THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES ISSUE EIGHT • WINTER 2014
Students Share Their Highlights of 2014 Supporting Pharmacy Practice with Mobile Health Technology to Target Adherence in Patients with Asthma A Q&A with Dr. Brian Rodrigues
WINTER 2014 DISCOVER IS THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES. RELEASED QUARTERLY, IT HAS THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT FACULTY PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EVENTS AND ALUMNI. EDITOR Jimi Galv達o EDITORIAL TEAM Jimi Galv達o Julia Kreger Ivan Yastrebov Brandon Lal GRAPHIC DESIGN Julia Kreger
In This Issue 03
Message from the Dean
04
Student Reflections on the Highlights and Memorable Moments of 2014
06
A Q&A with Dr. Brian Rodrigues
08
UBC Pharm Sci Launches New Entry-to-Practice Program
09
Curricular Transformations Explored in Celebrate Learning 2014
10
Supporting Pharmacy Practice with Mobile Health Technology (mHealth) to Target Treatment Adherence in Patients with Asthma
12
UBC Pharmacists Clinic and Students Help Immunize Against the Flu
14
Pharmacy Mogul's Den: A Showcase of Creative Student Potential
2014 AAPS Alumni & Friends Luncheon
New Student Awards
Welcome Amanda Scott, Alumni Relations Manager
15
Recent Awards, Publications & Grants
CONTRIBUTORS Simon Albon Michael Coughtrie Mary De Vera Isabeau Iqbal Charlotte Lawson Arti Maharaj Marion Pearson Brian Rodrigues PHOTOGRAPHY Ivan Yastrebov COVER IMAGE Ivan Yastrebov To share ideas and content for future issues, please email: pharmsci.communications@ubc.ca Connect with us:
IMAGE: A student assists a patient during the annual flu clinics.
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
2
WINTER 2014
Message from the
Dean
S
eason’s greetings. By now you will all be well on your
well-deserved distinction, which is testament to the talents
way to celebrating the holidays with your loved ones and
and dedication of the faculty and staff involved with the Clinic.
preparing to usher in a new year. At UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences, the same holds true and we are very proud of what we accomplished in 2014.
In addition to these major advancements in education and practice, we have been busy this year recruiting some of the most talented scientific minds in the world to strengthen our
A major highlight this year has been our new Entry-to-
research initiatives. These appointments, and others that are
Practice Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, which received
in progress, are bolstering our efforts to conduct research
final approvals for implementation late this fall. Since that
that is focused and impactful - a great deal of our research
time, we have been actively recruiting prospective students
has significant implications for the day-to-day lives of people
and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We have
everywhere, and we are committed to working with our
also seen a host of talented new faculty and staff join us this
existing and new faculty members to build on that research
year who are focused on building our academic portfolio, and
excellence.
I am very excited to see the hard work and efforts of everyone involved with the development of this outstanding program come to fruition. I am also looking forward to seeing the positive impacts that this new degree will have on our future graduates and the profession as a whole in British Columbia. This year also saw the official opening of the Pharmacists Clinic. This has been incredibly successful in caring for patients, providing educational experiences for our students and other
2015 promises to be another exciting and successful year for the Faculty, and I know that everyone will meet these opportunities with the same vigor and dedication that fueled our passion this past year. On behalf of all of us at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC, I wish you and yours the very best of the holiday season. Sincerely,
learners from the health care community, and reaching out to our local community through public programming. In November, the Pharmacists Clinic was recognized with a Commitment to Care & Service Award. The awards program
Michael Coughtrie, PhD
has been honouring outstanding contributions in pharmacy
PROFESSOR AND DEAN
since 1993 and we are delighted to see the Clinic receive this
DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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FEATURES
Student Reflections on the Highlights and Memorable Moments of 2014 by Ivan Yastrebov
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FEATURES
The ending of a year sparks within many of us a desire to reflect on memorable experiences, events, and people. With the term coming to an end, we wanted to know what our students most fondly remembered. Their responses were varied, ranging from social gatherings such as the Mr. Pharmacist competition to networking events such as Manufacturer’s Night. Below are just a few of the many recollections we received:
Robyn Fulton 3rd Year Student
“THE RESPIROLOGY MODULE FOR 2ND YEARS WAS PROBABLY THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE I’VE EVER HAD. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF VALUABLE INFORMATION THAT I FEEL LIKE I LEARNED REALLY WELL AND AM ABLE TO RETAIN." - JEREMY ANTEPYAM, SECOND YEAR STUDENT
Jeremy Antepyam 2nd Year Student
“This year I was one of the co-MC’s of the Mr. Pharmacist event. This is a night where the students can let loose and strut their stuff. Six male contestants competed in an evening full of dancing, singing, and fun. Even the judges were rolling in the aisles with laughter at some of the contestant’s antics. This was one of the highlights for me in a busy year and it was a great way to relax with my fellow students and professors.”
Aliya Daulat 3rd Year Student “This year I participated in Manufacturer’s Night, an event that opened my eyes to the different faces of pharmacy. I realized that pharmacists are valuable in government, industry, education and many more areas than just dispensing. This makes me feel more excited about my future and the many career options I will have.”
Mandelin Shivji 2nd Year Student
“The respirology module for 2nd years was probably the best learning experience I’ve ever had. There was a great deal of valuable information that I feel like I learned really well and am able to retain. I especially enjoyed be able to counsel a patient about asthma medications.”
Renée Dagenais 4th Year Student “When reflecting on the past semester, one of the highlights that comes to mind is the Kick-Off Event for the Peer Mentorship Program. I had the exciting opportunity to be a part of the team that developed the program from an idea into a tangible framework over the course of the summer, so to see it come to fruition and have the mentees and mentors connect for the first time was a surreal experience. Since the Kick-Off, I have been thrilled to hear of the positive, mutually beneficial relationships that have been established within each of the mentoring groups, and I really look forward to seeing the program grow in future years."
“The Pharmacy Gala was a fun evening to gather with all of our friends in a formal setting. It was also a good opportunity for all four student years to interact with the Faculty and celebrate the successful completion of the term.”
DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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FEATURES
A Q&A With Dr. Brian Rodrigues: Tackling Diabetes-related Heart Disease by Julia Kreger
"I HOPE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS THAT I TRAIN AND THE MANY CANADIANS LIVING WITH DIABETES. I GET UP EVERY DAY AND FEEL TOTALLY ENGAGED IN WHAT I’M DOING...IT’S NON-STOP AND I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY." - DR. BRIAN RODRIGUES, PROFESSOR
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FEATURES
D
r. Brian Rodgrigues is a Professor in the Faculty of
the Canadian Diabetes Association to help with my student
Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Rodrigues holds a Masters
training. When I came to Canada in 1982, I was 27 and had
and PhD degree in Pharmacology from UBC, and a post-
$20 in my pocket. I had no friends or family here and I felt like
doctoral fellowship from the University of Calgary. He serves
I had no hope. It was through the generosity of this country
as a member of all the major grant review panels, including
that I got scholarships that paid for my education and gave me
the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian
a foundation to be successful. So doing this work in diabetes is
Diabetes Foundation, CIHR and the Pfizer Cardiovascular
my way of paying it forward.
Awards. We sat down with Dr. Rodrigues to learn more about his research, and the inspiration behind his work.
What positive impact has your research had? How will it benefit human health in the future?
Can you tell us about of your area of research?
I have spent all of my professional life investigating diabetes-
In
pharmaceutical
related heart disease, a major complication for people with
management predisposes the patient to heart failure, which
diabetes that can increase their risks and result in more severe
is the leading cause of diabetes related deaths. One instigator
heart attacks and strokes. I am looking at new ways to treat,
for this cardiac dysfunction is change in fuel utilization by
prevent or delay heart disease in people with diabetes. In the
the heart. Thus, following diabetes, when cardiac glucose
process, I hope to have an impact on the lives of the students
utilization is impaired, the heart undergoes metabolic
that I train and the many Canadians living with diabetes. I
transformation wherein it switches to using fats as an exclusive
get up every day and feel totally engaged in what I’m doing,
source of energy. Although this switching is geared to help the
whether it’s preparing lectures, discussing data, thinking about
heart initially, in the long term, this has terrible end results.
upcoming presentations, mentoring students or working on
These include the generation of noxious by products that kill
grants. It’s non-stop and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
cardiac cells, reduce cardiac function and ultimately result
Although all of my work is about biochemistry and test tubes,
in an increased morbidity and mortality. My lab is trying to
I hope that eventually my research can really help people with
understand the mechanism(s) by which cardiac disease is
diabetes live healthier lives.
people
with
diabetes,
inadequate
initiated during diabetes so that new therapeutic strategies can be devised to help prevent or delay it.
What is your vision for your time at the Faculty? To be a tireless volunteer, an outstanding role model, and a
What inspired you to pursue this field?
superb educator and mentor.
