bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Short-Term Pharmacology Enrichment Program on Knowledge and Science Attitudes in Precollege Students
Authors: Downing Molly N , Rooney Katherine E , Turner Abigail Norris , Kwiek Nicole 
Published: January 2018

As our nation and the global economy place an increased demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs, science educators must implement innovative approaches to pique precollege student’s interests in these careers. Pharmacology remains a relevant and engaging platform to teach biology and chemistry concepts, and this strategy applied over several months in the formal classroom increases science literacy in high school students. In order to improve the affordability and accessibility of this educational approach, we developed and assessed the impact of a short-term pharmacology day camp, ‘Pills, Potions, and Poisons’ (PPP), on high school students’ science knowledge and attitudes toward science careers. The PPP program was offered annually from 2009 through 2012, and participants spent 6 days learning about pharmacology and careers in the biomedical sciences. All PPP student participants (n=134) completed surveys assessing their basic science knowledge and science attitudes before and after the program. Students achieved significant gains in their science knowledge by the end (Day 6) of the PPP program (from 41% mean test score to 65%; p<0.001). In addition, the majority of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the PPP program positively impacted their attitudes toward science (p<0.001). This study provides evidence that a short-term pharmacology-centered science enrichment program can achieve significant gains in participant’s science knowledge as well as motivation and confidence towards science careers. Moreover, we report benefits experienced by the undergraduate, graduate, and professional pharmacy student teaching assistants (TAs, n=10) who reported improved communication skills and an increased interest in future educational work.

Type: Original Research
He Ao Pohewa: The PHARMAC Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis in New Zealand and the Standards of Normal Science
Authors: Langley Paul C 
Published: January 2018

In common with a number of other single payer health systems, New Zealand has, through the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC), established guidelines for formulary submissions by pharmaceutical manufacturers. A question that is important to health system decision makers is to whether or not guidelines for economic evaluations in countries like New Zealand are consistent with the standards of normal science. Do the guidelines require those making the submission to put their claims in the form of testable hypotheses that can support falsification and replication? Are post-listing evaluations of these claims ever carried out? The purpose of this review is to consider whether the 2012 PHARMAC guidelines meet these standards. The assessment argues that the guidelines do not meet the standards of normal science. Instead, from this perspective, they are best characterized as supporting the creation of he ao pohewa (an imaginary world). There is no requirement in the guidelines for claims to be expressed as testable propositions; as hypotheses for expected impact that can be evaluated and the outcomes reported as part of ongoing disease area and therapeutic class reviews. There is no commitment to the discovery of new facts though falsification and replication. Our review concludes with suggestions for a reworking of the guidelines to meet the standards of normal science.

Type: Commentary
Supporting Formulary Decisions: The Discovery of New Facts or Constructed Evidence?
Authors: Langley Paul C 
Published: January 2018

A critical question, given the growing importance of more targeted therapies to support personalized and precision medicine, is the credibility of the evidence base to support formulary decisions and pricing. On the one hand, for those who subscribe to the reference case model of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK, the decision rests upon the creation of modeled or simulated imaginary worlds and the application of threshold willingness-to-pay cost-per-QALY thresholds. On the other hand, for those who subscribe to the standards of normal science, the decision rests upon the ability to evaluate competing claims, both clinical and cost-effective, in a timeframe that is meaningful to a formulary committee. If we subscribe to the scientific method where the focus is on the discovery of new facts, untestable claims for clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness, such as created claims for lifetime cost per-quality-adjusted discounted life years (QALYs), are properly relegated to the category of pseudoscience. We have no idea, and will never know, whether the claims are right or even if they are wrong. If formulary decisions are to respect the standards of normal science then there has to be a commitment to claims evaluation. A willingness to accept new products provisionally, subject to an agreed protocol to support the evaluation of clinical and cost-effectiveness claims. This dichotomy between the standards of normal science and pseudoscience is explored in the context of published claims for cost-effectiveness and recommendations for product pricing in the US.

