Implementation and Evaluation of a Residency Preparation Program for Fourth-Year Doctor of Pharmacy Students

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of a formal residency preparation program on student match rates, and to evaluate student-reported advisement activities and perceptions of the residency application process.

METHODS

An optional, noncredit-bearing, residency preparation program was implemented in professional year 4 (PY4) of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. The program consisted of 4 residency preparation presentations and/or workshops: curriculum vitae writing, navigating the residency application process and American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy Midyear Clinical Meeting, letter of intent writing, and interview skills. Students attended either virtually or in person, with 3 of the 4 sessions including small group breakout sessions. The program also included dedicated, 1-on-1 residency advisement with residency-experienced advisors.

RESULTS

Residency match rates following program implementation increased from 74.3% (comparison group) to 87.5% (intervention group). More students in the intervention group reported that their advisor assisted them with curriculum vitae review, letter of intent review, and interview skills. In addition, the intervention group reported significantly more time spent meeting with their advisor during PY4 than the comparison group. Students found the program to be beneficial to their professional development, indicated that it helped them to obtain a residency position, and expressed that they would participate in the residency preparation program again.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a formal residency preparation program for PY4 students that included 1-on-1 dedicated residency advisement increased match rates and interaction between students and their residency advisor.

Reviewing Promotion Dossiers as a Professional Responsibility

Promotion is accompanied by additional responsibility, few more important than serving as a formal external reviewer of promotion dossiers. Promotion and tenure committees rely on external peer review to provide an outside perspective regarding the impact of the candidate's work and how they compare to peers with the same or higher academic rank. What the external reviewer writes and opines impacts the promotion and/or tenure decision. When presented with this opportunity, a faculty member needs to respond to the request, familiarize themselves with the candidate and their promotion and/or tenure criteria, conduct a critical read of the dossier, and write an evaluative letter. This commentary serves as a call for faculty members at the rank of associate and full professor to engage as a reviewer when called upon, provides advice about how to approach an external review and write the letter, and discusses how schools and professional organizations can participate in this process.

The Five Most Important Lessons I Learned Along the Path to Clinical Professor

Data from the Academy indicate that non-tenure track (NTT) faculty are not ascending academic ranks to the same extent as tenured/tenure-track faculty. The reasons for this are likely multifactorial but may include a lack of direction, purpose, and resources. While there is more than one way to arrive at a particular destination in academia, it seems wise to listen and learn from those who have traveled the path. In this Commentary, which is directed to new and mid-career NTT faculty, I discuss the five most important lessons I learned along the path to becoming a clinical professor. This includes the importance of humility and serving others, setting goals (and advocating for the time you need to reach them), working smart (not simply hard), taking an active role in advancing the profession, and finally, taking time away from work and seeking alternative work arrangements that promote work-life balance.

Implementation and Assessment of a Heart Failure Virtual Patient Simulation in a Required Pharmacotherapy Course

Objective. To assess second year Doctor of Pharmacy students' academic performance in and perceptions of a heart failure (HF) virtual patient simulation used in a required pharmacotherapy course.Methods. A heart failure virtual patient simulation was created to augment heart failure pharmacotherapy course material at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the fall of 2019. This was a retrospective, pre-post observational cohort study. The primary objective was to compare student performance on heart failure pharmacotherapy examination questions in a cohort of students who completed a virtual patient simulation in 2019 compared to a control cohort who completed a paper-based case activity in 2018. Student perceptions of the simulation experience were assessed via electronic survey.Results. Students completed either the virtual patient simulation (n=122) or a paper-based case activity (n=123). Overall, the proportion of correctly answered heart failure pharmacotherapy examination questions was 83.3% in the virtual simulation group compared to 79.2% in the paper-based case group. Survey results indicated that students would prefer that the virtual patient simulation be incorporated in the pharmacotherapy curriculum.Conclusion. Use of a heart failure virtual patient simulation was associated with improved examination performance and was well received by students.

Transitions of care education in US colleges and schools of pharmacy

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacist-led transitions of care (TOC) services have demonstrated a positive impact on patient care and professional pharmacy organizations recommend integration of TOC-related education into doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curricula. The objective of this study is to determine the extent to which TOC is taught in United States (US) colleges and schools of pharmacy and to characterize the educational content and the instructional methods used.

