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Jonathan Watanabe, PharmD, MS, PhD, BCGP, discussed a section of the ASHP 2025 Pharmacy Forecast that he co-authored titled “Addressing the Gap in Primary Care.”

Q&A: Identifying, Addressing Gaps in Primary Care

The lawsuit alleges Walgreens has been filling prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act since 2012.

DOJ Sues Walgreens for Millions of Illegitimate Prescriptions Filled

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A conversation with Antonia Biggs, PhD, professor and acting director of the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health Program at the University of California, San Francisco.

As Support for Medication Abortion Grows, Pharmacists Can Be Patient Advocates 

Joseph DiPiro, PharmD, FCCP, FAAAS, editor of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2025 Pharmacy Forecast, discussed key themes in the forecast that will impact health-system pharmacy in 2025.

Q&A: The Importance of ASHP’s 2025 Pharmacy Forecast

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A bipartisan group of 61 U.S. senators and 233 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed onto a joint letter asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to approve reforms.

Congress Members Urge Biden to Address Prior Authorizations in Medicare Advantage

Health care leaders say AI could save countless lives, but there are difficult ethical questions that must be confronted.



AI Potential in Health Care is Scary, But Awe-Inspiring

President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address highlighted some key areas of health care in which he hopes to make progress. 

State of the Union: Drug Prices, Affordable Care, and Cancer A Priority for Biden Administration

The company is leaning even more into specialty drugs, with a new distribution center in California, and innovating to meet the changing needs of customers.

AmerisourceBergen: Investing in the Future

journal explores issues within pharmacy, from the impact advocacy can have in community pharmacies to staffing shortages across multiple sectors within pharmacy. This month’s issue also explored the importance of disease awareness months and how they are opportunities to maximize valued care. Check out a preview of this month’s issue here.

download the PDF of the Total Pharmacy August 2024 issue here

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Total Pharmacy

In This Issue: Total Pharmacy August 2024

Combining sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) may offer additional protection against cardiovascular and kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to the results of a new meta-analysis published in 

 and presented at the 61st European Renal Association Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.

Separately, SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits. However, little clinical literature has focused on outcomes associated with using the medicines together. Due to the growing prevalence of GLP-1RAs in the 

 and obesity landscape, accelerated by an increasing number of indications for the agent class, this is a crucial area for further study.

The SGLT2 Inhibitor Meta-analysis Cardio-Renal Trialists’ Consortium (SMART-C) is the largest assessment of outcomes for the combined therapeutic use of SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs. The study gathered data from 12 large-scale, placebo-controlled trials of SGLT2is involving 73,238 patients with diabetes. Of these, 3065 were already receiving GLP-1RAs.

Overall, SGLT2is lowered the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 11% and hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death by 23% compared to placebo. Notably, this benefit was seen regardless of whether patients were also taking GLP-1RAs.

When used together with GLP-1RAs, SGLT2is reduced the risk of chronic kidney disease progression by 33% and slowed the annual loss of kidney function by nearly 60%.

The study found no additional safety concerns when SGLT2is were used in combination with GLP-1RAs.

Study Reveals Robust Benefits of Semaglutide in Protecting Against Kidney, CV Events in Patients With T2D

Current meta-analysis results build off positive results of the landmark FLOW trial (

). Published earlier in May, results of the international, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial spotlighted semaglutide’s effectiveness in lowering the risk of kidney failure, decelerating worsening kidney function, and protecting against the risk of cardiovascular events and death, in patients with T2D.

“SGLT2 inhibitors have clear protective effects against heart failure and chronic kidney disease, while GLP-1 receptor agonists can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and also kidney disease—as recently demonstrated in the landmark FLOW trial,” said Brendon Neuen, lead author, clinical associate professor, senior research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, and director of kidney trials at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, in a news release.

 “Our findings support using this combination to further improve outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes who meet guideline recommendations for both therapies.”

Elevated glucose from diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart and kidneys, increasing the risk of 

 and kidney disease. In fact, diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease.

Moreover, estimates predicting that T2D prevalence will more than double in the next 30 years, surpassing 1 billion global cases by 2050, further strengthen the need for research into diabetes care.

 According to Neuen in an interview with 

 conducted over email, the current study offers valuable insights for developing global treatment strategies for the condition.