Type: Commentary
Imaginary Worlds: The Status of Modeled Economic Evaluation Claims Published in Value in Health January 2015 to December 2015
Authors: Langley Paul C , Rhee Taeho Greg 
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which modeled or simulated cost-effectiveness claims published in Value in Health in 2015 meet the standards of normal science. To meet these standards, modeled or simulated claims must be credible. They must be capable of empirical evaluation and replication. If these standards are not met then such claims run the risk of being labeled as pseudoscience. Following a systematic review of all publications in Value in Health, 16 papers were identified. Of these 14 presented a cost-per-QALY analysis, with 9 presenting their claims for comparative effectiveness in a lifetime cost-per-QALY framework. With the focus of the assessment on whether or not these studies generated testable claims, none of the studies met this standard. They were best seen as thought experiments or imaginary worlds. Recipients of such claims can of course, on the one hand, reject them outright as not meeting accepted standards in normal science. After all, QALYs are never collected by health care systems and are unlikely to be collected. This means that the outcome metrics are untestable and may never have been intended to be tested. On the other hand, if the recipient believes that the model or simulation provides a sufficient correspondence to reality then the claims made are necessarily entailed. The issue of testing is irrelevant to the belief in the credibility of the claims. The modeled or simulated claims are immune to failure. The review concluded that none of the claims presented were in a testable form and that while 7 (at most) of the studies had the potential to generate testable claims, the rest were immune to failure. In the absence of testable claims, the studies reviewed are most appropriately characterized as imaginary worlds or thought experiments.

Type: Commentary
The Science of Safety – An Emerging Concept in Medication Use and Research
Authors: Shinde Shraddha , Crawford Stephanie Y 
Published: January 2018

Most published reports of patient safety in clinical practice focus largely on the culture of safety in complex health systems, separate from pre-approval and postmarketing research-related safety considerations for drugs, biologics, and other medical products. The science of safety requires a linked integrated perspective, i.e., an iterative process examining and relating safety concerns from drug or biologic discovery and development in preclinical stages, clinical trials and post-market use, research, surveillance, and potential regulatory changes. This commentary addresses the science of safety across the lifecycle of drug and biological products, regulatory considerations, barriers, and research needs. This paper provides a brief overview on how the functioning of healthcare systems affects the safety environment and describes how stakeholder involvement, research participation, and targeted education and training can help facilitate better safety measures and practices, provide improved quality of care to patients, and contribute to the science of safety.
Conflict of Interest
We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties".

Type: Commentary
Patient Medication Use: Interpreting the Results of a Patient Medication Safety Survey by Phase I Immersion Pharmacy Students
Authors: Li Michael , Ortiz Lopez Claudia F , Johnston Nita 
Published: January 2018

A medication safety survey was created during our first year pharmacy rotations in order to assess and gain insight to how safe patients are with their medications at home. The patient population was from the nursing units and emergency department of Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC. The survey questions covered the topics including how the patients take their medications, medication storage, medication disposal, as well as medication adherence.

Type: Student Project
Medication Adherence Survey: A First Year Pharmacy Immersion Students’ Perspective
Authors: Ortiz Lopez Claudia F , Li Michael , Johnston Nita 
Published: January 2018

First year pharmacy Immersion students from University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy used a three question survey during their rotation at Moses H. Cone Hospital that analyzed patients’ medication adherence. Data collection revealed common trends that have been shown in the literature and areas for improvement. This method of evaluation was used by Phase I Immersion students to gain perspective on the problems we continue to have with medication adherence.
Conflict of Interest
We do not have any potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Type: Student Project
Medical Spanish in U.S. Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy
Authors: Mospan Geoffrey A , Griffiths Carrie L 
Published: January 2018

Objective: To determine characteristics of Medical Spanish education provided to pharmacy students in schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States.
Methods: A survey of U.S. pharmacy schools and colleges was performed to determine availability of Medical Spanish in pharmacy curriculum, course(s) containing Medical Spanish education, and characteristics of Medical Spanish courses. Additional follow-up questions were asked if a school did not offer Medical Spanish.
Results: 61 out of 138 institutions completed the survey (response rate = 44%). 36% (22/61) of respondents reported Medical Spanish education was offered in their curriculum. The most common barrier to offering a Medical Spanish course included a lack of personnel to teach the course (n=21, 54%) or no room in the curriculum (n=15, 38%).
Conclusion: While there is a limited number of institutions that provide Medical Spanish education to their pharmacy students, results of this survey provide a basic description of Medical Spanish education in schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States. Data obtained from this survey can be used to refine or initiate Medical Spanish courses, including the teaching and assessment methods used.
Conflict of Interest
We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties

