March 2025

Welcome to the next edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin (BPB) where we will continue to explore and discuss issues in health care and how we as academicians, practitioners and scientists can lead and support these issues. The BPB will also keep you updated on the latest school news, highlighting the outstanding work of our UB SPPS community.

“The best way to ensure we can support and mentor our future pharmacists and research scientists is to make sure we are reviewing and discussing what is currently happening in the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been in the news frequently in recent months, with discussions centered on potential reductions in funding and other proposed policy changes in the U.S. The potential for reductions in the indirect cost rate ("overhead"), the termination of numerous active research grants in specific scientific fields, a decrease in NIH staffing and other proposed cuts have sparked concerns in the biomedical research community. In my nearly 50 years in academic pharmacy, I have never witnessed a funding landscape quite like this.

Founded in 1887 and eventually chartered by Congress, NIH began funding grants in the mid-1930s. Within two decades, academic laboratories accounted for approximately 15% of federally funded basic and applied research in the U.S., with the remainder split nearly equally between federal and industrial labs. By 2010, roughly half of federal research investment was directed toward the academic sector, with less than 10% going directly to industry. Among the six major federal agencies that support basic and applied research—alongside the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, the Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation—about half of the total investment flows through NIH, making it the largest and most impactful supporter of biomedical research in the world.

For research-intensive schools and colleges of pharmacy, as well as other health professions, NIH funding is indispensable. It is one of the most significant sources of support for faculty-led research, which drives our understanding of disease etiology, progression and the development of therapies that alleviate disease burden and improve public health. NIH funding is also vital for supporting students in advanced education who will become the next generation of researchers, scientists, scholars and educators, ensuring the continuity of America’s leadership in biomedical research. The ability to secure NIH funding is often a key metric used to evaluate the performance of research-engaged faculty, influencing career progression and academic advancement.

What is often overlooked, however, is the practical impact of federal research support. Specifically, within academic pharmacy, it is noteworthy that during the decade from 2010 onward, of the 356 new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, research and development for 354 of them were supported, at least in part, by NIH funds. Additionally, university-based research supported by federal funding contributes significantly to economic activity. Estimates suggest that every dollar of federal research support generates approximately $2.46 in economic activity (which accrued to more than $92 billion in FY 2023).

This leads to critical questions: If NIH funding is severely restricted, how will we fund the next wave of therapeutic innovations? How will we support the development of new scholars who will translate our ever-growing understanding of disease into novel treatment approaches? How will we replace the billions of dollars in economic activity driven by research? These questions should not only be part of the conversation—they should be central considerations in discussions about national priorities and federal funding decisions.

Jusko discusses role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in drug efficacy and safety

William Jusko, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, recently sat down with UB Now to discuss the role of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) in drug efficacy and safety. A world-renowned expert in PK/PD and a consultant to the Food and Drug Administration, NIH, and many pharmaceutical companies, Jusko’s research spans a wide range of drugs, from insulin to corticosteroids, including work on optimizing COVID-19 treatments. He also leads UB’s Center of Excellence for Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, fostering global collaborations and training scientists through annual courses. His insights highlight the critical role of PK/PD in clinical pharmacy, helping pharmacists personalize drug therapies for safer, more effective treatment.

Prescott appointed associate editor of the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE)

Bill Prescott, PharmD, chair and clinical professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been appointed as an associate editor of AJPE. Prescott previously served two terms on the AJPE Editorial Board from 2018 to 2024. He has authored over 50 educational research papers and abstracts, 47 of which have been published in AJPE, and has earned a reputation as a highly regarded reviewer, completing 35 reviews for the journal.

Featuring our new program, Pharmacist Dispensing of Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptives Pursuant to the New York State Standing Order, which satisfies the NYS education requirement for pharmacists, along with home study options.

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Thank you for reading our March 2025 edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form. 

Regards,
Gary Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor