FDA warning: Co-administration of statins and protease inhibitors increases risk of muscle injury
March 2nd 2012Thursday, FDA updated its recommendations concerning drug-drug interactions between protease inhibitors and statins, warning of an increased risk of muscle injury (myopathy). The most serious form of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, can damage kidneys and lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal.
ACIP expands recommendations for whooping cough vaccine to 65 and older
February 23rd 2012The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) wants all U.S. adults to get vaccinated against whooping cough, according to the Associated Press. The panel voted to expand its recommendation to include all those aged 65 years and older who haven?t gotten a whooping cough shot as an adult.
Supreme Court: California pharms can challenge Medicaid cuts
February 23rd 2012California pharmacists are claiming victory after the U.S. Supreme Court sent 3 cases back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Los Angeles. The cases involved injunctions halting Medicaid reimbursement cuts to pharmacies and other providers in California.
Zinc plus antibiotics saves lives of children with pneumonia, study finds
February 23rd 2012Zinc used in addition to antibiotics significantly reduced mortality in children ages 6 months to 59 months with severe pneumonia when compared with antibiotics alone, according to the findings of a recent study done in Uganda.
Study: Most cases of CDI aren't being spread by patients in same ward
February 23rd 2012A recent study challenges the conventional assumption about how Clostridium difficile infection spreads in hospitals, finding that almost three-quarters of the new cases aren?t transmitted by patients in the same ward.
No benefit of B vitamins or omega-3 on cancer outcomes, study finds
February 23rd 2012There are no beneficial effects of supplementation with relatively low doses of B vitamins and/or omega-3 fatty acids on cancer outcomes in individuals with prior cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online February 13 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Antibiotic amoxicillin no help in treating acute rhinosinusitis
February 23rd 2012No significant difference was found in treating patients experiencing clinically diagnosed uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis with antibiotic amoxicillin compared with patients who received placebo, according to a study in the February 15 issue of JAMA.
AAP joins nationwide alliance of pharmacies forming RxAlly
February 22nd 2012American Associated Pharmacies (AAP) announced today that it is partnering with RxAlly, a first-of-a-kind alliance of more than 20,000 pharmacies nationwide, creating the largest performance network of pharmacies in the United States.
FDA acts to bolster supply of critically needed cancer drugs
February 21st 2012FDA announced a series of steps to increase the supply of critically needed cancer drugs, including temporarily allowing 2 drugs to be imported. The moves are building on President Barack Obama?s executive order to help prevent future drug shortages, FDA said.
Infants' Tylenol medication recalled by McNeil after dosing-system complaints
February 21st 2012More than a half million bottles of Infants' Tylenol Oral Suspension, 1 oz. grape, have been recalled voluntarily by McNeil Consumer Healthcare because of complaints about using the dosing system, the company announced.
First medication approved by FDA for patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome
February 21st 2012FDA has approved the first medication therapy, mifepristone (Korlym, Corcept Therapeutics), for endrogenous Cushing?s syndrome, a condition that, left untreated, has a mortality rate of 50 percent after 5 years.
California regulates OTC cough and cold products to cut abuse by youths
February 21st 2012California has become the first state to regulate dextromethorphan (DXM), an antitussive in Benylin, Pertussin, Robitussin, and dozens of other over-the-counter cough and cold products. A state law that went into effect Jan. 1 prohibits sales of products containing DXM to anyone under the age of 18 without a prescription.
AACP joins other healthcare professions to improve education collaboration
February 21st 2012The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) has formally joined 5 other national health professions to create the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), a new national organization that will focus on improved integration and coordination of the education of pharmacists and other healthcare workers to provide more collaborative care.
ACP recommends metformin as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes
February 16th 2012Physicians should prescribe oral metformin as a first-line therapy for most patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as for those whose blood sugar cannot be controlled with diet, exercise, and weight loss, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians
Article: Shortage of anti-infective drugs needs government attention
February 16th 2012Anti-infective drug shortages pose significant problems for clinicians and are a rapidly evolving public-health emergency that may require government oversight, according to an article published online January 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
FDA warning: Counterfeit version of cancer drug Avastin circulating
February 15th 2012Some cancer patients may not get proper treatment because a counterfeit version of the drug sold as Avastin 400mg/16mi has been purchased by as many as 19 medical practices in the United States, FDA warned Wednesday.
Ambulatory pharmacies help improve adherence, quality of care
February 15th 2012Having an ambulatory pharmacy within a healthcare facility can assist discharged patients with their medication regimen and help to improve medication adherence, which can also help reduce the number of readmissions and increase patient satisfaction.