By: Tasnima Nabi, Copy Editor [Content-Focused] – Social media is a powerful platform, allowing for the quick and easy exchange of ideas. Although the Internet has facilitated universal access, for many, it can be difficult to find reliable information. By combining the power of the Internet with his dedication to the pharmacy profession, Eric Christianson,…

By: Nancy Simon, PharmD c/o 2016 – Last November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted a proposal for a Generic Drug Labeling Plan.  This new plan will allow generic drug companies to use the same process as the one used by brand drug companies to update their medication labels to reflect new safety information.1…

By: Stephanie Chiu and Elissa Tam, PharmD Candidates c/o 2015 — According to the Dartmouth Atlas project, health care spending in the United States has risen dramatically and yet health outcomes are not improving; meanwhile, many other countries that spend far less per person than the United States have better health outcomes.1 Studies have since…

By Davidta Brown, Senior Staff Editor – The idea of granting pharmacists the right to prescribe, as well as to counsel and dispense, has long been a source of controversy among healthcare professionals. A study out of the University of Alberta in Canada, published online in mid-April, provided some much needed concrete data for an…

By: Melissa Roy, Co-Copy Editor [Graphics Focused] – During Pharmacy Lobby Day, pharmacists and students from all over New York gather at the capitol in Albany to meet with various members of Congress to discuss the state of pharmacy. This year, similar to previous years, a group of students and faculty from St. John’s University…

By: Fawad Piracha, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Rho Chi Society held its 90th annual meeting on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, paralleling the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) 2014 Annual Meeting and Exposition that took place the same weekend. In attendance were delegates and advisors of Rho Chi chapters from pharmacy…

By: Hayeon Na, Co-Copy Editor [Content-Focused] – On October 8th of 2013, Bayer’s new drug riociguat (Adempas®) was approved for the treatment of patients whose pulmonary hypertension (PH) belongs in WHO groups 1 and 4.1 Riociguat (Adempas®) is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, and currently the only one of its kind on the market.…

By: Sang Hyo Kim, Staff Editor – For the brand new year, we present an interview with Sherif Guorgui, the current Vice-President of Pharmacy at the Ontario Pharmacists Association and the former 2011-2012 President of the Ontario College of Pharmacists in Canada. Mr. Guorgui graduated in 1998 from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University…

By: Katharine Cimmino, Editor-in-Chief and Melissa Roy, Co-Copy Editor [Graphics-Focused] – Dr. Mangione has been a prominent member here at St. John’s University both as a student and as a leader. Before becoming our dedicated Provost, Dr. Mangione was the Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences since 1999. He joined the St.…

By: Frances Trosa PharmD Candidate c/o 2015 – After much anticipation, the report from the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) has arrived! Panel members appointed to the committee have created evidence – based recommendations to assist physicians in managing hypertensive patients. A major difference between the JNC 7 report and the JNC 8 report…

By: Rebecca Gilene, PharmD Candidate c/o 2014, St. Louis College of Pharmacy – The FDA approved macitentan (Opsumit®) on October 18, 2013 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension, often referred to as PAH, is a disease characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries between the heart and lungs. An increase…

By: Taryn Mondiello, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015 – Halloween came early this year to St. John’s University and to the children at the “Hour Children” program in Long Island City. On Wednesday October 30th, Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the Pharmacy Leadership Society, hosted their 12th Annual Healthy Halloween, a Halloween celebration for local…

By: Sherine Jaison, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015 –  The leukemia chemotherapy drug ponatinib (Iclusig) has just been taken off the market. The drug was under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following several reports of serious and life threatening blood clots and narrowing of the blood vessels.1 Ponatinib is a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase…

By: Beatrice Popovitz, Staff Editor and Ada Seldin, Staff Editor –       In August 2013, St. John’s University welcomed Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., former president of Niagara University, into the community as interim president. Fr. Levesque has an elaborate background in Vincentian leadership and higher education, having taught in various religious institutions such…

By: Hayeon Na, Co-Copy Editor and Sang Hyo Kim, Staff Editor – In Volume 1 Issue1 of the Rho Chi Post, we were honored to have an interview with Sandra Leal, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, CDE, and Director of Clinical Pharmacy at El Rio Health Center in Tucson, Arizona. She had started a petition to support…

By: Katharine Cimmino, Editor-in-Chief and Erica Dimitropoulos, Senior Staff Editor –       Just last month, St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences kindly welcomed a new Dean into our family, Dean Russell J. DiGate. Dean DiGate is a highly experienced educator and academic leader. He attended the University of Rochester, where…

By: Ada Seldin and Moisey Rafailov, PharmD Candidates Class of 2015 – The “Coffeehouse Chats” is an annual Rho Chi Society Event that serves as a steppingstone to fostering professional relationships between students and faculty. The event provides a platform for students and professors to exchange experiences and ideas. This year, the event took place…

By: Frances Sousonis, Candidate c/o 2017 – Unfortunately, cancer is a disease about which many are able to share stories. All too often, beloved persons are diagnosed with cancer, or, more regrettably, loses their battle with the beast. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and around 150,000 people each…

By: Tasnima Nabi, Senior Staff Editor – On May 2nd, St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted the “Pre-Finals Relax, Refresh, Recharge Luncheon” on the Great Lawn. The event took place from 12:00 pm till 3:00 pm, with an array of activities. Students were able to picnic on the Great Lawn with…

By: Diana Gritsenko, Pharm D. Candidate c/o 2015 – Most of us who work in a community pharmacy setting will usually get a few scripts a month for an Epi-pen™.  An Epi-pen™ is a device that autoinjects epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) into a patient who is experiencing anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic…

By: Fawad Piracha, Pharm. D Candidate c/o 2016 – The 2012-2013 influenza season has developed into one of the greatest nationwide flu outbreaksof the decade.1 Amid this crisis, many flocked to healthcare providers with flu-like symptoms, while others scoured doctors’ offices, clinics, and pharmacies for the vaccine. With the flu claiming many lives throughout the…

By: Tamara Yunusova, Staff Editor – On December 3, 2012, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals became the first court in the nation to authorize off-label drug promotion under the First Amendment.  The heavily-disputed ruling, which is headed for further appeal, will have far-reaching implications for pharmaceutical companies and drug regulation policy. In a…

By: Mohammad A. Rattu, Pharm.D.  [PGY-1 Resident at VA NYHHS] – We sometimes need to step back and look at our foundations for success.  Without the support of past and present Rho Chi executive boards, there would be no Rho Chi Post newsletter.  From our May to September issues, we will learn about each of…

By: Mohammad A. Rattu, Pharm.D.  [PGY-1 Resident at VA NYHHS] – We sometimes need to step back and look at our foundations for success.  Without the support of past and present Rho Chi executive boards, there would be no Rho Chi Post newsletter.  From our May to September issues, we will learn about each of…

By: Mohammad A. Rattu, Pharm.D.  [PGY-1 Resident at VA NYHHS] – We sometimes need to step back and look at our foundations for success.  Clearly, without the support of past and present Rho Chi executive boards, there would be no Rho Chi Post newsletter.  From our May to September issues, we will learn about each…

By: Lunbao (Jerry) Huang, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Donepezil, brand name Aricept®, is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated as monotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.  Cholinergic deficiency in the cortex and basal forebrain contributes to cognitive deficits in these patients.  Donepezil reversibly, noncompetitively inhibits centrally active acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for…

By: Ebey P. Soman, Editor-In-Chief – As a member of Amnesty International and a student pharmacist, I have an opportunity to be a force for social justice in this world. Remember the classes titled “Social and Behavioral Aspects of Pharmaceutical Care” or the “Moral Theology of Health Care” that you took as a first or…

By: Nancy Simon, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2016 – Exploring cities while getting lost, viewing beautiful sights, and eating delicious food: all highlights of my study abroad experience.  This past semester was more than I ever expected; I do not even know where to begin.  I participated in the Discover the World program through St. John’s…

By: Laura Gianni Augusto, B.S., Pharm.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice – Laura Gianni Augusto, Pharm.D., R.Ph. is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She served as Assistant Dean for Experiential Pharmacy Education from 2007 to 2011.…

By: Marie Huang –       Each month, the Rho Chi Post has the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader among the student pharmacists here at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – someone who is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and can be the change he…

By: SlanixPaul T.  Alex, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2014 – Progressing into one’s fourth year of college is usually a time of mixed emotions for the average college student.  A melting pot of excitement and a sense of accomplishment at the thought of finally graduating after four years of hard work combined with a tinge of…

By: Mohammad A. Rattu, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2012 – We sometimes need to step back and look at our foundations for success.  Clearly, without the support of past and present Rho Chi executive board members, there would be no Rho Chi Post newsletter.  From our May to September issues, we will learn about each of…

By: Mohamed Dungersi & Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, Associate Student Editors – Each month, the editors at the Rho Chi Post have the opportunity to interview one or more of our faculty members. This month, we had the tremendous opportunity to interview the dean of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Dean…

By: Yufan (Frank) Liu, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – “This is the worst day of my life!” These words kept echoing in my head as I approached my rotation at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center clinic one hour late. Getting lost was not how I envisioned starting my first day and that…

By: Sanjay Dave, Supervising Pharmacist, Class of 1985 St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions – Mr. Sanjay Dave is a St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions Graduate, Class of 1985.  Since graduation, he has worked for Pathmark Pharmacies and is currently the supervising pharmacist at Pathmark Pharmacy…

By: Dawn Hur, PharmD Candidate c/o 2017 – While going through the rigorous six years of Doctor of Pharmacy program at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, we as students will continuously ask ourselves if Pharmacy is the “right” career choice. Because I had given up a normal college life of…

By: Mohammad A. Rattu, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2012 –       We sometimes need to step back and look at our foundations for success.  Clearly, without the support of past and present Rho Chi executive boards, there would be no Rho Chi Post newsletter.  Over the next five issues, we will learn about each of our…

By: Nagma Gargi, Pharm D. Candidate 2013 – Traditionally, lipid panels are drawn under fasting conditions. Is there data supporting decreased accuracy in a non-fasting lipid panel? Cholesterol is an essential tool for our body for the synthesis of hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. However, an excess of cholesterol pose a serious threat to…

By: Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi – In previous issues, we discussed prescription drug abuse and several bills currently on the floor of the NYS Legislature, sponsored by Sen. Hannon which addressed the issue. On February 7th, I sat down with Sen. Hannon’s director of communications, Mr. Phil Hecken, and his legislative aide, Mr. Timothy Broschardt to…

By: Nagma Gargi, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Smoking cessation programs are extremely important in our society as increasing evidence emerges showing the correlation between smoking and the risk factors for various disease states. Thus as professionals it is our duty to educate ourselves first, then our patients. In this article, I want to discuss…

By: Lunbao (Jerry) Huang, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Counterfeit prescription medications are becoming a great concern for us. They have increased worldwide costs and endangered our public safety. Activities related to counterfeit drugs cost our healthcare system an estimated $75 billion in 2010. Many patients were seriously injured and died due to counterfeit medications.…

By: Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi – Many pharmacists were disappointed that New York was the 49th state to allow pharmacists to immunize in December 2008. Even then, the state legislature limited pharmacists to administering the influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine to those 18 years and older. There is now some exciting news from Albany. The…

By: Jessica Lee, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2013 – Dr. Hira Shafeeq received her PharmD in 2009 from St. John’s University.  After graduating, she went on to do her PGY-1 at the Brooklyn Hospital Center.  Upon finishing her first year of residency, she decided to complete her specialty residency in critical care at University of Chicago…

By: Shannon Tellier – In December 2011, a report written to the United States (U.S.) Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, discussed the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system.  The objective of the report was to obtain support for expanding the roles of pharmacists in patient care, primary care, and public health services.  This evidence-based…

By: Marie Huang – Each month, the Rho Chi Post has the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader among the student pharmacists here at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions – someone who is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and can be the change he…

By: Shannon Tellier – Dr. Tran is an assistant clinical professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, and a clinical pharmacy manager in Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian: Columbia University Medical Center.  She received her BS in Public Health and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel…

By: Charles George, Pharm.D. – Charles George, Pharm.D. is a recent graduate from the University of Florida in 2011.  He currently works as a community pharmacist for Walgreens Pharmacy in the Central Florida area.  Since graduation, his daily interaction with patients revealed the need for pharmacists to adapt to the evolving role of community pharmacy. …

By: James Schurr, Pharm.D. Candidate c/o 2014 – Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in a state of thyrotoxicosis, or a cause of hyperthyroidism, due to the Immunoglobulin G-mediated agonism of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors located on the thyroid.  Stimulation of TSH receptors causes an increase in circulating thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine…

By: Marie Huang – Each month, Rho Chi Post has the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an inspiring leader among the student pharmacists here at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions – someone who is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and can be the change he or…

By: Ebey P. Soman – With clearly established roles for pharmacists, compounding is recognized and upheld as a core foundation of the pharmacy profession.   It allows pharmacists to provide unique and tailored medication regimens for their patients.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) thought otherwise when the agency sued Franck’s Lab, Inc., a Florida-based…