10 Ways to Prevent Medication Errors

Any time a healthcare professional, patient, or consumer experiences an unintentional event that could have been prevented in regards to medication or medication use, which may or may not have resulted in patient harm, it is considered a medication error.¹ Each year, more patients die from potentially preventable medications errors in the U.S. than from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), breast cancer, or even motor vehicle accidents.  As a patient, it is important to be thoroughly informed about the medications you are taking and why you are taking them.  In doing so, you will be better able to not only take care of yourself, but also help prevent errors that may possibly have harmful consequences.

As a patient and a consumer, there are 10 simple things you can do in order to help prevent medications errors.  Unfortunately, not all medication errors are preventable, but by following these steps, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and iof you ever have questions please stop into UIC Pharmacy or consult your UIC pharmacist.

1. Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist all of the medications you are taking.²

This includes over the counter and herbals products, such as vitamins and minerals, not just prescription medications. Many medications may interact with each other, but those interactions cannot be caught if your healthcare provider is not aware of everything you are taking.  It may also be helpful to keep a medication list handy, including the name (both brand and generic), dose, and what you are taking it for, so that you can quickly supply your healthcare provider with this information, instead of trying to recall it from memory.

2. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of any potential allergies you may have.²

This includes allergies to both medications and to foods.  It is also important to let your healthcare provider know if you have taken a medication in the past that resulted in an adverse reaction.  By providing this information, you can help to prevent taking similar medications that may produce a similar effect.  Be sure to also tell your healthcare provider the type of reaction you experienced with these medications, whether it may have been an upset stomach, rash, or difficulty breathing.  All of this information can help to determine the severity of the reaction.

3. Know the reason why you are taking each medication.³

Often times, individuals start taking medications prescribed to them by their doctor without knowing exactly why they are taking them. It is necessary to know the importance of each medication you are taking, if it is appropriate, and how it is impacting your health. In doing so, you can take charge of your health, and play an active role with the healthcare team. If you receive a medication from a pharmacy and you are not sure why you are taking it, be sure to ask. Also, never take a medication from a friend or family member that was not prescribed for you.^4,5 The dose or the medication itself may not be appropriate or it may interact with other medications.

4. Make sure you can read the doctors handwriting for new prescriptions.²

Historically speaking, doctors may not always have the best handwriting when writing prescriptions for their patients. In order to prevent any misinterpretation of the medication name or dosing, make sure you can read what is written, and confirm that with your doctor. This action alone may be able to prevent a majority of medication errors, where the wrong medication might be dispensed, or the right medication is dispensed, but at an inappropriate dose. If you are not able to read it, chances are your pharmacist might not be able to read it either.

5. Store medications in a safe, secure place.^4,5

Keep medications out of reach from children and pets, for example in an elevated cabinet or a locked drawer. If children do accidently ingest medications that are not intended for them, be sure to call poison control at 1-800-222-1222. It is also important to not store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet or in places of humidity, heat, or direct sunlight; this could affect the potency and safety of the medication.

6. Keep medications in their original bottles.^4,5

Always keep your medications in their original bottles and take them with the lights on so that you know exactly which medication you are taking.  This will ensure that you are taking the right medications at the right doses. Many medications look very similar, and it is easy to get them mixed up. Also, each time that you take a medication, double check the bottle for the name; the dose; the number of pills per dose; and how to take the medication in order to prevent taking the wrong medication or wrong dose, which could potentially lead to serious negative effects.  

7. Know what to do if you miss a dose.³

It is hard to never miss a dose when taking medications, so it is imperative to know what to do when it happens. Procedures differ depending on how many doses were missed and what medication you are taking.  Some medications recommend taking the dose as soon as you remember, skipping the dose completely and just waiting until your next scheduled dose, or doubling up on the medication for your next dose. It is important to ask your pharmacist what to do in the case of a missed dose in order to prevent under dosing or over dosing your medication.

8. Know what side effects are common with each of your medications.^3-5

It is helpful to know what side effects are common with the medications you are taking, so when you start taking them, you will be aware of what you might expect. Not all patients experience adverse reactions to their medications, but it may be possible. Be sure to report any problems you have to your doctor or your pharmacist; there might be other medication options available for you that might not produce those same side effects, and the pharmacist can work with the doctor to suggest an alternative. Many side effects are fairly common, and may disappear after your body adjusts to the medication.  However, It is also important to be aware of what adverse effects are harmful, and require you to contact a healthcare provider immediately in case they occur. This may also help to prevent false identification of allergic reactions to your medications.

