Evaluation of Prescription Adaptation Following Changes to A Provincial Drug Insurance Formulary

On 1 December 2016, British Columbia’s (BC) provincial drug insurance program changed which medications in certain classes would benefit under the insurance program in an attempt to reduce expenditure. As part of the modernization, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins), Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCB) were affected. Prescribers and pharmacists had six months to discuss the changes with patients, and change medications if deemed necessary. Purpose: To quantify the changes made to prescriptions and to adjust to the Modernized Reference Drug Program. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at two clinics in Prince George, BC. Charts for patients that were prescribed any drugs in the affected classes were reviewed to determine if, and when, they had been changed, and by which health care professional. In December 2016, a clinical pharmacist, integrated within the study clinics, informed prescribers of the changes, and made patient-specific clinical notes within the charts. The notes described the changes and recommended alternative agents and appropriate dosing in order to assist the prescriber to have a conversation with the patient regarding the switch. Results: Out of 429 unique patients, 233 patients were prescribed a Statin, 229 patients an ACEI, 110 an ARB and, 83 a CCB. Sixty-five drug changes were indicated to reflect the modernization, and with guidance from a clinical pharmacist, nurse practitioners (NPs), and family physicians (FPs), 65% of these identified drugs were switched to reflect the modernization. Community pharmacists made no drug changes in the study sample, despite the prescriptive authority and compensation available to do so. Province-wide, approximately 21% to 33% of affected drugs were switched during the same time-frame. Direct collaboration between a clinical pharmacist, working alongside NPs and FPs, was more successful in optimizing these medications when compared to standard practice, or community pharmacists alone.Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCReviewedFacult

Perceptions of Independent Pharmacist Prescribing among Health Authority- and Community-Based Pharmacists in Northern British Columbia

Pharmacists across Canada have varying degrees of ability to prescribe medications depending on their jurisdiction of licensure. The purpose of this study was to the evaluate attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing among health authority- and community-based pharmacists. This prospective, cross-sectional online survey assessed the perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing of health authority and community pharmacists practising in northern British Columbia (BC), which was defined as within the geographical boundaries of Northern Health. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis. There were 45 respondents to the survey: 22 community pharmacists and 23 health authority pharmacists. Both community and health authority pharmacists held positive perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing and did not identify any barriers to incorporating independent pharmacist prescribing into their practice. Respondents were highly likely to apply for independent pharmacist prescribing authority, if available. Pharmacists in BC are currently not able to independently prescribe schedule I medications. The provincial regulatory body has proposed a framework for a Certified Pharmacist Prescriber designation, which if approved would allow pharmacists to prescribe in collaborative practice settings. This study provides some insight into the perception of pharmacists in northern BC in pursuing this designation, which may be valuable for planning purposes in case of adoption of the framework. These results are also likely applicable to other non-urban practice settings in Canada. Pharmacists in northern BC perceived independent pharmacist prescribing positively and a high proportion were likely to apply for this authority if it were permitted via legislation.Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty ofNon UBCReviewedFacult

Perceptions of Independent Pharmacist Prescribing among Health Authority- and Community-Based Pharmacists in Northern British Columbia

Pharmacists across Canada have varying degrees of ability to prescribe medications depending on their jurisdiction of licensure. The purpose of this study was to the evaluate attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing among health authority- and community-based pharmacists. This prospective, cross-sectional online survey assessed the perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing of health authority and community pharmacists practising in northern British Columbia (BC), which was defined as within the geographical boundaries of Northern Health. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis. There were 45 respondents to the survey: 22 community pharmacists and 23 health authority pharmacists. Both community and health authority pharmacists held positive perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing and did not identify any barriers to incorporating independent pharmacist prescribing into their practice. Respondents were highly likely to apply for independent pharmacist prescribing authority, if available. Pharmacists in BC are currently not able to independently prescribe schedule I medications. The provincial regulatory body has proposed a framework for a Certified Pharmacist Prescriber designation, which if approved would allow pharmacists to prescribe in collaborative practice settings. This study provides some insight into the perception of pharmacists in northern BC in pursuing this designation, which may be valuable for planning purposes in case of adoption of the framework. These results are also likely applicable to other non-urban practice settings in Canada. Pharmacists in northern BC perceived independent pharmacist prescribing positively and a high proportion were likely to apply for this authority if it were permitted via legislation

Assessing Use of a Standardized Allergy History Questionnaire for Patients with Reported Allergy to Penicillin

