Laura Cranston:

• BACKABLE (by Suneel Gupta)
• Atomic Habits
• Chasing Failure (Ryan Leak)
  
  

Asha Pai Bohannon:

• Coffee Bean 
• Permission to Try
• Grace Not Perfection
• The Big Leap
• StrengthsFinder 
  
  

Jena Quinn: 

• Rocket Fuel
• Gap and the Gain
• The E myth
• The Magic of Thinking Big
• How to Get and Stay Motivated
• Get Out of Your Head
• Extreme Ownership 

Laura Cranston:

My suggestion would be the CGP (certified geriatric pharmacist exam), and then there is also the certification for specialty pharmacists (given through the professional association, NASP). There are also point-of-care testing certifications and a certificate program for pharmacogenomics. Those are some I recommend. 

 

Jena Quinn:

https://bpsweb.org/candidates-guide/ 

 

Asha Pai Bohannon:

My philosophy is that certifications are not always necessary, but I am a firm believer in learning and expanding my knowledge base. There is so much out there, so it's important to figure out what you enjoy learning the most about and then focus on that and become the expert in your desired area. There are many skills to learn more about, such as Motivational Interviewing, Authentic Sales Conversations, and MTMs.

However, if you are looking for a certification, the BCPS (https://bpsweb.org/pharmacotherapy/) is wonderful and one can even specialize further!

I also love the BC-ADM (https://www.diabeteseducator.org/education/certification/bc_adm) or CDCES (https://www.diabeteseducator.org/education/certification/cdces) are fantastic for diabetes care.  

Asha Pai Bohannon:

The GLP-1 Agonists are a great way for clinical pharmacists to intervene and showcase what we can do. I strongly believe that patients should not be on these long-term. We can use our status and knowledge to educate patients on the possible side effects and how to wean off of them with a healthy and holistic plan in place to continue their weight loss (or blood sugar) success. 

 

Jena Quinn:

Below are my recommendations, checklist, and counseling points when speaking about the GLP-1: 

 

Contraindicated: Semaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC using semaglutide and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with semaglutide. 

 

Who qualifies: 

 

Weight management, chronic): 

Note: For use as an adjunct to diet and exercise in patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or in patients with a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 and ≥1 weight-associated comorbidity (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia). 

 

Dose: Ensure the patient knows the titration schedule. Also, make sure they are aware that GI side effects are temporary but are the reason behind the titration.  

 

To avoid polypharmacy: Consider discontinuation if at least 5% of baseline body weight loss has not been achieved within 3 months  

 

Monitor: Plasma glucose, heart rate, and body weight (if used for chronic weight management); renal function (especially when initiating therapy or increasing doses in patients reporting severe adverse GI reactions); signs/symptoms of pancreatitis (e.g., persistent severe abdominal pain which may radiate to the back and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting); triglycerides; signs/symptoms of gallbladder disease; worsening of diabetic retinopathy (particularly in those with a prior history of the disease). 

 

Administration: Oral 

Administer on an empty stomach, ≥30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other oral medications of the day, with ≤4 oz of plain water only. The manufacturer recommends eating 30 to 60 minutes after the dose. Swallow tablets whole; do not split, crush, or chew. 

 

Administration: Subcutaneous 

Administer by SUBQ injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm at any time of day on the same day each week, with or without food. If changing the day of administration is necessary, allow ≥48 hours between 2 doses. Rotate injection sites weekly if injecting in the same area of the body. Do not mix with other products (administer as separate injections). Avoid adjacent injections if administering other agents in the same area of the body. The solution should be clear; do not use it if particulate matter and coloration are seen. 

  

NIOSH drug list. 

 

Not safe in pregnancy 

 

DDI: Delayed gastric emptying: Semaglutide slows gastric emptying, which may alter the absorption of other medications. Monitor narrow therapeutic index medications for increased or decreased response.