Scott Martin Vouri, Pharm.D., Ph.D., BCPG, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, was recently awarded a K08 Career Development Award through the National Institute on Aging to further his work on prescribing cascades in older adults. Prescribing cascades describe a problem in medication use where a drug-induced adverse event is not recognized as such and is instead treated with another potentially unnecessary medication. This award includes $643,854 over four years and will provide Vouri with resources to conduct research and complete further training under the guidance of his primary mentor, Almut Winterstein, Ph.D., a professor and the Dr. Robert and Barbara Crisafi Chair of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.
Scott Martin Vouri, Pharm.D., Ph.D. BCPG, an assistant professor in the department of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy
With this funding, Vouri plans to expand on his previous research that described a common prescribing cascade where patients initiate a loop diuretic medication to treat edema caused by a calcium channel blocker medication. He will use novel approaches to measure the occurrence and downstream negative effects of this cascade as well as develop approaches to prevent and mitigate prescribing cascades in clinical practice. “Prescribing cascades are thought to be a contributor to polypharmacy thus negatively impacting the health and well-being of older adults,” Vouri said. “My research will further explore risk and consequences of prescribing cascades as well as provide insight into deprescribing prescribing cascades.”
Vouri’s committee members include Todd Manini, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of aging and geriatric research at UF; Dan Malone, R.Ph., Ph.D., a professor of pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah; and Mike Daniels, Sc.D., a professor, chair and the Andrew Banks Family Endowed Chair in the department of statistics at UF. Additionally, Vouri will receive consultation from Carl Pepine, M.D., a professor of medicine at UF; Lawrence Solberg, M.D., a geriatrician at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; and Ben Staley, a clinical data specialist at UF Health.