By: Alisha Kuriakose, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 “The Pharmacist” is a Netflix documentary that showcases pharmacist Dr. Daniel Schneider’s crusade against OxyContin® abuse. It highlights his discovery of a corrupt doctor who exploited her medical license and destroyed communities in Louisiana. It also illustrates his fight to expose Purdue Pharma of falsely reporting the addictive…

By: Aiśa Mrkulic PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common reasons children require referrals for mental health services.¹ In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the screening of every child with ADHD for neuropsychiatric comorbidities. With, “one in every 20 children affected,” it exists…

By: Edwin Gruda, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022; Aiśa Mrkulic, PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022              Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications are typically used for mild pain relief. Many patients rely on their OTC medications to treat headaches, fevers, muscle pain, tooth aches and mild arthritis. In March of 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new…

By: Lyana Sayilar PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022              Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder affecting 4,000 to 8,000 Americans. Adults with this disorder are often found to have anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4)antibodies that primarily attack healthy cells and proteins in the optic nerves and spinal cord. The majority of patients have relapses within three…

By: Anjali Rana PharmD. Candidate c/o 2025              While too much of any food or substance is not good, sodium-rich diets are especially harmful to the body causing increases in blood pressure and fluid retention. Sodium is found in majority of the foods consumed. People should be cautious of processed goods and restaurant meals which…

By: Bisma T. Sekhery PharmD. Candidate c/o 2025              COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the health, economic, and social aspects of life for every person. Currently, there is only one Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for COVID-19–remdesivir (Veklury®). The lack of approved therapies makes COVID-19 difficult to treat and increases overall mortality…

By: Rebecca Samuel, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 and Pallak Sharma, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              It is flu shot season! That’s a phrase that causes almost every pharmacy staff member to take a deep breath. Amid the pandemic, flu shot season is busier than ever and it is directly affecting pharmacies across the country. In…

By: Preethi Samuel, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o of 2021              In the United States, at least one person has a heart attack every 40 seconds and 1 of every 5 is silent.1 Heart attacks are commonly a result of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Preceding plaque buildup in arterial walls can potentially lead to a heart attack…

By: Jeremy Mesias, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              It starts with a simple cough or a wheeze. Suddenly, it escalates to tightness in the chest. Breathing gets quicker but shallower, making you feel short of breath. These are the most common and recognizable symptoms of an asthma attack.  Around the world, nearly 300 million people…

By: Erica Tonti, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, is a recent syndrome recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The emergent outbreak of COVID-19 brought concern as to who would be affected by MIS-C and how severe the impact of the syndrome would be. Children, thought to…

By: Sami Barakat, PharmD. and Natalia Jucha, PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022              Since the publication of the Institute of Medicine report To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System, there has been a growing movement to improve patient safety. The report revealed that more than 7000 deaths occur annually due to medication errors.1 It…

By: Darien Lee, Pharm D Candidate c/o 2021              Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, is one of the most commonly used medications in hospitals. Its widespread use is attributed to its efficacy for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. One of its most notable features is its coverage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus…

By: Natalia Jucha PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              Due to the overuse and misuse of these medications, antibiotics are no longer as effective against their intended pathogens.1 In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its AWaRE Classification Database which stands for “Access, Watch and Reserve”.2 Clinicians use this database as a guide to appropriately…

By: Adrian Wong, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021 On May 5, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval for Farxiga® (dapagliflozin) oral tablets to have a new indication: to lower the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for adults with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV heart failure (HF) with reduced…

By: Katharine Russo, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021              As of July 1, 2000, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) mandated for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree to be the sole degree required to enter pharmacy practice in the United States. ¹ With this advanced degree came the complex education, training, and clinical practice…

By: Shea Dorsey, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021            COVID-19 has taken a major toll on the mental wellbeing of people around the world and continues to do so today, almost 7 months after the United States first announced quarantine. Many individuals previously diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, trauma-and stressor-related disorder (TSRD) or expressed…

By: Mah Noor, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021              Over the past decade, pharmacists across the nation have joined in a number of grassroots efforts to gain legislative recognition as health care providers. As of 2019, thirty-four states have recognized pharmacists as providers in at least one section of their state statute or in their state…

By: Jeremy Mesias, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022            As we begin another October, we mark the start of American Pharmacist Month and celebrate pharmacists and their work around the country. We are also reminded of the great leaps and bounds our profession has made over the years to advance patient care. Behind all great progress,…