METHODS

An 18-question electronic survey about TOC education was sent to US school of pharmacy faculty. One survey response per school was requested. Schools with an accredited or candidate-status PharmD program were included and duplicate responses from schools were adjudicated and combined.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 54.6% (n = 77). Of the responding schools, 92.2% reported incorporating TOC content into their required didactic curriculum and 43.1% reported incorporating TOC content in their elective didactic curriculum. Of the 11 TOC-related topics included in the survey, 3 were covered universally in the required or elective didactic curricula of responding schools. Both lecture and active-learning pedagogies were used to teach TOC. Introductory pharmacy practice experiences and advanced pharmacy practice experiences that incorporate TOC were offered at 85.3% and 98.5% of schools, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Most schools of pharmacy who responded to this survey included TOC-related content in their curricula. Research into best practices for educating students on this topic is needed to help ensure graduates are prepared to contribute to this area of practice.

Ascending the Levels of Leadership in Pharmacy Academia

The influence of a leader depends on their position, the quality of their relationships with those they are striving to lead, what they have done for the organization, what they have done for their colleagues, and who they are and what they represent. Strong academic leaders who continually refine their leadership style can advance through the levels of leadership: position, permission, production, people development, and ultimately, personhood. To do so, one must build relationships, invest in others, and center activities on serving the needs of the people, the organization, and key partners. This necessitates approaching the situation with a strategic question: "How can administrators, faculty/staff, students, alumni, and site leadership work together in a way that encourages both individual and collective success?" In the end, we, as leaders, should strive to positively impact our profession, our organization, and the lives of those we have been entrusted to lead: ascending the levels of leadership helps us do just that.

Joint Statement on Pediatric Education at Schools of Pharmacy

Providing health care for children is a unique specialty, and pediatric patients represent approximately 25% of the population. Education of pharmacy students on patients across the lifespan is required by current Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education standards and outcomes; thus, it is essential that pharmacy students gain a proficiency in caring for children. A collaborative panel of pediatric faculty members from schools and colleges of pharmacy was established to review the current literature regarding pediatric education in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula and establish updated recommendations for the provision of pediatric pharmacy education. This statement outlines five recommendations supporting inclusion of pediatric content and skills in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula.

Facilitating Wellbeing in a Turbulent Time

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and study. As faculty members, staff members, and students attempt to create and maintain a new normal because of this pandemic, the preservation of wellbeing becomes the responsibility of each and every one of us. The pandemic has taught us not to presume the importance of wellbeing and has allowed us time to reflect on establishing new assumptions and beliefs about how and when we work and study; how to be more efficient in our work and home responsibilities; and above all, what is most important. We must support ourselves and our students by maintaining a routine, modifying work and coursework expectations, and seeking psychosocial support if needed. Focusing on promoting wellbeing through leadership will move our institutions forward to a brighter future beyond COVID-19.

Implementation of a Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Program within a Primary Care Practice: A Two-Phase Pilot Study

Pharmacists in primary care settings have unique opportunities to address the causes of ineffective care transitions. The objective of this study is to describe the implementation of a multifaceted pharmacist transitions of care (TOC) intervention integrated into a primary care practice and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. This was a two-phase pilot study describing the development, testing, and evaluation of the TOC program. In Phase 1, the TOC intervention was implemented in a general patient population, while Phase 2 focused the intervention on high-risk patients. The two pilot phases were compared to each other (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2) and to a historical control group of patients who received usual care prior to the intervention (Phase 1 and Phase 2 vs. control). The study included 138 patients in the intervention group (Phase 1: 101 and Phase 2: 37) and 118 controls. At baseline, controls had a significantly lower LACE index, shorter length of stay, and a lower number of medications at discharge, indicating less medical complexity. A total of 344 recommendations were provided over both phases, approximately 80% of which were accepted. In adjusted models, there were no significant differences in 30-day all-cause readmissions between Phase 2 and controls (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.21-2.89; p = 0.71) or Phase 1 (aOR 0.99; 95% CI 0.30-3.37; p = 0.99). This study successfully implemented a pharmacist-led TOC intervention within a primary care setting using a two-phase pilot design. More robust studies are needed in order to identify TOC interventions that reduce healthcare utilization in a cost-effective manner.