Diabetes is one of the most commonly encountered chronic illnesses found today. Its incidence has reached pandemic proportions, and globally, approximately 346 million people are affected by this disease. This number is projected to grow to 438 million by 2030 (7.8% of the adult population). In Canada, more than 9 million individuals live with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a disease with devastating human,
When you are not working at UBC Pharm Sci, how do you spend your time in Vancouver? Working out in the gym (twice a day), fishing in remote lakes (BC) and around the world (12 Caribbean islands and counting), and appreciating the culinary diversity that is available in our beautiful province.
social and economic impacts. It poses a serious problem since poor treatment can lead to serious consequences such as renal failure, blindness, heart attack, stroke and end-limb amputation. In fact, 75% of people with diabetes experience complications requiring hospitalization. Direct diabetes costs range from $1,000 to 15,000/year (individually) and 1/7 of our annual health care dollars are spent managing this disease. By 2020, diabetes is expected to cost the health care system 16.9 billion dollars a year (through hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications as a result of diabetes and its complications). My interest in this area stems from the human suffering associated with this disease. However, another motivation to work on diabetes is the financial assistance I received from
IMAGE: Dr. Rodrigues and his catch!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: rodrigue@mail.ubc.ca
604-822-4758
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EDUCATION
UBC Pharm Sci Launches New Entry-to-Practice Program by Jimi Galvão
O
n October 14, 2014, the Faculty received official approval
the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo.” UBC
for its new Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy
Pharm Sci is, however, the first to offer the Entry-to-Practice
(Entry-to-Practice PharmD) degree program. Since 2012, UBC Pharm Sci has been diligently working with a number of key stakeholder groups, both internal and external, on the development of the program and ensuring that all the necessary steps were carefully followed. “Our new Entry-to-Practice PharmD program is a significant curricular accomplishment for the Faculty,” says Dr. Wayne Riggs, professor and associate dean, Academic. “With the approval of this program, we are moving into a new era of pharmacy education that is highly specialized and responsive to the changing nature of the profession.” As a profession, pharmacy has become increasingly more complex in recent years. The number of medications available to patients has never been larger and the amount of people living longer with varying medical conditions continues to grow. Add to that an expansion in the scope of
PharmD program in Western Canada. The Faculty has been holding information sessions for prospective students since the program received approval, with each session being fully – and on many occasions, over – subscribed. “We have seen a notable increase in application numbers and in the number of students interested in submitting an application,” says Dr. Riggs. “This demonstrates a very clear demand for such a program.” While
the
new
Entry-to-Practice
PharmD
program
undergoes recruitment, the Faculty continues to work on the development of the Flexible Doctor of Pharmacy (Flexible PharmD) program. The program will be available to those practicing pharmacists who wish to attain a PharmD degree while continuing to work.
what pharmacists can do – from providing vaccinations to
The next Entry-to-Practice PharmD info session will be held
prescribing certain types of drugs – and you get a definite need
on January 22, 2015. For more information, click here, or
for a different kind of pharmacy program. One that provides
contact Sefanit Habtom, recruitment and admissions officer.
students with more time for the practical learning of patient care skills needed to be an effective health care practitioner. “We’re not alone in this effort to move the profession forward,” says Dr. Michael Coughtrie, professor and dean. “Other universities across the country have recently implemented their own Entry-to-Practice PharmD programs including
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: sefanit.habtom@ubc.ca
604-822-0344
EDUCATION
Curricular Transformations Explored in Celebrate Learning 2014 By Simon Albon, Isabeau Iqbal & Marion Pearson
"I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE MORNING PRESENTATIONS AND I FEEL LIKE I LEARNED QUITE A BIT, JUST IN THAT SHORT TIME. IT HAS GOT ME THINKING." - EVENT PARTICIPANT
UBC
T
Celebrate
Learning Week
he Faculty’s annual Celebrate Learning Week event
emphasize active learning strategies and authentic learning
provides a dedicated opportunity to examine, discuss
tasks; formative and summative assessment practices that
and extend our learning about curriculum and pedagogical
provide continuous feedback to students on their learning;
practice. This year was no exception and the day’s theme,
and on-going support from the Faculty’s leadership team to
Curricular Transformation, was carefully planned to help
energize and maintain the process.
support our transition to the new Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.
