APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists – House of Delegates
Report of the 2014 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND BACKGROUND STATEMENTS
2014.1 – Pharmacogenomics
1. APhA-ASP supports the utilization of evidence-based pharmacogenomic testing and services to
enhance individualization of patient care and improve clinical outcomes.
2. APhA-ASP promotes pharmacists as the primary member of the health care team responsible for
pharmacogenomic services, including but not limited to, interpreting and applying test results,
developing individualized medication treatment plans in collaboration with prescribers, and serving
as a resource to prescribers, patients, and other members of the health care team.
3. APhA-ASP supports continued research, development and implementation of clinical standards and
guidelines regarding the use of pharmacogenomics to improve patient care.
4. APhA-ASP supports ongoing vigilance by all stakeholders with access to pharmacogenomic
information to maintain the confidentiality and ensure the appropriate use of the information.
5. APhA-ASP encourages all schools and colleges of pharmacy to incorporate pharmacogenomics
throughout the curriculum.
6. APhA-ASP encourages the development of continuing education and training programs to support
existing practitioner understanding of pharmacogenomics.
7. APhA-ASP encourages all stakeholders, including but not limited to, employers, pharmacies, healthsystems, and third party payers, to develop a compensation model for pharmacist-provided
pharmacogenomic services that is both financially viable and in the best interest of patients.
Background Statement:
Pharmacogenomics, the study of how genetic information may influence an individual’s response to a
medication, has become of increasing importance in the practice of pharmacy. According to the Food
and Drug Administration, there are now over 100 drugs that carry pharmacogenomic information within
the label, and around 40% of medications in the drug pipeline are targeted therapies.1 For several
commonly used medications such as clopidogrel, codeine, abacavir, and numerous oncology agents,
clinical response and/or outcomes are linked to a patient’s genotype. Pharmacogenomic testing,
whereby a patient’s genetic information is sequenced and analyzed to reveal variations in metabolic
enzymes and drug targets, can impact clinical decisions, allow for dose optimization, and reduce
toxicities, adverse effects, and treatment failures. As a member of the health care team, pharmacists are
uniquely able to provide pharmacogenomic services due to their extensive knowledge of and experience
in pharmacotherapy and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacogenomic services would include interpreting test
results, applying knowledge of pharmacogenomic parameters to a patient’s therapy, and making
recommendations regarding medication selection and dosing.
Report of the 2014 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee – Page 1 of 4
The APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee believes pharmacogenomics will play a large role in the future of
pharmacy, but as a developing field, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. First among
these challenges is a need for continued research to translate laboratory discovery into clinical practice
guidelines to assist practitioners in making decisions based on pharmacogenomic results. Additionally,
as the use of genetic information becomes more prevalent in health care, efforts to safeguard the
confidentiality of a patient’s genetic information should be expanded. Furthermore, schools and colleges
of pharmacy should integrate the study of pharmacogenomics into coursework so future practitioners
will have a baseline understanding of how such knowledge may be used to improve patient care. A final
challenge to the increased use of pharmacogenomics will be developing a financially viable model for
pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomic services. Although clinical usage of pharmacogenomic
information is currently in its early stages, the APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee feels that embracing
pharmacogenomic services and continuing to learn and research this field is an important step toward
advancing personalized medicine.
References:
1. Table of Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers in Drug Labels. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2013.
Access at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/Pharmacogenetics/ucm083378.htm. January 9, 2014.
2. Pharmacogenomics: Increasing the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy. American Medical
Association. 2011. Accessed at: http://www.ama-assn.org//resources/doc/genetics/pgx-brochure2011.pdf. January 9, 2014.
3. Integrating pharmacogenomics into pharmacy practice via medication therapy management.
American Pharmacists Association. J AmPharm Assoc. 2011;51:e64-e74.
2014.2 – Dispensing and Administering Medications in Life-Threatening Situations
1. APhA-ASP supports pharmacists’ authority to dispense and administer medications without a
prescription in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
2. APhA-ASP supports protection from civil and criminal prosecution of medically trained personnel,
including pharmacists, for actions taken in the best interest of the patient during an emergency or
life-threatening situation.
Background Statement:
There are many inconsistencies among state regulations regarding pharmacists’ authority to dispense and
administer medications (without a prescription) during an emergency or life-threatening situation. While
Good Samaritan Laws provide legal protection to persons who assist an individual during an emergency or
life-threatening situation, the extent of the protection varies from state to state when “medically trained
personnel” are involved. Furthermore, pharmacists may not be included as “medically trained personnel”
within such laws.
Report of the 2014 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee – Page 2 of 4
The APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee believes that pharmacists should legally be authorized to act in
the best interest of an individual in an emergency or life-threatening situation, as well as be protected
from prosecution or loss of license for such actions.
References:
1. State Laws & Legislation. HeartSafe America Inc. 2013. Accessed at:
http://www.heartsafeusa.com/forum/99/state-laws-legislation. January 11, 2014
2014.3 – Pharmacist-led Clinics
1. APhA-ASP supports the expansion of pharmacist-led clinics—in collaboration with other members of
the health care team—that serve unmet health needs and facilitate increased access to patient care.
These clinics may include, but not be limited to, anticoagulation, international travel, tobacco
cessation, rural, underserved, and mobile health clinics.
2. APhA-ASP encourages all schools and colleges of pharmacy to incorporate entrepreneurship,
business development, and practice management training in the curriculum to provide future
pharmacists with the tools to operate and manage financially viable pharmacist-led clinics.
3. APhA-ASP encourages the expansion of residency, fellowship, and other postgraduate training
programs within pharmacist-led clinics.
4. APhA-ASP encourages the development of grants or financial assistance programs to aid in the
establishment and management of pharmacist-led clinics.
Background Statement:
APhA-ASP Resolution 1997.4 encourages pharmacists to establish collaborative drug and non-drug
therapy protocols. Moreover, clinical evidence from pharmacist-directed anticoagulation and diabetes
clinics demonstrates improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.1,2,3 Based upon this evidence, the
APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee supports the advancement of pharmacist-led clinics to broaden the
scope of pharmacy practice, expand entrepreneurial opportunities, and improve patient access to
clinical services.
The proposed resolution addresses multiple outlets in which pharmacist-led clinics can be implemented.
For example, mobile health clinics may provide an opportunity for pharmacist-led interdisciplinary
teams to increase access for vulnerable and medically underserved populations. 4 Mobile health clinics
offering disease state management and other clinical services may lead to an improvement in patient
outcomes, a reduction in emergency department visits, and a decrease in overall health care costs.
To better prepare student pharmacists, we encourage all schools and colleges of pharmacy to offer
didactic and experiential opportunities focusing on entrepreneurship and clinic management. While
student pharmacists receive excellent clinical training, we believe there is room for further improvement
in the curriculum in the areas of entrepreneurship, strategic direction, and business management. In
addition, the committee believes that residency and other postgraduate training is important, as
reflected in APhA-ASP Resolution 2008.3.
Report of the 2014 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee – Page 3 of 4
The APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee feels this proposed resolution highlights pharmacists’ ability to
serve patients on a more personal level through pharmacist-led interdisciplinary clinics that increase
access to patient care and expand pharmacy practice.
References:
1. Makowski C, Jennings D, Nemerovski C, et al. The impact of pharmacist-directed patient education
and anticoagulant care coordination on patient satisfaction. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2013;
47: 805-810.
2. Verret L, Couturier J, Rozon A, et al. Impact of a pharmacist-led warfarin self-management program
on quality of life and anticoagulation control: A randomized trial. Pharmacotherapy 2012; 32: 871879.
3. Davidson M. The effectiveness of nurse- and pharmacist-directed care in diabetes disease
management: A narrative review. Current Diabetes Reviews 2013; 3: 280-286.
4. Wlodarczyk D and Wheeler M. The Home visit: Mobile outreach. In: Medical Management of
Vulnerable and Underserved Patients: Principles, Practice, and Populations. New York, NY:
McGraw‐Hill; 2007.
Report of the 2014 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee – Page 4 of 4