Jason Ausili, PharmD, the Chief Clinical Officer of FDS Amplicare, discusses the impact on community pharmacies and patients of the recent announcement by the HHS regarding the amendment to the COVID-19 PREP Act declaration to allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer select COVID-19 therapeutics, including subcutaneous monoclonal antibodies.

He addresses what was changed in the recent amendment, what role pharmacy technicians play in regards to this amendment, and how the amendment will impact the future of the pharmacy’s role within the healthcare system.

Videos

Jason Ausili, PharmD, the Chief Clinical Officer of FDS Amplicare, discusses the impact on community pharmacies and patients of the recent announcement by the HHS regarding the amendment to the COVID-19 PREP Act.

PREP Act: Pharmacists Can Administer COVID-19 Therapeutics

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Aaron Clark, DO, medical director of value based care at Ohio State University and clinical associate professor of family medicine, discusses vaccine hesitancy and racial disparities around flu vaccinations.

He addresses why people might be hesitant to get the flu vaccine, why People of Color are less likely to get the vaccination, and how pharmacists can help promote the benefits of vaccinations.

Aaron Clark, DO, medical director of value based care at Ohio State University and clinical associate professor of family medicine, discusses vaccine hesitancy and racial disparities around flu vaccinations.

Pharmacists Can Help Tackle Flu Vaccine Hesitancy

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Michael Ganio, PharmD, MS, BCPS, FASHP, Senior Director of Pharmacy Practice and Quality at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, discussed the recent strains for hospitals due to the newest wave of COVID-19.

Ganio said states with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates are being particularly hard-hit by the Delta variant. In those areas, he said hospital pharmacies are often performing non-traditional pharmacy roles such as observing patients or administering drugs, which would normally be done by nurses. This increased strain is exacerbating burnout among these pharmacists, Ganio said, as well as the overall strain on the health care system.

Michael Ganio, PharmD, MS, BCPS, FASHP, Senior Director of Pharmacy Practice and Quality at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, discussed the recent strains for hospitals due to the newest wave of COVID-19.

Newest Wave of COVID-19 Strains Hospitals, Creates Shortages

Following the full FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, Christie Boutte, PharmD, RPh, senior vice president of reimbursement, innovation, and advocacy at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, said she anticipates increasing vaccination rates in the coming weeks.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Boutte also discussed how the FDA approval gives pharmacists more tools to encourage patients who may be hesitant about vaccination, as well as the value of pharmacists in immunizing their communities.

Christie Boutte, PharmD, RPh, also discussed how the FDA approval gives pharmacists more tools to encourage patients who may be hesitant about vaccination.

Expert: COVID-19 Vaccine Uptick Could Come Soon After Full FDA Approval of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Doug Long, vice president of industry relations at IQVIA, and Scott Biggs, director of supplier services, discussed their session at the 2021 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo titled "Pharmaceutical Trends, Issues, and Forecasts."

In the interview, Long and Biggs said they have used flu season trends in Australia to predict the upcoming season in the US, and trends suggest encouraging flu vaccine rates this year. Furthermore, they also discussed the future of telehealth, the emergence of home health services, and changing prescription trends.

Doug Long, vice president of industry relations at IQVIA, and Scott Biggs, director of supplier services, discussed their session at the 2021 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo titled "Pharmaceutical Trends, Issues, and Forecasts."

Experts Outline COVID-19 Trends, Flu Season Predictions

 interviewed Guillermo Torre-Amione, MD, PhD, FACC, the chairman of Cardiol Therapeutics, on a phase 2/3 outcomes study assessing oral cannabidiol (CBD) in hospitalized patients testing positive for COVID-19.

In this discussion, Torre-Amione explains the potential benefits for anti-inflammatory therapies for these patients, as well as how CBD specifically can be applied. He also describes a use for CBD in treating cardiovascular disease related to viral damage, and what other anti-inflammatory therapies may soon be available.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Guillermo Torre-Amione, MD, PhD, FACC, the chairman of Cardiol Therapeutics, discusses the potential use for CBD in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, as well as its therapeutic benefits in certain patients with cardiovascular disease.

Study Suggests Benefits For Oral Cannabidiol in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

 interviewed Patricia C. Kienle, RPh, MPA, BCSCP, FASHP, director of Accreditation and Medication Safety at Cardinal Health and member of US Pharmacopeia’s (USP) Compounding Expert Committee, and Nicole Palmer, the senior manager of USP Volunteer Operations, on details regarding 

This discussion is the third video in a series collaboration between 

 and USP that highlights USP’s work today and over its 200-year history to support the pharmacist, as well as USP’s perspective on timely and topical issues in the field.

During this discussion, Kienle and Palmer explain that pharmacists who volunteer at USP have opportunities to impact global health, share expertise and collaborate with colleagues worldwide, network with other pharmacy professionals, mentor young pharmacists, grow career opportunities, and add distinction to their career.

Additionally, Kienle and Palmer address how USP volunteers have impacted global health during the COVID-19 pandemic, what 

options are available for pharmacists interested in volunteering

, what is involved in the work of USP organizations like the USP Compounding Expert Committee and 

the current open call to fill a volunteer position on this committee

, and how volunteering can impact the trajectory of a career in the field.

Patricia C. Kienle, RPh, MPA, BCSCP, FASHP, director of Accreditation and Medication Safety at Cardinal Health and member of US Pharmacopeia’s (USP) Compounding Expert Committee, and Nicole Palmer, the senior manager of USP Volunteer Operations, discuss USP’s volunteer program. 

Expert: USP Volunteers Impacted the Course of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Accelerating, Supporting Pharmacists’ Vaccination Efforts

 interviewed Sachin Nagrani, MD, on the Biden administration's announcement that booster shots will soon be available for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

In this discussion, Nagrani describes what makes booster shots so crucial, as well as whether or not there is cause for concern around the interactions between COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccines. He also provides his opinion on what the future of this virus might look like, whether COVID-19 vaccination may become a yearly necessity, and what pharmacists should do to prepare for the upcoming winter.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Sachin Nagrani, MD, medical director at the home visit and telemedicine service Heal, discusses the Biden administration's announcement that booster shots will soon be available for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and what this would mean for patients and practitioners.

COVID-19 Boosters, Flu Season, and the Future of the Pandemic

 recently spoke with students from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy on the future of pharmacy after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the final part of the series, students described their hopes for the future of the role of the pharmacist coming out of the pandemic.

In the latest Student Cafe interview series, students from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy discussed the future of pharmacy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pharmacy Students Discuss The Future of the Role of the Pharmacist

 recently spoke with students from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy on the future of pharmacy after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the seventh part of the series, students discussed their views on the pharmacist's role in promoting equity in health care.

Interviews