DISRxUPT

Since we last talked about artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy on Episode 9 of the podcast back in May of 2021, a lot has changed. OpenAI's ChatGPT has opened AI technology to the masses and this technology is poised to change many aspects of modern life, including healthcare. Dr. Andrew Straw, Vice Chair and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Cedarville University, and Luke O'Brien,...

If you ask today's pharmacists and students pharmacists why they chose to pursue a pharmacy career, nearly all of these individuals express a heartfelt desire to serve others. While this can be done in many different pharmacy settings, free medical clinics provide a unique opportunity for pharmacists to assist underserved populations with their medication and healthcare needs. Alex Hintz, Assistan...

When most people think of medical complexity, they often think of our aging population. However, a significant number of children also have multiple medical conditions, complex medication regimens, and myriad providers involved in their care. This leads to the risk of medication errors, drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, and many other concerns with their medications. Unfortunately, many...

On rare occasions, great ideas come to our minds like lightning bolts. More often than not, though, true innovation requires hard work, dedication, and persistence. Additionally, the most innovative people embrace particular mindsets, skill sets, and processes for developing these ideas. One such approach to transformational innovation is a process called design thinking. Jim O’Donnell, Executive...

Pharmacists have long desired to practice at the "top of their license," and this ideal is becoming more of a reality in the United States. A number of states have granted pharmacists the ability to provide chronic disease state management and test-to-treat services, which can both include prescribing. However, practicing according to this status as a provider requires a demonstration of expertise...

By nature of their training, pharmacists are uniquely qualified to serve as society's drug experts. This expertise translates well to roles within the pharmaceutical industry, including the position of medical science liaison (MSL). What is an MSL and what does this role entail? What additional training is needed for a pharmacist to serve in an MSL position? What other opportunities are there for...

Disasters are often catastrophic, in part because they are both rare and unpredictable. Whether it be a natural disaster such as a hurricane, a mass casualty event, or a global pandemic, having highly trained and qualified healthcare teams ready to deploy at a moment's notice is a key strategy to meet the medical needs of those affected. Today's pharmacists are well-trained to serve a key role on...

When you go to see a doctor, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, or one of many other healthcare professionals, your health information is typically stored in a secure electronic patient chart. This allows for the collection of comprehensive health information and continuity of care for each patient. However, pharmacists in community pharmacies typically do not have access to this information...

For many, community pharmacy is primarily known for prescription drug services. Payment for prescriptions is provided by insurance companies through pharmacy benefits managers. These prescription drugs include many low-cost generic medications taken every day for the maintenance of health. But is this the best model? What if prescription benefits were only accessed for high-cost medications? Could...

There is a growing body of research supporting how pharmacists improve patient outcomes and population health. However, some of these interventions are not adopted more widely within the modern healthcare system. Multiple barriers can stifle innovation and uptake of new services that are clearly beneficial to patients. So how can change be catalyzed? In this episode of DISRxUPT, Dr. Denise Rhoney,...

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed pharmacy practice, including the pharmacist's role in testing for various conditions and diseases. In some parts of the country, pharmacists can go to another level when an illness is discovered by providing appropriate treatment. In this episode of DISRxUPT, Dr. Justin Coby, Director of Cedar Care Village Pharmacy in Cedarville, Ohio, joins us to disc...

Joe D'Silva, founder, CEO, and CSO of Patient & Consumers (P&C) Pharma , has always had an eye toward developing high-quality pharmaceutical products. Driven by a passion for enhancing personalized patient care and a vision to take the technology used in the pharmaceutical industry into the pharmacy itself, Joe left roles in the pharmaceutical industry to found P&C Pharma. Through this...

Sue Paul is a pharmacist who sees and seizes every opportunity. Energized through her experiences in various pharmacy settings and driven to provide better care for patients, Sue went on to become president and founder of SyneRxgy Consulting , co-founder of Medipreneurs , and co-founder of PGx101 . In this episode of DISRxUPT, Sue joins us to discuss her unique experiences as a pharmacy entreprene...

