Journal of Pharmacy Technology最新文献

{"title":"Assessment of Potential Drug Interactions in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis.","authors":"Maria Letícia da Silva Marcelino, Maria Eduarda Balthazar, Christine Zomer Dal Molin, Eliane Traebert, Jefferson Traebert, Daisson José Trevisol, Fabiana Schuelter-Trevisol","doi":"10.1177/87551225261471064","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261471064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis commonly present multiple comorbidities and require complex medication regimens. Polypharmacy increases the risk of clinically relevant drug interactions that may compromise treatment safety and effectiveness. <b>Objective:</b> To estimate the prevalence of potential drug interactions among patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis and classify these interactions according to clinical risk and mechanism of action. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients undergoing hemodialysis at a dialysis clinic in Southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. Potential drug interactions were identified using the Medscape and Drugs.com databases and classified according to severity (major, moderate, or minor) and mechanism of action. <b>Results:</b> A total of 151 patients were included. Potential drug interactions were identified in all participants (973 interactions; mean 6.4 per patient). Of these, 234 (24.0%) were classified as major, 545 (56.0%) as moderate, and 194 (19.9%) as minor. The most frequent major interactions involved furosemide + losartan (n = 8) and acetylsalicylic acid + clopidogrel (n = 6). Among moderate interactions, the most common were sevelamer + calcium carbonate (n = 14) and losartan + amlodipine (n = 12). The most frequent minor interactions involved epoetin alfa + acetylsalicylic acid (n = 14) and epoetin alfa + calcium carbonate (n = 10). Pharmacodynamic interactions predominated, mainly involving additive effects of cardiovascular medications. <b>Conclusions:</b> Potential drug interactions were highly prevalent among patients undergoing hemodialysis, with moderate-severity interactions predominating. Routine screening for potential drug interactions may support safer prescribing, optimize pharmacotherapy, and strengthen multidisciplinary medication management in this high-risk population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261471064"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530049/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148873748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Nonmedical Adalimumab Switches in a Rheumatology Patient Population.","authors":"Stefania DelPrete, Krista Dessureault, Molly Bachman, Morgan Merchand, Derek Devine, Amanda G Kennedy, Julie MacDougall","doi":"10.1177/87551225261479593","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261479593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adalimumab is an antitumor necrosis factor agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for the treatment of various rheumatologic diseases. Recent approval of adalimumab biosimilars presents an important area of study to determine real-world efficacy and cost savings of biosimilars.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of nonmedical, insurance-mandated adalimumab switches on disease activity. The secondary objective was to assess the financial impact of these biosimilar switches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients with rheumatic diseases who experienced payer-mandated switches to biosimilars. The primary outcome was change in disease activity, defined by provider assessment documented in the electronic health record before switching and at follow-up. Analyses were completed using chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and <i>t</i> tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), or nonparametric equivalents for continuous variables, with <i>P</i> < .05 required for statistical significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 152 patients were included; among patients controlled at baseline, 84/119 (70.6%) remained unchanged and 35/119 (29.4%) worsened. Among those partially controlled at baseline, 6/17 (35.3%) improved, 7/17 (41.2%) remained unchanged, and 4/17 (23.5%) worsened. Among patients with active disease at baseline, 9/12 (75.0%) improved and 3/12 (25.0%) remained unchanged. Median out-of-pocket copay change was $0.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Insurance-mandated switches did not appear to meaningfully impact disease control for most patients. In addition, median out-of-pocket costs did not change after switching. These findings should reassure pharmacists when helping patients with insurance-mandated adalimumab biosimilar switches.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261479593"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530030/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Workflow and Clinical Utility of Multigene Preemptive Pharmacogenomic Testing in the Emergency Department: A Single-Center Cohort Study.","authors":"Jennifer L Cole, Leela Kodali, Michael Osinski","doi":"10.1177/87551225261472403","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261472403","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Preemptive, multigene pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is on the rise in healthcare facilities. The emergency department (ED) has not historically been an area for high testing volume in many facilities; however, this could be an underutilized resource. <b>Objectives:</b> To describe the workflow and clinical utility of PGx testing in the ED. <b>Methods:</b> This was a single-center retrospective chart review of patients who received PGx testing in the ED (n = 100) with a 16-gene panel between January and November 2025. Medical records were reviewed for actionable gene variants and prescribed gene-drug pairs. Risk of adverse drug events (ADEs) was evaluated through the Vital, Important, Optional, Not indicated, Every medication has an indication (VIONE) score card. Baseline characteristics were also collected, and outcomes were described with descriptive statistics. <b>Results:</b> There were actionable genetic variants identified in 99% of patients tested, with the majority having multiple variants. Gene-drug pairs were found in 53% of patients: 38% one medication, 12% two medications, 3% three or more medications. A mean VIONE score of 5 revealed a moderate to high risk of ADE. <b>Conclusion:</b> PGx testing is feasible within ED workflow and has a high yield of potential clinical utility.