By: Aiša Mrkulić , PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              In fulfilling our vow to uphold the Oath of a Pharmacist, we must regard, “the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering” as our top priority. Voluntary are the promises which accompany this oath, promises with wellness at their forefront. ² It is not without reason…

By: Nishanth Viswanath, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 Introduction   Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)  is a hematological malignancy of mature CD5 positive B-lymphocytes that primarily affects elderly patients.1 With the average age of diagnosis being 71, the incidence of CLL is relatively rare in younger populations, though cases have occurred in those under the age of 50.1…

By: Dana Weinstein, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022              Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in humans is caused by two main species, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare. These species are difficult to differentiate and therefore are collectively referred to as Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI).1 These acid-fast, atypical nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) are the most common cause of lung disease in the U.S.2 MAC is…

By: Lyana Sayilar, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020 Approved on April 17, 2020, tucatinib (TukysaTM) is indicated to aid in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive metastatic breast cancer and could be a potential add-on therapy.3 Among the different types of breast cancers, an increase of HER2, a transmembrane glycoprotein consisting…

By: Jason Ifeanyi, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral strain responsible for causing COVID-19, continues to have a profound impact on communities at a local, national and global level. As of August 20, 2020, nearly 5.7 million confirmed cases exist in the United States with a total of…

By: William Obilisundar, PharmD Candidate c/o 2023, Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences              One of the most interesting events hosted by the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy during the 2019-2020 academic year was a seminar entitled, “Mental Health Awareness: A Focus on Suicide & Stigma,” presented by Dr. Carolyn M. Tyler, Ph.D.,…

By: Preethi Samuel, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021, Aisa Mrkulic, PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022              Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic illness involving misuse of opioids, both prescribed and non-prescribed, as well as the use of illicitly obtained heroin. OUD carries a risk of fatal overdose, preceded by the following triad: pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression,…

By: Evan Cheung, PharmD (c/o 2020)             On March 11th, 2020, a research article was published in the Lancet journal that informed the public about a hypothesized issue regarding the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 patients.1 Because of the information found in this article, patients and medical professions are wary of utilizing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs…

By:  Natalia Loomis, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 The World Health Organization announced the official name “COVID-19” on February 11, 2020 when the outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China. ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease and 19 for the year the first case occurred.2 The Center for Disease Control and…

By: Jason Ifeanyi, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (Sars-Cov-2), the viral strain responsible for causing COVID-19, continues to have an undeniable impact both on a national level and a global level. As of June 20th, 2020, there have been nearly 2.4 million reported cases in the United States, with nearly 122,000…

By: Shivani Kaneria, Pharm D. Candidate c/o 2020 Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects 10 – 20 percent of new mothers post childbirth per year, and is caused by a combination of both physical and emotional factors.5 Mothers who experience this form of depression undergo common symptoms of feeling sad, crying often with…

By: Aiśa Mrkulic, PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022 APhA’s Red Dress Gala continues to be their largest, not-for-profit fundraising event of the year. Welcome were members and non-members all the same. Student pharmacists from other chapters are often present—the 5th Annual Red Dress Gala being no exception! DAC Ballroom housed the festivities, as awareness was brought…

By: Alisha Kuriakose, PharmD Candidate c/o 2022 Every ten seconds, someone in the United States (U.S.) goes to the emergency room with complaints of head pain, many of which can be attributed to migraines. A migraine is a neurological condition characterized by intense and debilitating headaches. Those suffering from migraines may have experiences including nausea,…

By: Aiśa  Mrkulic, PharmD. Candidate c/o 2022 Thrive NYC’s Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Program has taken Johnnies by storm! Three sign-ups and a wait-list later, I managed to secure my spot as an attendee. Students of various majors, who belonged to any one of a wide range of student-led organizations, flooded into Marillac…

By: Mah Noor, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021 Although the opioid crisis began in the late 1990s, there has been a recent increase in prescription and illicit opioid drug use which has led to an increased prevalence of opioid overdoses due to misuse and dependency. In 2017, the number of overdose related deaths involving opioids, including…

By: Joseph DiPaola (PharmD Candidate c/o 2022), Nishanth Viswanath (PharmD Candidate c/o 2022)            Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are drugs that induce a physiological state of paralysis, and are used in a variety of surgical procedures, disease states, and situations in clinical pharmacy and anesthesiology. Practitioners have been successfully using NMBAs since 1995 after the…

