Profession: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

We humans are all so different, on so many levels, with our genetics being at the core of it all. Decades after the initial implementation of pharmacogenetic testing becoming an opportunity within patient care involving pharmacotherapy, there are still innovations being deployed for the implementation of its utilization in pharmacy.

The adage that “everything changes with kids” is arguably just as applicable in the pharmacy world as it is in the world of parenting. Working with pediatric patients requires a different understanding of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. In this session, our pediatric pharmacist examines the intricacies of pediatric pharmacokinetics, focusing on the most practical pieces routinely seen in practice.

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection acquired through sexual contact which could develop into a disease. In 2021, the CDC provided an update on the treatment of STIs as well as a focus on preventative strategies. Healthcare providers have an important role in raising awareness of STIs, counseling on the recommended treatments for both patient and partner and educating on risk factors and prevention. This course will review the most common STIs and their management, based on clinical guidelines and the role of the healthcare provider.

The Food and Drug Administration approved over 50 new medications in 2023. Participants in this presentation will learn the names, indications, role in therapy, adverse effects and pertinent drug interactions, and important patient counseling points about each medication. Even if all the medications are not relevant for all pharmacy practices, it is important the pharmacists and technicians be aware of new drug developments!

We are trained to ask our patients what medication allergies they have, but do we ask what other allergies they may have? There are nine major food allergens, many of which can appear in medications as inactive ingredients. These allergens can have detrimental effects on patients who are allergic to these items, so it is important for us as healthcare practitioners to be able to identify when allergens are present and to recommend alternative medications as appropriate.

This session seeks to expose pharmacists and nurses to the most recent psychiatric updates that are key to providing optimal pharmaceutical care for patients with mental illness. In order to meet the challenge of staying current with the increasing variety of agents available, as well as the continually evolving guidelines informing prescribing practices, it is recommended that the pharmacist and nurse participate in pharmacotherapeutic updates focused on anxiety and other psychiatric illness, as a planned part of their continuous professional development (CPD).