Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief
IJPC
Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy Twenty-second edition

News

23andMe Expands Direct-to-consumer Pharmacogenetics Reports
The FDA has granted 23andMe clearance for its CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics report on clopidogrel and citalopram, allowing the company to offer more DTC pharmacogenetics reports to patients.

This allows the company to report interpretive drug information for these two medications without confirmatory testing. Healthcare providers can use the 23andMe report as clinical decision support directly. 23andMe has launched a pharmacogenetics portal for healthcare providers at:

https://medical.23andm3.com/pgt-portal/

This portal will help providers understand a patient's results and possible next steps through educational information, including links to clinically established guidelines and FDA-label information.

PharmacyToday. 2020; 26(11): 31 and www.pharmacist.com

Did You Know...

...that a great story was recently published about a compounding pharmacist and what he meant to the community of patients and caregivers he served? It can be found at:

https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=bb55b3f0-824d-4741-bb62-294bab4f080b

Thought of the Week

There are no doubt hundreds or thousands of similar stories of pharmacists serving their communities in an extraordinary way. This is the way we were taught years ago, but it seems like some of the "human factor" has been lost with technology, growth, and quotas. I have yet to see a human interest story of a pharmacist being congratulated by patients because a quota was met!

Announcement

Medi-Dose, Inc. / EPS, Inc. Announces Expanded Line of Resealable Hazardous Drug Bags

Ivyland PA - Winter 2020 - Clearly identifying medications requiring special handling, such as those covered by USP <800>, is important for the safety of your staff and your patients. To help you protect everyone involved in dispensing and administering these meds, Medi-Dose/EPS has introduced a new line of Hazardous Drug Bags.

These bags feature dedicated messages, in a bold color scheme, alerting health care professionals to observe caution when handling and transporting hazardous medication. Available in 4 sizes and 2 thickness, these bags are latex free, manufactured from high quality low-density polyethylene, are economically priced and are ready for immediate shipment.

For more information on all EPS Bags and complementary products, contact Robert Braverman 800-523-8966 rbraverman@medidose.com or visit www.medidose.com

Get a Sample of IJPC

Get a free digital sample issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding - the only journal solely dedicated to compounding - at IJPC.com/FreeSample

Like what you see? Subscribe today to receive the latest digital issue and be in time to get the Jan/Feb 2021 print issue delivered to your door!

Looking Back

Although insured,
Remember kiddo,
They don't pay you,
They pay your widow!
     Burma-Shave

Compounding moves pretty fast.
If you don't have the basics down pat,
it can mess you up.

Best practices. They're the key to a well-run compounding operation. To keeping patients safe. And yes, to preserving your reputation.

That's why APC's EduCon Virtual 2021 is focused on best practices in compounding, and it's coming fast: February 4-5, 2021. Co-hosted with the Ohio Pharmacists Association, the virtual event offers nine CPE hours for both pharmacists and technicians -- and it's all aimed at assuring your team practices with high competence and integrity!

Sessions include:

• The State of the Alliance: APC, Working for You
• Living the Code: The Compounder Code of Ethics ... and Your Reputation
• COVID Vaccine: Best Practices for Pharmacies
• What's That? Answering Your Questions About Historical Formulations
• Cocktails & Quick Tours: HCG, Peptides, e-Prescribing, Insanitary Conditions, BUDs and USP, and More!
• Why the Math Matters: Calculations & Legal Risks
• Pharmacovigilance: Preventing Adverse Events
• Think You're Not a Researcher? Think Again!
• What's in It? All About Excipients
• Works for Me: 6 Great Ideas for Doing It Better, Cheaper, Faster

If ethical practice is your priority, you owe it to your patients and your business to make sure you and your team join us for EduCon 2021. Your reputation may just depend on it.