Innovation in the pharmacy space sometimes comes in unexpected forms. Based on his own journey facing student loan debt after pharmacy school, Dr. Tim Ulbrich saw a need to empower other pharmacists to achieve financial freedom. This led to the creation of Your Financial Pharmacist (YFP). In a few short years, Tim and the rest of his team have taken YFP from an idea to a thriving business that has...

Smoking continues to be a public health concern in the United States. Despite clear data on the negative health implications of smoking, 14% of adults in the US are current smokers. Pharmacists, with accessibility in underserved communities and unique knowledge regarding nicotine replacement products, are uniquely positioned to assist individuals interested in smoking cessation. In this episode of...

Local community pharmacies and free clinics may not be the first places you think of when it comes to improving the healthcare system. In a day when customer service and care seem to be devalued, this might be the best place to start. We as people are created for connection, thus genuine care and innovation in healthcare start with a recognition of realities. In this episode of DISRxUPT, Dr. Justi...

Radiopharmaceuticals are used daily in medical care as both diagnostic and therapeutic agents. With the expertise of nuclear pharmacists, radiopharmaceuticals can be used to precisely diagnose and treat many conditions. Radiopharmaceuticals can act like "flashlights," illuminating certain organs or cells through advanced imaging techniques. They can also act as "hand grenades," delivering a focuse...

The opioid epidemic, a three-phased crisis thus far in the United States, has ravaged American communities both small and large. Ohio has been a major intersection for drug trafficking and is often cited as one of the worst-hit states in the nation. Initially fueled by predatory pharmaceutical marketing, this crisis was worsened by illicit laboratory production and the rise of black-market synthet...

Pharmacists receive the most extensive medication experience out of any healthcare professional. Much of the profession’s recent growth has been in areas that allow this expertise to be leveraged alongside key communication skills. Pharmacists are increasingly involved in helping to influence medication prescribing to align with current medical literature and guidelines. One tool that can be utili...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are changing the ways pharmacists work each day. We are joined by Luke Mennen, Health System Pharmacy Administration & Leadership Resident at the Cleveland Clinic and Cedarville alumnus. In this episode, we discuss how AI is transforming all aspects of pharmacy, from drug discovery to the bedside. Luk...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, we explore the important role that 503B outsourcing facilities play in today's drug supply chain. We are joined by Jeff Hval, chief operating officer and chief pharmacist with STAQ Pharma , a 503B outsourcing facility based in Colorado. Jeff explains the history behind the creation of 503B outsourcing facilities, key differences from 503A pharmacies and drug manufactur...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, we continue our conversations about COVID-19 vaccines by diving into the topic of vaccine hesitancy. We are joined by Dr. Aleda Chen, interim dean and associate professor at the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy.  Listen in as Dr. Chen and Dr. Cole discuss the impact of vaccine hesitancy, common beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccines, and how the social determinant...

On this episode of DISRxUPT we discuss pharmacy advocacy with Dr. Thad Franz, Vice Chair of Experiential Programs with the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy and director of Cedar Care Village Pharmacy in Cedarville, Ohio, alongside Dr. Andrea Kowalski, Director of Clinical Services with Shrivers Pharmacy, a multi-store independent pharmacy is Southeast Ohio.  Andrea this to say about pharma...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, we discuss pharmacy advocacy with Dr. Melody Hartzler, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Cedarville University and founder of PharmToTable . Dr. Hartzler has worked closely alongside the Ohio Pharmacists Association for legislative efforts and has participated in providing testimony to the Ohio Legislature on the language of the law for consult agreements. Sh...

In today’s episode, Cedarville alumnus, Dr. Ryley Uber, will be discussing the practice of pharmacogenomics, which is how an individual’s genetic code can affect the way different medications interact and are processed within the body. The implications of research in this field are enormous. From pharmacovigilance to personalized medication dosing, everyone involved in the medication process stand...