HPD Research Day | February 16, 2018

31 Atrium – Poster 5 12:15-1:15 p.m. Rheological Behavior and Modelling of Hydrophobically-Modified Gelling Agents Used in Pharmaceutical Semi-Solids Samaneh Alaei, Ph.D. in Pharmacy Student, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Rand Ahmad, Ph.D. in Pharmacy Student, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Hamid Omidian, Ph.D., Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Objective. The objective was to study the effect of concentration on the rheological behavior of hydrophobically- modified polyacrylic acid polymers and fitness to two rheological models for non-linear flow. Background. Carbomer copolymer type B and carbomer interpolymer type A are polyacrylic acid polymers, modified with a long alkyl chain. Our previous studies showed non-linear rheological behavior for these polymers. There are two models commonly used to describe materials with yield stress and non-linear flow; the Herschel-Bulkley and Casson models, with the Casson being pertinent to systems tending to form aggregates. Methods. Samples were prepared in water at different concentrations ranging from 0.1-1.0% w/w. Following neutralization with NaOH (pH 5.0-6.0), the rheological behavior of the samples was examined using a cone and plate rheometer, and the two models were evaluated for their confidence of fit (COF) to the experimental results. Results. Herschel-Bulkley model fitted all the samples with COF >99.5%, except for 1.0% w/w concentration, which was best fit with Casson model (COF of 100% and 96% for the copolymer and interpolymer, respectively). Shear thinning behavior was presented in the viscosity/shear rate plots, and yield stress values ranged from 85-1538(D/cm 2 ) for copolymer and 46-1967(D/cm 2 ) for the interpolymer. Conclusion. The rheological behavior of hydrophobically-modified carbomers is affected by their solution concentration. At low concentrations, the materials are soluble, thus best fitting Herschel-Bulkley model. At high concentrations and due to lower solubility of the hydrophobic moieties, particles tend to aggregate and fit the Casson model. Grants. This study was supported by NSU Grant 335081. Atrium – Poster 6 12:15-1:15 p.m. Development and Validation of Florida Pharmacists’ Knowledge Scale of Medicare Part D Pharmacist-Based Medication Therapy Management Hayam A. AlRasheed, PharmD, Ph.D. student, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Barry Bleidt, PharmD, Ph.D., Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Objective. The aim of this study was to expand the theory of planned behavior model by adding knowledge construct to assess whether pharmacists’ overall knowledge level about MTM impacts the pharmacists’ perception to provide such services. Background. MTM model is required by the Medicare Modernization Act 2003 as one of the services that take care of the patients. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, there were significant changes in MTM programs through expanded requirements and improvement measures to further support MTM programs. Little is known about pharmacists’ knowledge of MTM after the changes that resulted from the ACA of 2010. Method. Knowledge scale was created after an intensive literature review. The scale was generated based on face and content validity and the reliability and internal consistency. The internal consistency was improved to purify the scale. The scale was reduced from 33 to 24 items; include background and process sub-dimensions. The “mock” survey was applied to third-year Pharm.D students at NSU using survey monkey. Result. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients were 0.962 for the entire scale, 0.923 for the background subscale, and 0.947for the process subscale. The scale was assessed to understand the factors loadings of the knowledge scale. The results indicated 5-factor solution. Conclusion. This study is the first to identify construct of interest in assessing pharmacists’ knowledge regarding MTM services and offered evidence of the reliability of the scale. It is anticipated that the scale will be utilized to assess the change in knowledge level as MTM services expanded as results of ACA.