Interviews

Ming-Hei Tai, PharmD, BCOP, shares his concerns about the AQUILA trial and use of daratumumab for smoldering multiple myeloma.

Donna Ryan discusses the landscape of GLP-1 medications and the lineup of indications that the drug class has received indications for in recent years.

Christian Ruff explains the strong efficacy associated with abelacimab compared with rivaroxaban in the AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial.

Tocilizumab-anoh is expected to increase competition, improve patient access, and deliver cost savings in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.

Three experts from UPMC Health Plan highlight the importance of treating patients’ physical, mental, and social health when managing diabetes, rather than the disease alone.

The diabetes treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, with new combination therapies and oral GLP-1 medications, positioning pharmacists to have an important role in personalizing care.

Inhaling smoke can have acute effect for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pulmonary fibrosis.

Jennifer Clements, a clinical professor and the director of pharmacy education at the University of South Carolina, discusses the pharmacists role in diabetes care.

The California wildfires caused many medical and community challenges, including triaging services, addressing basic needs, and supporting displaced residents.

Pharmacies are actively working to address issues and support their patients by collaborative with regulatory bodies like the Board of Pharmacy, and their engagement with the local community.

Pharmacy Times interviews Jennifer Clements, a clinical professor and the director of pharmacy education at the University of South Carolina, about glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors for diabetes treatment.

New medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and resmetirom show promise in reversing fatty liver disease and preventing progression.

Pharmacists can educate patients on controlling risk factors and stay up-to-date on emerging therapies like SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone that can slow disease progression.

Lp(a) is a critical risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but current lipid-lowering therapies are largely ineffective at lowering Lp(a) levels.

Administering first-dose antibiotics to septic shock patients via IV push rather than continuous infusion could improve the speed of antibiotic delivery and reduce logistical challenges.

Constantine Tam, MD, discusses zanubrutinib's efficacy in CLL/SLL, emphasizing its durability, high response rates, safety considerations, and evolving therapeutic potential in combination with other agents.

Pharmacists are crucial in educating patients, identifying eligible individuals, and promoting uptake of the newly expanded RSV vaccination recommendations for older adults.

Yi Lin, MD, PhD, highlights the importance of achieving MRD negativity in multiple myeloma, CAR T-cell therapy outcomes, and the critical role of pharmacists in patient care.

Adoption barriers include insurance coverage, patient and provider education, and regulatory hurdles that require aligned initiatives across stakeholders.

Pharmacists can significantly improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management by promoting non-pharmacological interventions.

Pharmacists are encouraged to work closely with health care providers to ensure appropriate use of high-cost Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for BK nephropathy.

The 2025 GOLD Report emphasizes the importance of tailoring combination treatments based on patient factors like eosinophil counts and exacerbation history.

Pharmacists can optimize IVIG treatment for BK nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients by educating providers and monitoring for infusion reactions.

Pharmacists are essential in preventing the significant health and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in older adults through vaccination.

Pharmacists identify appropriate patients for new oral and antibody drug conjugate treatments and provide counseling to help patients navigate the evolving treatment landscape.

Compounding pharmacies play a vital role in meeting the unique needs of patients, but pharmacists must adhere to strict safety standards and regulations.

The evolving regulatory policies around biosimilar interchangeability is crucial for driving successful biosimilar adoption in the marketplace.

Pharmacy errors can happen due to manual processes, but they can be mitigated through adoption of automated IV workflow technology and comprehensive compounding records.

Standardizing observational competencies and utilizing technology to improve compounding accuracy can ensure safety and quality of compounded medications.

Food insecurity in rural communities can affect hypertension, but pharmacists can mitigate the impact by educating themselves on nutrition options for low-income individuals.