By: Darien Lee, PharmD Candidate c/o 2021            Wuhan, the most populous city in Central China, has a population of over 11 million people. The city is one of China’s largest transportation and manufacturing centers with dozens of railways and roads as well as thousands of technological enterprises and institutions, respectively. In late December 2019,…

By:  Maria Sedky Saad (PharmD Candidate c/o 2021), Shivani Shah (PharmD Candidate c/o 2021)            Hyperglycemia is a common condition in hospitalized patients whose glucose levels are normally controlled with oral antidiabetic medications, which are often discontinued upon admission. To circumvent hyperglycemic complications in hospitalized patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, glucose levels…

By: Maryam Sekhery, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            According to the World Health Organization, anemia is defined as having a level of Hemoglobin (Hb) below 13.0 g/dL in male adults, below 12.0 g/dL in female adults who are not pregnant, and below 11.0 g/dL in pregnant women.1 Hemoglobin is an iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein in red…

By: Michael Lim, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            Osteoporosis is a bone disease affecting nearly ten million people in the United States.1 It can be caused by excess bone loss, insufficient bone production, or a combination of both factors. The disease is responsible for two million broken bones and 19 billion dollars in related healthcare…

By: Yao Jiang, PharmD (St. John’s University c/o 2019)            “Do you want to do a residency?” a senior pharmacy student asked me as I strolled past their booth on Pharmacy Organization Day during my first year of pharmacy school. I stopped for a minute, but everything they said about post graduate training and clinical…

By: Daniela Farzadfar, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            Over 30 million Americans are currently living with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), in 2017, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States was 327 billion dollars with 237 billion dollars alone attributed to direct medical costs.1 Among these direct medical costs…

By: Evanthia Siozios, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            Anxiety, nausea, muscle pain, insomnia are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms experienced when users stop taking opioids. According to a randomized controlled trial entitled Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study (POATS) conducted in outpatient treatment settings across the United States including Mclean Hospital in Massachusetts and…

By: Michael Lim, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            In a February 2019 Senate Finance Committee hearing, executives from major pharmaceutical companies including AbbVie, Merck, and AstraZeneca were criticized for the high cost of brand-name prescription drugs.1 When asked why brand-name prescription drugs in the United States were more expensive compared to other developed countries, an…

By: Michael Lim, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            As modern technology continues to grow ever more complex and powerful, it is no surprise that the healthcare industry is constantly searching for medical applications of the latest technological advancements. Whether it be new health system software or medical devices for at home testing, the integration of…

By: Evanthia Siozios, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            A diagnosis of epilepsy requires either two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with the possibility of having more.1 These seizures are not usually caused by factors such as alcohol withdrawal or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Missing doses of seizure medication is the most common cause of…

By: Michael Lim, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            In 2017, 70,237 overdose deaths occurred in the United States. Of those deaths, 47,600 (sixty-seven point eight percent of all drug overdose deaths in 2017) involved opioids.1 As the current main driver of drug overdose deaths, opioids and their misuse and abuse represent an ongoing health epidemic…

By: Sylvia Hong (PharmD Candidate c/o 2021), Muaz Sadeia (PharmD Candidate c/o 2021)            On March 5, 2019, Janssen Pharmaceuticals gained approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for esketamine (Spravato™), the first fast acting nasal spray antidepressant indicated for treatment of resistant depression as conjunctive therapy to oral antidepressants in adults.1 This new…

By: Michelle Lavrichenko, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            What does it mean to be a pharmacist? A pharmacist is a qualified health care professional who reviews, prepares, and dispenses medications; but what is the definition of the term qualified as it pertains to pharmacy practice? In order to obtain a license to practice pharmacy, one must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination…

By: Sarah, Hewady, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            Calcium’s fundamental importance in the early hemostasis phase of wound healing has been established through its role as a cofactor in the blood-clotting cascade, facilitator of platelet aggregation with von Willebrand factor, and activator of protein kinase C, ultimately leading to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa’s increased binding affinity for…

By: Michael Lim, PharmD Candidate c/o 2020            In the investigation of gene function and its role in health care and disease management, RNA interference is an important scientific tool. Possessing the ability to individually turn off nearly 22,000 genes upon introduction into human cells, small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs), while useful in research settings,…

By: Vasantha Kolluri, PharmD Candidate c/o 2019 With the recent advancement of oral oncology drugs, there has been an ever-growing need for specialty pharmacy services. Although these oral agents allow for patients to receive therapy at home, clinical outcomes heavily depend upon patient adherence and management. Specialty pharmacy is a niche area of pharmacy practice…