January 2016

The pharmaceutical industry continually develops novel therapeutics, many of which require refrigeration and are associated with high costs. In the event of such temperature excursions as a breach in the cold chain protocol, pharmacists are looked upon as experts who can deter- mine whether medications are still viable.

At the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, we celebrated 50 years of this event.

Health-system pharmacists will inevitably face growing ethical challenges as a result of their evolving role in patient care.

Data from large survey reports suggest that more than 80% of Americans who undergo surgery experience some level of postsurgical pain.

Anticoagulants are used frequently to treat and prevent thromboembolism. Historically, vitamin K antagonists have been the standard of care and only oral option.

Currently, approximately 8 million health care professionals are exposed to hazardous drugs. (HDs) each year, increasing the burden of chromosomal abnormalities, reproductive risk, and the incidence of cancer among those handling antineoplastic drugs.

With increased specialty medication prescribing, associated costs, and the interest of health systems to establish specialty pharmacies for improved patient care, it is vital to define the pharmacist's role within the patient's health care team.