Raj Desai, M.S., a fourth-year graduate student working under the supervision of Haesuk Park, Ph.D., an associate professor, and Steven Smith, Pharm.D., M.S., an assistant professor, in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s department of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, was selected as a spotlight poster award winner at the 36th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology and Therapeutic Risk Management, or ICPE. The virtual conference was held Sept. 16-17, and is organized by the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology, or ISPE. Desai’s poster evaluated the safety of two erythropoietin-stimulating agents: epoetin and darbepoetin. These agents, used interchangeably for the treatment of anemia, raise the hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for blood transfusions. However, they have not been directly compared in rigorous clinical trials or observational studies previously. In the study, Desai compared the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, or MACE, and death between epoetin and darbepoetin. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in risk of MACE or death between epoetin and darbepoetin.
Desai’s achievement accompanies an impressive line-up of UF College of Pharmacy faculty and students participating in ICPE and in leadership roles with ISPE. UF led four symposia and workshops and had eight podium presentations and 21 poster presentations at ICPE. Almut Winterstein, R.Ph., Ph.D., the Dr. Robert and Barbara Crisafi chair and professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, has served as ISPE’s president for the past year, and she transitioned into the immediate past president role at the conference. Joshua Brown, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.S., an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, is serving as chair of ISPE’s academic council, while Amie Goodin, Ph.D., M.P.P. an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, serves as co-chair of the academic council. Juan Hincapie-Castillo, Ph.D., Pharm.D., M.S., an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, chairs ISPE’s Latin American Regional Interest Group.
Sebastian Jugl, R.Ph., a second-year graduate student in the UF College of Pharmacy, was elected as ISPE student council co-chair. Among his responsibilities will be representing all international student chapters, reporting to the society´s board of directors, promoting participation in activities such as webinars, workshops and social activities. He will fulfill this role for a year and then transition into the chair position leading the student council.