Lucas A. Berenbrok

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Reading ingredient labels closely will help consumers make more informed decisions. ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images

FDA advisory panel’s conclusion that oral phenylephrine is ineffective means consumers need to think twice when buying cold and flu meds

Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh; Colleen Culley, University of Pittsburgh, and Karen Steinmetz Pater, University of Pittsburgh

If phenylephrine works no better than a placebo, then what else might help with colds and flu?
Pharmacogenetic testing is a form of precision medicine, using your genes to personalize your care. D3Damon/E+ via Getty Images

Can at‑home DNA tests predict how you’ll respond to your medications? Pharmacists explain the risks and benefits of pharmacogenetic testing

Kayla B. Rowe, University of Pittsburgh; Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh, and Philip Empey, University of Pittsburgh

Genetic testing can help take the guesswork out of finding the right treatment. For certain diseases. To an extent.
The progestin-only pill Opill could be available in early 2024. Kwangmoozaa/iStock via Getty Images

FDA approves first daily over‑the‑counter birth control pill, Opill – a pharmacist and public health expert explain this new era in contraception

Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh and Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh

With the approval of the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive, pharmacists stand to play an ever-increasing role in helping expand access to reproductive health care in the post-Roe era.
The use of naloxone administered by nasal spray can be a lifesaving drug with minimal side effects. TG23/iStock via Getty Images Plus

FDA approval of over‑the‑counter Narcan is an important step in the effort to combat the US opioid crisis

Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh; Janice L. Pringle, University of Pittsburgh, and Joni Carroll, University of Pittsburgh

The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Narcan will make the lifesaving drug more widely available, especially to those who might be likely to witness or respond to opioid overdoses.
The over-the-counter birth control pill will not require medical examinations or prescriptions prior to purchase. Sergey Mironov/Moment via Getty Images

With over‑the‑counter birth control pills likely to be approved, pharmacists and pharmacies could play an ever‑increasing role in reproductive health care

Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh and Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh

Some states already allow pharmacists to provide birth control to patients with a prescription. But FDA approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill could greatly expand access.
The FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 designated a new class of OTC hearing aids. Heizeng Hu/Moment via Getty Images

Over‑the‑counter hearing aids have been greenlighted by the FDA – your local pharmacist will soon be able to sell you the device you need

Elaine Mormer, University of Pittsburgh and Lucas A. Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh

OTC hearing aids promise to increase the accessibility and affordability of the devices for millions of adults who live with untreated mild to moderate hearing loss.

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