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What is the most effective way to treat substance-abuse disorders? Until last December, one guess was as good as another. That was when the National Quality Forum (NQF) published a set of seven evidence-based treatment practices it found effective in treating substance-use disorders, or SUDs. The NQF document also lists common barriers to the adoption of evidence-based treatment practices.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) issued newly revised guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of dyspepsia late last year. Pharmacotherapy with proton pump inhibitors remains the primary treatment modality, but the AGA has backed off from earlier recommendations for endoscopic examination of patients in early middle age.

Should pharmacists and technicians undergo the same continuing education programs or should separate activities be set up for these two professionals? This is a question the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is now grappling with as part of its drive to update its CE accreditation standards. Dimitra Travlos, Pharm.D., BCPS, assistant executive director at ACPE, gave attendees of the ASHP midyear meeting in Las Vegas an update on this issue last month.

Most Part D plans use USP model guidelines The voluntary drug classification system developed by USP for theMedicare Part D benefit was the basis for 74% of the formulariesdeveloped by drug plans for the 2006 benefit year.