Pharmacy Podcast Network

Like physicians, pharmacists often have to spend a lot of time on administrative tasks that take away from patient interaction, and in the case of pharmacists, sometimes, these tasks can also introduce potential for errors that can threaten patient safety.

In an interview, Heidi Polek, strategic program manager, DrFirst, and Christopher Antypas, owner and president, Asti’s Pharmacy, can address some of these tasks and how technology is making a difference in the pharmacist workflow.  

Heidi delves into the potential for errors at the start of the pharmacy workflow (especially amid high volumes) and how new technology (with AI) can help by accurately identifying details of an incoming prescription as well as matching the prescription to the drugs on a pharmacy’s shelves.  

Chris discusses best practices for efficient and secure communication, which has become even more critical amid the COVID pandemic as patients do not visit as often and as some pharmacies close their doors to walk-ins. Chris will shares perspective as a practicing pharmacist and how he has leveraged communication tools - like Backline, a secure communication tool (provided by DrFirst) - and other strategies and techniques - during COVID to stay in touch with patients as well as providers.

Our Guests: 

Heidi Polek, Strategic Program Manager for DrFirst

Heidi is a registered pharmacist with 30 years of experience, including extensive community pharmacy work in WNY where she managed patient care plans, administered immunizations, and worked closely with area practitioners on patient care initiatives. As a Regional Pharmacy Manager for a local pharmacy chain, Heidi developed and implemented a company-wide pharmacist based immunization program, and spearhead the addition of MTM services for pharmacy patients. She was a leader in establishing area Drug Take Back events across eight WNY counties, working closely with the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the DEA to provide staffing and support for their bi-annual events. Heidi is a past Board Member of the Pharmacist’s Association of WNY and has actively participated in multiple committees of the Maryland Pharmacist Association. Currently, Heidi is a Strategic Program Manager for DrFirst, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions that connect healthcare touchpoints. She is passionate about arming the pharmacy industry with new technologies that can assist them in evolving their business models and optimizing patient outcomes.”

Christopher R. Antypas, PharmD Owner / President / COO Asti’s Pharmacy

Pittsburg, PA

Chris joined Asti’s in 2012 and is responsible for coordinating both clinical programs and business operations. To date, he has worked exclusively for independent pharmacies across multiple states where he has gained unique and valuable experience in retail, long term care, compounding, and specialty pharmacy services. At Asti’s Pharmacy, Chris has used his deep knowledge of managed care, to develop a robust financial-assistance program that has saved patients over $100,000 on medication costs to date. His goals are to develop cutting-edge programs that will impact patient care on a large scale. Chris is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He lives in Canonsburg with his wife, 2 daughters and son. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family.

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Kelly C. Lee, PharmD, MAS, BCPP, FCCP, shares her experience in setting up a pharmacist-led medication therapy management program (MTM) in an outpatient mental health clinic. Dr. Lee discusses the challenges, opportunities, and essential components of a successful program which centers on a strong collaborative relationship with psychiatrists. Dr. Lee, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist, is the Residency Program Director of the PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and a member of the Specialty Council for Psychiatric Pharmacy for the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.

For more information on the pharmacist-led medication therapy management program discussed by Dr. Lee please see “Development of a pharmacist–psychiatrist collaborative medication therapy management clinic”, published online by the Journal of American Pharmacist Association in the November/December 2012 edition. 

https://www.psychu.org/implementation-pharmacist-led-psychiatric-medication-therapy-management-clinic/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Kelly C. Lee, PharmD, MAS, BCPP, FCCP, shares her experience in setting up a pharmacist-led medication therapy management program (MTM) in an outpatient mental health clinic. Dr. Lee discusses the challenges, opportunities, and essential components of a successful program which centers on a strong collaborative relationship with psychiatrists. Dr. Lee, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist, is the Residency Program Director of the PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and a member of the Specialty Council for Psychiatric Pharmacy for the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.

For more information on the pharmacist-led medication therapy management program discussed by Dr. Lee please see “Development of a pharmacist–psychiatrist collaborative medication therapy management clinic”, published online by the Journal of American Pharmacist Association in the November/December 2012 edition. 

https://www.psychu.org/implementation-pharmacist-led-psychiatric-medication-therapy-management-clinic/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vancomycin, despite being around for decades, keeps having updates to dosing, formulations, and monitoring. It's important to stay updated on this vital medication for hospital and infusion center practitioners. Are you ready for the changes?

