Mass. DPH shuts down another compounding facility, plans to hire more inspectors
November 1st 2012The Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) announced Oct. 28 at a press conference that it will be adding five more inspectors to the Board of Pharmacy to continue its investigation of the New England Compounding Center, the Ameridose pharmacy, and other unannounced inspections at compounding pharmacies that prepare sterile injectables.
FDA Confirms Fungus Associated with Meningitis Outbreak
November 1st 2012FDA and the CDC confirm that the fungus Exserohilium rostratum contaminated one of the three implicated lots of preservative-free methylprednisone acetate (80 mg/mL) from the New England Compounding Center which the company recalled September 26.
Colin Powell to speak at 2012 NACDS Foundation Dinner
November 1st 2012The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation has invited General Colin L. Powell, the former U.S. Secretary of State and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as the keynote speaker for the 2012 NACDS Foundation dinner, which will be held in New York City on Nov. 27.
Infusion pump recalled due to malfunctioning touchscreen
October 31st 2012The FDA recalled the Symbiq pump touchscreen (Hospira Inc.) on Oct. 29. The screen may not properly respond to user selection, may have a delayed response, or register a value other than the one selected by the user, an FDA press release said.
State Boards of Pharmacy are lax in regulating compounding pharmacies, congressional report says
October 29th 2012The state Boards of Pharmacy have been lax in regulating the practices of compounding pharmacies, like the New England Community Center, Framingham, Mass., implicated in the fungal meningitis outbreak.
NCPA opposes proposed credit card settlement
October 29th 2012The National Community Pharmacists Association, other retail associations, and retailers, including Walmart and Target, are more than disappointed by the proposed settlement of a lawsuit that they brought against Visa, MasterCard, and several of the largest U.S. banks for allegedly conspiring to fix their credit card swipe fees.
CDC guidance changes in monitoring asymptomatic patients from meningitis outbreaks
October 25th 2012The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for managing asymptomatic cases associated with the meningitis outbreak that has sickened 317 patients and been linked to the deaths of 24 in 17 states.
U.S. Marshals seize dietary supplements, unapproved drug in New York
October 25th 2012A Port Washington, N.Y. company recently had several dietary supplements and drugs seized by U.S. Marshals after the FDA determined the products had misleading labels and were not approved, according to an FDA press release.
ACIP recommends bacterial meningitis vaccine for at-risk infants
October 25th 2012The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the use of Meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus b Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine (MenHibrix, GlaxoSmithKline) in infants at increased risk for bacterial meningitis.
Intranasal fentanyl spray benefits compared with oral agents for breakthrough cancer pain
October 24th 2012Patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) may want to consider intranasal fentanyl spray over oral agents to treat their breakthrough pain because of improved onset of analgesia and avoidance of nausea and vomiting, according to a report published online September 25 for The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.