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Physicians and their patients with acromegaly will soon have access to the first drug specifically designed to block the effects of human growth hormone. The FDA recently approved pegvisomant (Somavert, Pharmacia) for the treatment of acromegaly in patients who have had an inadequate response to surgery and/or radiation therapy and/or medical therapies, or for whom those treatments are inappropriate. Pegvisomant is the first of a new class of drugs called growth hormone receptor antagonists.

Expert gives health plans a checklist of variables to consider when deciding whether to set up their own PBM or outsource it

As the American Pharmaceutical Association became the American Pharmacists Association, delegates to the group's annual meeting endorsed unit-of-use drug packaging.

assocations give advice on helping consumers prepare for an emergency at time of war

Healthcare professionals will soon be able to offer women the first vaginal estrogen product that treats both the vasomotor and vaginal symptoms of menopause. The FDA recently approved estradiol (Femring, Galen Holdings) vaginal ring for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause and treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause. Femring will be available in pharmacies in June.

Ohio's Catalyst program is awarding pharmacists who cut unnecessary Medicaid drug costs in nursing homes

ASCP's Tim Webster to retire

In the wake of an FDA letter warning of civil and criminal liabilities for drug reimportation, American pharmacists are being urged to resist offers to partner with Canadian pharmacies serving U.S. seniors.

Products recommendations and gender differences

Healthcare providers can now treat HIV-infected patients with an antiretroviral drug that is unlike any other. The FDA recently granted accelerated approval of enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, Roche/Trimeris) to be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 infection despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. Enfuvirtide is approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It is currently available in pharmacies.

New clinical developments are improving the quality of life and increasing the survival time of lung cancer patients.

Frost & Sullivan provides pharmaceutical industry outlook 2003

Highlights of NACDS distribution conference

Drug errors involving Temodar

Oxytrol - New patch for treatment of overactive bladder.

Rx discount cards are costly to pharmacies, according to Dave Schuetz, R.Ph.

Top 200 brand and generic drugs of 2002 by dollars

Investments in generic firms.

IMS generic industry forecast.

Glaxo apotex patent case

Generic approvals for the first time in 2002.

GPhA says 2003 was a good year for the generic drug industry.

TrialCard partners with Duke, UNC and the NC Mental Health System for Pilot program

Top 200 brand and generic drugs sold in 2002 by units

Pharmacists must know the rules to succeed in the Medicare Part B market

The FDA recently approved tazarotene (Avage, Allergan) 0.1% cream as an adjunctive agent for use in the palliation of fine facial wrinkling, facial mottled hyper- and hypopigmentation, and benign facial lentigines in patients who use comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance programs. Avage became available in pharmacies in January.

New guidelines urge caution over hang time for lipid infusions to prevent catheter-related infections

New installment of HIPAA column on notice of privacy practices