9. Know when and how to take your medications.^3-5

Some medications should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach; some should only be taken with food or after meals; others should be taken at bedtime.  It is vital to know when to take your medication, and how often during the day. Taking your medications at the same time every day may also be very important in terms of efficacy and safety. Also, it is important to know whether your medication can be chewed or crush, or if it needs to be swallowed whole. For example, some long-acting medications work too quickly if they are chewed, and might result in increased absorption and possible toxicity. Other medications might not be effective at all if crushed or chewed, or you might experience adverse effects in these cases. Also, when taking a liquid medication, only use the dosing device that came with it or was provided at the pharmacy; you might want to ask your pharmacist what device would be most appropriate and how to accurately measure. Household teaspoons and tablespoons vary in size, and should never be used.

10. Ask questions and build a relationship with your healthcare providers.²

In order to receive the best treatment available, and to avoid any medication errors, it is important to be able to trust your healthcare providers, and develop a relationship with them. You should be able to ask them any questions you want about your medications or your disease states, and feel confident in the answer they give you. If something does not seem right with your medications, or you are unsure how to take them, ask your pharmacist – that is what they are there for. Often times, medication errors are prevented because the patient questioned something that they knew was not right.

You should take responsibility for your health, and it is important to realize that you are in control. With the guidance and support of your doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers that you may come in contact with, you will know that you are doing all that you can in order to help prevent medication errors from happening to you and those you care about. 

  

References

1. Preventing medication errors. Pharmacist’s Letter. Self-study course #100305. 2010;305.

2. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 20 tips to help prevent medical errors. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tips.html. Accessed August 8, 2011.

3. About.com. Preventing medication errors.. http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/tp/avoid-med-errors.html. Accessed August 8, 2011. 

4. Pharmacists.com. Avoiding medication errors. American Pharmacist Association. http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Pharmacy_Today2&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3546. Accessed August 8, 2011.

5. Institute for Safe Medicine Practices. Consumers. http://search.ismp.org/cgi-bin/hits.pl?in=517791&fh=80&ph=1&tk=le%26%3FEITrEwu%20e%26%3FEITrEwuz%3A%20%26bbwb%3A%20%26bbwbz%3A%20e%26%3FEITrEwu%3A%20%26bbwb&su=upaaJ%26WWddd.bXFJ.iCLWPi_XfFuCXWeuwqfra.qXJ&qy=nwKWk%26I_kpL%20KQQpQr&pd=1. Accessed August 8, 2011.

By: Lauren Tramutola, PharmD Candidate, 2012

What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer

At UIC Pharmacy we want to keep you informed so you can make the best decisions on your health. 

Prostate Cancer is the 3^rd most common cancer in men and leading cause of cancer death in men over 75 years of age.¹  So far in 2011, almost 241,000 men have been newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 33,000 deaths have occurred in the U.S. ²

Quick question…What is a prostate?

The prostate is a gland that is only found in men.  This gland secretes a fluid that helps carry sperm during ejaculation.³  It is about the size of a walnut and sits right under the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Is BPH the same as prostate cancer?

No.  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.¹  Many men have BPH and it does not increase the risk for prostate cancer.  Prostate cancer is the spread of cancerous cells in the prostate tissue.² 

What are some risk factors for prostate cancer?^3,4

Age:  As you age, your risk for prostate cancer increases.  Prostate cancer is rarely seen under the age  of 50.

Ethnicity:  Prostate cancer is more common in African Americans than in Whites or Hispanics.

Family history:  You have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer if your father or brother has the disease.  Also, if a female relative has the BRCA breast cancer gene, you are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Location:  Depending on where you live can actually increase your chance of prostate cancer.  Those who live north of 40 degrees latitude, have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.  This is thought to be attributed to the lack of sunlight during the winter months.

What symptoms would I be experiencing if I had prostate cancer?¹

Unfortunately, not all men will have symptoms and the symptoms of prostate cancer are not specific.  Here are some common symptoms of prostate cancer:

·       Urinating more frequently

·       Having trouble urinating

·       Pain or stinging while urinating

·       Blood in the urine or semen

·       Painful ejaculation

·       Stiff lower back, upper thighs, or hips

Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to prevent prostate cancer?⁵

Although there are no proven ways to stop prostate cancer from happening, there are some changes you can make that are thought to decrease the risk.  These include:

·       Minimize red meat and dairy products

·       Do not exceed the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium (RDA 1000 mg/day for men ages 19 to 70 years old)⁶

·       Maintain a healthy weight with exercise (≥30 minutes/day of aerobic exercise most days of the week)⁷

·       Incorporate healthy food into your diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and fish)

·       Avoid smoking and decrease alcohol intake (≤2 drinks/day for men)⁷

·       The increased intake of soy and coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) has been thought to decrease the risk of prostate cancer, although this has not yet been proven

Should I make an appointment with my physician?

