Think Before Prescribing: Using the Beers Criteria in Advanced Practice
Prescribing for older adults requires more than knowledge of drug therapies — it demands careful evaluation of medication safety. The 2023 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria helps APRNs identify potentially inappropriate medications in older adults who face increased risks due to physiologic changes, polypharmacy, and heightened drug sensitivity. As highlighted in a PharmCon freeCE educational activity led by Carolyn O’Brien, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, the Beers Criteria is a clinical guideline, not a mandate. It supports individualized decision-making, particularly when managing high-risk medications such as anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, certain sulfonylureas, and NSAIDs. APRNs must weigh fall risk, delirium potential, cognitive burden, and overall quality of life while considering safer alternatives and deprescribing strategies. Using Beers thoughtfully strengthens medication safety, improves geriatric outcomes, and reinforces advanced pharmacology competency in high-stakes prescribing situations.
Use of Epinephrine in Emergency Situations (Anaphylaxis): Part 2
Fear, not pharmacology, is often the biggest barrier to timely epinephrine use. In Part 2, we explore how needle phobia shapes patient behavior, refill patterns, and real-world outcomes, and why intranasal epinephrine may represent a meaningful shift in anaphylaxis treatment design.
Use of Epinephrine in Emergency Situations (Anaphylaxis): Part 1
Epinephrine saves lives in anaphylaxis, yet hesitation, needle fear, and device complexity still delay use. This article explores the real-world barriers pharmacy teams see every day and why intranasal epinephrine may represent a meaningful shift in emergency care delivery.
Point-of-Care Testing Isn’t “Extra” Anymore: How Pharmacy Technicians Are Becoming Essential to POCT
Point-of-care testing is no longer an “extra” service in pharmacy. From flu and COVID testing to A1C and cholesterol checks, POCT has become part of daily workflow. And behind every successful testing program are trained pharmacy technicians. Learn how POCT is expanding technician responsibilities and why proper training makes all the difference.
Florida Pharmacy Technician CE Requirements for 2026
Florida pharmacy technicians must complete 20 total continuing education (CE) hours by December 31, 2026 to renew their Registered Pharmacy Technician status with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. The biennial requirement includes 2 hours of Board-approved medication error CE, with the remaining hours fulfilled through general ACPE- or Board-approved courses that count toward Florida’s renewal. CE Broker is the official tracking system for reporting completed credits.
Embracing AI Innovations: The Digital Clinician
A recent phase 2 clinical trial suggests that azelastine nasal spray, a common antihistamine used for allergic rhinitis, may reduce the risk of SARS CoV 2 infection. Researchers observed lower infection rates and fewer symptomatic cases among participants using the spray. Although these early findings are intriguing, larger studies are needed before azelastine can be recommended for routine COVID prevention.
Level Up Your LAI Practice: Building Confidence with Long-Acting Antipsychotics
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics can improve adherence and outcomes, but many pharmacists lack confidence navigating their complexity. This ACPE-accredited CE series led by Dr. Tammie Lee Demler equips pharmacists with the clinical knowledge, practical skills, and patient-centered strategies needed to confidently initiate, manage, and administer LAI antipsychotics in real-world practice.
From Allergy Relief to Viral Defense? Exploring Nasal Antihistamine Use Against COVID
A recent phase 2 clinical trial suggests that azelastine nasal spray, a common antihistamine used for allergic rhinitis, may reduce the risk of SARS CoV 2 infection. Researchers observed lower infection rates and fewer symptomatic cases among participants using the spray. Although these early findings are intriguing, larger studies are needed before azelastine can be recommended for routine COVID prevention.
Special Considerations for Children with Diabetes
Diabetes care for kids isn’t just “adult care in smaller doses.” From growth spurts and puberty to school lunches, sports, and mental health, pediatric diabetes requires a unique approach. Here’s how pharmacists, nurse practitioners, families, and schools can work together to keep kids safe — while letting them be kids.
Simplify to Succeed: How Fixed-Dose Combination Therapies Improve Diabetes Adherence
Managing multiple comorbidities in type 2 diabetes often leads to complex medication regimens—and poor adherence. Fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapies offer a clinically sound solution by streamlining treatment without compromising efficacy. This blog explores how APRNs can use FDCs to reduce pill burden, improve glycemic outcomes, and enhance long-term adherence.