Experts | University of the Sciences

Medication Adherence—There’s An App For That Too!

Medication adherence has been a topic of interest for health care providers, caregivers and third-party providers alike. While practitioners work hard to select optimal drug therapy for their patients, clinical improvements may not always result as expected. This inefficacy in treatment often stems from the inability of patients to adhere to the treatment regimens set forth by providers. While many patients struggle to adhere to their regimens for a number of reasons, technology-centered initiatives like the MediSafe© Project are taking advantage of the utility of smart phone applications to steer consumers towards better adherence. MediSafe® allows patients to scan drug...

CER Lectures and program

University of the Sciences is hosting an informative three-part lecture series focusing on Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER). The aim of the lecture series is to introduce the campus to the concept of CER and build a foundation of knowledge. The lectures scheduled for January 30th, February 28th and March 28th. The topics include CER and health information technology, CER and the use of real-world data and the future of CER. Speakers include Dr. Jean-Paul Gagnon, Dr. Marcus Wilson and Dr. Sandy Schwartz. All lectures will be held on campus. For more information on the lecture series, go here. This lecture...

New Medication Bottles and Labels Improve Patient Compliance/Adherence

So does a new and improved label for a prescription bottle really improve patient compliance? Similarly, does a flattened (versus a round) bottle make a patient take their medication more consistently? Would having all medications packaged in a blister pak alleviate the ailment of medication forgetfullness? This Wall Street Journal article suggests that it does. In fact, the research it points to does show that there is improved medication taking behavior. But hold on, for those patients on multiple medications multiple times a day, would having 5-10 different sets of blister packs really help? It might, but then again so...

Pharmacy Student Capitalizes on Her Skills During Summer Internship

Unicel-Anne Flores PharmD’14 (fourth from left in the white shirt) posing with a few coworkers for an Olympic-inspired "fun" project. "The great thing about Pfizer was that they always had us engaged on work outside of our "work work"." A summer internship at Pfizer made Unicel-Anne Flores PharmD’14 realize that her studies at University of the Sciences translated into real world outcomes. She encourages other students to consider the internship experience a pathway to gain even more experience. This past summer I had an amazing opportunity to work as a pharmacy intern for Pfizer in Madison, N.J. I worked under...

Earth: Our tiny enclave

Physics Professor Paul Halpern, author of "Edge of the Universe: A Voyage to the Cosmic Horizon and Beyond," writes that some of the most active advocates for peace have been scientists … (they) were among the scientific luminaries who worked tirelessly for global harmony. Perhaps their understanding of Earth's preciousness as the only known planet with life helped inspire their efforts. Read more in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Exercise Science & Wellness Management – is that even a major?

(sigh!) The all too often question we get from students and parents which demonstrates the lack of knowledge of this silently booming industry. Are you surprised to learn Exercise Science students take rigorous science courses such as Biology, Human Structure & Function, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Kinesiology? This Exercise Science undergraduate major now becomes an ideal primer for graduate programs such as Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Exercise Science students learn how to conduct such health assessments as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, air displacement plethysmography, pulse oximetry and biofeedback technology also preparing students for such graduate medical programs as...

Brand Name and Generic Drug Manufacturers Teaming Up? Proper Drug Disposal as the Common Thread

Brand name and generic manufacturers are finding a reason to team up...against a local California municipality. Alameda County passed a law requiring drug manufacturers to establish, and fund, a mechanism for consumers to properly dispose of their medications. Proper disposal of medications will help minimize the environmental exposure to potentially harmful chemicals such as hormones, antibiotics and other drugs. Most experts agree that a majority of the medications get into the environment through human and animal urine/feces containing the drugs or their metabolites. Currently, sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove these substances so another strategy is to limit...

State-based Insurance Exchange bill vetoed in NJ

The fact that Chris Christie vetoed a bill which would have allowed insurance exchanges to operate in NJ indicates that he does not have confidence in the implementation of the insurance exchange program developed under the affordable care act. New Jersey will default to the Federal Option. NY and CT declared moving toward a state-based exchange system while DE is utilizing the State Partnership Option Selection of a state-based, federally based or state-partnerships must be declared to Secretary Sebelius by December 14, 2012. State-based exchanges maintain control over which qualified health plans (QHPs) operate within the state while partnerships utilize...

Pharmacy-Assisted Suicide - at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.

By Dr. Daniel A. Hussar is the Remington Professor of Pharmacy at University of the Sciences' Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He serves as the author and editor of The Pharmacist Activist newsletter (http://www.pharmacistactivist.com) from which this editorial was taken. Suicide by smoking cigarettes! "Warning: Smoking Can Kill You," is the title of an editorial in The New York Times (August 27, 2012). It is a slower death than what we usually associate with the word "suicide." But premature death is the consequence for many smokers. More than 400,000 Americans die each year as a result of disease and complications from...

Proper Disposal of Medications - New Law in New Jersey

Governor Christie recently signed a bill put forth by Somerset County Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), requiring the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue recommendations for the proper disposal of unused medications. Further, the bill requires health care institutions to submit to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the DEP a plan for proper disposal of unused prescription medications. Failure to implement these rules will result in fines for the health care institution. Remember the following guidelines when disposing of personal medications: 1. Mix medicines (do NOT crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such...