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There is a famous proverb in foreign policy that states "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." This also rings true in a recent proposed settlement between retailers and credit card companies.

The 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.

FDA investigators issue a 483 form that details the filthy conditions at the NECC in Framingham, Mass., that has been implicated in the national meningitis outbreak.

The 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.

A 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.

The 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.

FDA posted New England Compounding Center’s customer list, including all that received its products that were shipped on or after May 21 from its Framingham, Mass. facility, according to an FDA statement.

Patients 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.

Cardiac transplant patients may be at a higher risk for hospitalization due to drug-related problems than the general population, according to the report from a single cardiac transplant center, published the October issue of The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Sleep restriction may contribute to poor health, including an increased risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. In addition, fewer hours of sleep can adversely affect molecular metabolic pathways in peripheral human adipocytes, according to a clinical study published in the October issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Numerous health and safety violations related to the practice of pharmacy at the New England Compounding Center, Framingham, Mass. have been documented by investigators of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and FDA, according to Madeleine Biondolillo, MD, in a press conference Oct. 23.

FDA has approved perampanel (Fycompa, Eisai), an AMPA receptor antagonist, as an adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures in patients aged 12 years and older who have epilepsy.

FDA has warned patients of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a serious blood disorder, resulting from misuse of oxymorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets (Opana ER, Endo).

In a preliminary report of the meningitis outbreak, researchers warn physicians and their patients who possibly received contaminated drug injections to be alert for the symptoms of meningitis beyond 6 weeks following the steroid treatment.

An 11-month undercover operation by the New York Police Department's Manhattan South Narcotics division resulted in the indictments and arrests of 21 people accused of illegally selling prescription drugs on Craigslist.com.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendations for pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported as of October 18 that 247 patients have developed fungal meningitis and 19 have died after receiving epidural steroid injections with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate, which was recalled from New England Compounding Center (NECC) on Sept. 26.

Two lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a criminal investigation to determine if the New England Compounding Center (NECC) violated any state or federal laws, directly contributing to the contamination of steroid products that were distributed to more than 20 states.

Use of concurrent sedating agents provides rapid sedation and reduces the need for resedation in acutely agitated patients, according to clinical trial results published online September 14 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Independent community pharmacists are very valuable, said Lonny Wilson, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) president, during his speech at the NCPA annual convention Sunday.

Another drug could be contaminated and may be the cause of a meningitis case, the FDA says.

There is considerable discrepancy among caregivers and pharmacists regarding the appropriate dosage of acetaminophen for overweight and obese children.

Walgreens is rolling out a new program to award its customers cost savings, points, and rewards for purchases, services, and healthy behaviors.

A fixed-dose combination of azilsartan medoxomil plus chlorthalidone was statistically superior to azilsartan medoxomil coadministered with hydrochlorothiazide at reducing and maintaining systolic blood pressure.

It takes a special type to balance business and teaching, patient needs and student obligations, pharmacy practice and classroom guidance. Mentors who set that kind of example may stay in your head for a lifetime.

While pharmacists learn many things in pharmacy school, Business and Politics are not among them. Find out why you need to know both to navigate the real world.

Outpatient pharmacy doesn't have to be a drag on hospital finances. With the right help, it can contribute significantly to the bottom line.

After years of planning on the part of many collaborators, a one-page PMI is now being tested.