Topics and Expertise: pharmacists

Doctor of pharmacy students at the UCSF School of Pharmacy were recognized March 17, 2006 with a national Medicare Student Outreach Competition award for their success in educating the public about the new federal Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program, known as Medicare Part D.

Helene Levens Lipton, PhD, UCSF School of Pharmacy professor and health policy expert explores the impact of Medicare Part D on pharmacy business.

B. Joseph Guglielmo Jr., PharmD, has been named chair of the department of clinical pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco. The appointment is effective March 20, 2006.

Marilyn Stebbins, PharmD, UCSF School of Pharmacy clinical professor and drug benefit expert, explains the problems as of January 2006 with the rollout of the Medicare Part D drug benefit. She advises seniors on how to get the medication coverage that best meets their needs.

Reports to the California Poison Control System of the use of the drug gamma hydroxybutate (GHB) have declined overall from 1999 to 2003. These findings were reported on December 29, 2005 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

The 2005 potential avian flu pandemic caused a shortage of antiviral drugs, leading to concerns about access, efficacy, and distribution.

A unique course of study offered by UCSF's School of Pharmacy has led a strong student to realize his goal of doing research and helping patients overseas. It has helped him to win a prized Fulbright Fellowship to boot.

A new benefit for prescription drugs will be offered through Medicare beginning January 1, 2006. Medicare recipients who are eligible for this benefit must evaluate their drug benefit options and enroll in a drug plan.

The growing use of herbals and dietary supplements calls for increasing consumer education of products, their ingredients and effects, possible interactions with other medications, and much more.