Clinical Capsules - Actionable Medication Pearls in Minutes

GLP-1 access just changed for Medicare patients—and pharmacy teams are on the front lines. In this BONUS episode, Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Vickie Danaher breaks down the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program—what it is, how it works, and what pharmacy teams need to know right now. Get a clear overview of which GLP-1 medications are covered, who qualifies, and how to navigate key requir...

Continuous glucose monitoring is changing how diabetes is managed, and healthcare teams are at the center of helping patients use these devices safely and effectively. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Vickie Danaher, PharmD, discusses how continuous glucose monitoring has helped improve diabetes care. She talks about how CGM devices work, which patients are...

New guidelines for moderate to severe Crohn disease help streamline more advanced therapy options, such as biologics and JAK inhibitors. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Assistant Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Gina Corley, PharmD, walks through the latest guideline updates for moderate to severe Crohn disease. She breaks down advanced therapy options such as biologics and JAK inhibitors, discusses...

Updated COPD guidelines are reshaping how soon patients start daily inhalers—and what therapies make the most sense based on symptoms and risk. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP, reviews practical, guideline-based strategies for treating and managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . Don highlights common factors that...

Blood pressure is one of the most commonly measured — and most commonly misread — vitals in healthcare. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Vickie Danaher, PharmD, discusses how pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can help patients better manage hypertension . She goes over how to choose the right home blood pressure monitor, ways to use it correctly, and tips...

Male pattern baldness is more than a cosmetic concern – and patients often turn to the pharmacy first for answers. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP , discusses treating male pattern baldness. He reviews the underlying mechanism of hair loss and compares evidence-based treatment options, including oral finasteride, topical minoxid...

A new oral option is changing the GLP-1 landscape for weight loss, along with raising questions about efficacy, dosing, and when switching products makes sense. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Vickie Danaher, PharmD discusses how semaglutide became the first FDA-approved oral GLP-1 agonist for obesity. She breaks down how it works, how it compares to inject...

Opioid overdoses remain a leading cause of preventable death - and pharmacy teams are on the front lines of response. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP, discusses how to recognize opioid overdose, compares naloxone and nalmefene options including the new nalmefene auto-injector, and shares tips for counseling patients and caregive...

Dry eye disease affects millions of patients, yet the growing list of treatment options can make decision-making feel more complicated than ever. Treating dry eyes requires understanding not just what options are available, but where each one fits into therapy. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Assistant Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Gina Corley, PharmD, walks through the causes of dry eye disease...

New oral liquids are hitting the market – here's what to expect for your pharmacy. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Vickie Danaher, PharmD, discusses a growing wave of first-time oral liquid formulations for familiar medications, including ADHD therapies, diabetes meds, antihypertensives, and more. She breaks down why these liquid options are emerging,...

Managing hypothyroidism often seems straightforward—but the details can make all the difference. In this episode, Rachel Cole, PharmD , shares actionable pearls for pharmacy teams, such as how to handle levothyroxine product switches, when to monitor TSH, and tips for counseling patients on adherence.  Plus, we’ll tackle common myths, explore safety concerns with desiccated thyroid extract (DTE),...

Think every sinus infection needs an antibiotic? Think again. Updated guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis are sparking discussions about when antibiotics are truly warranted—and pharmacy teams play a key role in helping guide practice.  In this episode , TRC Healthcare Assistant Editor and Clinical Pharmacist Gina Corley, PharmD, explains new recommendations for “watchful waiting,” when...

Vaping is more popular than ever, especially among young adults, and pharmacy teams are in a prime position to guide patients toward cessation. In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Gina Corley, PharmD, breaks down the health risks of vaping and shares unique barriers to vaping cessation. She also discusses how proven smoking cessation strategies (varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy, and b...

RSV prevention is more important than ever, and pharmacy teams are on the front lines. In this episode, TRC Healthcare Associate Editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD, reviews who should receive RSV vaccines, recent changes to age and risk-based recommendations, and how monoclonal antibodies protect infants and high-risk children.  You’ll also hear practical tips on the best time to vaccinate patients, c...

In this episode, Rachel Cole, PharmD , walks us through the evolving landscape of restless leg syndrome management, highlighting why dopamine agonists are no longer first-line therapy and what that means for clinical practice.  You’ll learn about the importance of checking for iron deficiency, practical non-drug interventions, and alternative medications like gabapentin and pregabalin.  Rachel sha...

In this episode, Rachel Cole, PharmD , explores the evolving landscape of medications for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), spotlighting lenacapavir (Yeztugo)—a newly approved long-acting injectable option given just twice yearly.  She walks through how it compares to oral therapies like Truvada and Descovy, plus other injectables such as cabotegravir. Rachel also offers practical guidance on i...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD, dives into the 2025/2026 flu vaccine season with a clear overview of what’s new and what remains consistent. From updated vaccine strain compositions and preferred products for older adults to thimerosal-free recommendations and egg allergy guidance, this episode equips you with the latest evidence-based insights. She also tackles com...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD, discusses how pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play a vital role in ensuring access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment. She’ll explore approaches to addressing dispensing barriers, inventory management strategies, and the importance of recognizing opioid use disorder as a chronic condition requiring appropriate lon...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Rachel Cole, PharmD , evaluates 3 new migraine treatments: Atzumi, Brekiya, and Symbravo. She'll explain their dosing techniques and how they compare to existing therapies, while providing practical guidance on clinical considerations and cost-effective alternatives for acute migraine management. This is an excerpt from our August 2025 Pharmacy Essentia...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Rachel Cole, PharmD , unpacks the updated recommendations for H. pylori management, spotlighting why bismuth quadruple therapy is now front and center and how to navigate antibiotic resistance and patient-specific factors. You’ll come away with actionable pearls on regimen selection, adherence strategies, and which drug interactions to watch for.  This is an...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD , digs into Suzetrigine—brand name Journavx—the first non-opioid analgesic approved in over two decades.  You’ll hear how it works, how it compares to hydrocodone/acetaminophen, and why it might be a game-changer for patients at risk of opioid misuse. We’ll also unpack limitations in the clinical trials, cost concerns, dosing nuances,...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD , discusses recently approved drug formulations that bring fresh options—and new challenges—to the pharmacy counter.  From Arbli , the first ready-to-use losartan suspension, to Emrosi , a low-dose minocycline for rosacea, and Opipza, an oral film version of aripiprazole, we’ll walk through what makes each product unique and what pharm...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Sara Klockars, PharmD, BCPS unpacks the newly approved use of tirzepatide (Zepbound) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) —a first-in-class pharmacologic option for a condition long managed with devices and lifestyle changes. You’ll hear a concise review of sleep apnea pathophysiology, how tirzepatide works to reduce airway obstruction, and what the latest clin...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Vickie Danaher, PharmD, guides listeners through the evolving landscape of biosimilars, highlighting their increasing presence in pharmacy practice and their critical distinctions from traditional generics. She explains the science behind biologics, the FDA’s rigorous approval process for biosimilars, and the nuances of interchangeability. With examples of b...

In this episode, TRC Healthcare editor, Rachel Cole, PharmD , delves into the debate about whether newer medications for Type 2 diabetes, including SGLT-2 inhibitors or GLP-1 agonists, should be used first-line instead of metformin. She examines the benefitsand drawbacks of these newer medications, including their cardiovascular and kidney benefits, side effects, and costs. This is an excerpt from...