After two jam packed episodes dedicated to disease states, we’re back for a corrections-focused look at medication non-adherence. While the failure to take medication as prescribed affects patient outcomes across every healthcare setting, Chris zeroes in on the unique “societal” factors that drive non-adherence behind bars. He gives us a rundown of clinical pharmacist strategies to promote adherence, from basic regimen changes to more in-depth counseling and education for patients and providers alike.

All this plus the usual grab bag of medication news and some trivia about the very first long-acting injectable medications!

Link to full show notes with references.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro

In this episode, we’re diving into a condition that affects over 10 million Americans but often flies under the radar—osteoporosis. Following up on last month’s discussion on insomnia, we’re once again tackling a silent, underdiagnosed condition that has major implications for older adults.

Chris breaks down the basics of bone biology, the surprising impact of fractures—especially hip fractures—and the risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis. From screening guidelines and supplement strategies to the most common pharmacologic treatments, this episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare providers.

All this plus medication news, trivia, and an appearance from Chris' dog.

Link to full show notes with references.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro

For this episode, Chris takes an eyes wide open look at insomnia, particularly as it affects older adults. We talk about causes, the first line importance of non-pharmacologic treatments, and of course, the primary medications used for sleep onset and sleep maintenance and their clinical and cost considerations. We also digress briefly into insomnia management in the corrections environment and explore natural and OTC remedies. All this plus the latest medication news and a brief history of hypnotics.

Link to the full show notes.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

When it comes to managing hypertension and reducing adverse cardiovascular events, what is the ideal blood pressure figure clinicians should target? OPTICS pharmacist Henry So joins Chris for some back and forth around this question. They look at the evolution (and proliferation) of blood pressure guidelines, examine controversies around certain studies, share some of their own personal experiences with hypertension, and ultimately whether they think a lower number is necessarily better.

Before that, Chris shares some quick drug approval and guideline updates, and afterwards, we end things with a look at back at how the death of a US President 80 years ago sounded the alarm on the dangers of untreated hypertension.

Link to the full show notes.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

Chris is heading to the Spring NCCHC Conference in Louisville, KY to rep Diamond/OPTICS and give a presentation on overweight and obesity management in the correctional setting. As revolutionary weight loss treatments take hold in the community and in the popular consciousness, Chris is seizing on the moment not to just to talk about GLP-1s, but to review weight management as a whole, pharmocologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, special considerations for the corrections environment, and much more. We take a sneak peak at his presentation and talk about what he hopes attendees will take away from it.

Elsewhere, we discuss:

The recent approval of Journavx for pain

Expanded Ozempic indication

RSV and Meningococcal vaccine updates

Rapid initiation approval for Sublocade

The elimination of the clozapine REMS program

And in our final trivia capsule segment, Chris highlights how venom from some very nasty beasties has been utilized to treat everything from hypetension to severe chronic pain.

Thanks for listening!

Visit Chris (and Diamond Pharmacy) at the NCCHC Conference- Booth 500!

Link to the full show notes.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

For the first #PodcastRx episode of 2025, Chris - in the spirit of New Year's resolutions- explores some common sense but effective tenets for improved clinical decision making.

Ahead of that, he details a few noteworthy expanded drug approvals (Vtama, Nemluvio, Zepbound) and revised treament guidelines (diabetes, metformin, borderline personaility disorder). And to close things out, he looks back at the ancient origins of the pharmacy profession.

Please rate and/or review where you listen to podcasts!

See the expanded show notes here.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

With our hosts in a holiday mood and 2024 hurtling to a close, Chris reflects on the clinical, professional, and regulatory wants and wishes he'd like to see come true in 2025. We cover:

• Potential drug approvals
• Provider status for pharmacists
• Biosimilar substitution
• Relieving drug shortages
• A brief digression on Wegovy vs. Zepbound

Before that, Chris highlights the expanded approval of Bimzelx for hideranitis supportiva and breaks down updated guidelines related to COPD and Restless Leg Syndrome.

And for the ending Trivia Capsule segment, Chris makes a light-hearted (if tenuous) connection between the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the medicinal benefits of the two most precious metals (medals?).

See you in 2025!

Please rate and/or review where you listen to podcasts!

See the expanded show notes here.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Christmas Holidays by Angelika728

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

There's no better occasion than American Diabetes Month to dive into practical treatment recommendations for Type 2 diabetes. Using the ADA's Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatement as a roadmap, Chris breaks down his clinical approach to 8 of the most common glucose-lowering medications. We also discuss the pharmacist recommendation process, correctional environment concerns, and benchmarks for patient success.

Elsewhere in the show, we hear about:

Vlaylev and Orlynvah approvals for Parkinson's Disease and UTI treatments, respectively

Expanded Dupixent approval

New CDC COVID and pneumococcal vaccine recommendations

Rybelsus FLOW Trial results

The "Doggone" Discovery of Insulin

Click here to see full show notes and references.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

October is American Pharmacist Month, and to help recognize the many ways pharmacists care for communities, we talk to Chris about the influence and increasing importance of the clinical pharmacist in correctional and institutional healthcare settings. Chris details the primary strategies he and the OPTICS team use to impact patient care, reflects on the evolution of the clinical pharmacist role, explains how providers can better take advantage of pharmacist knowledge, and more.

We also go “Into the Clinic” to talk medication news (including the recent approval of Cobenfy for schizophrenia), and, in anticipation of Halloween, look at the real connections between pharmacy and witchcraft in our Trivia Capsule segment.

Links to material informing this episode's discussions.

Sponsor Links:

SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/

OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services

Music Heard in Today's Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic

Medical by PaulYudin

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

Just one episode into the new PodcastRx with Chris Bender and we already have a special bonus for you! Chris breaks down must-know information surrounding COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines ahead of respiratory disease season! And we learn some fun pharmacy trivia about the historical (and kinda gross) precursor to vaccination, variolation.

Please rate and review where you listen to podcasts!

Link to material cited in episode.

Music used in this episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin

Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

Sponsor Links:

OPTICS - www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services