Yesterday was technically "day 1" but it was just orientation. Today was the first experience we had in the pharmacies of UNC Hospitals.
My shadowing today exposed me to a type of pharmacy I had never heard of before. The Investigational Drug Services (IDS) is a pharmacy that dispenses medications like any other. However, the difference is that it only dispenses drugs that are for patients in clinical trials being conducted by hospital clinicians. There are about 450 trials currently being conducted within all the hospitals. While the pharmacy I was in today was in the Neurosciences Hospital (just by chance because the space was available), there is another one in the Cancer Hospital that specializes in oncology drugs because there are so many new drugs coming out for cancer. Around 150 trials alone are in the Cancer Hospital.
I found it very interesting to observe what happens in a research-oriented pharmacy. Clinical trial protocols are given to the pharmacists of IDS, who order the drugs (some of which aren't on the market yet because they are Phase 2 and 3 drugs, and some which are on the market and are being studied for a different indication), and dispense either placebo or drug based on the particular trial design.
It turns out that trials can get very complicated with many layers of comparisons. I was able to read through at least 10 trial notebooks during my 8AM-2:30PM shift. Some were placebo vs. active drug, some where 2 active drug comparisons, some were placebo vs. brand drug vs. generic drug, etc. Whatever you can imagine, there is probably a study design for it.
I learned a lot from today's experience, and was very excited to see the type of pharmacy that acts as a bridge between bench research and clinical application.
On deck for tomorrow: Transitions of Care
5.01.2012
End-of-semester Wrap-Up/H-IPPE Orientation
I can't believe I never posted since March, but this semester was one of the toughest I have experienced. Last week was finals week, and there were 5 finals, 5 days in a row. Four of them were cumulative. It was the most intense week of my life, but I survived.
Final Report Card:
Pharmaceutics 2 - A
Pharmacodynamics - A
Pharmaceutical Care Lab - A
Introduction to Therapy 1 - B
Biochemistry - B
Overall, I am very pleased! I finally figured out my study groove, and any B's I had were a painful 88%. I worked harder than I ever have before and it paid off! I am excited for next year when we are exposed to more medicinal chemistry and therapy.
My school positions for next year:
APhA-ASP President/Liaison-Elect
Recruitment Ambassadors Program Secretary-Elect
Pre-Pharmacy Club Secretary
Another project I'll be working on this summer is writing a proposal to start a dual degree program with Masters in Public Health!
Today was also a big day! My Hospital Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (H-IPPE) orientation was today. We took a tour of the vast UNC Hospitals and became familiar with the expectations of the month. I feel so lucky to be rotating at UNC Hospitals. I hope that my classmates have the same great experience wherever they are in North Carolina. The class is spread out into various regions of the state, from Wilmington to Asheville. I will definitely update every day to account for my experience! Here is a list of things I will be exposed to:
-Investigational Drugs
-Transitions of Care (inpatient --> outpatient)
-Oncology Pharmacy
-Pediatric Pharmacy
-OR Satellite pharmacy
-Round with Resident (very excited about this!)
-Emergency Department (twice!)
-Drug Information and Medication Safety
-Special Formulations
-Decentral Pharmacist (twice!)
-Inpatient Pharmacist (twice!)
-Controlled Substances
-Sterile Products
-Administration
-Outpatient Pharmacy
-Pharmacy Support Services
We also have 2 projects. One New Drug presentation, and a special formulations assignment where we analyze a drug that is specially made in the pharmacies and if it's more feasible to buy it commercially.
Tomorrow is Investigational Drugs! Cheers to the month :)
Final Report Card:
Pharmaceutics 2 - A
Pharmacodynamics - A
Pharmaceutical Care Lab - A
Introduction to Therapy 1 - B
Biochemistry - B
Overall, I am very pleased! I finally figured out my study groove, and any B's I had were a painful 88%. I worked harder than I ever have before and it paid off! I am excited for next year when we are exposed to more medicinal chemistry and therapy.
My school positions for next year:
APhA-ASP President/Liaison-Elect
Recruitment Ambassadors Program Secretary-Elect
Pre-Pharmacy Club Secretary
Another project I'll be working on this summer is writing a proposal to start a dual degree program with Masters in Public Health!
Today was also a big day! My Hospital Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (H-IPPE) orientation was today. We took a tour of the vast UNC Hospitals and became familiar with the expectations of the month. I feel so lucky to be rotating at UNC Hospitals. I hope that my classmates have the same great experience wherever they are in North Carolina. The class is spread out into various regions of the state, from Wilmington to Asheville. I will definitely update every day to account for my experience! Here is a list of things I will be exposed to:
-Investigational Drugs
-Transitions of Care (inpatient --> outpatient)
-Oncology Pharmacy
-Pediatric Pharmacy
-OR Satellite pharmacy
-Round with Resident (very excited about this!)
-Emergency Department (twice!)
-Drug Information and Medication Safety
-Special Formulations
-Decentral Pharmacist (twice!)
-Inpatient Pharmacist (twice!)
-Controlled Substances
-Sterile Products
-Administration
-Outpatient Pharmacy
-Pharmacy Support Services
We also have 2 projects. One New Drug presentation, and a special formulations assignment where we analyze a drug that is specially made in the pharmacies and if it's more feasible to buy it commercially.
Tomorrow is Investigational Drugs! Cheers to the month :)
3.10.2012
Neglected
Has it really been almost 2 months since my last post? Wow, I suck.
There has been too much going on to update it all, but this semester has fulfilled its promise of being a lot busier than fall semester!
As I reach the conclusion of Spring Break, I can definitely say it was an energizing one filled with warmth and sunlight! Much needed.
There has been too much going on to update it all, but this semester has fulfilled its promise of being a lot busier than fall semester!
As I reach the conclusion of Spring Break, I can definitely say it was an energizing one filled with warmth and sunlight! Much needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)