Episodes
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Dyslipidemia – It has an outsized presence in correctional health settings and can be tough to manage for those patients. Fortunately for providers across all settings, managing dyslipidemia is becoming more streamlined with a new set of guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association.
Chris is here to break down these 2026 dyslipidemia guidelines, highlighting updated risk assessment tools, cholesterol targets, and evidence-based therapies while offering practical guidance tailored to correctional healthcare.
To see Chris' handy dyslipedmia pocket guide, sign up for an account at opticsclinical.com.
Before that, Chris brings us up to speed with medication news
Baxfendy- A brand new aldosterone synthase inhibitor
Ozempic- Oral tablets and the “retirement” of Rybelsus
Hepcludex- Accelerated approval for the only Hep D drug in the US
Orphines- Another synthetic opioid to look out for
And to finish things out, we look at the amazing story of statins and their unlikely origin.
Link to the full show notes with references for further reading.
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)
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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)
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Missing episodes?
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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)
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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)
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With the approval of oral Wegovy making headlines in the new year, it was timely to catch up with Chris on this and many other exciting developments in the realm of GLP-1s. In our main discussion, Chris talks about the immediate impact of oral Wegovy and some small but important differences from its injectable predecessors. He also gets into the application of GLP-1s outside of weight loss, the promise of new agents currently in development, the impact of GLP-1s in corrections healthcare and addresses growing concerns over safety, side-effects, and availability.
For Into the Clinic, Chris shares some important updates involving gonorrhea treatments, functional seizure guidelines, ADA diabetes guidelines, and the GOLD COPD guidelines.
And in our Trivia Capsule segment, we look back at some spectacular failures in the history of weight loss medications and why these drug did not live up to the weight of expectations.
See full show notes with links to reference material.
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)
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We apologize for the hiatus! Things have been busy the last few months, both personally and professionally.
Now that everything is slowing down for the holidays, it's a perfect time to touch base and let you all know that we're still here and that we have new episodes in the works for 2026.
Speaking of the new year, Chris takes a moment to share his personal pharmacist wish list for 2026. (New GLP1 approvals! Interchangable biologics! No more drug shortages! And more!)
And if you're a fan of "It's a Wonderful Life", you'll definitely want to hear about the pharmacy trivia tidbit that Chris discovered in this all-time Christmas classic. What was the "poison" that Mr. Gower almost gave to a patient?
Thanks for listening! Wishing all a most Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Link to full show notes.
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After two jam packed episodes dedicated to disease states, we’re back for a corrections-focused look at medication non-adherence. While the failure to take medication as prescribed affects patient outcomes across every healthcare setting, Chris zeroes in on the unique “societal” factors that drive non-adherence behind bars. He gives us a rundown of clinical pharmacist strategies to promote adherence, from basic regimen changes to more in-depth counseling and education for patients and providers alike.
All this plus the usual grab bag of medication news and some trivia about the very first long-acting injectable medications!
Link to full show notes with references.
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
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In this episode, we’re diving into a condition that affects over 10 million Americans but often flies under the radar—osteoporosis. Following up on last month’s discussion on insomnia, we’re once again tackling a silent, underdiagnosed condition that has major implications for older adults.
Chris breaks down the basics of bone biology, the surprising impact of fractures—especially hip fractures—and the risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis. From screening guidelines and supplement strategies to the most common pharmacologic treatments, this episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare providers.
All this plus medication news, trivia, and an appearance from Chris' dog.
Link to full show notes with references.
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
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For this episode, Chris takes an eyes wide open look at insomnia, particularly as it affects older adults. We talk about causes, the first line importance of non-pharmacologic treatments, and of course, the primary medications used for sleep onset and sleep maintenance and their clinical and cost considerations. We also digress briefly into insomnia management in the corrections environment and explore natural and OTC remedies. All this plus the latest medication news and a brief history of hypnotics.
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
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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
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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
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For the first #PodcastRx episode of 2025, Chris - in the spirit of New Year's resolutions- explores some common sense but effective tenets for improved clinical decision making.
Ahead of that, he details a few noteworthy expanded drug approvals (Vtama, Nemluvio, Zepbound) and revised treament guidelines (diabetes, metformin, borderline personaility disorder). And to close things out, he looks back at the ancient origins of the pharmacy profession.
Please rate and/or review where you listen to podcasts!
See the expanded show notes here.
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
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With our hosts in a holiday mood and 2024 hurtling to a close, Chris reflects on the clinical, professional, and regulatory wants and wishes he'd like to see come true in 2025. We cover:
Potential drug approvalsProvider status for pharmacistsBiosimilar substitutionRelieving drug shortagesA brief digression on Wegovy vs. ZepboundBefore that, Chris highlights the expanded approval of Bimzelx for hideranitis supportiva and breaks down updated guidelines related to COPD and Restless Leg Syndrome.
And for the ending Trivia Capsule segment, Chris makes a light-hearted (if tenuous) connection between the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the medicinal benefits of the two most precious metals (medals?).
See you in 2025!
Please rate and/or review where you listen to podcasts!