Prostate cancer screening has not yet been proven to save lives.⁸  During yearly check-ups, you and your physician should have a long talk about the pros and cons of screening.  If you decide to be screened, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends to offer screening at 40 years of age and checking again every year or 5 years, depending on the results.  For men that have risk factors, especially African Americans and men with a family history, it is beneficial to start screening around 40 or 45 years of age.  The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends men with a family history or black ethnicity should do annual screening with prostate specific antigen and a digital rectal exam.  However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms previously mentioned, do not wait until you next check-up.  Schedule an appointment with your physician right away.

What kind of tests will my doctor run?^3,8

Digital Rectal Examination:  Your physician may gently insert a finger in your rectum to feel for any abnormalities of the prostate.

Blood Test:  You physician will take a sample of your blood to run a PSA test.  Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein that can be detected in the blood of all men and is often elevated with prostate cancer.  However, there are other reasons why a PSA can be elevated and not be cancerous.  Some reasons include:

·       Injury to the prostate gland (sometimes from bike riding)

·       Ejaculation 48 hours prior to PSA testing

·       Infection in the prostate gland

·       Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Transrectal Ultrasound: This exam is often done when your physician is suspicious of abnormalities.  A probe is placed up the rectum that releases sound waves that bounce off the prostate and creates a picture on a computer.

Prostate Biopsy:  If the PSA is elevated after repeat testing, it is recommended for your doctor to take small pieces of prostate tissue to further analyze them.   

Where can I go for more information?

National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov

National Comprehensive Cancer Network: www.nccn.org

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

References

1. United States National Library of Medicine. Medline plus: prostate cancer.  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000380.htm.  Accessed August 8, 2011.

2.  National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health: Prostate cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate. Accessed August 8, 2011.

3. Hoffman, RM. UpToDate. Patient information: prostate cancer screening. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-prostate-cancer-screening?source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150. Accessed July 29, 2011.

4. Prostate Cancer Foundation.  Understanding prostate cancer: prostate cancer risk factors. http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5802027/k.D271/Prostate_Cancer_Risk_Factors.htm. Accessed August 10, 2011.  

5.  Sartor AO.  UpToDate. Risk factors for prostate cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/risk-factors-for-prostate-cancer?source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150. Accessed July 29, 2011.

6.  Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. http://iom.edu/Reports/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D.aspx. Accessed August 15.

7.  Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report. JAMA. 2003;289(19):2560-2572.

8. Kawachi MH, Bahnson RR, Barry M, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: prostate cancer early detection. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010;8(2):240-262.

By: Tara Gallagly, PharmD Candidate, 2012

Is Diabetes a Concern For You?

Over 25 million or 8.3% of Americans have diabetes.  Approximately, another 80 million are at the pre-diabetic stage, which means that about a quarter of the population is at risk for developing diabetes.  Diabetes accounts for 1 out of every 10 healthcare dollars spent.  It is the leading cause of new cases of blindness, kidney failure, amputations of feet and legs, as well as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. 

What is diabetes?

Our body attains the energy to perform daily functions from the foods that we consume.  The starches and sugars we eat are broken down into glucose which is the main fuel source for the cells of the body.  Insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas is very important in enabling cells to attain and use glucose.  Type 1diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the cells cannot recognize and use the insulin produced.  As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and causes symptoms like frequent urination, extreme hunger or thirst, unusual weight loss, fatigue and irritability, blurred vision, slow healing of cuts and bruises, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.  Type 1 diabetes affects only 5% of the patients, while type 2 diabetes is more common, affecting 90 to 95% of cases. Gestational diabetes specifically affects pregnant women and usually disappears after childbirth with proper treatment.  When diabetes is not controlled, damage is done to many organs of the body and complications arise such as high blood pressure, heart disease, eye problems and blindness, kidney failure, nerve disease and foot problems.