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261472403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13438052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148679112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacy Technician Math Proficiency: Barriers and Improvements Through a Focused Continuing Education Activity.","authors":"John J Arnold, Michael G Kendrach","doi":"10.1177/87551225261470335","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261470335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> This research sought to determine the math proficiency of pharmacy technicians and the potential causes for the technicians' feelings of deficiency when attending continuing pharmacy education activity (CPE) and performing pharmaceutical calculations. <b>Methods:</b> To investigate these questions, the following questionnaire and test methods were utilized. Pharmacy technicians attending a 2-hour CPE activity completed a pre-activity survey assessing demographics, attitudes toward solving math problems, and sample calculation problems. Subsequently, the post-activity evaluation included additional calculation problems for comparison. <b>Results:</b> Our research found that most participants were nationally certified (82% of participants), but that most had not completed or were unsure if they had completed a formalized training program (58% of participants). Pre-survey data revealed participants perceiving low confidence in their pharmaceutical mathematical capability, as well as their over-reliance on rote memorization as their biggest barriers to solving pharmacy calculations. Baseline performance on calculation problems averaged 32% correct, with technicians finding the greatest difficulty in percentage strength, pediatric dosing, and alligation problems. Post-activity scores improved to an average of 66% correct across these areas. <b>Conclusion:</b> This in-person CPE activity improved pharmacy technicians' calculation skills. Although many pharmacy technicians struggle with pharmaceutical math problems, the reasons for these issues can be attributed to low confidence and lack of training rather than inability. Future CPE activities can continue to be focused on improving knowledge of underlying math concepts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261470335"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13407668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Retrospective Chart Review Comparing Long-Term Opioid Prescribing Practices Between Care in the Community and Veterans Affairs Providers.","authors":"Quinn Wonders Convery, Sneh Patel, Ariel Baria, Sanjog Pangarkar, Jessie Bjella, Majid Mekany, Jeannie Zhang, Paige Cronn-Singla, Calvin Ho","doi":"10.1177/87551225261464903","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261464903","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Using Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical practice guidelines as a reference, this study compared long-term opioid prescribing practices and risk mitigation strategies in veterans receiving care at the Greater Los Angeles VA compared with veterans receiving Care in the Community (CITC). A retrospective chart review was performed on 46 CITC patients and a random sample of 50 VA patients who received 90 days or more of an opioid prescription between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, and were followed for 1 year.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 2 populations were prescribed similar opioid treatments, and although not statistically significant, there was a trend toward CITC prescribing higher mean daily morphine equivalent values (VA = 32.71 ± 41.34, CITC = 48.22 ± 56.85, <i>P</i> = .13). The most commonly prescribed opioids were hydrocodone and oxycodone products. The vast majority of pain diagnoses were seen in equivalent numbers across the VA and CITC groups. VA prescribers more frequently recommended nonpharmacological options (86% VA vs 82.61% CITC, <i>P</i> = .65) and nonopioid co-analgesics compared with CITC providers (80% VA vs 63.04% CITC, <i>P</i> = .07). Veterans Affairs providers also more frequently completed informed consent for long-term opioid use (96% vs 65.22%, <i>P</i> < .005), Prescription Drug Monitoring Program checks (98% vs 93.48%, <i>P</i> = .25), and urine drug screens (92% vs 69.57%, <i>P</i> = .006). Veterans Affairs providers prescribed concurrent benzodiazepines less frequently than CITC providers (8% vs 15.22% <i>P</i> = .28); however, CITC providers more frequently saw patients at 3-month intervals (60.9% vs 26%, <i>P</i> < .005). Finally, both groups had similar naloxone kit prescribing rates (30.4% CITC vs 30% VA, <i>P</i> = .96).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, opioid prescribing behaviors between VA and CITC providers were similar. However, this study also identified a trend for the VA providing lower doses of opioids and improved safety measures. Future studies are needed to understand areas of collaboration and mechanisms to improve veterans' pain care across all health care settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261464903"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13385156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148549525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacologic Treatments for MASLD: A Review of Efficacy and Safety Considerations.","authors":"Jonathan S Newsome","doi":"10.1177/87551225261466571","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261466571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To summarize and compare current pharmacologic treatment options for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).