Speed Dating with the Pharmacy Ladies: Pearls from the Wild Side of Palliative Pharmacotherapy

Key Message: Join two intrepid pharmacists in this high-energy, safari-themed session to explore practical medication tips for palliative care. Through rapid-fire pearls and humor, participants will strengthen their ability to apply evidence-informed strategies in drug delivery, dosing, and deprescribing—enhancing clinical decision-making in even the wildest prescribing scenarios.

Abstract: Join two intrepid pharmacist guides for a high-energy, safari-themed Speed Dating with the Pharmacy Ladies session, designed to equip participants with fast-paced, evidence-informed pharmacologic strategies for the palliative care setting.

Medication management in serious illness requires sharp clinical judgment and agility to address complex needs. This session will provide clinicians with practical tools to apply in real-world scenarios, focusing on drug selection, delivery, dosing, and deprescribing at the end of life. Drawing on pharmacists' specialized expertise, participants will explore how to avoid outdated practices and implement evidence-based approaches with confidence.

Through rapid-fire “pearls,” humor, and interactive discussion, participants will gain the skills to integrate key pharmacologic principles into prescribing decisions for patients with serious illness. They will learn to evaluate and modify maintenance medication regimens in alignment with prognosis, symptom burden, and patient goals, and apply practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance medication safety and effectiveness. The session is designed to support real-time clinical decision-making and strengthen prescribing practices across a variety of palliative care scenarios.

Designed for clinicians across disciplines, this session encourages active engagement and equips learners with actionable strategies to improve patient care. Clinical vignettes and case-based examples will reinforce concepts and enhance retention. Whether deconstructing a complex medication profile, choosing a formulation to meet patient needs, or responding to evolving goals of care, this session empowers clinicians to improve their prescribing practices and tame even the wildest medication challenges in palliative care.

Participants will leave this session more confident in their ability to make thoughtful, patient-centered prescribing decisions that reflect best practices in palliative pharmacology. The lively, rapid-fire format ensures high-yield learning in a short amount of time—making this an ideal session for those ready to sharpen their skills while having a little fun along the way.

References: 1. Tjia J., et al. “Perspectives on deprescribing in palliative care: a scoping review.” Expert Review in Clinical Pharmacology. May 2023.
2. Muhn S., et al. “Pharmacist’s Comprehensive Medication Review in Deprescribing Chronic Medications at the End of Life.” Arch Clin Med Case Rep 2023.
3. “Potentially inappropriate medication discontinued or changed based on pharmacist intervention in a palliative care unit.” Ann Palliat Med. 2021.