Implementation of a Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Program within a Primary Care Practice: A Two-Phase Pilot Study

Pharmacists in primary care settings have unique opportunities to address the causes of ineffective care transitions. The objective of this study is to describe the implementation of a multifaceted pharmacist transitions of care (TOC) intervention integrated into a primary care practice and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. This was a two-phase pilot study describing the development, testing, and evaluation of the TOC program. In Phase 1, the TOC intervention was implemented in a general patient population, while Phase 2 focused the intervention on high-risk patients. The two pilot phases were compared to each other (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2) and to a historical control group of patients who received usual care prior to the intervention (Phase 1 and Phase 2 vs. control). The study included 138 patients in the intervention group (Phase 1: 101 and Phase 2: 37) and 118 controls. At baseline, controls had a significantly lower LACE index, shorter length of stay, and a lower number of medications at discharge, indicating less medical complexity. A total of 344 recommendations were provided over both phases, approximately 80% of which were accepted. In adjusted models, there were no significant differences in 30-day all-cause readmissions between Phase 2 and controls (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.21-2.89; p = 0.71) or Phase 1 (aOR 0.99; 95% CI 0.30-3.37; p = 0.99). This study successfully implemented a pharmacist-led TOC intervention within a primary care setting using a two-phase pilot design. More robust studies are needed in order to identify TOC interventions that reduce healthcare utilization in a cost-effective manner.

Comparative Effectiveness of Vancomycin Versus Linezolid for the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Exacerbations of Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Data are limited regarding the preferred antibiotics for treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations (APEs) of cystic fibrosis (CF), when methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is suspected. Objective: To compare the rate of return to baseline lung function among individuals with APEs of CF treated with either vancomycin or linezolid. Methods: This retrospective study included individuals hospitalized for APEs of CF from May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2017 who were infected with MRSA and treated with vancomycin or linezolid. The primary outcome was the return to baseline lung function, as measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. All tests were 2-tailed with α set at 0.05. Results: A total of 122 encounters were included (vancomycin: n = 66; linezolid: n = 66). No difference existed in return to baseline FEV1 between vancomycin (53 [80.3%]) and linezolid (50 [75.8%]; P = 0.53); nor was there a difference in median percentage change in FEV1 from admission to follow-up between vancomycin (24.7%) and linezolid (20.7%; P = 0.61). Adverse drug events occurred more frequently in patient encounters treated with vancomycin (10 [15.2%]) compared with linezolid (2 [3%]; P = 0.002). Conclusion and Relevance: Our study observed no difference in the effectiveness of vancomycin compared with linezolid in terms of change in lung function for APEs of CF. The rate of adverse drug events was low. In individuals with CF infected with MRSA who are experiencing an APE, either vancomycin or linezolid appear to be viable treatment options.

Comparing Pharmacotherapy Instruction to the 2009 and 2016 ACCP Toolkit Recommendations

Objective. To compare pharmacotherapy instruction in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs with the 2009 and 2016 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) pharmacotherapy toolkits. Methods. A survey was sent to representatives at US schools and colleges with PharmD programs. The survey consisted of questions pertaining to pharmacotherapy credit-hours, contact time spent for each therapeutic subject area, and pedagogical methods used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. Representatives from 75 of 129 PharmD programs responded (response rate 58%). A median of 23 credit-hours were devoted to required pharmacotherapy. Infectious diseases and cardiology were taught with the most number of contact hours. Lecture was the most popular principal method of instruction delivery but the incorporation of case-based learning was also common. Conclusion. Devoted curricular time to pharmacotherapy is adequate to provide coverage of tier 1 and 2 topics from the ACCP toolkit. PharmD programs should continue to review their pharmacotherapy coursework to adjust topic coverage as needed to incorporate active learning strategies whenever possible.

Comparison of prescribing patterns between United States and Dominican Republic prescribers on short-term medical mission trips

Background

Short-term medical missions (STMMs) have increased and are viewed as a way to extend care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although benefits may exist, visiting teams may lack insight into using medications safely and effectively. The primary objective was to assess prescribing differences between US-based and Dominican Republic (DR) healthcare providers on STMMs in the DR.

Methods

A retrospective database review between January 2013 and 2015 was conducted. Data from US and DR groups were compared for differences in diagnoses, medication classes prescribed and prescriptions per patient.