Type: Original Research
Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in Idaho
Authors: Adams Alex J 
Published: January 2018

Objective: To describe recent legislation in Idaho that granted pharmacists autonomous prescriptive authority for epinephrine auto-injectors.
Practice Innovation: States have taken action to increase access to epinephrine auto-injectors by allowing them to be stocked and prepositioned at locations where individuals may encounter allergens. All 50 states have allowed schools to maintain stock supplies of epinephrine auto-injectors and 26 states have allowed other entities, such as summer camps, daycare centers, gymnasiums, and restaurants to begin stocking product as well. In 2016, legislation in Idaho pursued entity stocking while simultaneously granting pharmacists autonomous prescriptive authority for epinephrine auto-injectors.
Results: Idaho legislation granted prescriptive authority for pharmacists for epinephrine auto-injectors not just for individual patients, but also for authorized entities. No collaborative practice agreement is necessary. To receive an epinephrine auto-injector, an agent or employee of an authorized entity must present proof that they have completed an appropriate training program. Pharmacists are provided liability protections when prescribing in good faith to an authorized entity.
Conclusion: Idaho’s legislation provides a potential model for pharmacist prescriptive authority for epinephrine auto-injectors that other states may consider pursuing in the years ahead.

Type: Commentary
Impact of Independent Pharmacist Prescribing on the Future of Pharmacy
Authors: Mwawaka Jimmy Shangala 
Published: January 2018

Pharmaceutical care as a philosophy is neither universal nor sustainable. Pharmacist prescribing will be the most unifying and transformative innovation in pharmacy practice, globally. Scope expansion supported by prescribing rights for pharmacists will impact pharmacy and other professions: community pharmacy will evolve into an independent profession; and pharmacy and medicine will merge. Important decisions in pharmacy education and practice policy must be made in view of these future changes.
Conflict of Interest
"We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties".

Type: Commentary
The Value of a Twitter-based Community of Practice for Pharmacy Professionals in the UK
Authors: Andrews James 
Published: January 2018

As a means to work across settings and geography, @WePharmacists is a volunteer-led online social-media group open to anyone, with particular relevance to those operating in or with pharmacy teams in the UK. The goal of WePharmacists is to pursue better patient care and outcomes from medicines through shared learning and a connected pharmacy team. The core offering is facilitated tweet chats, on topics suggested by the community. Resources to aid members in connecting with others, finding information and using technology have been developed, along with materials to help members recognize the learning that occurs with social media use. Community members report the value of feeling part of a wider community, along with the benefit of learning from one another.

Type: Commentary
Atypical Antipsychotic-Induced Parkinsonism: A Patient Case with CYP Enzyme Implications
Authors: Figura Carla Dolci , Schuh Michael 
Published: January 2018

Objective: To report a case of Parkinsonism potentially caused by neuroleptic medications.
Summary: The case analyzed is that of a 57-year-old male patient referred to a pharmacotherapy service by a neurologist after organic causes of tremor had been ruled out. Iatrogenic cause was suspected and referral expectation was to identify the offending agent or agents and propose alternative therapy.
Conclusion: This case illustrates iatrogenic risk associated with neuroleptic medications while illustrating mechanisms of drug interaction via CYP enzymes that can lead to iatrogenic disease.
Abbreviations: DIP = Drug-induced Parkinsonism; MTM = Medication Therapy Management; PD = Parkinson’s Disease

Type: Clincial Experience
The Correlation of Free Health Screenings at Community Pharmacies on Diabetes
Authors: Staudt Anna M , Amtower Jessica E , George Jeniffer , Daniels Nicholas C , Allou Jacques N , Laswell Emily , Ballentine Jeb 
Published: January 2018

Objective: To assess the correlation of free health screenings in community pharmacies on patient perceptions of free health screenings and diabetes knowledge.
Methods: The study design was a pre-post observational study using surveys, blood sugar screenings, and patient education on diabetes. Participants were voluntary patients from four REM Corporation pharmacies in Ohio who were 18 or older, not recently tested for diabetes, non-diabetic, not pregnant, and without disorders that could hinder survey responses and education. Pre- and post-surveys assessed both patient perceptions on free health screenings in community pharmacies and on diabetes knowledge.
Results: Among the 26 participants there was no statistically significant difference between patient perception pre- and post-surveys (all p-values ≥0.05), however there was a statistically significant difference between pre and post diabetes knowledge surveys (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Patients have positive opinions on free health screenings in community pharmacies and these screenings can help patients understand disease states and be more aware of their health.

Type: Original Research
Integration of Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Gastroenterology Clinic for Management of Hepatitis C Infection: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bower Erika , Holtan Haley , Konstantinides George , Reidt Shannon 
Published: January 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe implementation of comprehensive medication management (CMM) services in a gastroenterology (GI) clinic for HCV patients on direct acting antivirals (DAAs), and to evaluate services in terms of identification of medication related problems (MRPs), patient satisfaction, and provider satisfaction.
Methods: Six months of visit data was retrospectively collected to determine demographic data and to analyze pharmacist’s identification of MRPs. Patient satisfaction surveys were collected using a thirteen question validated pharmacist-satisfaction survey. After pilot completion, a twelve-question survey was sent to all GI clinic staff members to evaluate overall staff satisfaction with services.
Results: Ninety-four CMM visits were completed. A total of 246 MRPs were identified with an average of 2.6 MRPs per visit. Seventy-eight MRPs were related to appropriate indication, 27 to efficacy, 30 to safety, and 109 to adherence. Forty MRPs were related to drug-drug interactions. Patient satisfaction surveys revealed that 86% of respondents rated the quality of care and services from the clinical pharmacist as "Excellent". Patients better understood and felt confident with therapy. All staff satisfaction survey respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the pharmacist made valuable contributions to the clinic and patient care. All also strongly agreed that pharmacy’s CMM services were an essential component to the management of HCV.
Conclusion: Data supports continued involvement of clinical pharmacists within the clinic to promote safety and efficacy of DAAs. Patient and staff satisfaction survey results further illustrate the importance and value that CMM provided by clinical pharmacists can provide.
Conflict of Interest
We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.

Type: Original Research
Comparing the Research Contributions of Community Pharmacy Foundation Funding on Practice Innovation Between Non-Academics and Academics
Authors: Olson Anthony W , Isetts Brian , Kondic Anne Marie , Schommer Jon 
Published: January 2018

Objective: Evaluate and compare the research contributions of Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF) funding on community pharmacy practice innovation between non-academic and academic principal investigators (PIs) with respect to the following measurements: 1) “Pharmacy Practice Activity Classifications” (PPAC); 2) CPF “Coordinated Use of Medications”; and 3) CPF Investigator Impact.
Methods: Quantitative data for all 124 CPF-funded grants awarded from 2002-2016 were obtained from the CPF website and personnel, while ethnographic qualitative data was generated from queries of PIs. Grant categorization was conducted by researchers serving as judges trained on the rules and procedures for coding. A threshold level of 90% agreement in scores of independent judging was established a priori. Findings were summarized and groups were compared using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and a thematic analysis of PI ethnographic reflections for qualitative data.
Results: There were no differences between non-academic and academic PI groups for Coordinated Use of Medications and PPAC domains, but non-academics contributed more to two dispensing-related PPAC subclasses: ‘Preparing the Product’ (10% vs. 2%) and ‘Delivering the Medication or Device’ (13% vs. 2%). Analysis of investigator reflections revealed similarities between groups regarding impact on practice innovations, expanded collaborations, new practice tools, and patient-care financing models.
Conclusions: CPF funding contributed new knowledge and resources for expanding and enhancing practice innovations as shown by quantitative (PPAC & Coordinated Use of Medications) and qualitative (PI impact) measures. Similarities between PI groups suggest that the CPF has established a funding niche with unique diversity of practice innovation opportunities. This investigation’s findings may be useful to the CPF’s continuous quality improvement efforts, as well as future grant applicants to assess research gaps in the medication use process and develop sustainable, transferable, and replicable patient-care innovations in community pharmacy practice.
Conflict of Interest
This program evaluation analysis was funded by the Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF). Co-author Anne Marie Kondic is Executive Director and Grants Administrator for the Community Pharmacy Foundation. The ideas articulated in the manuscript are those of the authors to characterize historical CPF grant funding and do not necessarily indicate or impact future funding priorities.

Type: Original Research