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"Few patients who are prescribed varenicline to assist in smoking cessation remain on the therapy, according to retrospective data presented during the 45th midyear meeting of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists."

Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis with combination 5% acyclovir and 1% hydrocortisone cream is safe in adolescents. In a study of a 5-day treatment course, no safety concerns were identified, said Anders Strand, MD, PhD, at the 45th midyear meeting of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.

Obesity was associated with worse overall and disease-free survival in women with operable breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

A newly approved drug, denosumab (Xgeva, Amgen), delays skeletal-related side effects for 5 months longer compared to zoledronic acid (Zometa and Reclast, Novartis) in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, according to phase 3 trial results presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

A combination of lapatinib, trastuzumab, and paclitaxel significantly improved tumor response rates in patients with HER2-positive breast cancers, according to a new study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium held recently in San Antonio, Texas.

A medication for skeleton-related events in patients with bone metastases was shown to significantly improve bone metastasis-free survival rates in prostate cancer patients, according to a new trial.

FDA is recommending removing the breast cancer indication from the label for Avastin (bevacizumab) because the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective for that use.

FDA has approved Gardasil (Merck) for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions due to human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in individuals aged 9 through 26 years.

"NACDS Foundation said it would contribute $1.5 million to increase the availability of pharmacy residency programs for pharmacy graduates?the single largest grant ever awarded for this purpose."

A recently released Institute of Medicine workshop summary indicates there are myriad ideas, including better use of EMRs and research to focus action on the most common elements associated with adverse events.

A coalition representing pharmacies, retail food stores, pharmacists, and the makers of OTC medicines is urging Congress to repeal the requirement that prevents consumers from using their FSAs and HSAs to purchase OTC medicines without a prescription.

FDA is recommending removing the breast cancer indication from the label for Avastin (bevacizumab) because the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective for that use.

Patients are significantly more likely to abandon at the pharmacy prescriptions submitted electronically than those dropped off in person, according to the results of a study appearing in the November 16 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

FDA has issued consumer advisories on several products recently, and McNeil Consumer Health Care and Reese Pharmaceutical Co. have issued product recalls.

NACDS and NCPA on Tuesday withdrew their lawsuit against CMS over AMPs.

Baxa Corp. has released a significant upgrade for its DoseEdge Pharmacy Workflow Manager, with more than 39 improvements and enhancements.

Postmenopausal women who take aromatase inhibitors as a treatment for breast cancer may be at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease, according to a new study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

A recently released IOM workshop summary indicates there are myriad ideas, including better use of EMRs and research to focus action on the most common elements associated with adverse events.

CMS expects to pay $39 billion to hospitals and $4 billion to ASC for outpatient services provided in 2011.

Wanna get something off your chest? Drug Topics readers have a new forum in which to share their thoughts with their peers. To join the conversation, e-mail your submission to cphillis@advanstar.com.

Drug Topics' annual business outlook survey, conducted online in October, drew more than 400 responses from community, hospital, and long-term-care pharmacists. Their conclusions about the coming year may surprise you.

In this season of gustatory indulgence, it can't hurt to prepare for the occasional upset stomach.

This issue is a milestone for Drug Topics, with the publication of the 200th column by Jim Plagakis to appear under the heading "JP at Large."

Patients with health insurance are abandoning their prescriptions at higher rates than they did a year ago and far more frequently than they did 5 years ago, according to a recent study.

New data show that while nearly all MI patients receive beta blockers, most patients receive suboptimal doses that are never increased.

Despite the barriers to provision of MTM that exist for pharmacists, figuring out a way to do it is our professional obligation.

A pharmacy that engages in veterinary compounding has been embroiled in a struggle with FDA since it compounded a vitamin supplement for administration to 21 polo ponies during the U.S. Open Polo Championships in April 2009. When they were injected with the compounded vitamin supplement, all 21 ponies collapsed and died. FDA's subsequent court challenge raises the question of when compounding becomes manufacture.

In his 200th column for Drug Topics' "JP at Large," Jim Plagakis reflects on some moments that stand out.