Results

The mean number of medical conditions diagnosed per patient in the DR (n=423) and US groups (n=1585) were 1.4±0.9 and 1.0±0.8, respectively. The diagnosis of infectious diseases was the same as non-communicable diseases. The DR group prescribed more medications at each patient encounter (mean 2.6 vs 2.2, respectively; p<0.001). The US group prescribed more antibiotics for respiratory infections (US 46.2% vs DR 25.0%; p=0.0001), used more metronidazole than albendazole alone for parasite infections (p=0.0022) and used more oral fluconazole for vaginal candidiasis (p<0.0001) and tinea infections (US 44.6%, DR 14.3%, respectively; p=0.0020).

Conclusions

Although some significant prescribing differences exist between US and DR providers, many similarities were present. Visiting providers should understand the medication use system and disease burden before providing care in an LMIC.

Vancomycin Versus Vancomycin Plus Rifampin for the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Exacerbations of Cystic Fibrosis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the change in pulmonary function in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) treated with either vancomycin (VAN) alone or vancomycin plus rifampin (VAN-RIF).

METHODS

Included patients were ages 6 to 20 years; hospitalized for an acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) of CF from May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2014; had a respiratory tract culture positive for MRSA within 1 month of index hospital admission; received at least 48 consecutive hours of VAN or VAN-RIF; and had admission and discharge pulmonary function tests. The primary end point was change in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁).

RESULTS

A total of 39 encounters met inclusion criteria: 24 in the VAN group (mean age 15.1 years) and 15 in the VAN-RIF group (mean age 13.7 years). There were no between-group differences in mean percent change in FEV₁ (32.6% ± 28.8% vs. 21.1% ± 12.1%; p = 0.091), mean percent change in forced vital capacity (22.6% ± 25.8% vs. 14% ± 9.4%; p = 0.127), or return to baseline FEV₁ (20 [83.3%] vs. 14 [93.3%] patients; p = 0.631). Median (IQR) length of stay (13 days [11-14 days] vs. 13 days [9-14 days]; p = 0.6) and median (IQR) time to readmission (82 days [43-129 days] vs. 147 days [78-219 days]; p = 0.2) were similar between the VAN and VAN-RIF groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Vancomycin monotherapy appears to be adequate when treating APEs of CF in children and adolescents with moderate lung disease and high MRSA VAN minimum inhibitory concentrations. Therefore, the addition of RIF may be unnecessary; however, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Characterization of Vaccination Policies for Attendance and Employment at Day/Summer Camps in New York State

INTRODUCTION

New York state requires day/summer camps to keep immunization records for all enrolled campers and strongly recommends requiring vaccination for all campers and staff. The objective of this study was to characterize immunization requirements/recommendations for children/adolescents enrolled in and staff employed at day/summer camps in New York state.

METHODS

An electronic hyperlink to a 9-question survey instrument was distributed via e-mail to 178 day/summer camps located in New York state cities with a population size greater than 100 000 people. A follow-up telephone survey was offered to nonresponders. The survey instrument included questions pertaining to vaccination documentation policies for campers/staff and the specific vaccines that the camp required/recommended. Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data.

RESULTS

Sixty-five day/summer camps responded to the survey (36.5% response rate): 48 (73.8%) and 23 (41.8%) camps indicated having a policy/procedure for documenting vaccinations for campers and staff, respectively. Camps that had a policy/procedure for campers were more likely to have a policy/procedure for staff (P = .0007). Age-appropriate vaccinations that were required/recommended for campers by at least 80% of camps included: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, inactivated/oral poliovirus (IPV/OPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and varicella. Age-appropriate vaccinations that were required/recommended for staff by at least 80% of camps included: DTaP, hepatitis B, IPV/OPV, MMR, meningococcus, varicella, Hib, and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).

CONCLUSION

Vaccination policies at day/summer camps in New York state appear to be suboptimal. Educational outreach may encourage camps to strengthen their immunization policies, which may reduce the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Association of Vancomycin Trough Concentration With Response to Treatment for Acute Pulmonary Exacerbation of Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Our goal was to determine the relationship between serum vancomycin trough concentrations (VTCs) and changes in pulmonary function among individuals with an acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) of cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS

We included subjects who were ≥6 years of age, were hospitalized for an APE of CF between May 1, 2012, and April 30, 2014, were administered vancomycin for ≥48 hours, and had a history of airway infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pearson correlations were performed to characterize the relationship between VTC and pulmonary function.

