This Week in Pharmacy

TWIRx | The Robots are Coming!!

Andrea Thomaz
CEO and Co-FounderDiligent Robots
Technology Impacting Hospital PharmacyKey Messages:
Moxi has significantly improved the efficiency of medication delivery, impacting pharmacy and nursing operations in about 40% of its use cases.
Moxi enhances medication administration efficiency and safety by automating delivery, reducing potential errors and delays.
Moxi's design caters to the unique challenges of pediatric environments and academic medical centers, where non-tube medication lists are significantly longer. Its precision in handling patient-specific formulations and expensive or investigational drugs underscores its value in settings where timing and safety are critical.
Moxi integrates with pharmacy management systems to enhance workflow coordination without disrupting established processes.
Moxi enhances service levels by facilitating efficient inter-pharmacy transfers, important for large healthcare facilities.
With over half a million pharmacy deliveries made to date, it demonstrates a profound ability to enhance workflow and collaboration between pharmacy and clinical teams.
Pharmacists report that Moxi improves their work efficiency and allows more time for patient care and interaction.
At ChristianaCare, an 1,100-bed hospital, the deployment of three Moxi robots has facilitated approximately 15,000 medication deliveries from their main, satellite, and retail pharmacies. This showcases Moxi's role in seamlessly transporting medications, thereby improving operational efficiency and patient care.
Endeavor Health Elmhurst in Illinois employs several Moxi robots for ad-hoc and scheduled deliveries, including chemotherapy medications to infusion clinics. Our robots are the sole delivery mechanism for all their infusion medications, demonstrating Moxi's ability to support high-demand areas without the need for additional staffing.

DrFirst Intel Report & a Clinical Discussion on Kratom | TWIRx

We talk with Dr. Colin Banas, MD., Chief Medical Officer, DrFirst about the latest intelligence report on the state of healthcare. Nest we meet up with Dr. Christopher McCurdy, Ph.D., Professor And The Frank A. Duckworth Eminent Scholar Chair; Associate Dean For Faculty Development; Director Of The UF Translational Drug Development Core.

Fitness, Fulfillment, and Freedom | TWIRx

Guest Part one: Dr. Ashley Dwyer PharmD Dr. Ashley Dwyer is CEO/founder of TeamBDN Coaching and a former pharmacist. After going through a slew of health issues due to lifestyle factors and stress, Ashley saw firsthand just how our current medical system was flawed. This is Ashley’s return to the Pharmacy Podcast Network from her first Interview: https://pharmacypodcastnetwork.podbean.com/e/taking-care-of-yourself-first-ashley-dwyer-pharmd/
 
Guest Part two: Dallas Vasquez is the CEO & Founder of Mitra9, who is introducing Kratom and other botanicals into the mainstream. Darshan Kulkarni, Esq PharmD reports on the Center City Fraud Case. Current and Former Owners of Center City Philadelphia Pharmacy Agree to Pay Over $4.6 Million to Resolve Civil Investigations of Improper Medicare and Medicaid Billing

Pharmacy 50's Sartoretto Verna; Finch Marketing | TWIRx

Visual design plays a crucial role in establishing a community pharmacy as a trusted and credible healthcare destination. A well-thought-out visual design can significantly impact the perception of the pharmacy and attract customers. On this episode of 'This Week in Pharmacy' we talk with award winning Pharmacy Designer Fiona Sartetto Verna and veteran pharmacy busienss marketing leader Nicolle McClure - CEO of Finch Marketing. Here's a short summary of how visual design and marketing content can influence a community pharmacy:
Professional Image: Visual design can create a professional and welcoming atmosphere in the pharmacy. This includes well-designed signage, a clean and organized interior layout, and aesthetically pleasing branding. A pharmacy that looks clean and organized is more likely to be perceived as reliable and trustworthy.
Branding: Consistent and appealing branding through logos, color schemes, and signage helps in building a strong brand identity. A visually appealing logo and color palette can make the pharmacy memorable and easily recognizable in the community.
Information Accessibility: Visual design can aid in making essential health information easily accessible. This includes clear labeling of medication shelves, informative pamphlets, and user-friendly prescription instructions. When customers can find the information they need effortlessly, it enhances their trust in the pharmacy's expertise.
Marketing Content: Solid marketing content is essential to inform the community about the pharmacy's services and products. This content can include brochures, flyers, and online materials that highlight the pharmacy's offerings, such as prescription services, over-the-counter medications, health screenings, and wellness programs.
Online Presence: In today's digital age, having a visually appealing and user-friendly website and social media presence is crucial. These platforms should showcase the pharmacy's services, staff credentials, customer reviews, and health-related articles. It allows the community to engage with the pharmacy online and reinforces its credibility.
Customer Engagement: Visual design also plays a role in customer engagement. Pharmacies can use visually appealing displays and promotions to capture customers' attention and encourage them to explore the products and services offered. Engaging visuals can create a sense of community involvement.
Trust and Credibility: Ultimately, a well-designed community pharmacy exudes trust and credibility. Patients are more likely to choose a pharmacy that appears professional, organized, and knowledgeable about their healthcare needs. Solid marketing content reinforces this image.
In conclusion, visual design and marketing content are essential tools for community pharmacies to establish themselves as trusted and credible healthcare destinations. A well-designed pharmacy with informative and visually appealing materials can attract and retain customers, fostering a strong sense of trust within the community.

TWIRx | Treating Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections with Thomas Lodise, PharmD, PhD

A new, real-world evidence study of patients with Gram-negative infections showed that early intervention with Fetroja® (cefiderocol) significantly reduced in-hospital all-cause mortality. This real-world evidence, drawn from a retrospective analysis of 275 seriously ill patients, emphasizes the critical importance of timely treatment. 
 