In the afternoon, participants turned their attention to the topic of teaching using case-based learning as this approach
Our guest speakers, Drs. Carol Hodgson (J. Allan Robert
will figure prominently in the new PharmD program. During
Chair for Medical Education and Associate Professor,
the afternoon workshop, attendees reviewed the rationale
Department of Paediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine and
for case-based learning, inquired into different methods of
Dentistry, University of Alberta) and Sally Krasne (Professor
case-based teaching and discussed elements of effective case-
Emeritus of Physiology at the David Geffen School of
based facilitation. Participants were reminded that good
Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles) came with
case-based teaching uses a meaningful problem that requires
extensive experience working in and through curricular
authentic action on the part of the learner in the process of
change in medical education. Drawing on their experiences
understanding and resolving the problem. Moreover, teaching
from several US schools, each shared key ideas on how to
with cases can be effective regardless of learning context. In
manage, plan, endure and even thrive amidst the multitude of
addition, while good cases are difficult to prepare, they can
changes associated with transitioning from disciplined-based
effectively integrate basic science and practice, have been
to integrated curricula.
shown to motivate students to explore, investigate, and study,
The morning included two presentations. The first focused on taking an inclusive approach to curriculum change and the other that examined how to integrate basic sciences and clinical practice in the curriculum. Key highlights from those presentations included the critical importance of understanding program context and purpose; curriculum structures that balance lecturing with small group learning opportunities;
interdisciplinary
team-based
approaches
and can be fun to teach. SIMON ALBON IS SENIOR INSTRUCTOR AND ACTING ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT (OESD). ISABEAU IQBAL IS CURRICULUM PROJECTS COORDINATOR, OESD. MARION PEARSON IS A PROFESSOR OF TEACHING AND DIRECTOR, OESD.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: isabeaui@mail.ubc.ca
604-827-5690
to curriculum development; pedagogical practices that DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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RESEARCH
Supporting Pharmacy Practice with Mobile Health Technology (mHealth) to Target Treatment Adherence in Patients with Asthma
by Mary De Vera
"THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ASTHMA MANAGEMENT IS TO BRING THE DISEASE UNDER CLINICAL CONTROL, WITH GUIDELINES RECOMMENDING DAILY USE OF CONTROLLER MEDICATIONS. YET DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS, ADHERENCE IN ASTHMA IS AMONGST THE LOWEST ACROSS CHRONIC DISEASES." - DR. MARY DE VERA
IMAGE: Dr. Mary De Vera showcases the Emphasis website and mobile app.
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
RESEARCH
F
or many patients living with lifelong diseases, managing
platform developed by UBC researcher Dr. Richard Lester,
conditions and taking medications as prescribed – that
who has shown that using this technology to support clinical
is, being adherent – is a challenge. With the World Health
care of HIV in Kenya has improved patient adherence and
Organization estimating that only 50% of patients adhere
outcomes.
to chronic therapies, non-adherence is a problem that hurts patients and hurts our health care system. With its Initiative in Medication Adherence, UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is leading the way in innovative research to better understand and address the problem of non-adherence.
Ultimately, we hope to emphasize the role of community pharmacists as champions for adherence. By supporting their practice with a simple but ubiquitous technology, we provide a means for instant communication between patients and the opportunity to efficiently monitor adherence. By the end of
An example of this research is the soon-to-be launched
the one-year Emphasis Trial, we hope to have the answers for
Emphasis Trial, which stands for “Empowering Pharmacists
these questions:
in Asthma management through Interactive SMS.” Asthma
• Does the Emphasis intervention improve adherence to
is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects
asthma therapies?
over 2.4 million Canadians and over 300 million people
• Does the Emphasis intervention improve patient outcomes
worldwide. Symptoms including shortness of breath, chest
including asthma control, asthma-related quality of life?
tightness, coughing and wheezing contribute to the condition
• Does the Emphasis intervention lead to reduced asthma-
being the leading cause of absenteeism from school and the
related hospital admissions and use of reliever
third leading cause of work loss. This is why the ultimate goal
medications?
of asthma management is to bring the disease under clinical
• Is the Emphasis intervention cost-effective?