RESULTS

The mean final VTC (± standard deviation) was 12.6 ± 3.3 µg/mL; 40 (81.6%) of 49 final VTCs were in the range of 10 to <15 µg/mL. The mean change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) between admission and discharge was 24.5% ± 24.4% (P < .001) of predicted values. Forty-two (85.7%) patients returned to their baseline FEV1. No correlation between the change in FEV1 and VTC (Pearson r = -0.10; P = .49) was identified. Similarly, VTC, daily weight-adjusted vancomycin dose, and vancomycin area under the concentration-time curve normalized to the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) were not significant predictors of change in FEV1 or return to baseline FEV1 on multivariate analysis. One (2%) subject experienced acute kidney injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients experienced improvement in pulmonary function and a return to their baseline FEV1 while achieving a VTC in the range of 10 to <15 µg/mL. We were unable to identify a correlation between markers of vancomycin exposure and change in pulmonary function test results. Additional studies are needed to reinforce the efficacy of VTCs of 10 to 15 µg/mL for treating APEs of CF.

Clinical impact of laboratory error on therapeutic drug monitoring of once-daily tobramycin in cystic fibrosis: Case series

Once-daily dosing intravenous tobramycin is commonly used to treat cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations. Clinicians often utilize historical therapeutic drug monitoring data to individualize the dose among patients who have been treated with tobramycin previously. This case series involves three patients with cystic fibrosis who had supra-therapeutic tobramycin levels despite use of a once-daily dosing that produced therapeutic drug levels during a previous hospital admission, raising questions about the validity of these levels. Investigation into several potential sources of error led to the discovery of an analyzer error in the laboratory. Once the laboratory’s tobramycin analyzer was recalibrated, the reported levels were comparable to historical levels. This case series emphasizes the clinical importance of critically analyzing reported levels, and specifically, the importance of utilizing past therapeutic drug monitoring data, if available, for all patients treated with intravenous tobramycin. If a patient was therapeutic on a similar dose of tobramycin during a previous admission, a dose adjustment may not be necessary, and clinicians should consider repeating levels while pursuing alternative explanations for the discrepant serum levels.

Inhaled aztreonam lysine: an evidence-based review

INTRODUCTION

Chronic airway infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is linked with progressive loss of pulmonary function and is the primary cause of mortality. Treatment regimens have generally focused on the use of chronic antibiotic therapy to target Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), a major pathogen associated with a decline in FEV1%. Specifically, inhaled antibiotic therapy provides high antibiotic sputum concentrations and decreases bacterial burden.

AREAS COVERED

This article describes the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, microbiology and safety of aztreonam lysine (AZLI, Cayston), an inhaled antibiotic indicated for use in CF patients with PA. Articles were identified using MEDLINE (1966 - June 13, 2013) and EMBASE (1947 - June 13, 2013). Abstracts from the annual meeting (2011 - 2012) of the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference were searched to identify additional publications.

EXPERT OPINION

AZLI is an additional product that can be used in the management of CF and will likely play a major role in the suppression of PA. Clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in pulmonary function and patient reported symptoms. AZLI may therefore be used as an alternative to traditional inhaled antibiotics in patients with moderate-to-severe CF and PA colonization. Further investigation is warranted into use of AZLI in mild lung disease and for PA eradication.

National survey of extended-interval aminoglycoside dosing in pediatric cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations

OBJECTIVES

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recently deemed the use of extended-interval dosing (EID) of aminoglycosides acceptable for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations, but current practices across United States (US) pediatric CF accredited care centers and affiliate programs are unknown. The objectives of this research are to characterize the practice trends, dosing strategies, therapeutic drug monitoring practices, and adverse drug reaction monitoring of EID of aminoglycosides in the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations across US pediatric CF programs.

METHODS

A 38-question online survey was distributed on behalf of the author by the CF Foundation to all US pediatric CF accredited care centers and affiliate programs.

