From staff reports

Walgreens and Express Scripts (ESI) have finally come to terms on a new pharmacy network agreement that includes rates and terms under which Walgreens will serve ESI's new and existing clients.

FDA recently issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.

The results of a recent literature review suggest that only a high intake of vitamin D leads to a significant reduction in the risk of fracture.

FDA recently approved the first over-the-counter test for HIV, providing a confidential in-home testing option for the virus that causes AIDS with results in as little as 20 minutes.

A recent study suggests that modest caffeine consumption may be associated with a significantly lower relative risk of basal cell carcinoma.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its 1991 recommendations for the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected healthcare providers and students to prevent HBV transmission to patients.

FDA has approved a new risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for extended-release and long-acting opioids that requires that healthcare professionals are educated on how to safely prescribe the drugs and that patients understand how to safely use the drugs.

What’s different in your drug stores this month? A battery-powered toothbrush for sensitive teeth and gums. A pivoting shower and bath safety grip bar. The smallest size (to date) fish oil softgels. Insoles for multiple shoe styles to help take care of various foot comfort problems. A yeast-based probiotic supplement. A “fishless†omega-3 product for vegetarians. And there are even more new over-the-counter items featured in the print edition of Drug Topics.

FDA has approved once-daily oral emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada, Gilead Sciences), in combination with safer sex practices, to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk.

Walgreens has appointed James Skinner as its new non-executive chairman of the board. Skinner has been a Walgreens board member since 2005 and recently retired as CEO of McDonalds.

FDA is alerting healthcare professionals to the possibility that a 32-mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Zofran, ondansetron hydrochloride, and generics) could lead to QT interval prolongation, putting patients at risk for a potentially fatal heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes.

FDA has approved the marketing of the first nucleic acid test that can identify in less than 3 hours 12 different bacterial types known to cause bloodstream infections.

Comorbidity from chronic diseases and severity of illness increased the likelihood of adverse drug reactions in senior patients, according to a new study published online June 26 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Annual global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.2 trillion by 2016, while U.S. spending growth is projected to soar to between $350 and $380 billion by 2016, according to a new report.

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Atheer Kaddis, PharmD, to senior vice president of sales and marketing.

FDA recently released the results of an analysis of a limited number of samples of hydroxyprogesterone caproate active pharmaceutical ingredients and compounded hydroxyprogesterone caproate, finding no major safety concerns.

Lupin has received FDA approval to market a generic version of Lyrica (Pfizer), but the company has not yet launched it, according to Firstword Pharma.

Patients treated with olmesartan may be at risk of a severe form of spruelike enteropathy, which improves when the drug is discontinued, according to a case series study published online June 25 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Older women with acute pyelonephritis can be successfully and safely treated with oral ciprofloxacin for 7 days, according to a study published online June 21 in The Lancet.

Vitamin D plus calcium supplementation consistently reduced mortality among elderly patients compared with vitamin D supplementation alone, according to a study published online May 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Brightly colored prescription warning labels applied by pharmacies fail to adequately capture the attention of older patients, suggesting that current labeling standards should be reconsidered to make them more effective, according to a study published online June 14 in PLoS ONE.

At their recent ideaShare event, McKesson highlighted its Sponsored Clinical Services Network for hundreds of independent retail pharmacy owners and community pharmacists who are focused on increasing their role in healthcare delivery, improving patient outcomes, and finding new reimbursement avenues, the company said in a release.

FDA has approved Perrigo Company’s abbreviated new drug application for a generic version of clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide 1.2%/5% gel (Duac Gel, Stiefel Laboratories), the company recently announced in a statement. The gel is indicated for the topical treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.

FDA has approved mirabegron (Myrbetriq, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.) to treat adults with overactive bladder, a condition in which the bladder muscle cannot be controlled, squeezes too often, or squeezes without warning.

A combination of 2 diabetes drugs, metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline), was more effective in treating youth with recent-onset type 2 diabetes than metformin alone, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health has found.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act as constitutional, including its individual mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance.

FDA has approved lorcaserin (Belviq, Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related comorbid condition. It is the first prescription weight-loss treatment approved by FDA in 13 years.

Urinary levels of the antimicrobial endocrine-disrupting compounds triclosan and parabens were significantly associated with allergic sensitization in children ages 6 to 18 years, according to the results of a study published online June 18 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The National Community Pharmacists Association recently announced that nominations are currently being accepted for several awards that will recognize individual pharmacists who are contributing to independent community pharmacy and patient care.

FDA issued a complete response letter for a New Drug Application for apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.