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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Health & Wellness

Understanding the future of pharmacogenomics testing in patient care

Pharmacogenomics, often referred to as PGx, is a budding field of personalized medicine, and studies how genes influence an individual’s response to treatment with medications. To learn more and register for Washington State University’s new course on pharmacogenomics,  visit our continuing education platform in collaboration with the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. The course begins Monday, February 27 and runs through Friday, May 12, 2023. Pharmacotherapy Associate Professor (Yakima) Rustin Crutchley shares how patients and care providers can use pharmacogenomics as an added tool in their arsenal of treatment options. » More ...

Personalized Medicine and the Future of Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics, a budding field of personalized medicine, is the study of how genes influence an individual’s response to treatment with medications. Drug-related morbidity and mortality due to unoptimized medication therapy is estimated to cost the United States $528 billion annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adverse drug events (ADEs) have been categorized as a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. » More ...

WSU and Mobius educate community on healthy lifestyle habits in February

Mobius Discovery Center in Spokane will be teaming up with Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dr. Universe to educate children and the public about health and wellness each Saturday in February. Along with sharing the basics of healthy lifestyle habits and understanding the human body, the event aims to inspire children in STEAM-related subjects. Families can also sign up for the Dr. Universe club, which hosts regular podcasts, videos, and … » More …

How one alumnus transformed his Seattle pharmacy into a community center

You probably have never considered your local pharmacy to be a community center. But that’s exactly what class of 2008 WSU PharmD graduate Ahmed Ali wanted to create when he started his own pharmacy in the southside of Seattle three years ago. Ali’s Othello Station Pharmacy serves the predominantly East African and Somali community in Rainier Valley. It is also the community in which Ali grew up after relocating to Seattle from Somalia in 1998 at the age of 17.

“It was a completely different world and different language. I had to do a lot of learning, and my parents were the driving force for … » More …

HealthChats: vaccines, flu season and COVID-19

The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held an illuminating discussion on commonly asked questions about vaccines, this year’s flu season, and what that could mean for the eventual distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. Kim McKeirnan and Nicole Rodin, who both teach in the Department of Pharmacotherapy at the college, shared their expertise on how vaccines get produced, and the push to get students certified so that they are ready to vaccinate for what is expected to be a busy flu shot season. » More ...

HealthChats: Managing diabetes through lifestyle changes

In the United States over 34 million people live with diabetes. Of those 34 million, somewhere in the range of 90-95% have type 2 diabetes while the remaining 5-10% have type 1 diabetes. “For some patients who maybe have been living a really busy lifestyle with lots of stress going on and maybe haven't been paying as much attention to their health as some other aspects of their life, getting the diagnosis of diabetes can be a real wake-up call to re-evaluate their priorities and maybe their lifestyle and might be kind of that extra push that they need to get them on a healthier path,” explained Pharmacotherapy Assistant Professor Cheyenne Newsome at last month’s HealthChats seminar. » More ...

Managing diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The deleterious impact that the COVID-19 virus has on people living with diabetes is now well known. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), people living with diabetes are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.  When the American Diabetes Association (ADA), a non-profit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes, had to quickly pull together a panel of experts to study the impact the virus has on people living with diabetes, they called on WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences professor, Joshua Neumiller, who has dedicated his professional life to researching diabetes.

“It is clear that diabetes…increases the … » More …

Intermittent Fasting is More Than a Fad

By Addy Hatch, WSU News

Intermittent fasting was the most-searched diet online last year and the second-most-popular choice of the 38% of Americans aged 18 to 80 who said they followed a specific eating plan.

There are now apps to guide you in intermittent fasting, plus books, blogs and articles touting its success. Unlike some other popular diets, however, there’s also a growing collection of scientific evidence behind it, especially in relation to diabetes and the collection of conditions known as metabolic syndrome.

“I’m starting to see more talk about intermittent fasting and even fasting at the American Diabetes Association meeting,” said John White, chair … » More …

Healthy for the holidays gift guide

By Addy Hatch, WSU News

If you’re looking for a gift to sustain mind and body wellness, why not consult an expert?

Healthcare professionals at Washington State University Health Sciences tell us some of the gifts they’ve given their friends and family—and themselves—that can help encourage exercise, sleep, relaxation or self‑care.

Here are their suggestions:

Marian Wilson

Assistant professor, WSU College of Nursing:

Health starts with a healthy planet! This year I intend to give gifts that will help reduce plastic waste like bamboo utensils, reusable bags for fruits and vegetables, and stainless-steel straws. I also try to give gifts that can be consumed … » More …