Risk factors

·      Family history

·      Obesity

·      Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans and Asians are at higher risk than Caucasians

·      Physical inactivity

·      History of gestational diabetes

·      Hypertension

·      Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

·      Polycystic ovary syndrome

Treatment
As diabetes is a chronic illness, treatment options are focused on:

·      controlling blood glucose levels

·      slowing progression of the disease  

·      reducing the risk of complications

The first line of treatment for Type 2 diabetes is proper diet and exercise.
An appropriate diet and exercise regimen, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), should:

·      be heavy in whole grains and fiber

·      contain a variety of fruits and vegetables

·      be low in sugars and fats, especially saturated fats

·      include at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 90 minutes of vigorous exercise per week;  resistance training is recommended 3 times per week

If diet and exercise are not enough, there are many medications available to help control blood sugar levels. These include:

·      drugs that sensitize cells to insulin such as metformin

·      drugs that stimulate insulin secretion such as glyburide

·      drugs that slow the absorption of glucose such as acarbose

·      Insulin can also be given directly to patients by injection

A healthcare provider should discuss the specific treatment regimen to be provided, ensure proper implementation, and patient understanding of expected results and possible side effects. In addition, proper monitoring of blood glucose levels at home should be demonstrated.  To help reduce complications, it is recommended to get routine eye, foot, dental, and physical exams in addition to monitoring cholesterol levels and kidney function.

Ways to get involved
November is American Diabetes Month and there are many opportunities for people to help in the fight against diabetes.  The ADA is holding many Step Out events, which are fundraising walks held all around the country to raise awareness and money for diabetes research.  You can choose to walk, donate money, or volunteer.  More information can be found at http://stepout.diabetes.org.

In addition, you can donate money directly to the ADA (http://www.diabetes.org) or other organizations that fund diabetes research, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (http://www.jdrf.org).  You can also contact your elected representatives to increase diabetes research funding and increase access to proper health care for patients with diabetes.

There are also local events provided by the Operation Diabetes group of the UIC chapter of American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP).  They hosted a Diabetes Day Clinic at the Community Health Clinic (located at 2611 West Chicago Avenue) on Nov. 12 as well as participated in an ADA diabetes conference at the Cicero Community Center on the same day.



If you need more information, stop into UIC Pharmacy and talk to a UIC Pharmacist.

References
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes basics. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=GlobalNavDB. Accessed October 26, 2011.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes public health resource. Available at:  http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.htm.  Accessed October 25, 2011.

 Laffel L, Svoren B.  Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. UpToDate Database. Waltham, MA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2011. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-presentation-and-diagnosis-of-type-2-diabetes-mellitus-in-children-and  adolescents?source=search_result&search=diabetes%2C+risks&selectedTitle=4%7E150. Accessed October 25, 2011.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).  What I need to know about diabetes medicines. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/medicines_ez/index.aspx.  Accessed October 26, 2011.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). What I need to know about eating and diabetes. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/eating_ez/index.aspx. Accessed October 25, 2011.

By: Ed Kazyanskaya & Viola Bockenfeld, PharmD Candidates, 2015

Five Things You Might Not Know About Your Pharmacist and/or Pharmacy

At UIC Pharmacy we want to keep you informed. What you do not know about your pharmacist or pharmacy could have a negative impact on your health. It is well known that pharmacists are one of the most trusted health care professionals in the United States; however, there are many misconceptions regarding the role of the pharmacist and the operations of the pharmacy.¹ In this post, we will discuss 5 things you might not know about your pharmacist and/or pharmacy that could help optimize your health care.

1.     Pharmacists are the drug experts, utilize their expertise!

·       In a survey conducted by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), only 40% of patients utilized pharmacists as a source for information on health care needs.² It is important to keep in mind that pharmacists are easily accessible and they are trained to counsel patients on medication utilization and safety.

2.     Get to know your pharmacist by name.

Pharmacists can help optimize your health

 ·       Developing a patient-provider relationship with your pharmacist can have a bigger impact on your health care than you think.  In a survey by APhA, 77% of patients do not know their pharmacist by name.³ Those who knew their pharmacist’s name were more likely to talk to their pharmacist about other drugs they were taking, consult the pharmacist about prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, know the active drug in their medications, and read product labels.  It is also recommended that you use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions so that the pharmacist can have an accurate history of your current and past medications to check for drug interactions.⁴ These are small steps you can take to increase medication safety and improve health outcomes.

