The Pharmacist’s Role on Immunization: What to Look For and Look Out For

Three times a year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets to review the latest findings on the immunization front, adjusting preferred dosing schedules and making recommendations in terms of best clinical practices. In that regard, the pharmacist’s role on immunization is critical in following the latest trends, accessing the appropriate vaccination resources, and advising their patients accordingly. According to the CDC, from October 1, 2018 through March 30, 2019, there were between 33.2 million to 38.1 million cases of influenza reported in the U.S., representing highs of 549,000 hospitalizations and 50,900 deaths, respectively. Although influenza vaccine effectiveness varies from season-to-season, one thing that remains consistent is the greater margin for faster recovery in those who have been vaccinated.

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Florida Hospital

This is whole-person care. And we’re coming together under one unified name to heal what hurts, ease your mind, and lift your spirit. The same doctors you know, the same care you trust, and the same level of compassion you’ve always felt. Soon, we’ll be caring for your whole health as AdventHealth. We are elevating the standard of your care with our connected network of world-class experts, the latest technology, and locations close to home. No matter where you are in life, you and your family are covered from head to toe with heart-to-heart care every step of the way.

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Pharma Tech

How long will the world wait for the next pandemic of antimicrobial resistance before we act?

Article | October 6, 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an increasingly serious global health problem in recent years. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant infections, and the number is expected to increase in the coming years. How does antimicrobial resistance emerge? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. It makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease, severe illness, and death. When we use antibiotics, some bacteria die, but resistant bacteria can survive and even multiply. The overuse of antibiotics and substandard antibiotics make resistant bacteria more common. So, the more we use antibiotics, the more chances bacteria have to become resistant to them. The rise in AMR is caused by multiple factors including the misuse and overuse of antibiotics by humans as well as in livestock and agriculture. Although these are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens, the emergence of substandard and falsified antibiotics is another lesser-known, huge contributory factor. Even though AMR is a leading cause of death around the world, it is tracked most closely in clinical high-income settings and developed countries. Unfortunately, this is not the case in low and middle-income countries, where the highest burden is in low-resource settings and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). These countries are disproportionately affected, in part due to the high burden of communicable diseases. Consequences to human health of AMR AMR poses significant risks to human health, resulting in prolonged and more severe infections, extended hospitalizations, and increased healthcare expenses. It can also lead to an increased risk of death, as an infection may become untreatable. Additionally, it can reduce the effectiveness of medicines and treatments, making it more difficult to manage existing medical conditions. It is even more concerning that it can lead to the emergence of new, more dangerous strains of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. This would mean medical procedures, such as surgery, including caesarean sections or hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, and organ transplantation, will become riskier. Counterfeit medicines and antibiotics: Antibiotics are the most counterfeited medicines in the world, as they account for 28% of global counterfeit medicines. Substandard and falsified antibiotics are medicines that do not meet the quality standards set by regulatory authorities. Counterfeit antibiotics are estimated at 5% of the global antibiotic market. These medicines are often of inferior quality or contain incorrect ingredients or incorrect amounts of active ingredients. They may also contain toxic contaminants or be expired, posing serious consequences for patients. Sadly, counterfeit antibiotics are mostly found in LMICs due to a lack of regulation and enforcement, as well as a lack of access to quality healthcare. In many of these countries, the demand for antibiotics is higher than the supply, and counterfeit antibiotics are seen as a cheaper and more accessible alternative. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness around the dangers of taking counterfeit antibiotics, and there is a lack of resources for health authorities to test for the authenticity of these medicines. Why are antibiotics so rife for counterfeit drugs? Counterfeiters of pharmaceuticals succeed in large part by exploiting weaknesses in supply chains, which are often fragmented with poor regulatory frameworks. Antibiotics are often counterfeited because they are in high demand and can be sold for a large profit. To combat the problem of substandard and falsified antibiotics, governments must take a multi-pronged approach. This should encompass enacting laws and regulations to ensure the quality and safety of medicines, conducting surveillance for detecting and removing substandard and falsified products from the market, as well as providing training and education to healthcare professionals and patients regarding the responsible use of antibiotics. In addition, governments must work to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain. This includes increasing the transparency of the supply chain, improving the quality control systems, and introducing traceability systems to track the movement of medicines from the manufacturer to the patient. Medical investment in low and middle-income countries Another neglected aspect by international NGOs and governments is investment in building local laboratory capacity in LMICs to combat antimicrobial resistance. Localized laboratory facilities can help identify, track, and prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant infections, as well as provide early warnings of emerging drug-resistant strains. Localized microbiology, surveillance, and quality control laboratories can also play an important role in developing new treatments and interventions for combating antimicrobial resistance. In addition, having localized laboratory capacity can provide more accurate standardized data on the prevalence of drug-resistant infections, which can help inform policy decisions and public health interventions. Affordable medicines Finally, governments must work to increase access to high-quality, affordable medicines. This includes improving the availability of generic medicines, which are typically cheaper alternatives to brand-name drugs. They also need to increase access to newer, more effective antibiotics.

