Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2009
ReviewIntegration of temperature-controlled requirements into pharmacy practice.
To describe (a) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and guidelines issued by several professional organizations to ensure appropriate storage, handling, and distribution of temperature-controlled prescription drugs from manufacturer to wholesaler to pharmacy to patients; (b) pharmacy business practices that ensure the dispensing of high-quality temperature-controlled drug products; and (c) education that facilitates patients' important role in maintaining product quality. ⋯ The transit, handling, and storage of temperature-controlled drug products within complex supply chains provide opportunities for exposure of such drugs to temperatures above or below those recommended by the manufacturer. Pharmacists have opportunities to integrate business practices that facilitate the proper receipt, handling, and storage of temperature-controlled drug products. These practices will enhance the dispensing of high-quality, efficacious drug products to patients and proper handling and storage by patients.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2009
Multicenter StudyDiabetes Ten City Challenge: final economic and clinical results.
To assess the economic and clinical outcomes for the Diabetes Ten City Challenge (DTCC), a multisite community pharmacy health management program for patients with diabetes. ⋯ DTCC successfully implemented an employer-funded, collaborative health management program using community-based pharmacist coaching, evidenced-based diabetes care guidelines, and self-management strategies. Positive clinical and economic outcomes were identified for 573 patients who participated in the program for at least 1 year, compared with baseline data.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2009
Multicenter StudyPerceptions of patients on Medicare Part D medication therapy management services.
To determine patients' perceptions and expectations about medication therapy management (MTM) services pertaining to the core elements of an MTM service in the community pharmacy setting, and to develop educational strategies and outreach programs aimed at increasing patients' knowledge of MTM services and the expanded role of pharmacists in the community pharmacy setting. ⋯ Patients have very limited knowledge of the core elements of an MTM service in the community pharmacy setting. Patients reported that pharmacist provision of MTM services was important, but they were concerned about privacy and pharmacists' time. Patients are also supportive of and believe that MTM services can improve communication and relationship with their pharmacist and improve medication use. Patients appear to prefer receiving brochures and talking to pharmacists to learn more about MTM services. This survey identified a key opportunity for pharmacists to inform patients about MTM services.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2009
Descriptive analysis of primary package labels from commercially available prescription solid oral dosage form drugs.
To describe formats used by manufacturers to display drug names on primary package labels for prescription solid oral dosage forms. ⋯ The lack of standardization in the typographical presentation of drug names on primary package labels of solid oral dosage forms in the United States appears to reflect underlying uncertainty about the relative effectiveness of the different techniques. Given the frequency and severity of wrong drug errors caused, at least in part, by the inability of clinicians to distinguish between similar labels, research is urgently needed to determine which technique or combination of techniques will minimize the risk of confusion.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2009
Mapping the route to medication therapy management documentation and billing standardization and interoperabilility within the health care system: meeting proceedings.
To convene a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss medication therapy management (MTM) documentation and billing standardization and its interoperability within the health care system. ⋯ Participants viewed the meeting as highly successful in bringing together a unique, wide-ranging set of stakeholders, including the government, regulators, standards organizations, other health professions, technology firms, professional organizations, and practitioners, to share perspectives. They strongly encouraged the Association to continue this unique stakeholder dialogue. Participants provided a number of next-step suggestions for APhA to consider because of the event. Participants noted the pharmacy profession's success in building information technology systems for product transactions with systematic, organized, methodical thinking and the need to apply this success to patient services. A unique opportunity exists for the profession to influence and lead the HIT community in creating a workable health technology solution for MTM services. Reaching consensus on minimum data sets for each functional area--clinical, billing, quality improvement--would be a very important short-term gain. Further, participants said it was imperative for pharmacists and the pharmacy community at large to become actively engaged in HIT standards development efforts.