Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Washington State University
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences News

Former Interim Dean Linda Garrelts MacLean to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Crimson Gala

Leader in pharmacy practice Linda Garrelts MacLean, class of 1978, will receive the R. Keith Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) on October 7. The award will be presented at the college’s Crimson Gala in Spokane attended by alums, faculty, students, and supporters of the college.

Garrelts MacLean retired from the college on July 1, 2021, after a 20-year career as a professor, department chair, vice dean, and ultimately serving as interim dean from 2018 through 2020. She is the first female to hold the position of dean at the college.

Garrelts MacLean mentored hundreds … » More …

WSU Pharmacy recruiting students from Tri-Cities for Rural Health Initiative

Access to health care continues to be a challenge for nearly 800,000 Washingtonians, according to data provided by Health Resources and Services Administration. To combat this chronic issue, the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is facilitating the pathway for Tri-City students to pursue their doctor of pharmacy degree with a specialization in rural health. Through a renewed agreement between the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Columbia Basin College, students can earn their doctor of pharmacy degree in as little as six years. Those who choose to specialize in rural health are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in … » More …

Study identifies key protein that drives rheumatoid arthritis damage

By Judith Van Dongen, WSU Health Sciences Spokane Office of Research

SPOKANE, Wash. – Scientists have identified a protein known as sulfatase‑2 that plays a critical role in the damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. A chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own joint tissues, rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans.

Published in the journal Cellular & Molecular Immunology, the discovery sheds new light on the molecular processes that drive inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis. It could also someday lead to improved treatment of the disease, which currently has no cure.

“Tumor necrosis factor‑alpha — or TNF‑alpha for short … » More …

September 2022 Updates

FACULTY & STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Ashley Rittenhouse (PharmD ’23) and J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Regents Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of the Drug Information Center Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – vutrisiran (Amvuttra),” in Wolters Kluwer Health’s The Formulary Monograph Service (FMS) in October 2022. Wolters Kluwer Health is a drug and health information publisher, the FMS is a resource used in the formulary decision making process for hospitals and managed care systems on recently released and investigational drugs.

Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – Smallpox and monkeypox vaccine, live, non-replicating (Jynneos),” in the FMS in June October 2022.

Danial Baker published, “Drug … » More …

Research Day showcases cutting-edge discoveries in science

On August 12, current and future scientists gathered to show off their work at the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) Research Day. The all-day event is a celebration of the broad range of research that is ongoing in the college, and an opportunity for trainees to obtain valuable presentation experience and feedback on their research.

“This day really shows the breadth of the cutting-edge research that is happening at the college,” said Pharmaceutical Sciences Interim … » More …

Presenting the class of 2026

On August 19, Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences welcomed the incoming class of 2026. The class is comprised of 46 talented, well-rounded, and thoughtful students who come from across Washington state, around the country and world, including California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Idaho, Canada and China. Their ages range from 20 to 44 years old, and they are a diverse group of students in every way.

“When admitting future student pharmacists, our faculty want to see people with a passion for health care, and folks who will become positive forces in the communities they serve. These students have that,” said College of … » More …

WSU pharmacist creates a haven for Ukrainian refugees

Sixth Avenue Pharmacy, located in the heart of Spokane’s health care hub, reflects the monumental development the city has undergone over the last two decades. The former QualMed Plaza, which houses the nearly 60-year-old pharmacy, has laid vacant for 50 years. The medical building is now being renovated into high-rise luxury apartments touting amenities such as a dog spa and a rooftop sky lounge. Yet, Sixth Avenue Pharmacy has stood the test of time since it opened its doors in 1964. The frenzy of construction outside mirrors the frenetic pharmacy inside where roughly a dozen employees busily fill prescriptions, compound tailor-made medicines, and prepare orders … » More …

August 2022 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Pharmacotherapy Clinical Professor and Director of Quality Assurance Improvement & Accreditation Preparation Terri Levien and J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Regents Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of the Drug Information Center Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – bebtelovimab: preliminary evaluation,” in Wolters Kluwer Health’s The Formulary Monograph Service (FMS) in June 2022. Wolters Kluwer Health is a drug and health information publisher, the FMS is a resource used in the formulary decision making process for hospitals and managed care systems on recently released and investigational drugs.

Drug Information Center Resident Regan Smith, Terri Levien and Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – pacritinib … » More …

Prominent alumnus to receive lifetime achievement award

By Kelly Sylvester

Although he originally wanted to be a veterinarian, it’s clear that WSU alumnus John Oftebro, class of 1965, found his life’s calling as a pharmacist. He began his career as a staff pharmacist for a chain in Seattle, two stints for independent pharmacies, then a short time as a hospital pharmacist, but eventually continued working in independent pharmacy where he discovered his true niche. Eventually, John purchased Kelley-Ross Pharmacy and expanded it to six locations all over the Seattle area and became one of the pioneers of clinical pharmacy and innovation. He credits his success to building relationships, taking risks, and not … » More …

Pharmacy student helps hundreds of Afghan refugees in Washington

Third-year pharmacy student Ghazal Meratnia does not particularly enjoy the spotlight. She likes to keep things low key, but in many ways she’s an everyday hero for hundreds of Afghan refugees living in Washington state. Aside from being a full-time pharmacy student at WSU, Ghazal has served as a certified medical interpreter for Washington state for the last 10 years. Most of her clients are Afghan refugees who recently arrived to the Spokane area and are receiving medical checkups.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” said Ghazal whose family immigrated more than 10 years ago to the United States from Iran, a country which shares a … » More …