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Some 28 companies have been chosen by CMS to offer Medicare discount cards

Patients in need of, or currently receiving, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy now have a branded formulation of paroxetine that is bioequivalent to paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline), yet available at a significant discount. The FDA recently approved paroxetine (Pexeva, Synthon Pharmaceuticals) mesylate for the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder. The product is currently available in pharmacies.

New drug delivery systems such as transdermal patches can keep drugs and biological agents at desirable levels in the body, reducing the need for frequent dosing and improving compliance. Said Robert S. Langer, Ph.D., the Kenneth J. Germeshausen Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, "Because of recent technological innovations, patient compliance is improving tremendously and new treatments are being developed." Such drug delivery systems may benefit those with mental illness. Continuous medication use is absolutely necessary for these patients, because of the "24/7" nature of conditions such as schizophrenia, said Robert R. Conley, MD, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacy science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Langer and Conley spoke at an AMA media briefing held recently in New York City. Funding for the conference was provided by an unrestricted educational grant from Janssen..

JCAHO, AHA offer new help to hospitals to improve stroke care.

The author makes the case for pharmacists to provide more than drug information to patients when they counsel them

Drug Topics interviews Gary Beuhler, director of the FDA's Office of Generic Drugs

Pharmacist Martha Lyon pilots a pharmacy disguised as a 34-foot motorhome around the North Carolina mountains delivering free medications to folks in need.

Patients express their appreciation for their pharmacist

Highlights of Congressional hearing on Medicare-endorsed Rx card

The Medicare Rx drug benefit could slash independent pharmacies' gross margins by 8%, sending them over the edge of unprofitability, according to industry analyst Arthur Flynn.

More health plans/payers are looing beyond three-tier incentive-based formularies to four tier.

Oxycontin is at the center of several lawsuits to determine whether or not it will be marketed in a generic form.

The new Medicare drug law will be a boon to the generics industry.

As a defensive move to offset competition, brand manufacturers are striking licensing agreements with generic companies.

Direct-to-consumer ads for generics

USP drug safety review page

Top 200 generic drugs in 2003 by units

Top 200 brand drugs in 2003 by units

Walgreens involved in class action suit which charges falsification of expiration dates

Can protected health information be disclosed when a pharmacist is reporting for public health activities?

Exclusive Drug Topics survey of consumers uncovers how pharmacists have made a palpable difference in their lives

Breaking News for March 22, 2004

A closeup look at how Michigan hospital is implementing best practices to improve patient safety

The FDA recently approved bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) for use in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic CRC. Bevacizumab is the first angiogenesis inhibitor to be approved for use in the U.S. Genentech began to ship bevacizumab to wholesalers within 3 days of its approval.

Should a national registry and other controls be set up for the distribution of Roche's Accutane?

poison control group issues ipecac guidelines outside the hospital setting

The Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy has recommended more discussion about the possible development of national standards and an acccreditation process for technician training and education.

Drug company sales to mail order pharmacies continued to climb last year in the annual IMS Health roundup of Rx class of trade sales.