The retrospective multicenter observational study showed earlier treatment resulted in a reduction in in-hospital all-cause mortality (IHACM) in patients with Gram-negative infections who previously received other antibiotics, including those with difficult-to-treat pathogens that were resistant to other antibiotics.
 
Here is a link to the press release with a summary of the results presented by Shionogi at ID Week in October.
 
We would be happy to arrange an interview with pharmacist Thomas Lodise, PharmD, PhD, Associate Professor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, to delve deeper into these results. Dr. Lodise can discuss the implications of this study for hospital pharmacists as it sheds light on the potential clinical utility of Fetroja in the treatment of difficult-to-treat adult patients with culture-confirmed Gram-negative infections.Tom Lodise, PharmD, PhD, professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and clinical pharmacy specialist at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York.(pronounced low-deese not lo-dice)This will be a quick review of the interview topics, and any additional questions that you may have about the material.--You should expect to receive sample interview questions to help you guide the interview.--I’ve included a recent article in CONTAGION LIVE directed to the study that you’ll be addressing in the interview.Time-to-Treat Proves to be Vital in Severely Ill Patients With Gram-Negative Infectionshttps://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.contagionlive.com/view/time-to-treat-proves-to-be-vital-in-severely-ill-patients-with-gram-negative-infections__;!!DlCMXiNAtWOc!xSJ9qL-jtnTrARykD5XxP6jzP-M_Tt38Tki6NjQCLr2AStUrVu6HBFK3hTU5Y32uJwR2_8AQu_cWgSu7Z6Oep2zcAqnNBtu4BA$
 

TWIRx | Travel for Treatment & Specialty Pharmacy Care

Welcome Mike Agostino & Joe Platten with NASH – Network of Advanced Specialty Healthcare Why Travel-for-Treatment An increasing number of Americans are opting to travel abroad for their medical needs, encompassing services such as orthopedic procedures, bariatric surgery, plastic surgery and fertility treatments. Additionally, the utilization of specialty medications is increasing. These medications treat complex health conditions and frequently come with unaffordable costs in the U.S., prompting a necessity to seek options across U.S. borders for safe, affordable specialty medications.

TWIRx | Veterinarian Pharmacists / Mindfullness & the Placebo Effect

Happy Pharmacy Friday
This Week In Pharmacy, our first interview is with Alexandria Arnett Pharm. D Candidate (class of 2025) ACVP Student Pharmacist Board Member
 
Thank you Framework LTC for supporting our Pharmacists! Tune in to their monthly podcast at https://frameworkltc.com/podcast
 
Our second interview,
Dr. Nhu Truong, PharmD
Dr. Nhu Truong is a Functional Medicine/Holistic Practitioner, an Admission Advisor for the STORRIE Institute, and a concierge for the Burn Out to All Out team. With 13 years of experience as a Clinical Pharmacist in Corporate America, she understands the challenges of being a super-working mom and an overachieving clinician and entrepreneur, which took a toll on her health.
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, cultivating self-awareness, and embracing a non-judgmental attitude. It's a powerful tool that can help you navigate the complexities of your career with grace and resilience. Here's how:
Stress Reduction: Mindfulness techniques can reduce stress levels, helping you stay calm and composed even in high-pressure situations.
Enhanced Focus: By training your mind to be present, you can improve your concentration and productivity.
Improved Decision-Making: Mindfulness allows you to make better decisions by fostering clarity and reducing the influence of impulsive reactions.
Increased Creativity: Embracing mindfulness can unlock your creative potential, enabling you to find innovative solutions to challenges.
Work-Life Balance: Achieving a balance between your career and personal life becomes more attainable as mindfulness helps you set boundaries and prioritize self-care.
Dr. Luana Colloca, a physician-scientist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, calls this our “inner pharmacy.” Just expecting to feel better can cause the release of these substances.
“Our mindset is so critical,” Colloca says, “because our thoughts are not independent from our bodies’ responses.”
The placebo effect can be powerful. It can help with pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, or nausea. But our inner pharmacy can’t treat everything. It can’t, for instance, make tumors go away, lower your cholesterol, or get rid of infections.
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2023/01/powerful-placebo#:~:text=The%20placebo%20effect%20can%20be,or%20get%20rid%20of%20infections. 

TWIRx | Your Hidden Superpower

What is your hidden superpower? Emmy Award winning ABC News journalist and Good Morning America correspondent Adrienne Bankert has seen the power of kindness at work firsthand. We welcome Amy Terpeluk - guiding major brands, companies and nonprofits as essential pillars of hope for a brighter future. While challenges persist, their unwavering commitment, creative thinking and collaborative approach are helping to lead the way towards a better world—where social and environmental issues are addressed with courage, conviction and compassion. Purpose & Social Impact are crucial components of communications and marketing. How is your kindness impacting the world around you?

TWIRx | Cost+ Specialty Pharmacy

Lumicera is unique in that it was one of the first to provide transparency to the market. It became the first national, Cost+ Specialty Pharmacy providing clients with true acquisition plus a flat patient management fee pricing model utilizing First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory pricing model. Lumicera serves Navitus members, a PBM that employs a full pass-through model, where they pass 100% of all network discounts and pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates they receive directly back to the client, and just celebrated their millionth shipment of specialty medications.

TWIRx | Leading Pediatric Pharmacist & The Best of the Best Celebration Episode

We're celebrating with special guests for SingleCare's 2023 Best of the Best award winning pharmacist Dr. Jan Marie Salcido, Pharm.D along with Dr. Jen Bourgeois, PharmD.