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OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the new oral contraceptive estradiol valerate/dienogest. DATA SOURCES: Searches of PubMed (1966-July 2011) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-July 2011) were conducted using the key words estradiol valerate, dienogest, Natazia, and Qlaira. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were reviewed to identify additional references. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All identified studies published in English and involving efficacy and safety of estradiol valerate/dienogest as an oral contraceptive were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Estradiol valerate/dienogest is a 4-phasic oral contraceptive approved for the prevention of pregnancy. The 4-phasic design allows for acceptable cycle control with this hormonal combination. In efficacy trials of estradiol valerate/dienogest in women aged 18-35 years, the Pearl Index ranged from 0.40 to 1.64, a range comparable to that of other combination oral contraceptives. The safety profile was also similar to that of other oral contraceptives, with headache, metrorrhagia, breast tenderness, nausea or vomiting, acne, and weight gain reported as the most common adverse effects. Menstrual bleeding patterns and cycle control with estradiol valerate/dienogest were comparable to those of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel. Estradiol valerate/dienogest differs from other oral contraceptives in that it necessitates more stringent dosing guidelines for maximum contraceptive efficacy. New starts should be on the first day of menses only, and a back-up method of contraception is required for the first 9 days, as compared to 7 days with other oral contraceptives. Back-up contraception is usually required for any pill taken more than 12 hours later than scheduled. CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol valerate/dienogest is an effective oral contraceptive. Because it has more stringent start times and requires a longer duration of backup contraception and stricter adherence, estradiol valerate/dienogest should be reserved for patients who are intolerant of other combination oral contraceptives.

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Self-assessment is an important skill necessary for continued development of a health care professional from student pharmacist throughout their professional career. This paper reviews the literature on student and practitioner self-assessment and whether this skill can be improved upon. Although self-assessment appears to be a skill that can be improved, both students and professionals continue to have difficulty with accurate self-assessment. Experts' external assessment of students should remain the primary method of testing skills and knowledge until self-assessment strategies improve. While self-assessment is important to lifelong learning, external assessment is also important for practitioners' continuing professional development.

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The 2008-2009 Task Force for the Recognition of Teaching Excellence was charged by the AACP Council of Faculties Leadership to examine teaching excellence by collecting best practices from colleges and schools of pharmacy, evaluating the literature to identify evidence-based criteria for excellent teaching, and recommending appropriate means to acknowledge and reward teaching excellence. This report defines teaching excellence and discusses a variety of ways to assess it, including student, alumni, peer, and self-assessment. The task force identifies important considerations that colleges and schools must address when establishing teaching recognition programs including the purpose, criteria, number and mix of awards, frequency, type of award, and method of nominating and determining awardees. The report concludes with recommendations for the academy to consider when establishing and revising teaching award programs.

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In the pediatric population, type 2 diabetes has become a growing concern. A correlation appears to exist among type 2 diabetes in children, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. If obesity and diabetes are left untreated, conditions such as cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy may result as well. These conditions indicate the incredible strain on the health care system caused by diabetes and obesity. This strain may be eased by logical treatments such as exercise and healthy eating habits for the child and family. However, these lifestyle changes are not always effective in controlling blood sugar. When lifestyle changes do not yield positive results, the clinician must decide which (if any) pharmacological treatments are safe to use in the pediatric population. Orlistat and sibutramine have been studied in children as treatments for obesity and appear to be safe and effective for this population. Metformin and insulin are among the medications approved to treat diabetes in children and adolescents. Healthcare practitioners must play a role in educating parents and their children about the effects of obesity on the development of diseases like diabetes, as well as various therapies used to manage diabetes. In addition, healthcare practitioners can assist patients and their parents in understanding the benefits and risks of medications used in the treatment of the disease, assistance that may result in them making informed decisions regarding their overall health.