</p><p><strong>Data sources: </strong>PubMed was searched for English-language articles published from January 1, 2000, to May 1, 2026. Search terms included MASLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), pioglitazone, semaglutide, liraglutide, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, treatment, and management.</p><p><strong>Study selection and data extraction: </strong>Eighteen publications, including randomized controlled trials, review articles, and practice guidelines, were included in this narrative review article. These articles were included to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of the treatment options.</p><p><strong>Data synthesis: </strong>Five primary treatment options were reviewed: resmetirom, semaglutide, empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and pioglitazone. Semaglutide and resmetirom demonstrated the most consistent evidence for MASH improvement including statistically significant improvement in fibrosis (reduction of at least 1 fibrosis stage). Pioglitazone showed improvement in several histologic features; however, findings for fibrosis improvement and placebo-adjusted benefit were inconsistent. Evidence for SGLT2 inhibitors remains promising but limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Semaglutide and resmetirom have the strongest evidence for histologic improvement in MASLD/MASH. Pioglitazone and SGLT2 inhibitors may offer benefits in patients with specific comorbidities, but additional research is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261466571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13385150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148549263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Precision Modulation of the PDE4 Pathway: The Emerging Role of Nerandomilast in Pulmonary Fibrosis.","authors":"Kelly Bishop, Janeliz Mercado Santana, Eric Dietrich, Angelina Vascimini","doi":"10.1177/87551225261466572","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261466572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> To review the emerging evidence supporting the use of nerandomilast (Jascayd), a selective phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) inhibitor, for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The review aims to summarize its mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and potential role as monotherapy or in combination with existing antifibrotic therapies. <b>Data Sources:</b> A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and relevant conference proceedings from January 2018 through December 2025. Search terms included <i>nerandomilast</i>, <i>BI 1015550</i>, <i>Jascayd</i>, <i>phosphodiesterase-4B inhibitor</i>, <i>idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis</i>, <i>progressive pulmonary fibrosis</i>, <i>interstitial lung disease</i>, <i>FIBRONEER-IPF</i>, and <i>FIBRONEER-ILD</i>. Human studies published in English were included. <b>Study Selection and Data Extraction:</b> Original clinical studies, phase II and phase III trials, subgroup analyses, and regulatory publications evaluating nerandomilast in patients with IPF or PPF were reviewed. Studies were selected based on relevance to efficacy, safety, mechanism of action, and clinical outcomes. Data regarding study design, patient population, forced vital capacity (FVC) outcomes, adverse events, and concomitant antifibrotic use were extracted and qualitatively synthesized. <b>Data Synthesis:</b> Nerandomilast was approved in October 2025 for the treatment of IPF and PPF, representing the first PDE4B inhibitor approved for fibrotic lung disease. By inhibiting PDE4B, nerandomilast increases intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, resulting in reduced inflammatory cytokine production and decreased fibroblast activation. Clinical trials, including the phase III FIBRONEER-IPF study, demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of FVC decline compared with placebo, indicating attenuation of disease progression. Benefits were observed both in patients receiving nerandomilast alone and in those receiving background antifibrotic therapy with pirfenidone or nintedanib. Overall, nerandomilast demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile and offers a mechanistically distinct approach compared with currently available antifibrotic agents. <b>Conclusions:</b> Nerandomilast provides a novel anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic treatment option for patients with IPF and PPF. Available evidence suggests meaningful reductions in lung function decline with acceptable tolerability, including use alongside established antifibrotic therapies. As longer-term and real-world data emerge, nerandomilast may become an important component of the therapeutic strategy for progressive fibrotic lung diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261466572"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13375858/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148579185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of an Investigational Pharmacy-Led Process in a Pediatric Hospital Improves Investigational Drug Documentation on the Electronic Health Record Medication List.","authors":"Winifred Stockton, Tricia Morphew","doi":"10.1177/87551225261458664","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261458664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>During hospital admission and discharge, investigational drugs administered due to participation in clinical trials are at risk for medication errors if not accurately documented.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary objective of this study is to assess whether investigational drug service (IDS) pharmacy-led investigational medication reconciliation during outpatient investigational drug dispensing improves the rate and accuracy of investigational drug documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) medication list.