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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences News

Ensuring drug safety in underrepresented populations

By Judith Van Dongen

Washington State University scientists are helping to develop safer drug dosing standards for children and other populations that are underrepresented in clinical drug trials, such as pregnant women, older adults taking multiple medications, and people from certain ethnic groups.

Bhagwat Prasad, an associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is leading the research, which could help pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals determine the right dosing for many drugs prescribed to children that have only ever been tested in adults.

Since a child’s body handles drugs differently than an adult’s, it can be challenging to determine the optimal dose—enough … » More …

PharmD students’ top 10 things to do in Spokane —winter edition

By Elina Schmauch, class of 2025

When I first moved to Spokane, I had no idea how to spend my free time. In my opinion, Spokane is best tackled in seasons since winter and summer are two varying degrees of intensity. For this winter I narrowed down a long list of fun winter activities from WSU student pharmacists to these 10:

1. Skiing at Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area

Did you know that Lookout has a discounted student pass for $159 dollars for the ENTIRE season? Whether you ski, snowboard, or are just starting out on the bunny hills, Lookout Pass has become … » More …

Student Perspective: Introducing Elina Schmauch

Hello CougRx Family! My name is Elina Schmauch and I am in my second year of the WSU doctor of pharmacy program (fondly referred to as a PY2) at WSU Spokane. This spring semester of 2023 I challenged myself to take on a project that not only peaks my interests as a pharmacy student, but also involves content creation and community outreach. I am hoping to not only entertain our community with silly videos and fun blog posts, but also highlight what it means to be a pharmacy student in Spokane and what being a student pharmacist means to us as students. To start, I thought it would be insightful to share a few things about myself and what it means to me to be in the pharmacy program at WSU. I was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington and I loved it so much that I stayed to get my undergraduate degree just 15 minutes from where I grew up at the University of Puget Sound. There, I received my bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology, with a minor in Spanish. I also adopted my dog, Goose, who is my biggest supporter through pharmacy school! My family moved to Washington from Puerto Rico in the 80s, and I was a first-generation college student. Receiving my bachelor’s degree was an accomplishment all on its own, and I never thought I would actually continue in higher education. » More ...

WSU toxicologist receives award for groundbreaking research

The Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization dedicated to the understanding of the adverse effects of chemicals and other agents on living organisms. The SOT Achievement Award is a prestigious honor given to a toxicologist who has made significant contributions to the field through their research, education, and service. It is one of the highest awards given by the SOT, and it is a testament to the recipient’s dedication and impact on the field of toxicology.

The Society of Toxicology announced that this year’s recipient of the SOT Achievement Award is Washington State University Pharmaceutical Sciences Associate Professor John Clarke. … » More …

December 2022 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Regents Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of the Drug Information Center Danial Baker and one co-author published, “Drug evaluation – dextromethorphan HBr / bupropion HCl (Auvelity),” in Wolters Kluwer Health’s The Formulary Monograph Service (FMS) in November 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 – insulin icodec: preliminary evaluation,” in the FMS in November 2022.

Drug Information Center Academic Resident Brittney Kessel and Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation … » More …

Understanding the pharmacist’s role in treating HIV/AIDS

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and the college wants to remind you of the important role pharmacists play in treating people living with HIV/AIDS. Pharmacotherapy Associate Professor Rustin Crutchley teaches many topics at the Yakima extension, including Therapeutics of Special Populations and Integrated Pharmacology. However, his passion is illuminating the various breakthrough therapies for people living with HIV/AIDS. Crutchley will resume a six-week rotation to Cape Town, South Africa in May 2023 where he educates student pharmacists about the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Can you tell us more about your background with treating patients living with HIV and how you became interested in … » More …

College alumnus highlights demand for pharmacists in pharmaceutical industry

Randy Legg doesn’t come from a legacy family of pharmacists. In fact, he was the first in his family to go to university, and he knew by middle school that he wanted to become a pharmacist. The class of 1988 college alumnus is now National Clinical Account Director for AstraZeneca, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. He says the path to his current role was not a linear one.

“I relied on mentors in the college as well as people throughout my career to help me progress,” said Legg who has worked in a variety of settings in his 34-year career in … » More …

November 2022 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Pharmacotherapy Vice Chair & Allen I. White Distinguished Professor Joshua J. Neumiller and eight co-authors published, “Diabetes management in chronic kidney disease: a consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)” in Diabetes Care in October 2022.

Director for the Center for Pharmacy Practice Research and Associate Professor of Pharmacotherapy Kimberly McKeirnan and five co-authors published, “Cultures of support and resilience are associated with certified pharmacy technicians embracing new roles,” in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy in October 2022.

Josh Neumiller and eight co-authors published, “Incidence of chronic kidney disease … » More …

Q&A with college alumnus and Chief Pharmacy Officer of Portland hospital

Class of 2007 alumnus Dr. Majid Tanas’ career has spanned all aspects of inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory, and research services. As Vice President of Pharmacy Services and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Legacy Health in Oregon, Dr. Tanas has a world of experience in health systems. Prior to joining Legacy Health, he was Chief of Pharmacy Services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and worked in various administrative positions in health systems at Oregon Health and Science University after completing his Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency at University of Washington Medicine. Earlier this year, Dr. Tanas was recognized by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists … » More …

Q&A with a radiation researcher

Published October 24, 2022, on WSU Spokane Research News by Judith Van Dongen

Portrait photo of George TabatadzeRadiation is used to produce energy, power spacecraft and satellites, and diagnose and treat disease, among other uses. Exposure to radiation comes with safety risks, which are at the heart of the work done by research assistant professor George Tabatadze and his colleagues at the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR), a Tri-Cities-based research unit housed in the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Tell us more about what USTUR does.
We study the biokinetics, dosimetry, and … » More …