See the expanded show notes here.
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
Christmas Holidays by Angelika728
Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes
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There's no better occasion than American Diabetes Month to dive into practical treatment recommendations for Type 2 diabetes. Using the ADA's Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatement as a roadmap, Chris breaks down his clinical approach to 8 of the most common glucose-lowering medications. We also discuss the pharmacist recommendation process, correctional environment concerns, and benchmarks for patient success.
Elsewhere in the show, we hear about:
Vlaylev and Orlynvah approvals for Parkinson's Disease and UTI treatments, respectively
Expanded Dupixent approval
New CDC COVID and pneumococcal vaccine recommendations
Rybelsus FLOW Trial results
The "Doggone" Discovery of Insulin
Click here to see full show notes and references.
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
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October is American Pharmacist Month, and to help recognize the many ways pharmacists care for communities, we talk to Chris about the influence and increasing importance of the clinical pharmacist in correctional and institutional healthcare settings. Chris details the primary strategies he and the OPTICS team use to impact patient care, reflects on the evolution of the clinical pharmacist role, explains how providers can better take advantage of pharmacist knowledge, and more.
We also go “Into the Clinic” to talk medication news (including the recent approval of Cobenfy for schizophrenia), and, in anticipation of Halloween, look at the real connections between pharmacy and witchcraft in our Trivia Capsule segment.
Links to material informing this episode's discussions.
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
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Just one episode into the new PodcastRx with Chris Bender and we already have a special bonus for you! Chris breaks down must-know information surrounding COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines ahead of respiratory disease season! And we learn some fun pharmacy trivia about the historical (and kinda gross) precursor to vaccination, variolation.
Please rate and review where you listen to podcasts!
Link to material cited in episode.
Music used in this episode:
The Retro Synth by Art Haiz
Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin
Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro by yourtunes
Sponsor Links:
OPTICS - www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services
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It's the debut episode of PodcastRx with Chris Bender! Regular listeners know Chris is a clinical pharmacist with Diamond's Office of Pharmacy Therapeutics and Integrated Clinical Services (OPTICS) team and a repeat guest many times over on PodcastRx. We liked his appearances so much that we asked him to stay permanently- and he accepted! We're pleased to bring you a more segment driven-show centered around one of Diamond's most enthusiastic pharmacy nerds (his term, not ours :-)
In our first segment, which we've dubbed "Into the Clinic", Chris delves into some recent medication headlines and recent studies of note, including:
-Kisunla Approval
-PSA Levels in Transgender Women
-Saline Nasal Sprays and Sick Days
Then we shift into our main discussion block around some "mature" topics, as September is Healthy Aging Month. We explore:
-Effectiveness of Multivitamins
-Ways to Prevent Falls
-Advancements in Alzheimer's Medication
And in our final segment, we take a somewhat lighthearted (but serious) look at some crazy contaminants found in OTC vitamins and supplements.
Thanks so much for listening. Please rate, review, and share!
Links to supporting material found in today's episode.
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
Quiz Countdown by PaoloArgento
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Nancy Chia from the OPTICS team is back for another psychiatric pharmacy care conversation. This time we focus in on the role of benzodiazepines for treating anxiety disorders. We touch briefly on the characteristics of some common anxiety disorders and then take a closer look at the reasons why benzodiazepines are a preferred treatment option for their acute symptoms. We also examine the downsides of benzodiazepine use, special concerns in the corrections environment, ideal therapeutic timeframes, treatment alternatives and more.
For More About the OPTICS Clinical Pharmacy Team:
www.diamondpharmacy.com/clinical-services -
As a young girl in West Africa, Nancy Chia was fascinated by the seemingly “magical” properties of medication to treat everyday illness. Now as a clinical pharmacist with Diamond’s OPTICS team, Nancy continues to parlay her childhood curiosities around medication into making a difference for vulnerable patients, especially regarding mental health care in the corrections environment. Nancy joins us to talk about her recent professional focus on psychiatric medications, her first impressions of correctional pharmacy practice, the overrepresentation of mental illness in corrections, shortages of mental health care professionals, and how ultimately pharmacists can help to ease an overburdened mental health care system.
For more on the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team:
www.diamondpharmacy.com/clinical-services -
On this episode, Chris Bender from the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team stops by to preview his upcoming NCCHC spring conference presentation on proper inhaler use. With some 38 possible inhaler therapies available for asthma and COPD, providers can be easily overwhelmed and out of breath with the choices. I talk with Chris about demystifying inhaler therapies for better patient and cost outcomes, along with the factors behind higher asthma/COPD rates in the correctional patient population, the mechanics of inhalers, inmate security considerations, and more. If you're going to NCCHC at the end of April, be sure to check out Chris's entire presentation.
Mentioned in the Show:
NCCHC Conference Info:
https://events.ncchc.org/spring-conference/HOME
Allergy & Asthma Network Respiratory Treatments Poster:
https://store.allergyasthmanetwork.org/digital-downloads/respiratory-treatments-digital-english-version-11-x-8-1-2 - Show more