 3.     Pharmacy drive-throughs are convenient, but they are also potentially dangerous.

 ·       Pharmacy drive-throughs can help stream-line medication dispensing, but you are picking up your medicines, not fast food.⁵ In a study on the impact of pharmacy design and layout, surveyed pharmacists working in locations with drive-throughs generally agreed that drive-throughs create distractions that can decrease efficiency and increase dispensing errors.⁶ Consumers using the drive-through pharmacy service trade face-to-face interaction with a health care provider for convenience.  This interaction is necessary for proper patient counseling.

4.     Why does placing pills in a bottle take at least 15 minutes?

 ·       Filling a prescription correctly is not as easy as it seems.  There are many steps involved in processing a prescription to ensure that you are getting the right medication, and that this medication will be safe and effective.⁷ When a prescription is received at the pharmacy, it must be entered into the computer system, submitted to the insurance company for payment, filled, and correctly verified.  During this process, the pharmacist will check for drug interactions, allergies, and make sure this medicine is prescribed for the correct reason and at the correct dose.  Keep in mind that all of this occurs in the midst of phone calls, faxes, patient counseling, and other customers filling or picking up their medications as well.  A study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality showed that pharmacists played the largest role in preventing medication errors from reaching the patient.⁸ In this study, interventions by pharmacists accounted for 40% of errors prevented, while 19% and 17% were caught by physicians and patients, respectively.

 5.     Your pharmacy is not just for filling your prescriptions.

 ·       Many pharmacies are now offering clinical services in addition to dispensing medications.  These services include immunizations, disease state management programs, health screenings, and medication therapy management.⁹ There have been many studies done on the implementation of disease state management programs in community pharmacies.^10,11 These studies have shown that pharmacists have a positive impact on the management of chronic disease states such as diabetes and high cholesterol.  These programs resulted in improved patient self-care and increased knowledge of disease states.

Now that you know more about your pharmacist and pharmacy, speak to your pharmacist about how to improve your therapy and health in general.  The Institute of Medicine recommends that patients take an active role in their health care to prevent complications associated with medications.¹² Your pharmacist is there to help you!

 References

 1.     Schweers, K. Pharmacists score big in gallup poll-again. The Dose. http://ncpanet.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/pharmacists-score-big-in-gallup-poll-%E2%80%93-again/. Published December 10, 2009. Accessed August 11, 2011.

2.     American Pharmacists Association. Survey reveals most customers do not carry a medication list. http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=News_Releases2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=21152. Published October 1, 2009. Accessed August 11, 2011.

 3.     Consumermedsafety.org. Know your pharmacist…know your medicine.  http://www.consumermedsafety.org/article.asp?id=66. Published January 2006. Accessed August 11, 2011.

4.     MedlinePlus. Getting a prescription filled.  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001956.htm. Updated August 2, 2011. Accessed August 11, 2011.

5.     Abcnews.com. Experts: consumers can protect themselves against pharmacy errors.  http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/04/experts_consume.html. Published April 2, 2011. Accessed August 11, 2011.

 6.     Caldwel E. Survey suggests pharmacies’ drive-through dispensing puts public at risk. Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/94865.php. Published January 23, 2008. Accessed August 11, 2011.

 7.     Schneider, M. Waiting in the pharmacy:  when patients don’t have patience. Consumer Health Information Corporation. http://www.consumer-health.com/services/WaitinginthePharmacyWhenPatientsDontHavePatience.php. Published 2008. Accessed August 11, 2011.

8.     Sweeny JF. Study:  pharmacists most likely to catch medication errors. Modern Medicine.  http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Clinical+News/Study-Pharmacists-most-likely-to-catch-medication-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/585783. Published March 9, 2009. Accessed August 11, 2011.

 9.     American Pharmacists Association. You and your pharmacist partners in managing medications. http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Consumers1. Updated 2011. Accessed August 11, 2011.

 10.  Mehuys E, Van Bortel L, De Bolle L, et al. Effectiveness of a community pharmacist intervention in diabetes care: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2010; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2010.01218.x.

 11.  Yamada C, Johnson JA, Robertson P, Pearson G, Tsuyuki RT. Long-term impact of a community pharmacist intervention on cholesterol levels in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events: extended follow-up of the second study of cardiovascular risk intervention by pharmacists (SCRIP-plus). Pharmacotherapy. 2005;25(1):110-115.

 12.  American Pharmacists Association. Pharmacists providing medication-related care in all patient care settings, improving medication use and enhancing patients’ lives. http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Insurers_Benefits&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=135&ContentID=22584. Updated 2011. Accessed August 11, 2011.

By: Lilly Nguyen, PharmD Candidate 2012