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Pharma Tech

Tips for Managing Chronic Pain Beyond Prescription Painkillers

Article | July 19, 2022

Painkillers like Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin, have been prescribed by primary physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other healthcare providers to patients suffering from varying levels of pain. Though these medications have proven to be an effective source of pain relief, they have also proven to be highly addictive. In fact, it has even been reported that there are more cases of a drug overdose and deaths from prescription painkillers than heroin or cocaine. While there are a number of factors that play into this opioid epidemic, educating doctors and patients on alternative solutions to managing chronic pain is a great place to start combatting this nationwide crisis.

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Pharma Tech

What are the advantages of PCD Pharma Company?

Article | July 12, 2022

PCD Pharma stands for propaganda distribution. A PCD company gives brand name and support to its franchises. They also provide distribution rights and monopoly rights within a particular region. If a person wants to establish their business, it is a must for them to know the pros and cons of the business to make a sound decision. Needless to mention that PCD company has a lot to contribute in the medical filed. Worldwide in a medical field, A PCD Pharma Company is playing an essential and crucial role in the rapid growth. The pharma industry is progressing t a fast pace. The company uses the latest technologies for each brand which ensures the safety of products and accepts the responsibility of human health & life by providing better outcomes. To have a drug license number and company registration, the cost to establish the company is quite cost-effective that is15000-20000rs. So this gives people a brilliant opportunity to have their unit without digging a big hole in their bank balance. Indian produces exquisite quality products, which make pharma companies a considerable success.

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WALGREEN’S IN HOT WATER OVER PHONY PHARMACIST

Article | February 11, 2020

The drugstore chain agreed to pay $7.5 million in fines after an unlicensed pharmacist at several San Francisco Bay locations illegally filled more than 700,000 prescriptions over a ten-year period. According to California prosecutors, Kim Thien Le stole license numbers from other pharmacists to fill prescriptions for Fentanyl, morphine, and other painkillers. Le pleaded guilty to multiple felony impersonation counts. Walgreen’s agreed to the settlement to avoid being charged with consumer fraud in Alameda and Santa Anna Counties. Prosecutors alleged that Walgreen’s failed to verify Le’s license and did not conduct a thorough background check. The company insisted it has taken remedial measures.

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Spotlight

Florida Hospital

This is whole-person care. And we’re coming together under one unified name to heal what hurts, ease your mind, and lift your spirit. The same doctors you know, the same care you trust, and the same level of compassion you’ve always felt. Soon, we’ll be caring for your whole health as AdventHealth. We are elevating the standard of your care with our connected network of world-class experts, the latest technology, and locations close to home. No matter where you are in life, you and your family are covered from head to toe with heart-to-heart care every step of the way.

Related News

Benzer Pharmacy and ScriptDrop “Sign, Seal” New Deal for ALL Mail Order Deliveries

Benzer Pharmacy | June 05, 2019

Benzer Pharmacy is proud to announce that it has joined forces with ScriptDrop, the first mobile courier application for delivering medications to patients, as part of efforts to drive down costs and improve adherence rates—especially for those who might fail to pick-up their prescriptions at the pharmacy—due to the inconvenience. According to Company Spokesperson Nicholas Potts, ScriptDrop embodies, “The first medication delivery program [of its kind] to integrate directly into the pharmacist’s existing workflow … reducing [incidences] of medication abandonment through innovation at the pharmacy.” Meghann Chilcott, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer, further put the move into perspective, saying, “By partnering with ScriptDrop for in-workflow prescription delivery, we are working to make the process more efficient for our member pharmacists, while promoting a seamless delivery solution for patients.” “Even better,” Chilcott continued, “ScriptDrop has achieved something quite remarkable in developing the first logistics platform designed specifically for pharmaceutical deliveries in the U.S.—powered by technology that now allows the pharmacy to track ‘chain of custody’ by providing real-time delivery status updates and digital signatures.”

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Benzer Pharmacy Joins MinibarRx® on Mission to Improve Adult Vaccination Rates

Benzer Pharmacy | July 16, 2019

Talk about the importance of being vaccinated is pretty common, but unfortunately, words don’t always translate into action for countless adults. To help compensate for the shortfall, Benzer Pharmacy is introducing MinibarRx® multi-vaccine, SMART refrigeration systems in select locations throughout its organization. Describing the reasoning behind the rollout, Tonya Shackelford, VP of Clinical Services, explained that MinibarRx offers patients safe, convenient, and easily affordable access to a variety of essential vaccines in just one-stop at participating Benzer locations. “When patients learn they need a vaccine, like Hepatitis A, for example, they don’t want to wait several days for it to be ordered; then, have to make a second trip for administration,” Shackelford said. “Having a perpetual inventory in stock can be instrumental to preventing potentially life-threatening diseases.” According to a statement on the company’s website, MinibarRx represents the product of over 30 years of specialty drug distribution and over 40 years of smart refrigeration technology experience, providing pharmacists with a profoundly unique and functional cold supply chain, inventory management solution for vaccines and biologics.

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Benzer Pharmacy Stocks Up New Inventory Management Solutions with OrderInsite

Benzer Pharmacy | July 16, 2019

Benzer Pharmacy proudly announces the start of a joint initiative with OrderInsite™ to improve inventory management processes across its system, ensuring that medications are always in-stock and ready for pick-up without exception. In the words of Meghann Chilcott, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer for Benzer Pharmacy, the move is intended to produce a two-fold outcome that benefits participating pharmacies in terms of optimizing reserves for better margins, while enhancing the ability of frontline staff members to deliver exceptional customer service at the point-of-sale. “Few things are as frustrating for patients as having to leave the pharmacy empty handed, so we decided to do something about it,” Chilcott reasoned. “Now, by teaming up with OrderInsite, we’ve added in extra layers of protection to guard against preventable shortfalls in drugs on hand.” She continued, “On our end, reluctantly having to say, ‘We’re sorry, but we’re out,’ is simply no longer acceptable under any circumstances.” While Chilcott’s assertion is easier said than done, the technology that makes it possible has a track record of proven success and is currently used by OrderInsite partners such as the American Association of Pharmacies (AAP), PioneerRx, and Medi-Span, among others.

Read More

Benzer Pharmacy and ScriptDrop “Sign, Seal” New Deal for ALL Mail Order Deliveries

Benzer Pharmacy | June 05, 2019

Benzer Pharmacy is proud to announce that it has joined forces with ScriptDrop, the first mobile courier application for delivering medications to patients, as part of efforts to drive down costs and improve adherence rates—especially for those who might fail to pick-up their prescriptions at the pharmacy—due to the inconvenience. According to Company Spokesperson Nicholas Potts, ScriptDrop embodies, “The first medication delivery program [of its kind] to integrate directly into the pharmacist’s existing workflow … reducing [incidences] of medication abandonment through innovation at the pharmacy.” Meghann Chilcott, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer, further put the move into perspective, saying, “By partnering with ScriptDrop for in-workflow prescription delivery, we are working to make the process more efficient for our member pharmacists, while promoting a seamless delivery solution for patients.” “Even better,” Chilcott continued, “ScriptDrop has achieved something quite remarkable in developing the first logistics platform designed specifically for pharmaceutical deliveries in the U.S.—powered by technology that now allows the pharmacy to track ‘chain of custody’ by providing real-time delivery status updates and digital signatures.”

Read More

Benzer Pharmacy Joins MinibarRx® on Mission to Improve Adult Vaccination Rates

Benzer Pharmacy | July 16, 2019

Talk about the importance of being vaccinated is pretty common, but unfortunately, words don’t always translate into action for countless adults. To help compensate for the shortfall, Benzer Pharmacy is introducing MinibarRx® multi-vaccine, SMART refrigeration systems in select locations throughout its organization. Describing the reasoning behind the rollout, Tonya Shackelford, VP of Clinical Services, explained that MinibarRx offers patients safe, convenient, and easily affordable access to a variety of essential vaccines in just one-stop at participating Benzer locations. “When patients learn they need a vaccine, like Hepatitis A, for example, they don’t want to wait several days for it to be ordered; then, have to make a second trip for administration,” Shackelford said. “Having a perpetual inventory in stock can be instrumental to preventing potentially life-threatening diseases.” According to a statement on the company’s website, MinibarRx represents the product of over 30 years of specialty drug distribution and over 40 years of smart refrigeration technology experience, providing pharmacists with a profoundly unique and functional cold supply chain, inventory management solution for vaccines and biologics.

Read More

Benzer Pharmacy Stocks Up New Inventory Management Solutions with OrderInsite

Benzer Pharmacy | July 16, 2019

Benzer Pharmacy proudly announces the start of a joint initiative with OrderInsite™ to improve inventory management processes across its system, ensuring that medications are always in-stock and ready for pick-up without exception. In the words of Meghann Chilcott, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer for Benzer Pharmacy, the move is intended to produce a two-fold outcome that benefits participating pharmacies in terms of optimizing reserves for better margins, while enhancing the ability of frontline staff members to deliver exceptional customer service at the point-of-sale. “Few things are as frustrating for patients as having to leave the pharmacy empty handed, so we decided to do something about it,” Chilcott reasoned. “Now, by teaming up with OrderInsite, we’ve added in extra layers of protection to guard against preventable shortfalls in drugs on hand.” She continued, “On our end, reluctantly having to say, ‘We’re sorry, but we’re out,’ is simply no longer acceptable under any circumstances.” While Chilcott’s assertion is easier said than done, the technology that makes it possible has a track record of proven success and is currently used by OrderInsite partners such as the American Association of Pharmacies (AAP), PioneerRx, and Medi-Span, among others.

Read More

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