Robert G. Wahler, Jr., Pharm.D., CGP, FASCP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Division Head, Division of Pharmaceutical Care Research and Education Programs
University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Program Director, Niagara Hospice Pharmacy Practice Residency
Director, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Niagara Hospice

 Robert G. Wahler discloses no significant financial conflicts of interest

Recent actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on manufacturers of “marketed but unapproved” medications in addition to product recalls and other industry actions have resulted in nation-wide shortages of numerous narcotic products.  This program will provide a current update on the situation, clarifying which products are affected.  Also to be discussed are the clinical implications of switching terminally ill patients and those with chronic pain to different analgesics.  Equianalgesic dosing and conversion approaches will be covered, in addition to case examples involving therapeutic substitution of analgesics for hospice and long-term care patients.

At the conclusion of this knowledge-based activity, participants will be able to:

1.    Describe the most recent actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on marketed, unapproved narcotics and list the    products most impacted.
2.    Identify equivalent dosages for the most commonly used and interchanged narcotics. 
3.    Compare and contrast various narcotic and formulation choices for specific clinical situations based on primary literature evidence and clinician experience.
4.    Discuss patient safety concerns and medication errors potentiated by therapeutic substitutions.

 

Robert G. Wahler, Jr., Pharm.D., CGP, FASCP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Division Head, Division of Pharmaceutical Care Research and Education Programs
University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Program Director, Niagara Hospice Pharmacy Practice Residency
Director, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Niagara Hospice
 

 Robert G. Wahler discloses no significant financial conflicts of interest.

 Recent actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on manufacturers of “marketed but unapproved” medications in addition to product recalls and other industry actions have resulted in nation-wide shortages of numerous narcotic products.  This program will provide a current update on the situation, clarifying which products are affected.  Also to be discussed are the clinical implications of switching terminally ill patients and those with chronic pain to different analgesics.  Equianalgesic dosing and conversion approaches will be covered, in addition to case examples involving therapeutic substitution of analgesics for hospice and long-term care patients.

 At the conclusion of this knowledge-based activity, participants will be able to:

1.    Describe the most recent actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on marketed, unapproved narcotics and list the products most impacted.
2.    Identify equivalent dosages for the most commonly used and interchanged narcotics.  
3.    Compare and contrast various narcotic and formulation choices for specific clinical situations based on primary literature evidence and clinician experience.
4.    Discuss patient safety concerns and medication errors potentiated by therapeutic substitutions.

ACPE - Pharmacists Accreditation Credit Hours: 1 Expiration Date: 04/14/2012 ACPE UPN: 203-000-09-054-L01-P     ASCP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.