OAKWOOD, VA (FEBRUARY 16, 2024) – A new online peer-reviewed open-access journal focused on pharmaceutical compounding and therapeutics has been launched by Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Faisal Hossain. The Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding and Therapeutics (https://jpcts.com/) was recently assigned an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) by the Library of Congress U.S. ISSN Center in Washington, D.C., giving it recognition as both a United States and an international journal.
The journal’s aim is to promote high quality research and a comprehensive understanding of compounding practices and therapeutic interventions for practitioners; to improve patient care; and to enhance ACP faculty and student research opportunities.
“This is a significant professional milestone for Dr. Hossain and it’s a great step forward for the Appalachian College of Pharmacy,” said ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew. “The journal’s open access format allows the journal content to be readily accessed without the need for a paid subscription, thereby sharing articles on compounding and therapeutics with practitioners in the field who can use that knowledge to improve their delivery of patient care. Providing student pharmacists with research opportunities as they pursue their degrees is an added bonus to the benefits of the journal which through the Library of Congress is now a nationally and internationally recognized journal.”
Hossain noted creating the new journal came from his desire to ensure practitioners have up to date knowledge in the field of compounding. It’s been a project in the making for the past two years and became reality in January when the online site was launched and the Library of Congress number was assigned.
In addition to serving as a resource for practitioners, one of its primary goals is to engage student pharmacists at ACP in research activities related to pharmaceutical compounding, enabling them to contribute significantly to the sector.
“As a faculty member and researcher with more than 15 years of experience in this field, I strongly believe in engaging and encouraging the next generation of student pharmacists in meaningful research,” Hossain said. “It becomes a teaching tool, while also providing a valuable contribution to our knowledge of issues surrounding compounding and therapeutics.
“Pharmaceutical compounding plays a crucial role in patient care and practitioners need to have access to up-to-date knowledge,” Hossain continued. “Our journal aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive platform for scientists and pharmacists worldwide to share their insights and experiences in the field of pharmaceutical compounding.
“Compounding is directly related to patient care and is a personalized medicine,” he added. “There are not a lot of scientists who work in this sector and there is limited information on compounding available as open access.”
The new journal, found at https://jpcts.com/, will publish quarterly and currently has published seven articles on topics ranging from quality assurance and compounding slow release capsules, to master formulation for Lidocaine topical gels, dietary supplements and challenges of using an autocompounder to engaging the new generation: a study on student pharmacists’ views on effectiveness of pre-laboratory video tutorials.
ACP Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Department Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Randy Mullins serves as advisor for the journal; ACP Director of Student Success and Career Planning Dr. Angie Mutter is an academic guest editor; and ACP Alumnus Dr. Dalton Oliver serves as ethics and policy compliance specialist for the journal.
“The journal will enhance the presence of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy and is a great achievement by Dr. Hossain,” Mullins said. “The journal is focused on pharmaceutics and therapeutics, but it is unique in that it will be one that is focused on research of not only faculty members, but students. We are extremely happy for Dr. Hossain and all his hard work in this endeavor.”
Protocols are in place to accept additional articles for the journal from throughout the United States and beyond once those articles have been peer-reviewed and deemed to have met journal standards. Specific guides for submitting articles are found on the website.
“We welcome contributions from pharmacists and researchers worldwide,” Hossain said. “We invite professionals to submit their manuscripts and address any gaps or needs in this critical area. They know the gaps and together, we can elevate the standards of compounding and ensure the highest quality and safety for patients.”
He credited ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew, Department Chair Dr. Randy Mullins, other ACP faculty and staff members and alumni, including Dr. Dalton Oliver, for their unwavering support through his journey to create the journal.
“I also extend heartfelt appreciation to my family members and friends for their support,” Hossain said.
“I believe there is a good future for the journal,” Hossain said. “We need to know the gaps other pharmacy and healthcare professionals see and what they need and our job then will be to research and engage our students in that research and to share that knowledge gained through published material in the journal.”
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 2003, the college accepted its first students in 2005. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach and the professional development of pharmacists. Its graduate pharmacists are now practicing throughout the United States.
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