RESULTS

Of the 70 participating CF programs (42.2% survey response rate), 94.3% reported using EID of aminoglycosides (as once-daily or twice-daily dosing), whereas 84.3% reported using once-daily EID in their pediatric CF population. The frequency of EID use increased with patient age. Tobramycin dosed 10 mg/kg per day every 24 hours, infused over the course of 30 minutes, in combination with an antipseudomonal beta-lactam, was the most commonly cited regimen. Monitoring of aminoglycoside serum concentrations was reported by 98.5% of programs, with a tobramycin peak of 25 to 30 mg/L and trough of less than 1 mg/L targeted most frequently. Nephrotoxicity was commonly monitored through serum creatinine measurements, whereas ototoxicity was monitored by audiometry in approximately one-half of programs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the use of EID of aminoglycosides across US pediatric CF accredited care centers and affiliate programs is common, particularly among adolescents, with tobramycin being the preferred agent.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis in Special Populations: Is it Something Worth Considering in Cystic Fibrosis and Immunosuppression?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Prophylaxis with palivizumab is effective in reducing RSV hospitalizations in premature infants and in infants or children with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease. Patients with CF or those who are immunocompromised may be at increased risk for RSV infection-related complications; hence, prophylaxis may prove beneficial to these populations. The extent of palivizumab use in the CF and immunocompromised populations is variable. Palivizumab appears to be safe and may be effective in infants and young children with CF and immunocompromise. However, well-designed, randomized, controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals are lacking, and its routine use can therefore not be recommended at this time. If used in patients with CF or those who are immunocompromised, RSV prophylaxis should be restricted to peak outbreak months in order to optimize the cost benefit of palivizumab.

Continuous-infusion antipseudomonal Beta-lactam therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, stability, pharmacoeconomics, and quality-of-life effects of continuous-infusion antipseudomonal beta-lactam therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

DATA SOURCES

Literature retrieval was accessed through Medline (from 1950 to December 2010) using the following terms: cystic fibrosis; beta-lactams or piperacillin or ticarcillin or cefepime or ceftazidime or doripenem or meropenem or imipenem/cilastin or aztreonam; continuous infusion or constant infusion; drug stability; economics, pharmaceutical; and quality of life. In addition, reference citations from identified publications were reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

We evaluated all articles in English identified from the data sources.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Patients with CF often harbor colonies of multidrug-resistant organisms, increasing the risk of suboptimal dosing and failure to meet the time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) pharmacodynamic targets. The pharmacokinetics of continuous-infusion antipseudomonal beta-lactam therapy in CF maintains serum concentrations above the MIC of susceptible strains and is more likely than intermittent infusion to achieve optimal T > MIC targets for some intermediate and resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three noncomparative and four comparative studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of continuous-infusion antipseudomonal beta-lactam therapy during CF pulmonary exacerbations. Ceftazidime, the most extensively studied antibiotic for continuous infusion in CF, has been shown to improve forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), to improve forced vital capacity (FVC), and to extend the time between pulmonary exacerbations. Continuous-infusion cefepime has been studied in a small number of patients, and a trend toward improved pulmonary function has been observed. Continuous-infusion antipseudomonal beta-lactam therapy appears to be well tolerated, although most of the data pertain to ceftazidime. Because continuous infusion may necessitate that patients wear a portable pump in close proximity to the body, the stability of the antibiotic at body temperature must be considered. Several beta-lactams have good stability at body temperature (piperacillin/tazobactam, ticarcillin/clavulanate, and aztreonam) or acceptable if the medication cartridge is changed twice daily (cefepime and doripenem), whereas other beta-lactams have acceptable 24-hour stability only at lower temperatures (cefepime, ceftazidime, doripenem, and meropenem). Although no pharmacoeconomic studies have evaluated the cost-benefit of continuous infusion versus intermittent infusion in patients with CF, the potential medication cost reduction appears to be considerable. There is little information regarding the impact of continuous infusion on quality of life in patients with CF.

CONCLUSION

Efficacy and safety studies suggest that ceftazidime, administered as a continuous infusion for the treatment of CF pulmonary exacerbations, is safe and effective; has the potential to reduce the costs of treatment; and is preferred to intermittent infusion among patients treated at home. Continuous-infusion ceftazidime may therefore be an alternative to traditional dosing on a case-by-case basis, such as for patients with multidrug-resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa. Treatment with continuous-infusion ceftazidime at home may be considered in such a case, assuming resources and support equivalent to the hospital setting can be ensured. Additional studies assessing the safety and efficacy of other antipseudomonal beta-lactams, when administered as a continuous infusion, during CF pulmonary exacerbations are needed.

