Dr. David S. Adler: Clinical Research, Pharmaceutics, Therapeutic Outcomes

Research Summary: Clinical, Pharmaceutics, MTM

Dr. Adler’s research interests are in clinical research and practice with a focus on management of chronic drug therapy including bioavailability and therapeutic equivalency of drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, drug elimination in renal failure and dialysis, clinical applications of point-of-care testing and medication therapy management (MTM). Dr. Adler maintains a clinical practice in anti-coagulation therapy and management in Coumadin Clinics at UCSD Medical Center through Internal Medicine and the San Diego Veteran's Administration Medical Center through the Division of Hematology.

Academic Achievements

Education: B.A. in Biochemistry (1966) UC Berkeley; Pharm.D. (1970) UCSF; ASHP Residency in Pharmacy Practice (1971) UCSF.

Awards and Honors: Fellow, California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (1993); Pharmacist of the Year, California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (1987); Outstanding Contribution Award, Boehringer-Mannheim Corp., Science Partner (1995, 1997); Distinguished Service Award, California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (1993); Long’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, UCSF School of Pharmacy (2000, 2002); Academy of Clinical Scholars, UCSD Health Sciences, School of Medicine/School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2003 - present).

Leadership Experience: Vice Chair, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF School of Pharmacy (1975- 1996); Associate Director, Department of Pharmacy, University of California Medical Center, San Diego, (1979-2002); Coordinator, UCSD/UCSF ASHP Clinical Pharmacy Residency Program (1977-1992); President, Chair Board of Directors, Chair House of Delegates California Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (1982-1984); Chairman, Planning Committee, Western States Conference for Residents and Preceptors (1986-87); Director of Curriculum UCSD SSPPS (2000-2002); Co-Chair Pfizer and Biogen-Idec Clinical Oncology Fellowship Programs (2007- present).

Teaching

• Concepts in Pharmacy Practice (202A).
• Contemporary Topics in Pharmacology (SPPS 218A/B).
• Therapeutics (SPPS 212B).
• Pharmacogenomics (SPPS 219).
• Advanced Practice Ambulatory Care Anticoagulation Clinic (SPPS 401 A/B).
• Pharmacy Law and Ethics (SPPS 204).

Key Contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy Practice

• Removal of phenytoin by hemodialysis, model for efficacy of evaluating dialysis for treatment of toxicity.
• Solubility of phenytoin in intravenous solutions.
• Clinical equivalency and bioavailability of sodium warfarin from multiple sources.

Selected Publications

Adler et al. (1975). Hemodialysis of Phenytoin in a Uremic Patient. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 18:65-69.

Martin et al. (1977). Removal of Phenytoin by Hemodialysis in Uremic Patients. J.A.M.A. 238:1750- 1753.

Pfeifle et al. (1981). Phenytoin Solubility in Three Intravenous Solutions. Am. J. Hosp. Pharm. 38:358- 362.

Weibert et al. (1989). Evaluation of a Capillary Whole-Blood Prothrombin Time Measurement System. Clin. Pharm. 8:864-867.

Ansell et al (1991). Measurement of the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time from a Capillary (fingerstick) Sample of Whole Blood. A New Method for Monitoring Heparin Therapy. Amer. J. Clin. Path. 95:222-227.

Weibert et al. (2000). A Randomized, Crossover Comparison of Warfarin Products in the Treatment of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 34:981-988.

Potential Collaborative Programs with the Pharmaceutical Industry

• Thirty-five years of experience in clinical practice and translational research.
• Developing novel practice models and diverse approaches to medication therapy management, to improve safe and effective drug therapy treatments.