et décembre 2016 à l’aide du terme « pharmacist ».</p><p><strong>Sélection des études et extraction des données : </strong>Les principales variables retenues pour établir le profil des interventions visant l’AC en pratique pharmaceutique étaient le protocole de recherche de l’étude, le lieu de l’intervention, les rôles du pharmacien, les types de connaissances transférées et les retombées. Le codage de la nature des interventions pharmaceutiques reposait sur la classification du site Impact Pharmacie.</p><p><strong>Synthèse des données : </strong>Au total, 114 articles ont été sélectionnés : revues systématiques (<em>n </em>= 25, 22 %), études contrôlées à répartition aléatoire (<em>n </em>= 45, 40 %) études rétrospectives (<em>n </em>= 21, 18 %), études prospectives (<em>n </em>= 13, 11 %), études pré-post intervention (<em>n </em>= 10, 9 %). Les études se déroulaient surtout en établissement de santé (74 %). La majorité des interventions ciblaient des étapes de soins pharmaceutiques et la realization de séances d’éducation thérapeutique et de conseils prodigués aux patients. Il existait un manque de rigueur méthodologique lors de la conception des interventions et quant à leur description.</p><p><strong>Conclusion : </strong>Le pharmacien est le principal producteur de connaissances et oriente les interventions visant leur application vers les patients ou les professionnels de santé. Celles-ci concernaient principalement la démarche de soins pharmaceutiques et le travail en interdisciplinarité. La mise en place d’une formation initiale et continue, la gestion de l’information et la désignation d’un pharmacien responsable de l’AC au sein de chaque département de pharmacie pourraient encourager le développement de cette mise en application des connaissances. Ce concept peut être utile pour soutenir la création d’un modèle de pratique pharmaceutique cohérent.</p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The scientific literature on knowledge translation (KT) is vast and complex, and most publications concerning health care interventions involve physicians and nurses. To the authors’ knowledge, there have been no literature reviews on KT and its impact on pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the profile of interventions relating to KT in pharmacy practice.</p><p><strong>Data Sources: </strong>The term “pharmacist” was used to search the web platform Knowledge Translation+ (KT+) to identify pertinent articles published between January 2010 and December 2016.</p><p><strong>Study Selection and Data Extraction: </strong>The main variables analyzed to determine the profile of KT interventions in pharmacy practice were the study’s research protocol, the geographic location of the intervention, pharmacist roles, the types of knowledge transferred, and impacts of the interventions. The nature of pharmacy interventions was coded according to the classification on the Impact Pharmacie website.</p><p><strong>Data Synthesis: </strong>A total of 114 articles were selected: systematic reviews (<em>n </em>= 25, 22%), randomized controlled trials (<em>n </em>= 45, 40%), retrospective studies (<em>n </em>= 21, 18%), prospective studies (<em>n </em>= 13, 11%), and pre-post intervention studies (<em>n </em>= 10, 9%). Most of the studies (74%) were conducted in a health care institution. The majority of interventions targeted pharmaceutical care steps, therapeutic educational sessions, and patient education. There was a lack of methodological rigour during the development of interventions and in their description.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pharmacists are key generators of knowledge, and their interventions related to KT are directed toward patients or other health care professionals. These interventions have mainly addressed the pharmaceutical care process and interdisciplinary work. The implementation of initial and continuing education, the management of information, and the designation of a pharmacist responsible for KT in each pharmacy department might promote the development of such KT. This concept might in turn support the design of a coherent pharmacy practice model.</p>


2020 ◽  
pp. 875512252096763
Author(s):  
Michael A. Veronin ◽  
Andrew Lang ◽  
Justin P. Reinert

Objective: To conduct a review of the investigational drug remdesivir and its therapeutic potential for treatment of COVID-19, in the form of a series of questions and answers. The purpose of the review is to narrow gaps in knowledge, clarify concepts, and to investigate research advancements for health care professionals. Data Sources: From June 2020 to August 2020, we conducted comprehensive searches of MEDLINE-PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases with no time limitations. Search terms were included that contained the terms “remdesivir,” “COVID-19,” “novel coronavirus” and “evidence,” “therapy,” “safety,” “effectiveness,” “efficacy,” “clinical trial.” Study Selection and Data Extraction: The sources of information include all publicly available data from previously published research reports. Reports must have at least one reference to remdesivir as a treatment modality for COVID-19 with no specified outcomes. Data Synthesis: Major research findings on the efficacy and safety of remdesivir are summarized in tabular format and presented in chronological order. Results of this review reveal remdesivir to be an effective therapy in specific clinical contexts; however, in several areas, available data are insufficient to support evidence-based guidance for remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19. Conclusions: Clinical trials on remdesivir are ongoing, yet questions remain and further research is needed as to the selection of patients, effectiveness, and duration of treatment in the use of remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Abhishek P.T. ◽  
Radhika Pethkar ◽  
Sarin Nizar ◽  
Neethi Dalvi

Objective:1)      To understand the importance of nanotechnology in maxillofacial surgery.2)      To impress the importance of adaptingnanotechnology in making the surgeries and diagnosis easy and more effective.Design: Various databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searchedto identify published articles related to nanotechnology and dentistry as well as in maxillofacial surgery. An exhaustive search was conducted and four reviewers independently completed inclusion assessment, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment for all studies identified.Conclusion: The review foundlittle evidence ofany recent research papers conducted aboutnanotechnology in dentistry or maxillofacial surgery. However , our study stress upon the need ofthe health care professionals like dental surgeons, specially oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be aware of the importance ofadapting new trends in nanotechnology.Maxillofacial surgeons need to takemore efforts and the supporting associations or societies need to provide more resources in the field of research to help the oral and maxillofacial surgeons be at par with the advanced world of nanotechnology and nanosurgery.


Author(s):  
Ali Elbeddini ◽  
Amy Botross ◽  
Rachel Gerochi ◽  
Mohamed Gazarin ◽  
Ahmed Elshahawi

AbstractWhen the first wave of COVID-19 hit in March 2020, health care professionals across Canada were challenged to quickly and efficiently adapt to change their work practices in these unprecedented times. Pharmacy professionals, being some of the very few front-line health care workers who remained accessible in person for patients, had to rapidly adopt critical changes in their pharmacies to respond in the best interest of their patients and their pharmacy staff. As challenging and demanding as such changes were, they provided pharmacists with invaluable lessons that would be imperative as the country enters a potentially more dangerous second wave. This article seeks to identify and summarize opportunities for improvement in pharmacy as learnt from the pandemic’s first wave. Such areas include but are not limited to handling of drug shortage and addressing drug hoarding and stockpiling, providing physical and mental support for staff, timing of flu vaccine and COVID-19 screening/testing, collaboration between different health care sites as well as collaboration with patients and with other health care professionals, telemedicine and willingness to adopt innovative ideas, need for more staff training and more precise research to provide accurate information and finally the need for more organizational and workplace support. Learning from what went well and what did not work in the early stages of the pandemic is integral to ensure pharmacy professionals are better prepared to protect themselves and their patients amidst a second and possibly subsequent waves.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3S) ◽  
pp. 623-630
Author(s):  
Sandra N. Smith ◽  
Ethan Smallwood ◽  
Magdalena Sereda ◽  
Bethany Adams ◽  
Derek J. Hoare

Purpose Hyperacusis is a disorder characterized by reduced sound tolerance leading to ear pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Many people with hyperacusis turn to the Internet for information and support from online communities to discuss their condition. The purpose of this study was to assess the content and quality of hyperacusis information presented online. Method The three most used Internet search engines were used to identify relevant websites using the single search term hyperacusis . Fifteen websites were selected for analysis. Details of the purpose, audience, and content of each website were extracted using a bespoke data extraction form. The quality of the information on each website was rated using the validated DISCERN questionnaire. Results There was a wide disparity in the quality and content of hyperacusis information across websites. The website Hyperacusis Focus achieved the highest overall DISCERN score. Hyperacusis Focus and U.K. National Health Service websites were the most comprehensive online resources for health care professionals and patients, respectively. Wikipedia was judged useful for both health care professionals and patients. In general, hyperacusis-related information was accurate. However, no single website provided a complete account of hyperacusis, and some were judged to be selective in the information they provided. Conclusions The Internet provides an important source of information for those who have hyperacusis and those who care for them. Revisions to the websites reviewed here are needed for each to provide a complete account of hyperacusis. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12869717


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