From staff reports

Good Neighbor Pharmacy stores in 19 states are now providing immunization services to patients without doctor’s prescriptions.

Biologic response modifiers developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cancer, according to a study published September 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Children with asthma who use glucocorticoid inhalers may grow shorter on average than those who do not use inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), according to a study published September 6 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

While beta-blocker use continues to be the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), especially for those patients who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), these drugs may not be effective long term, according to an online report published Oct. 3 in JAMA.

Apixaban (Eliquis), an investigational anticoagulant developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, has lower rates of stroke, systemic embolism, and bleeding than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation, regardless of level of risk for these events, according a recent online analysis published October 2 in The Lancet.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is teaming up with Walgreens to better serve patient with cystic fibrosis (CF).

The level of satisfaction reported by customers who use community pharmacies is higher than the satisfaction of customers who use mail order, according to a recent JD Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Pharmacy Study.

The acellular pertussis vaccine that was introduced in the 1990s may not offer long-lasting protection against whooping cough in immunized children after the fifth dose, according to a case-control study published September 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation is providing 15 additional academic institutions with educational grants for the Community Pharmacy Residency Expansion Project (Community PREP).

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is urging pharmacists to get involved in the Nov. 6 presidential election.

Long-term users of methamphetamine compared with heroin users in an urban setting had a high prevalence of dental disease, much higher than the general U.S. population, according to a small cross-sectional study published September 1 in the Journal of the American Dental Association.

October marks the beginning of American Pharmacists Month, and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is urging pharmacists to build relationships with their patients.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is making it easier for pharmacists and healthcare professionals to look up drug information by launching an online scientific resource tool.

Thirteen New York City public high school nurses are taking on the role of the pharmacist by dispensing emergency contraceptive pills to hundreds of students, according to a Reuters report.

A new survey of retail pharmacists revealed that cost remains a key barrier to medication adherence, with approximately one-third of patients deciding not to fill a prescription at least once.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is urging pharmacists to get involved in the Nov. 6 presidential election.

The National Community Pharmacist Association (NCPA) Foundation announced a number of activities held during the NCPA’s 114th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition in mid-October.

FDA has approved regorafenib (Stivarga, Bayer HealthCare) tablets for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have been previously treated with currently available therapies.

Fewer 18- to 25-year-olds are abusing prescription drugs, but illicit drug use stays constant, according to results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), sponsored by U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

A higher risk for end-stage renal disease or other adverse renal outcomes is associated with patients who have had at least one symptomatic kidney stone episode, according to study results published in BMJ.

Researchers in one study advise caution in long-term use of NSAIDs for patients who have experienced a first-time myocardial infarction.

For patients with refractory chronic cough, gabapentin may be an effective treatment to help improve cough-specific quality of life, according to a study published in The Lancet.

FDA is supporting antibacterial drug development by launching a new internal task force, according to a press release today.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) announced Sept. 21 the introduction of its Center on Pharmacy Practice Model Advancement to aid ASHP’s Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI).

The Joslin Diabetes Center and WorldOne released the results of their comparative outlook survey on emerging diabetes trends during the Joslin’s Diabetes Innovation 2012 conference, and the results were revealing.

FDA has approved aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron) injection for the treatment of macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The recommended dose for Eylea is 2 mg every 4 weeks (monthly).

FDA, along with several other agencies, helped conduct an investigation that led to the conviction of a man who was involved in a major counterfeit drug distribution ring.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org is launching a new program Sept. 23 aimed at preventing 500,000 teens from abusing medication within the next five years.

A recent study shows that long-term use of gingko biloba extract does not reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in elderly patients with established memory complaints.

Treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent cardiovascular disease has been controversial. See what the overall results of one recent meta-analysis and review say about the issue.