Scientific Poster Session III - Hot Topic Themed Presentations

Special - Hot Topic Themed Presentations
  Monday, October 14, 2024
  01:00 PM–02:30 PM

Abstract

Service or Program: Pharmacists, as highly trained clinicians, are crucial in clinical research. Here, we emphasize the experiences of a pharmacist-led clinical trial team and advocate for greater pharmacist participation in clinical trials to increase scientific rigor and improve patient outcomes. This single-site pharmacokinetic study (NCT04534153) investigates the impact of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on fexofenadine absorption when co-administered to healthy individuals.¹ The multidisciplinary team, primarily pharmacists, includes a clinical pharmacy principal investigator, pharmacist research coordinators, drug service pharmacists, and a physician monitor.

The study pharmacists ensure trial accuracy and patient safety by evaluating study design, subject eligibility, and interventions. Operational tasks include protocol writing and medication lifecycle and supply management. Clinical tasks include order processing, result reviews, triaging, medication management, interaction monitoring, adverse effect assessment, and communicating medical information effectively.²

Justification/Documentation: Pharmacist involvement in clinical trials, as medication specialists, improves drug safety, access, and outcomes. Expertise in drug therapy optimizes trial design and execution, ensuring patient safety and potentially reducing costs.³ With increasingly complex trials, multidisciplinary team involvement is essential for efficiency and reduced work burden.⁵

Adaptability: Pharmacists' roles can be adapted to various patient-facing settings, such as ambulatory, community, or primary care clinics. Notably, Walgreens Pharmacy has recently partnered with the US government to increase clinical trial access. Expertise in medication management can be applied to facilitate patient enrollment and access as well as ease monitoring, making the trial process more efficient and inclusive.

Significance: Clinical trial pharmacists skillfully perform patient monitoring, medication reconciliations, and adverse event follow-ups. Expertise in pharmacotherapy aids in refining protocols, such as removing unnecessary screening tests and detailing exclusion criteria to improve recruitment. Additionally, pharmacists collaborate with nursing teams on medication-related issues and effectively communicate study risks to participants, while also providing educational opportunities for students and trainees, thereby showcasing essential clinical skills that enhance patient care.

Presenting Author

Maureen Shin PharmD., MS
University of California, San Francisco

Authors

Anu Patel PharmD
University of California, San Francisco

Katherine Yang PharmD., MPH
University of California, San Francisco