Failure to use PGx testing results in patient death
JoEllen Zembruski-Ruple, a 65-year-old patient advocate, died after taking the chemotherapy drug capecitabine without being tested for a genetic enzyme deficiency that made the drug toxic to her, Kaiser Health News reports. Her death highlights the critical importance of pharmacogenomic testing. It’s not routinely offered, leaving patients vulnerable to preventable harm from widely used cancer drugs. “They never said why they didn’t test her,” Zembruski-Ruple’s sister said. “If the test existed, they should have said there is a test. If they said, ‘Insurance won’t cover it,’ I would have said, ‘Here’s my credit card.’ We should have known about it.” (KFF Health News)
Teens on SSRIs not getting medication follow-up
Fewer than half of teens prescribed SSRIs at two pediatric clinics had a follow-up within the recommended six weeks, and 20% had no follow-up at all, according to a poster presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2025 Meeting. Lack of follow-up delays monitoring for side effects and dose adjustment, potentially compromising treatment safety. Follow-up timing didn’t vary by patient or provider demographics, which suggests barriers. Importantly, collaborative care team involvement increased the likelihood of follow-up. Experts called for better pediatrician training and clinic structures to support timely mental health care and adherence to SSRI follow-up guidelines. (Medscape Medical News)
Practice Transformation
CMM boosts statin use in diabetes patients
Research published in the Journal-of-Clinical-Lipidology found that comprehensive medication management within an ACO significantly improved statin prescribing in patients with type 2 diabetes. A clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS)-led intervention using secure chat and electronic messaging increased statin use to 52%, compared to 31.7% with standard care. The CPS identified 175 medication therapy problems and made 141 actionable recommendations, 61% of which were accepted. These results support CPS-led CMM in enhancing guideline-based statin use to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Journal of Clinical Lipidology)
Budget bill could rewrite, roll back ACA
Although Republicans avoid saying “repeal and replace,” the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could slash over $1 trillion from the healthcare system, primarily targeting Medicaid and ACA marketplaces. Provisions include work and eligibility checks barring some from subsidies, saving insurers $50 billion, plus stricter tax credit rules that would cut billions more. Combined with expiring enhanced subsidies, administrative rollbacks, and a pending Supreme Court case, analysts project up to 8 million losing coverage. (Modern Healthcare)
Evidence & Innovation
Webinar: The power of team-based care
The Primary Care Collaborative and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy hosted a webinar last month, supported by the Get the Medications Right Institute, highlighting the importance of coordinated, team-based primary care in managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Panelists emphasized personalized care, medication optimization, and addressing social determinants of health. Strategies included motivational interviewing, integrated mental and physical health care, and payment reform to support non-dispensing services. The session underscored the value of trust, communication, and flexibility in achieving better health outcomes. (PCC)
Policy Solutions
Cannabis use up among those 65+
Cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 65+ rose from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023, with higher increases in subgroups like women, high-income earners, those with chronic diseases, and residents of states with legalized medical cannabis, according to a new JAMA Internal Medicine research letter. Researchers warn of health risks: “Given physiological changes and chronic diseases, older adults are susceptible to adverse effects of cannabis, which may require acute medical care,” the authors wrote. “Clinicians should consider screening and educating older patients about potential risks of cannabis use.” (JAMA Internal Medicine; Hemp Gazette)
