PodcastRx

di Diamond Pharmacy Services

“Prepare, Prevent, Respond, Recover.”: Dealing with Drug Shortages

Drug shortages aren’t just temporary supply hiccups—they can become full-blown healthcare crises that can last for years and directly impact patient outcomes (especially in correctional settings). We look at all the dimensions of drug shortages, from manufacturing failures and fragile supply chains to economic and regulatory challenges. Chris highlights notable examples such as heparin and norepinephrine, examines the unique risks that shortages pose in correctional healthcare, and shares practical strategies that providers can use to prepare, respond, and protect patients when critical medications become scarce. Our discussion is based on a presentation that Chris was slated to give at the NCCHC Spring Conference in New Orleans that he ultimately had to miss. We briefly diverge into the why. Elsewhere, Chris takes a look at some new FDA approvals for GLP-1s and insulin, a new generic dapagliflozin, and the promising results of a recent clinical trial examining mirtazapine for methamphetamine use disorder. And in Trivia Capsule, we look back at one of the world’s first major drug shortages: quinine in the 17th century. Full show notes with references here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

E68

3 giu 2026

55:42

All Things Anticonvulsant

This March episode might be a day late, but it's definitely not short on content. In addition to last month's heartburn and gastric reflux discussion, Chris's provider friend/friend of the show wanted to hear an episode devoted to anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants sit at the intersection of several challenging issues in the corrections environment, including medical necessity, mental health, and diversion risk. And though Chris was a bit wary of this topic, he stepped up and delivered a sprawling but practical discussion that any correctional provider could benefit from. Chris breaks down the essentials of antiepileptic drugs: how they work, when to use them, and the critical safety risks that can’t be overlooked. He also looks at lab monitoring, drug interactions, cost considerations, and their use as mood stabilizers. Chris also spends some time on gabapentin misuse in correctional settings and a common clinical pitfall: why anticonvulsants don’t work for functional (non-epileptic) seizures—and what actually does. To follow up on this heavy meal of anticonvulsant information, we finish with a light, airy dessert of fun anticonvulsant trivia. As usual, we get started with indispensable medication news with the Into the Clinic segment, including: -New drug approvals for schizophrenia and atopic dermatitis -New AHA/ACC guideline for acute pulmonary embolism severity -Follow-up info on SMART efficacy -Updated labeling for menopausal hormone therapy products Full show notes with references here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

E67

1 apr 2026

52:37

Ep. 66 - Heartburn and Gastric Reflux- Answering a Provider's "Burning" Questions

For the first time on PodcastRx, we're (finally) addressing some listener feedback! One of Chris's correctional provider contacts wanted to hear a show devoted to "all things heartburn and gastric reflux", and we were more than happy to oblige. For the main discussion, Chris covers the differences among treatment classes for heartburn and reflux medications, the latest treatment guidelines, whether proton pump inhibitors deserve a bad reputation, concerns about antacid overuse, and non-pharmacologic considerations. Before that, Chris shares a few updates related to -New motion sickness drug approval -Updated refractory constipation guidelines -Upadacitinib vs. adalimumab trial for rheumatoid arthritis -Treating scabies with ivermectin vs. permethrin -Bismuth quadruple therapy for H. pylori -GLP-1 suicide warnings And though we missed Valentine's Day, we close out the show with a look at the fascinating pharmacy origins of a chalky, but clever Valentine's Day confection. Full show notes here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

E66

25 feb 2026

42:46

Ep. 60- Blood Pressure Goals- What's the "Right" Number? With special guest Henry So, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS

When it comes to managing hypertension and reducing adverse cardiovascular events, what is the ideal blood pressure figure clinicians should target? OPTICS pharmacist Henry So joins Chris for some back and forth around this question. They look at the evolution (and proliferation) of blood pressure guidelines, examine controversies around certain studies, share some of their own personal experiences with hypertension, and ultimately whether they think a lower number is necessarily better. Before that, Chris shares some quick drug approval and guideline updates, and afterwards, we end things with a look at back at how the death of a US President 80 years ago sounded the alarm on the dangers of untreated hypertension. Link to the full show notes. Sponsor Links: SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/ OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services Music Heard in Today's Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic Medical by PaulYudin Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

E60

23 apr 2025

1:08:46

Ep. 59 - Managing Overweight and Obesity Behind Bars: An NCCHC Conference Session Preview

Chris is heading to the Spring NCCHC Conference in Louisville, KY to rep Diamond/OPTICS and give a presentation on overweight and obesity management in the correctional setting. As revolutionary weight loss treatments take hold in the community and in the popular consciousness, Chris is seizing on the moment not to just to talk about GLP-1s, but to review weight management as a whole, pharmocologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, special considerations for the corrections environment, and much more. We take a sneak peak at his presentation and talk about what he hopes attendees will take away from it. Elsewhere, we discuss: The recent approval of Journavx for pain Expanded Ozempic indication RSV and Meningococcal vaccine updates Rapid initiation approval for Sublocade The elimination of the clozapine REMS program And in our final trivia capsule segment, Chris highlights how venom from some very nasty beasties has been utilized to treat everything from hypetension to severe chronic pain. Thanks for listening! Visit Chris (and Diamond Pharmacy) at the NCCHC Conference- Booth 500! Link to the full show notes. Sponsor Links: SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/ OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services Music Heard in Today's Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic Medical by PaulYudin Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes

E59

26 mar 2025

41:01

1 di 8

PodcastRx

“Prepare, Prevent, Respond, Recover.”: Dealing with Drug Shortages

All Things Anticonvulsant

Ep. 66 - Heartburn and Gastric Reflux- Answering a Provider's "Burning" Questions

Ep. 65 - Oral GLP-1s for Weight Loss: The Wait (Weight?) is Over

Ep. 64 - Holiday Check-In and Pharmacist Wishes for 2026

Ep. 63 - Medication Non-Adherence: Meeting Patients Where They Are

Ep. 62 - Understanding Osteoporosis: A Bare Bones Overview

Ep. 61 - Understanding Insomnia: Sleep, Safety, and Stewardship

Ep. 60- Blood Pressure Goals- What's the "Right" Number? With special guest Henry So, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS

Ep. 59 - Managing Overweight and Obesity Behind Bars: An NCCHC Conference Session Preview