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study was conducted at Rady Children's Hospital Orange County and compared investigational drug dispensing encounters in the pre-IDS period (August 1, 2022-July 31, 2023) to the IDS period (November 1, 2023-October 31, 2024). Differences between periods were estimated using binomial generalized estimating equations to obtain absolute risk differences, with robust standard errors to account for multiple prescriptions within patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 174 dispensed prescriptions, the investigational drug was documented on the EHR medication list for 27 of 90 drugs in the pre-IDS period (30.0%) and 80 of 84 drugs in the IDS period (95.2%; <i>P</i> < .001). Complete and accurate documentation increased from 6.7% to 95.2% for formulation, 21.1% to 94.0% for dose, 28.9% to 95.2% for route, 27.8% to 94% for frequency, and 7.8% to 95.2% for investigational drug alert (all <i>P</i> < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Baseline documentation of investigational drugs on the EHR medication list was low. Investigational drug service pharmacy-led documentation was associated with significant improvement in documentation rate and accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261458664"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13357481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148436960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inappropriate Valacyclovir Dosing by Renal Function in Japan.","authors":"Sumire Suzuki, Yuki Kondo, Kaho Sato, Yuka Sakazaki, Yoshiko Tominaga, Koji Sato, Yoichi Ishitsuka","doi":"10.1177/87551225261462036","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261462036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Valacyclovir requires dose adjustment according to renal function to prevent serious adverse events. However, real-world data on renal function-based dosing practices are limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the frequency of valacyclovir overdosing according to renal function and to identify the characteristics associated with overdosing in Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide database of administrative claims and laboratory results from acute care hospitals in Japan. We included adults aged ≥18 years who received at least 1 valacyclovir prescription between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024, and who had a serum creatinine measurement within the preceding year. The primary outcome was overdosing, defined as a prescribed dose that exceeded the maximum recommended dose for the patient's renal function level per the Japanese package insert. Renal function was estimated using creatinine clearance calculated with the Cockcroft-Gault equation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 6764 patients with 7901 valacyclovir prescriptions were included; 1649 prescriptions (20.9%) were for patients with impaired renal function. Overdosing was rare among patients with normal renal function. Among patients with impaired renal function, overdosing occurred in 25.1% of prescriptions for varicella or herpes zoster and in 6.4% for other indications. Overdosing was more frequent among women and most common for prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this nationwide study, valacyclovir overdosing was common among patients with impaired renal function, particularly for high-dose indications, and occurred more frequently among women and for prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies. Strengthening renal function-based prescription review may help reduce preventable overdosing.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261462036"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13341682/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148412280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Inhaler Prescribing Trends in Hospitalized Patients With Suspected but Unconfirmed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.","authors":"Alexandra E Mihm, Alexandria J Wingler, Madison P Owen, Erica R Anderson","doi":"10.1177/87551225261454868","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261454868","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report recommends initial bronchodilator therapy over inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for most patients. However, real-world prescribing often diverges. Management is further complicated in hospitalized patients with suspected but unconfirmed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where providers must decide on therapy initiation and outpatient follow-up.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe inhaler prescribing in suspected but unconfirmed COPD upon hospital discharge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study of patients of ages 40 years or older with a smoking history of at least 10-pack years, but without a prior COPD diagnosis, who presented with a suspected COPD exacerbation or acute respiratory failure secondary to suspected COPD. The primary outcome was inhaler prescribing at discharge. Secondary outcomes included confirmed COPD diagnosis, guideline concordance, hospital readmission for a COPD exacerbation, and ICS-related adverse events within 180 days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 51 patients included in the study, 29 (56.9%) were prescribed new inhalers, with 15 (29.4%) prescribed ICS-containing regimens. Following discharge, 15 patients (29.4%) completed pulmonary function testing, with 8 (15.7%) receiving a COPD diagnosis. Guideline concordance could not be assessed due to absent documentation. Eight patients (15.7%) were readmitted with a COPD exacerbation, and 13 ICS-related adverse events were documented. Limitations include the sample size and retrospective study design.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found a high frequency of initial ICS prescribing for suspected but unconfirmed COPD, as well as limited follow-up and diagnostic reassessment. These findings highlight the need for system-level interventions to optimize discharge prescribing and ensure timely follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261454868"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13318829/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148368765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}