Cost effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis: a critical and systematic review

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US. The economic burden of severe disease is substantial, including hospitalization costs and out-of-pocket expenses. RSV prophylaxis with either RSV immune globulin intravenous (RSV-IGIV) or palivizumab has been shown to be effective in reducing RSV-related hospitalizations. Motavizumab, a new enhanced-potency humanized RSV monoclonal antibody, is presently in clinical trials. RSV-IGIV and palivizumab are associated with high acquisition costs. Cost-effectiveness analyses are therefore of great importance in helping to determine who should receive RSV prophylaxis. Six studies have analysed the cost effectiveness of RSV-IGIV, 14 have analysed the cost effectiveness of palivizumab and five have analysed the cost effectiveness of both agents, two of which directly compared palivizumab with RSV-IGIV. The cost effectiveness of motavizumab has not been studied. Significant variation exists in the modelling used in these analyses. Many studies have examined short-term benefits such as reducing hospitalizations and associated costs, while fewer studies have examined long-term benefits such as QALYs or life-years gained. The payer and society have been the most common perspectives used. The endpoints examined varied and generally did not account for the potential impact of RSV prophylaxis on RSV-related complications such as asthma. While some studies have reported acceptable cost-effectiveness ratios for RSV prophylaxis, the majority failed to show cost savings or cost-effectiveness ratios below commonly accepted thresholds for either RSV-IGIV or palivizumab. Cost effectiveness of RSV prophylaxis tended to be more favourable in populations with specific risk factors, including premature infants < or =32 weeks' gestational age, and infants or children aged < 2 years with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease. Comparing the results of economic analyses of the two agents suggests palivizumab may be the more cost-effective option in the population for which RSV prophylaxis is recommended. Over time, the acquisition cost of RSV prophylaxis agents, a major cost driver, may decrease, and more acceptable outcomes of economic analyses may result. Albeit important, the results of economic analyses are not the only tool that decision makers rely on, as population-specific risk factors, and efficacy and safety data must be considered when developing treatment guidelines and making clinical decisions.

Preparing pharmacy graduates for traditional and emerging career opportunities

Educational programs in pharmacy must focus on educating pharmacists of the future who are prepared to serve as competent and confident health care "providers" whose "practice" can occur in any number of current and future settings; and whose expertise is essential to an interprofessional health care team. Graduates must be able to incorporate a scholarly approach to their practice in identifying patient care problems; practicing in an evidence-based manner; and ensuring safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications. It is time for colleges and schools of pharmacy to implement contemporary teaching and assessment strategies that facilitate effective and efficient student learning that is focused at the graduate professional level, to evolve the content around which the curriculum is organized, and clearly articulate the abilities graduates must have to function effectively in the myriad professional roles in which they may find themselves.

Clinical Importance of Carbapenem Hypersensitivity in Patients with Self-Reported and Documented Penicillin Allergy

The risk of carbapenem hypersensitivity in patients with self-reported or documented penicillin allergy needs to be determined so that practitioners can make better-informed decisions regarding antibiotic therapy for this patient population. The risk of cross-reactivity between penicillin and carbapenem antibiotics initially was reported to approach 50%. Recent retrospective studies have suggested that the clinical risk of cross-hypersensitivity between these two drug classes is 9.2-11%, which is significantly lower than initially reported. Patients whose history of penicillin allergy is self-reported and is not type 1 may be at moderate risk for hypersensitivity when treated with a carbapenem antibiotic. The risk of hypersensitivity appears to be higher in patients whose penicillin allergy was documented by a health care provider, those with several antibiotic allergies, and those with a positive penicillin skin test result or a history of type 1 penicillin hypersensitivity.

Antiinflammatory Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis: Past, Present, and Future

Inflammation is a major component of the vicious cycle characterizing cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease. If untreated, this inflammatory process irreversibly damages the airways, leading to bronchiectasis and ultimately respiratory failure. Antiinflammatory drugs for cystic fibrosis lung disease appear to have beneficial effects on disease parameters. These agents include oral corticosteroids and ibuprofen, as well as azithromycin, which, in addition to its antimicrobial effects, also possesses antiinflammatory properties. Inhaled corticosteroids, colchicine, methotrexate, montelukast, pentoxifylline, nutritional supplements, and protease replacement have not had a significant impact on the disease. Therapy with oral corticosteroids, ibuprofen, and fish oil is limited by adverse effects. Azithromycin appears to be safe and effective, and is thus the most promising antiinflammatory therapy available for patients with cystic fibrosis. Pharmacologic therapy with antiinflammatory agents should be started early in the disease course, before extensive irreversible lung damage has occurred.