control, with guidelines recommending daily use of controller medications. Yet despite recommendations, adherence in asthma is amongst the lowest across chronic diseases with the average rate of adherence reported to be between 22% and 63%. The Emphasis Trial focuses on a simple intervention of education and enhanced involvement of community pharmacists in asthma management by supporting them with mobile health technology (mHealth). Pharmacists are ideally suited to impact medication adherence given their training, skills, and frequent contact with patients – up to eight times more often than physicians. Mobile phones are globally the most pervasive and accessible form of two-way communication technology, and provide a highly convenient system for instantaneous feedback between health care providers and patients, thereby potentially engaging the patient in the monitoring and management of their health. The project is designed as a real-world cluster randomized
We are launching the Emphasis Trial in early 2015 and are looking for pharmacists/pharmacies as collaborators. If you are interested in becoming a trial site, please contact Dr. Mary De Vera. THE EMPHASIS TRIAL IS LED BY DRS. MARY DE VERA FROM UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND MOHSEN SADATSAFAVI FROM UBC FACULTY OF MEDICINE. CO-INVESTIGATORS ARE DR. LARRY LYND AND PARKASH RAGSDALE FROM PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, DRS. RICHARD LESTER AND MARK FITZGERALD FROM MEDICINE, DR. PENNEY BRASHER FROM THE CENTRE FOR CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVALUATION, AND DR. CARLO MARRA FROM MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL OF PHARMACY. THE EMPHASIS TRIAL IS SUPPORTED BY TGRANTS FROM THE CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH, THE BC COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS, AND THE CANADIAN FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION. WE ARE REGISTERED UNDER CLINICALTRIALS. GOV, NCT 02170883.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: mdevera@mail.ubc.ca
604 827 2138
controlled trial whereby participating community pharmacies across BC will comprise the clusters and be randomized to provide either the Emphasis intervention or usual care. Asthma patients receiving the Emphasis Trial will receive patient education, centralized monthly text messages to assess adherence with their asthma therapy, and follow-up from their pharmacist if responses to text messages signal a potential non-adherence problem. Transmission of text messages will be centralized via WelTel, a text-messaging DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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PRACTICE
UBC Pharmacists Clinic and Students Help Immunize Against the Flu by Ivan Yastrebov
"WE PLAY A DUAL ROLE BY PROVIDING THIS IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING OUR STUDENTS VALUABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING VACCINATION SERVICES TO PATIENTS." - BARBARA GOBIS, DIRECTOR, PHARMACISTS CLINIC
IMAGES: Pharmacy students assisting patients during the annual flu clinic. 12
UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
PRACTICE
T
hroughout the month of November, pharmacies all over BC have been busy providing influenza vaccinations (flu
shots) to the public. Now in its second year operation, the Pharmacists Clinic at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is no exception. This year, the Pharmacists Clinic provided flu shots to eligible BC residents through the Provincial Influenza Campaign. The cost of this service is covered by the Ministry of Health as part of a provincial effort to minimize the potential impact of influenza, which can spread quickly and cause serious illness in some people. The vaccinations provided by the Clinic complemented the influenza campaign offered by UBC Risk Management Services, serving eligible people living or working on or around campus who were not UBC faculty, staff, or students. Appointments were available on four separate days throughout the month of November and offered via a new secure online booking system. In addition to contributing to the health and well being of the public, the flu shot program serves another important function. "We play a dual role by providing this important immunization service to the community and giving our students valuable hands-on experience in providing vaccination services to patients,” says Barbara Gobis, director, Pharmacists Clinic. According to Barbara, the vaccination program provides a direct benefit to the students of the Faculty by allowing them to apply the skills learned in the classroom in a supervised, supportive learning environment. This year, 22 pharmacy students (authorized by the College of Pharmacists of BC to administer immunizations) immunized over 200 patients. "Being involved in the Pharmacists Clinic flu shot program has helped me to hone my injection administration skills, enriched my experience with direct patient care, and has given me a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I was able to help patients on an individual basis," says Anthony Lau, 4th year pharmacy student. Vaccination supervisors were very impressed by the overall level of service demonstrated by the students. “Pharmacy student immunizers were very professional,” says Dr. Rosanne Thalakada, lecturer and pharmacist at the Pharmacists Clinic. “The patients really appreciated the quality of care they received and the level of expertise students delivered.” Flu shot appointments are still available. To book your appointment and to learn more about other services offered at the Pharmacists Clinic, click here or call
Thank You to Pharmacy Student Immunizers We would like to recognize our trained and certified 4th year students who participated as immunizers for the 2014 UBC Risk Management Services and Pharmacists Clinic influenza campaigns: Aayusha Koirala Adam Husk Andrea Silver Andy Weng Anthony Lau Ayoung Kim Benton Attfield Brandon Wong Candice Leung Carolyn Wilson Cathleen Wen Christina Park Claire Tai Elisabeth Kwon Emily Barnum Erica Tsai Erika Lee Smith Erin Liebich Esha Randhawa Flora Yu Gary Kwan
Gary Tse Grace Hsia Gurvinder Gill Harshan Grewal Ivan Lo Jaspreet Dhatt Jennika Louie Johnny Yip Joshua Cheung Judy Sihyun Lee Jugina Tsang Katherine Go Katie Milbers Kelly Lin Kelsey Swinden Kirandeep Sidhu Lucy Zhang Liisa Stover Lindy Zhu Lisa Leung Lucy Lin
Matthew Chiang Matthew Lum Michelle Ng Holly Chen Nasim Hatami Nathan Kellock Nicole Chaudhari Pegah Arasteh Polly Tang Purple Chu Quaid Castle Ranjit Sidhu Robyn Seipp Shari Martin Shari-Lee Martin Shimelis Desha Sonja Senekovic Mary Wu Tegan Graetz Yeonsoo Jo
Special thanks also goes to 3rd year students Nic Jones, Caitlin Sande, Hyung-Chan Shin, and Trishia Sy, who volunteered their time to help out with administrative duties during the flu clinics that took place in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building.
604-827-2584. DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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UPDATES Pharmacy Mogul's Den: A Showcase of Creative Student Potential This November, students from the PHAR 400 - Pharmacy Management course took part in a set of highly competitive group presentations known as the Pharmacy Moguls’ Den. Inspired by CBC’s hit television show Dragon’s Den, the annual event is presented by UBC Pharm Sci Professor Alan Low and involves fourth year students forming small business teams to develop plans for innovative clinical services. The plans are then pitched to a select group of pharmacy leaders. This year, the Pharmacy Moguls’ Den judges included Sammy Lee (Overwaitea Food Group), Eric Lun (BC Ministry of Health), Bob Mehr (Pure Integrative Pharmacies), Chi Quon (Overwaitea Food Group), John Shaske (Howe Sound Pharmacy), Gerry Spitzner (PharmacySOS), and Barbara Walman (BC Ministry of Health). This semester’s winning projects were Pharma-SUIT-icals, a transgender comprehensive hormonal therapy consultation with pharmacists; PharmaTrak, a community pharmacy that focuses on providing advanced clinical diabetes services; and Vancouver Umbrella Health, a harm reduction provision for patients and training for pharmacies. In addition, the competition featured the Consumer E-Health Challenge designed by Dr. Marion Pearson. The purpose of the challenge focused on broadening general knowledge of pharmacy informatics, heightening awareness of the benefits and challenges of the use of technology, and encouraging the use of technology to support clinical services and improve patient outcomes. Professor Low believes the Pharmacy Moguls’ Den, now entering its fourth year, challenges students to imagine innovative career opportunities and emphasize delivering improved patient14
centered care and quality of life. It’s also a fun, hands-on activity that showcases the creative potential of our graduating pharmacy students to better serve their communities. - BRANDON LAL
Development & Alumni Engagement Update 2014 AAPS Alumni & Friends Luncheon The Faculty welcomed guests to its 2014 American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Alumni & Friends Luncheon on November 4 in San Diego. While enjoying a Southern Californiainspired meal, a record number of attendees took the opportunity to connect and re-connect with one another. A wonderful time was had by all! This is an annual event that is fast becoming a tradition. New Student Awards Awards provide financial assistance and acknowledge student achievement. We thank the following donors for their generosity in recognizing and encouraging student potential. Rinda Chan Bursary in Pharmacy Rinda Chan (BSc Pharm, 1980) created her namesake bursary in support of undergraduate students in any year of study at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Candidates must have graduated from a high school in British Columbia. Marvin Nider Memorial Bursary in Pharmacy This endowed bursary was established by the Nider Family in memory of Marvin Nider (BSc Pharm, 1975). A successful pharmacist and entrepreneur, Marvin honed his business acumen at an early age, managing several small startups while simultaneously pursuing his pharmacy studies. Profits helped him pay for his education. This bursary is offered to an undergraduate student at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Kenneth G. Ringrose Memorial Award in
UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Pharmaceutical Sciences Colleagues, friends and family contributed towards creating this award in memory of Kenneth G. Ringrose (BSc Pharm, 1968). In honour of Ken’s life and work, the award is offered to an undergraduate student at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences who has demonstrated excellence in community service in their experiential education rotations or employment at a pharmacy, and who has a proven track record of volunteer leadership benefiting his or her community. Norman Thomas Memorial Bursary The College of Pharmacists has established the Norman Thomas Memorial Bursary in memory of Mr. Thomas (BSc Pharm, 1953) and his long and distinguished pharmacy career in BC and across Canada. The bursary is offered to a student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in their first, second or third year of the undergraduate program. To learn more about establishing an award at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, please click here or contact Charlotte Lawson, Director of Development & Alumni Engagement at 604 822 1328 or
charlotte.lawson@ubc.ca. - ARTI MAHARAJ Welcome Amanda Scott, Alumni Relations Manager We are pleased to welcome Amanda Scott as the new alumni relations manager for the Faculty. Amanda officially started on November 24 and brings a wealth of experience in working closely with alumni. Her skills include, but are not limited to, event and volunteer management and she is looking forward to getting to know all of our pharmacy graduates. Feel free to contact Amanda at amanda.scott@ubc.ca or 604-827-1411.
UPDATES Recent Awards, Publications & Grants AWARDS Tony Kiang was invited and will serve on the editorial board for an Adis (Springer) journal, Drugs in R&D. Dr. John McNeill was presented with a Lifetime Achievement from the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences. Pharmacists Clinic presented with a Care & Commitment to Service Award, Pharmacy Innovation Dr. John McNeill was presented with the first ever Outstanding Pharmacy Alumni Award by the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Recipients of the Faculty Travel Award for the 2014-15 academic year: Pei-ling Chui, Jacob Gordon, Connor Thompson, Seungil Paik, Jialin Xu, Mehrdad Bokharaei, Adam Raymakers, Nicole Tsao, Tasnuva Mariam. PUBLICATIONS Current Rheumatology Reports 2014 Nov; 16 (11) : 460. Economics of non-adherence to biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis. Mary A De Vera, Jonathan Mailman, Jessica S Galo. PMID: 25227187 Wilby KJ, Ensom MHH, Marra F. Review of Evidence for Measuring Drug Concentrations of First-line Tuberculosis Agents in Adults. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2014:53:873-90. Power JM, Spina SP, Forbes DA, Harder CK, Lalli SL, Loewen PS, Zed PJ. Integration of smartphones into clinical pharmacy practice: an evaluation of the impact on pharmacists’ efficiency. Health Policy and Technology 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. hlpt.2014.08.002. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Ugt) 1a Enzymes are Present and Active in the Mouse Blastocyst. (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pubmed/25200869) Collier AC, Yamauchi Y, Sato BL, Rougee LR, Ward MA. Drug Metab Dispos. 2014 Sep 8. pii: dmd.114.059766. Sharma V and, McNeill JH. Adrenergic control of cardiac fatty acid oxidation in diabetes. In: Cardiac Energy Metabolism in Health and Disease. Pp. 131-153. G. Lopaschuk and N. S. Dhalla (Editors). Springer U.S. (Publishers), New York. 2014. Combined metoprolol and ascorbic acid treatment prevents intrinsic damage to the heart during diabetic cardiomyopathy. Varun Saran, Vijay Sharma, Richard Wambolt, Violet G. Yuen, Michael Allard, John Hugh McNeill. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 2014, 92:(10), 827-837, 10.1139/cjpp-2014-0078. Dragoljovic N, Lynd LD. Crowdfunding drug development: the state of play in oncology and rare diseases. Drug Discov Today. 2014;S1359-6446(14)00254-2. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.06.019. Bansback N, Li LC, Lynd L, Bryan S. Development and preliminary user testing of the DCIDA (Dynamic computer interactive decision application) for ‘nudging’ patients towards high quality decisions. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2014 Aug 1:14:62. PMID: 25084808 Mixed Molecular Weight Copolymer Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tumors: Formulation Development and Cytotoxicity.Chung Ping Leon Wan, Kevin Letchford, Donna Leung, John K. Jackson, Helen M. Burt. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/jps.24208. MacLeod SM, Soon JA, Sharma S, Wiens MO. Canadian Demand for Highly Qualified Personnel for Therapeutic Evaluation: An Opportunity for Academic Institutions. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol 2014;21(3):e379-386. Wiens MO, Soon JA, MacLeod SM, Sharma S, Patel A. Post-Market Drug Evaluation Research Training Capacity in Canada: An Environmental Scan of Canadian Educational Institutions. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol 2014;21(3):e370-378. Buchwalder C, Saatchi K, Häfeli UO, (2014). Nanomaterial-Based Bioimaging Probes. In: Ruiz-Molina D, Novio F, Roscini C (eds.), Bio- and Bioinspired Nanomaterials, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany, pp. 201-228. DOI: 10.1002/9783527675821.ch08. Single blastomere removal from murine embryos is associated with activation of matrix metalloproteinases and Janus kinase/ signal transducers and activators of transcription pathways of placental inflammation. Sato BL, Sugawara A, Ward MA, Collier AC. Mol Hum Reprod. 2014 Dec;20(12):1247-1257 PMID: 25180268 Validation of murine and human placental explant cultures for use in sex steroid and phase II conjugation toxicology studies. Sato BL, Ward MA, Astern JM, Kendal-Wright CE, Collier AC. Toxicol In Vitro. 2014 Oct 2. pii: S0887-2333(14)00181-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2014.09.008.
