Pharmacy Alumnus' Insulin Research Gains National Attention

School of Pharmacy selects Alan W. Carter to receive Alumni Award
Alan Carter
Alan W. Carter, Pharm.D.

Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni with an awards celebration. In 2019, the UMKC School of Pharmacy is honoring Alan W. Carter (B.S.P. ’79, Pharm.D. ’02) with their Alumni Achievement Award.

With more than 35 years of experience in clinical pharmacy management and research, Alan Carter, pharmacy director at Aetna Better Health of Kansas, has worn many hats including: educator, board member and researcher. He recently gained national attention as his research raised a red flag on problems with the storage of insulin. Carter spoke with us about his study.

You received national attention for your study which discovered decreases in the concentration of insulin. Is there more research being done to ensure that insulin maintains its potency from manufacturer to pharmacy?

The study results were published online in late December 2017 and became an international discussion very quickly after the Associated Press article was released in late January 2018.

A formal confirmatory study comparing approved methods and our different approach was commissioned by the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and initiated at the University of Florida in August 2018, results pending.

Does this raise any concerns about the efficacy of other medicines that could be losing concentration en route to pharmacies?

This could show reason for concern in shipping, handling and storage of any biologic product that needs to have a narrow temperature range for maintaining stability and efficacy. Current FDA stability study guidance may need to be adjusted to better reflect real-world shipping, handling and storage conditions, including in the patient’s home.

What advice do you have for students who’d like to follow in your footsteps?

Learning is a life-long process, and anyone from any walk of life may provide a lesson to be learned. Keep your eyes, ears and mind open for opportunities to explore sources of new knowledge and experience.

About the UMKC Alumni Awards

Carter will be honored at the 2019 UMKC Alumni Awards on March 15. Proceeds from the event will support student scholarships. In the last decade, the Alumni Awards events have raised more than $1 million in scholarships and immediate aid for students.

Learn more about School of Pharmacy

Published: Jan 13, 2019

Top Stories