"These findings, which represent the largest and most comprehensive evaluation of the combined use of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA, provides the clearest evidence yet that combined use of both medicines can further reduce cardiovascular and kidney disease," said Neuen. "We anticipate that these findings will inform how people with diabetes are treated worldwide, including influencing major clinical practice guidelines.

Although current results suggest that using SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs in tandem may offer robust protection against cardiovascular and kidney disease, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of the combination therapy.

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1. Apperloo E, Neuen BL et al. Efficacy and safety of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors with and without glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: A SMART-C collaborative meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. 

. 2024. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00183-9

2. Massaro L. Study reveals robust benefits of semaglutide in protecting against kidney, CV events in patients with T2D. 

https://www.drugtopics.com/view/study-reveals-robust-benefits-of-semaglutide-in-protecting-against-kidney-cv-events-in-patients-with-t2d

3. Combining popular diabetes drugs offers complementary heart and kidney benefits. News release. The George Institute for Global Health. July 9, 2024. Accessed July 10, 2024. 

https://www.georgeinstitute.org/media-releases/combining-popular-diabetes-drugs-offers-complementary-heart-and-kidney-benefits

4. Mayo Clinic Staff. Chronic kidney disease. Fact sheet. Accessed July 8, 2024. 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

5. Klein HE. Diabetes prevalence expected to double globally by 2050. 

https://www.ajmc.com/view/diabetes-prevalence-expected-to-double-globally-by-2050

When used together, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were able to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and kidney disease by 11% and 33%, respectively.

Clinical

SGLT2i, GLP-1RA Combination Therapy Offers Robust Protection Against Cardiovascular, Kidney Disease

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have proved to be the definitive standard of practice for the treatment of patients living with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, with several variations of the medication entering the prescription drug market, it’s important for pharmacists to understand their patients’ needs and know how different GLP-1s will impact specific patient outcomes.

“Everyone is talking about tirzepatide and semaglutide, which have revolutionized the management of T2D and obesity. Tirzepatide offers very high efficacy for weight loss (more than semaglutide, based on recent evidence) most likely due to its dual mechanism, while semaglutide has established itself as a leader with its proven cardiovascular benefits,” said Jennifer Clements, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, BCPS, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP.

In a session presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting, Clements discussed GLP-1 treatment for patients with obesity and T2D. From the differences between tirzepatide and semaglutide to increasing supply and demand for GLP-1s in general, learn about these ground-breaking medications, how they’re showing efficacy in patients of multiple disease states, and what pharmacists need to know to ensure safe dispensing of these products.

: Can you describe the current landscape of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications that are available to patients?

 It has been groundbreaking and impactful to clinical practice for GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists to be available for the management of T2D, obesity, and now other chronic conditions. These single/dual receptor agonists promote regulation of glucose levels, reduction in appetite, and weight loss.

Semaglutide is the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonist and is available under brand-name Ozempic (for T2D), Wegovy (for obesity), and Rybelsus (oral formulation for T2D). For Ozempic and Wegovy, semaglutide is a subcutaneous, once-weekly injection whereas Rybelsus has once-daily administration.

There are other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide. Recently, liraglutide was approved as a generic medication for the management of T2D. It is important to remember the each GLP-1 receptor agonist may have different indications and dosing regimens, but there may be similarities with contraindication and adverse events. For example, semaglutide has an indication for cardiovascular risk reduction as Ozempic and Wegovy; in addition, dulaglutide—as Trulicity—has a similar indication due to benefit seen in cardiovascular outcome trials. However, exenatide extended-release (or Bydureon) does not have the risk reduction in cardiovascular events in its indication. For similarities, these long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists cannot be used in individuals with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma due to evidence from animal studies.

Currently, there is one GLP-1/GIP-1 receptor agonist—tirzepatide; its brand-name product is Mounjaro for T2D and Zepbound for obesity. It is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. The dosing is similar for both products. Recently, Zepbound was approved to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea for individuals living with obesity. As a dual receptor agonist, tirzepatide enhances insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, suppresses glucagon from pancreatic alpha cell, slows gastric emptying, and therefore, reduces weight.

Everyone is talking about tirzepatide and semaglutide which have revolutionized the management of T2D and obesity. Tirzepatide offers very high efficacy for weight loss (more than semaglutide based on recent evidence) most likely due to its dual mechanism, while semaglutide has established itself as a leader with its proven cardiovascular benefits. Both medications provide patients with effective tools to address glycemic and weight management, improving quality of life and reducing long-term health risks. The choice between these therapies depends on individual’s needs, preferences, tolerability, response, and insurance coverage.

: What are the benefits of tirzepatide and semaglutide specifically for patients with obesity and T2D?

 Both tirzepatide and semaglutide have shown significant benefits for people living with obesity and T2D.

Tirzepatide has been shown to lead to substantial weight loss. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants with obesity and prediabetes experienced an average weight reduction of up to 23% over three years. The same trial revealed that tirzepatide significantly reduced the risk of progression to T2D, as approximately 1.3% of participants on tirzepatide developed T2D, compared to 13.3% in the placebo group. In the SURMOUNT-2 trial, tirzepatide resulted in a 15% weight reduction in people living with obesity and T2D over 72 weeks. There are other benefits of tirzepatide beyond diabetes and obesity, as evidence has been published on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obstructive sleep apnea. Overall, tirzepatide improves insulin sensitivity and enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, helping to maintain better glycemic control; it can also slow gastric emptying and promote satiety to reduce weight.

Semaglutide has also been effective in promoting weight loss. Studies have shown that it can help promote significant weight loss, which is crucial for managing obesity and T2D. Semaglutide can regulate glucose levels by mimicking the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which promotes insulin release and reduces glucagon levels. Semaglutide has been associated with cardiovascular risk reduction, which is particularly beneficial for people living with T2D and obesity who are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, there are other benefit of semaglutide beyond diabetes obesity, as evidence has been published on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and osteoarthritis.

2024 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition here

Jennifer Clements, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, BCPS, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP, discussed current GLP-1 medication offerings and how each impacts patients differently.

Health System

Q&A: How Specific GLP-1s Impact Different Patient Populations | ASHP Midyear

According to SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 trial research, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) tirzepatide showed significantly greater weight loss among patients with obesity who did and did not have type 2 diabetes (T2D) when compared with patients using semaglutide. Research data was presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting.

“Recently, it has been approved for the management of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, semaglutide has an indication for cardiovascular risk reduction whether used for people living with [T2D] or obesity. Tirzepatide’s cardiovascular evidence among people with [T2D] should be forthcoming in 2025, but it will be a few more years until evidence is reported on these outcomes in individuals living with obesity,” said Jennifer Clements, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, BCPS, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP.

Clements gave a presentation at ASHP Midyear 2024 titled “Let the Debate Begin: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists vs Newer Incretin Mimetics for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.” After the session, she caught up with 

 to discuss the current indications of tirzepatide and semaglutide, who they compare to each other, and what to expect from each medication in the future.

 Can you discuss the data from the SURMOUNT clinical trials that demonstrate an edge for tirzepatide over semaglutide?

The SURMOUNT-1 trial included adults with at least 1 unsuccessful dietary effort to lose weight. In addition, their weight was classified as overweight or obesity in the presence of a comorbidity (eg, hypertension, hyperlipidemia). SURMOUNT-1 trial investigated the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide among adults with [T2D] who were overweight or had obesity. Both trials had coprimary outcomes, which included percent change in body weight and achievement of 5% (or more) weight loss from baseline to week 72.

When looking at the results in SURMOUNT-1 trial, tirzepatide had statistically and clinically significant reduction versus placebo. The weight reduction was 15.9%, 19.5%, and 20.9% with tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, respectively. In addition, more than 85% of individuals achieved the 5% (or more) weight loss goal of 5%. It was more common for individuals to discontinue tirzepatide due to gastrointestinal reactions, which is consistent with other evidence with GLP-1 receptor agonists. From the SURMOUNT-2 trial, change in body weight was -12.8% and -14.7% with tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg, respectively, when compared [with] placebo. The percentage was not the same as SURMOUNT-1 trial given that there is insulin resistance among people with [T2D]. More than three-fourths of individuals achieved that minimum weight loss goal of 5% or more in the SURMOUNT-2 trial. Safety outcomes were consistent and similar with discontinuation due to gastrointestinal adverse events in the first couple of months in the SURMOUNT-2 trial.