Additional Resources/References: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/vancomycin/

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vancomycin, despite being around for decades, keeps having updates to dosing, formulations, and monitoring. It's important to stay updated on this vital medication for hospital and infusion center practitioners. Are you ready for the changes?

Additional Resources/References: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/vancomycin/

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: 

How is it possible that we don't know how a drug, once called the most dangerous drug in the world, actually works? Well, meet Tylenol, the drug with many names and even more potential pathways. 

This is NOT your physician's podcast. Hosts Shane Garrettson and Cal Vandergrift dive into the pharmacy world with fun, interesting, and downright weird topics!

Tune in for NEW episodes, available on Spotify, Apple, Anchor, and more! Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages at Let's Pharmonize to view videos and images relevant to every episode! If you have any questions, comments, or even corrections, e-mail us at [email protected].

PLEASE READ: Shane and Cal are NOT medical professionals. DO NOT USE the information presented in this podcast to aid in your own personal health or medicinal benefit. This is a light-hearted podcast that should not be taken with the same seriousness as your own personal health,

A special thanks to Kelly Kerr for creating the music used in the intro and outro.

All Rights Reserved

This PPN Episode is sponsored by CEimpact & their podcast GameChangers, the first podcast infused with continuing education credits for pharmacists, listen here: 

https://www.ceimpact.com/podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Description: 

How is it possible that we don't know how a drug, once called the most dangerous drug in the world, actually works? Well, meet Tylenol, the drug with many names and even more potential pathways. 

This is NOT your physician's podcast. Hosts Shane Garrettson and Cal Vandergrift dive into the pharmacy world with fun, interesting, and downright weird topics!

Tune in for NEW episodes, available on Spotify, Apple, Anchor, and more! Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages at Let's Pharmonize to view videos and images relevant to every episode! If you have any questions, comments, or even corrections, e-mail us at [email protected].

PLEASE READ: Shane and Cal are NOT medical professionals. DO NOT USE the information presented in this podcast to aid in your own personal health or medicinal benefit. This is a light-hearted podcast that should not be taken with the same seriousness as your own personal health,

A special thanks to Kelly Kerr for creating the music used in the intro and outro.

All Rights Reserved

This PPN Episode is sponsored by CEimpact & their podcast GameChangers, the first podcast infused with continuing education credits for pharmacists, listen here: 

https://www.ceimpact.com/podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stonebriar Pharmacy owner Hussam Hamoush

Hussam Hamoush, PharmD (email)

Pharmacy Manager/Owner 

Stonebriar Pharmacy was founded in 2012 and has been a staple in the Frisco community. We are a PCAB Accredited compounding pharmacy specializing in hormone replacement, pet compounds, and medication therapy management.

Hussam is originally from North Carolina and moved to Texas after graduating from pharmacy school in 2012. He is pictured above with his beautiful wife. He loves the Carolina Panthers and is a HUGE UNC Tarheels fan. He still plays soccer locally with a team and enjoys local restaurants and a coffee connoisseur.

This PPN Episode is sponsored by CEimpact & their podcast GameChangers, the first podcast infused with continuing education credits for pharmacists, listen here: 

https://www.ceimpact.com/podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stonebriar Pharmacy owner Hussam Hamoush

Hussam Hamoush, PharmD (email)

Pharmacy Manager/Owner 

Stonebriar Pharmacy was founded in 2012 and has been a staple in the Frisco community. We are a PCAB Accredited compounding pharmacy specializing in hormone replacement, pet compounds, and medication therapy management.

Hussam is originally from North Carolina and moved to Texas after graduating from pharmacy school in 2012. He is pictured above with his beautiful wife. He loves the Carolina Panthers and is a HUGE UNC Tarheels fan. He still plays soccer locally with a team and enjoys local restaurants and a coffee connoisseur.

This PPN Episode is sponsored by CEimpact & their podcast GameChangers, the first podcast infused with continuing education credits for pharmacists, listen here: 

https://www.ceimpact.com/podcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recently published Serial cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data has been published suggesting that overall blood pressure control in adults with hypertension over the last 4 years has declined.

Why is this? What tips can the pharmacist and prescriber use to improve control? Can these professionals work together to improve BP control? Can we survive under pressure?

Additional Resources/References: Muntner P, Hardy ST, Fine LJ, et al. Trends in Blood Pressure Control Among US Adults With Hypertension, 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. JAMA. 2020;324(12):1190–1200. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.14545

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices