PHAR 580
MTO Core – Current Topics in Pharmacy Practice

The diagnostics and pharmacogenomics portion of this course will delve into strategies for designing and implementing a successful patient-centered pharmacy-based disease management program and improving patient access to medical care. Upon successful completion of course requirements, students may elect to earn a point-of-care (POC) testing certificate. Pharmacy care in rural and underserved populations, current barriers to care, the advancements made to increase access to care, reimbursement for pharmacy services and future care opportunities for pharmacists will be discussed. Pharmacists as continuum of care practitioners are integral to ensuring patients receive continuous coordinated medication therapy. Students will learn how pharmacists oversee the optimization and reconciliation of medications, enforce therapeutic guidelines, consider socioeconomic factors in therapy selection, and ensure that patients are prescribed and have access to cost effective therapy. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in patient access to effective treatment and will apply critical thinking and compassion to resolve real life patient care scenarios.