When comparing semaglutide versus tirzepatide, tirzepatide has greater weight loss in those living with obesity with or without [T2D]. In addition, it has different cardiovascular outcomes among those with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejective fraction. Recently, it has been approved for the management of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, semaglutide has an indication for cardiovascular risk reduction whether used for people living with [T2D] or obesity. Tirzepatide’s cardiovascular evidence among people with [T2D] should be forthcoming in 2025, but it will be a few more years until evidence is reported on these outcomes in individuals living with obesity. The person with [T2D] and other comorbid conditions will make the decision about what treatment is going to be best for them. Decisions will vary from person to person based on individual needs and preferences. In addition, there should be shared decision-making on the best agent for an individual when considering lifestyle habits, budget/financial restraints, and insurance coverage.

Jennifer Clements, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, BCPS, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP, discussed the benefits of tirzepatide compared with semaglutide.

Q&A: Factors Showing Tirzepatide is More Beneficial Than Semaglutide | ASHP Midyear

How Nonstatin Therapies Can Optimize Patients’ Cardiovascular Health 

Lipid-lowering medications, also known as antihyperlipidemic drugs, are designed to lower patients’ cholesterol levels, in turn creating better cardiovascular outcomes.

 However, when it comes to the use of antihyperlipidemic drugs, patients are presented with multiple options.

John Bucheit, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and Assistant Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy, discussed the 2 main types of cholesterol-maintaining medications: statins and nonstatins. Statins are considered the first line of defense when it comes to the regulation of a patients’ cholesterol. Nonstatins, on the other hand, are typically used in conjunction with statins.

“When I think about lipid-lowering medications, I think about [it] as all-hands-on-deck. Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 cause of death in the United States. I really try to avoid looking at an ‘either or’ approach to statins versus nonstatins, and really think about how can we best manage this patient's cholesterol levels,” said Bucheit.

At the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, held December 8 to 12 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bucheit hosted a session titled “Get Low: Use of Non-Statin Therapies in Reducing Residual Cardiovascular Risk.” 

caught up with him after to get further insights on nonstatins for improving patients’ cardiovascular health.

1. Antihyperlipidemic. Cleveland Clinic. September 22, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2024. 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/antihyperlipidemic

2. Beyond statins: What you need to know about other LDL cholesterol-lowering treatments. CardioSmart by the American College of Cardiology. August 25, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2024. 

https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/high-cholesterol/treatment/beyond-statins-other-ldl-lowering-treatments

John Bucheit, PharmD, discussed lipid-lowering medications and how nonstatins can be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

How Nonstatin Therapies Can Optimize Patients’ Cardiovascular Health | ASHP Midyear

The diagnostic pathways of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) can be more successfully understood with the introduction of discrete event simulation (DES) using non-invasive tests (NITs), according to a poster presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition.

“MASH, previously referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity, mortality, and high costs. Early and accurate identification of patients with non-cirrhotic MASH may decrease long-term resource utilization and cost,” wrote authors of the poster.

According to American Liver Foundation statistics, MASH is growing increasingly prevalent in the US. There are currently around 9 to 15 million US adults with MASH, accounting for up to 6.5% of the population. Furthermore, these rates are expected to rise by 63% come the year 2030.

With the disease burden of MASH impacting a large group of US adults, health care experts are looking to alleviate the high health care costs that have accompanied the increase in MASH cases across the country. Using the DES model, researchers aimed to establish a standard of care and service that models the capabilities of currently accepted screening strategies.

Tai Chi Intervention, Liver Disease Prevalence for People with OA

“A DES model was built comparing the use of various [NITs] and combinations of sequential NITs to identify patients with MASH and advanced fibrosis. The entire care pathway was considered including screening, disease progression, outpatient and inpatient care, and cost data over a 3-year time horizon,” they continued.

The DES was designed for study participants to move through the model, capturing the utilization and costs of health care, as well as yearly disease progression, for participants with MASH. Researchers then simulated the diagnosis of MASH in 5 separate screening scenarios (SS): enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) alone; magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) alone; transient elastography (TE) alone; ELF followed by TE; and ELF followed by MRE.

The DES model included a total of 100,000 participants with at-risk MASH. For the ELF SS, 86% of patients were successfully diagnosed, while 26% of cirrhotic patients were identified correctly. For the MRE-only SS, 82% were successfully diagnosed and 66% of cirrhotic patients were identified correctly. For the TE-only SS, 68% were successfully diagnosed and 42% of cirrhotic patients were identified correctly.

Researchers observed the use of a discrete event simulation using non-invasive tests for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Ron Southwick

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