Sincalide in Patients with Parenteral Nutrition—Associated Gallbladder Disease

OBJECTIVE

To review the role of sincalide in treating and preventing parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated gallbladder disease.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE (1996–March 2004) search was performed using the key terms cholecystokinin, sincalide, parenteral nutrition, cholelithiasis, cholestasis, and sludge.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Five human studies investigated the safety and efficacy of sincalide in patients with PN-associated gallbladder disease. Sincalide at intravenous doses of 0.04 μg/kg 3 times daily increased bile flow and improved serum bilirubin levels. However, patients with advanced liver disease did not respond to sincalide therapy. Long-term follow-up data on sincalide effects on liver disease progression are not yet available.

CONCLUSIONS

Sincalide improved the signs of cholestasis. However, its long-term effects in preventing and treating PN-associated gallbladder disease remain unknown and its routine use for this indication cannot be recommended at this time.

The Potential Role of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) as a potential treatment option for the dyslipidemia associated with childhood nephrotic syndrome.

DATA SOURCES

Searches of MEDLINE (1966–April 2004), Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1977–April 2004), and an extensive manual review of journals were performed using the key search terms nephrotic syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Two prospective uncontrolled studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of statin therapy in pediatric nephrotic syndrome were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

While an extensive amount of data is available in adult nephrotic syndrome in which statin therapy decreases total plasma cholesterol 22–39%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 27–47%, and total plasma triglycerides 13–38%, only 2 small uncontrolled studies have been conducted evaluating the utility of these agents in pediatric nephrotic syndrome. These studies indicate that statins are capable of safely reducing total cholesterol up to 42%, LDL-C up to 46%, and triglyceride levels up to 44%.

CONCLUSIONS

Lowering cholesterol levels during childhood may reduce the risk for atherosclerotic changes and may thus be of benefit in certain patients with nephrotic syndrome. Statins have demonstrated short-term safety and efficacy in the pediatric nephrotic syndrome population. Implementing pharmacologic therapy with statins in children with nephrotic syndrome must be done with care until controlled studies are conducted in this population.

Incidence of Carbapenem‐Associated Allergic‐Type Reactions among Patients with versus Patients without a Reported Penicillin Allergy

This retrospective analysis sought to determine the comparative incidence of cross-reactivity associated with carbapenem antibiotic treatment among patients with versus those without penicillin allergy. We sought to determine whether the incidence of cross-reactivity is different between imipenem-cilastatin and meropenem. A total of 211 patients were treated with a carbapenem antibiotic. Included were 100 patients with and 111 patients without a documented or reported penicillin allergy. Within each group, subgroups of penicillin-allergic and penicillin-nonallergic patients were balanced equally between imipenem-cilastatin and meropenem. The incidence of patients with a reported or documented penicillin allergy experiencing an allergic-type reaction to a carbapenem was 11%, which is 5.2 times greater than the risk in patients who were reportedly not allergic to penicillin (P=.024). No difference in the occurrence of allergic-type reactions was observed between the 2 carbapenems.

Tacrolimus Toxicity Associated with Concomitant Metoclopramide Therapy

Subtherapeutic tacrolimus trough concentrations were noted in a 52-year-old woman who had undergone liver transplantation. Her tacrolimus dosage was increased from 7 to 28 mg twice/day, and ketoconazole therapy was added; however, her tacrolimus concentration remained undetectable. Metoclopramide 10 mg 4 times/day was begun to control the patient's new-onset nausea and vomiting. Within 48 hours of increasing the dosage to 20 mg 4 times/day, her tacrolimus trough concentration exceeded 30 ng/ml. Signs and symptoms were suggestive of tacrolimus nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. According to the Naranjo scale, this adverse drug event was probably the result of improved absorption of tacrolimus secondary to metoclopramide therapy. The patient's subtherapeutic tacrolimus concentration at baseline was probably secondary to poor absorption due to impaired gastric emptying. Coadministration of metoclopramide significantly improved gastric motility and delivery of tacrolimus to the small intestine, increasing tacrolimus bioavailability, thus resulting in acute-onset tacrolimus toxicity. When tacrolimus is administered with metoclopramide in patients with gastric dysmotility, tacrolimus concentrations should be monitored closely to minimize the risk of toxicity.