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UPDATES Recent Awards, Publications & Grants Roland Wilhelm, András Szeitz , Tara L. Klassen, William W. Mohn, Sensitive, efficient quantitation of 13C-enriched nucleic acids via ultra-high performance chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for applications in stable isotope probing, Applied Environmental Microbiology, 80: 7206-7211, 2014. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02223-14 Satbir Rai, András Szeitz, Brent W. Roberts, Quill Christie, Wesley Didier, Junho Eom, Sang-Seon Yun, David A. Close. A putative corticosteroid hormone in Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus. General and Comparative Endocrinology, Oct, 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.06.019 Sang-Seon Yun, Andras Szeitz, Andrew Wildbill, Michael Siefkes, David Close, Sulfated Bile Acids as Putative Sex Pheromone Components in Pacific Lamprey. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 143:1455–1459, 2014. doi: 10.1016/10.1080/00 028487.2014.946090 Placental profiling of UGT1A enzyme expression and activity and interactions with preeclampsia at term. Collier AC, Thévenon AD, Goh W, Hiraoka M, Kendal-Wright CE. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2014 PRESENTATIONS Ensom MHH. “Debates in the Teaching and Practice of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenetics.” Podium. Kiang TKL, Partovi N, Hussaini T, Shapiro RJ, Ensom MHH. “Multiple Regression Analysis of Factors Associated with Neutropenia in Steroid-Free Adult Renal Transplant Recipients Taking Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate in Three Different Study Periods during the First Year Post-Transplant.” Poster. Cheng W, Kiang TKL, Bring P, Ensom MHH. “Predictive Performance of the Winter-Tozer and Its Derivative Equations for Estimating Free Phenytoin Concentrations in Specific Patient Populations.” Poster. Dr. Peter Zed presented "How to Write a Research Paper and Get It Published". Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists – BC Branch, Annual General Meeting, Vancouver, BC, November 22, 2014 McCormick N, Sadatsafavi M, Chen W, Marra CA, Avina-Zubieta JA. Lower Socioeconomic Status at Disease Onset is Associated with Higher Health Care Costs in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A General Population-Based Cohort Study. (presentation). ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. On behalf of the Ontario Pharmacist’s Association, Lynda Eccott presented the CE event "Natural Health Products used for Cold/Flu, Menopause and Mental Health: The Role of the Pharmacist” to Drug Traders pharmacists in Cancun, Mexico. McCormick N, Sadatsafavi M, Chen W, Marra CA, Avina-Zubieta JA. Is Socioeconomic Status at Diagnosis Associated with Long-Term Direct Medical Costs in Systemic Sclerosis? A General Population-Based Cohort Study. (presentation) GRANTS Dr. Marion Pearson is the UBC representative to the AFPC’s Pharmacy Educator Peer Leaders Network and has received $10,000 in grant funding to support the implementation and evaluation of the Informatics for Pharmacy Students e-resource. Genomics for Precision Drug Therapy in the Community Pharmacy. Investigators: Corey Nislow, Ron Reid, Mark Kunzli. $400,000, Genome BC User Partnership Program. Funded by Genome BC and the BC Pharmacy Association.
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UBC FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FROM
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ANTIBIOTICS...
DISCOVER THE STORY OF MEDICINES
A free, interactive exhibition that explores the essential contribution of pharmacy to human health.
First floor and mezzanine level, UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver. Open to the public 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Guided tours available on request, contact pharmsci.communications@ubc.ca DISCOVER • WINTER 2014
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Wishing you a very happy holiday season from your friends and colleagues at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Dr. Michael Coughtrie Professor and Dean
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Dr. Wayne Riggs Professor and Associate Dean, Academic
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Dr. Thomas Chang Professor and Associate Dean pro tem, Research & Graduate Studies
Dr. Peter Zed Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Practice Innovation
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