Background: Inappropriate allergy labelling is associated with significant clinical and pharmacoeconomic implications. Detailed antimicrobial allergy assessments represent a key component of antimicrobial stewardship and aid in identifying true type I (immediate hypersensitivity) reactions. The allergy history form currently used at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC), in Prince George, relies on the assessor’s ability to ask appropriate prompting questions to obtain a thorough history, but it may not be sufficient to accurately identify true allergies. Objective: To compare a standardized allergy history questionnaire and the current allergy history form in terms of the quality and quantity of documentation gathered. Methods: This prospective observational study involved patients who were admitted to medical and surgical services at UHNBC from November 2018 to January 2019 with a penicillin-class allergy reported on their electronic medical record (EMR). A list of patients with EMR-reported allergies was generated by the hospital’s health information software system, and these patients were interviewed using the standardized allergy history questionnaire. Results: A total of 48 patients were assessed during the study period. Nineteen (40%) of the patients had an inappropriate allergy label on their EMR. Only 36 (75%) had an allergic reaction described on their EMR. Furthermore, only 36 (75%) of the 48 patients had the same allergy recorded on the EMR and on the allergy history form contained in their paper chart, of whom 22 had a documented reaction. The mean time to complete the standardized allergy history questionnaire was 2 minutes. Conclusions: At the study institution, documentation of allergy histories was often incomplete. Detailed allergy assessments are the first step in identifying true immunoglobulin E–mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Utilization of a standardized allergy history questionnaire is feasible and may serve to improve documentation and overall antimicrobial stewardship. RÉSUMÉ Contexte : L’étiquetage inapproprié de l’allergie est associé à des conséquences cliniques et pharmacoéconomiques importantes. Les évaluations détaillées des allergies antimicrobiennes sont une composante-clé de la gestion antimicrobienne : elles contribuent à déterminer les réactions d’hypersensibilité véritables de type 1 (immédiates). Le formulaire des antécédents d’allergies actuellement utilisé à l’University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC), à Prince George, s’appuie sur la capacité de l’évaluateur à poser les questions appropriées pour obtenir un historique détaillé, mais il ne suffit pas de déterminer précisément les véritables allergies. Objectif : Comparer la qualité et la quantité des informations recueillies au moyen d’un questionnaire normalisé sur les antécédents d’allergies avec celles recueillies au moyen des formulaires. Méthodes : Cette étude d’observation prospective portait sur des patients admis dans les services médicaux et chirurgicaux à l’UHNBC de novembre 2018 à janvier 2019, dont les dossiers médicaux électroniques (DME) indiquaient une allergie à des médicaments de la classe de la pénicilline. Le logiciel des informations sur la santé a généré une liste des patients présentant les allergies indiquées et ces patients ont été interrogés à l’aide d’un questionnaire normalisé des antécédents d’allergies. Résultats : Un total de 48 patients a été évalué pendant la période de l’étude. Le DME de dix-neuf (40 %) patients portait une étiquette inappropriée. Seuls 36 DME des patients (75 %) décrivaient une réaction allergique. De plus, seulement 36 (75 %) des 48 patients avaient la même réaction allergique enregistrée à la fois au DME et dans le formulaire des antécédents d’allergies de leur dossier papier, et la réaction de 22 d’entre eux était documentée. Le temps de réponse moyen au questionnaire normalisé sur les antécédents d’allergies était de 2 minutes. Conclusion : Dans cette étude, la description des antécédents d’allergies était souvent incomplète. Les évaluations détaillées des allergies sont la première étape permettant de déterminer les réactions véritables d’hypersensibilité à l’immunoglobuline E. L’utilisation d’un questionnaire normalisé des antécédents d’allergies est faisable et pourrait servir à améliorer la documentation ainsi que la gestion globale des antimicrobiens.

A functional genomics screen identifies diverse transcription factors that regulate alkaloid biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana

Biosynthesis of the alkaloid nicotine in Nicotiana species is induced by insect damage and jasmonate application. To probe the transcriptional regulation of the nicotine pathway, we constructed two subtracted cDNA libraries from methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-treated Nicotiana benthamiana roots directly in a viral vector suitable for virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). Sequencing of cDNA inserts produced a data set of 3271 expressed sequence tags (ESTs; 1898 unigenes), which were enriched in jasmonate-responsive genes, and included 69 putative transcription factors (TFs). After a VIGS screen to determine their effect on nicotine metabolism, six TFs from three different TF families altered constitutive and MeJA-induced leaf nicotine levels. VIGS of a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TF, NbbHLH3, and an auxin response factor TF, NbARF1, increased nicotine content compared with control plants; silencing the bHLH family members, NbbHLH1 and NbbHLH2, an ethylene response factor TF, NbERF1, and a homeobox domain-like TF, NbHB1, reduced nicotine levels. Transgenic N. benthamiana plants overexpressing NbbHLH1 or NbbHLH2 showed increased leaf nicotine levels compared with vector controls. RNAi silencing led to both reduced nicotine and decreased levels of transcript encoding of enzymes of the nicotine pathway. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that recombinant NbbHLH1 and NbbHLH2 directly bind G-box elements identified from the putrescine N-methyltransferase promoter. We conclude that NbbHLH1 and NbbHLH2 function as positive regulators in the jasmonate activation of nicotine biosynthesis.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye