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Teens are using OTC cough syrup, with DXM as an active ingredient, to get high. While the drug may be legal, its harmful effects are similar to those of illegal drugs.

DEA published its interim final rule on e-prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) more than two years ago. While vendors work toward compliance, nationwide deployment of EPCS can only occur once both state and federal laws are aligned in all jurisdictions.

Short-term hormone replacement therapy is a relatively safe treatment for healthy, recently postmenopausal women, according to a new consensus statement.

An oral dose of modified-release tranexamic acid may offer an effective first-line therapy for patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, according to a recent study published online July 17 in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

A new formulation of the widely prescribed painkiller OxyContin has led drug abusers to shift to heroin, according to research results reported as a letter to the editor in the July 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Several Congress members are concerned about the Department of Defense's use of the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy program administered by Express Scripts.

An ingestible sensor, formally referred to as the Ingestion Event Marker or IEM by Proteus Digital Health, that can report medication adherence and vital signs to physicians has been given the green light by FDA.

In a recent study, researchers found that rectal indomethacin significantly reduced the incidence of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in high-risk patients.

In patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, interferon beta did not alleviate the progression of the disease, according to a new study.

FDA has approved ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap, Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) injection for intravenous infusion, in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan (FOLFIRI), for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is resistant to or has progressed following an oxaliplatin-containing regimen.

FDA approved the first generic versions of montelukast sodium (Singulair, Merck) for use in adults and children to control asthma symptoms and to help relieve symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies.

Data from poison centers can be used to predict methadone overdose trends in the United States, according to a study published July 19 in PLoS One.

A recent Danish study found that exposure to the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine during pregnancy was not associated with a significantly increased risk of major birth defects or preterm births.

Members of seven Southern California locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers have voted to reject a contract offer from drug retailer Rite Aid and to authorize union leaders to call a strike if an agreement can't be reached.

FDA has announced a safety communication regarding the risk of seizures in patients with multiple sclerosis starting dalfampridine (Ampyra, Acorda Therapeutics). The safety communication stemmed from a review of post-marketing adverse event reports.

The Florida Pharmacy Association and others are suing to restore patient access to Medicaid pharmacy providers.

At a hearing held last week about the prescription drug gray market, John Coster, PhD, RPh, senior vice president of government affairs, National Community Pharmacists Association, testified that a balanced approach was necessary to address the prescription drug shortage problem and to protect patient care.

FDA has approved prednisone (Rayos, Horizon Pharma) delayed-release tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg) to treat a broad range of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In a unanimous vote (10-0), an FDA advisory committee recommended approval of the 0.3-mg dose of ranibizumab injection (Lucentis, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group) for treatment of diabetic macular edema.

A new study has found that omega-6 fatty acids can help prevent coronary heart disease (CHD) and that dietary saturated fat increases the risk for CHD.

The Two Sister Study, funded in part by Susan Komen for the Cure, was conducted to examine the possible risks associated with fertility drugs and breast cancer. The results were published July 6 in the Journal of The National Cancer Institute.

FDA has approved aclidinium bromide inhalation powder (Tudorza Pressair, Forest Pharmaceuticals) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy issued a report last week that called for international collaboration among regulators and other public agencies to help combat the ongoing problem of the online counterfeit drug supply.

A new policy proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid could force independent community pharmacies to stop selling diabetes testing supplies, and beneficiaries would not have access to the care they need from their local pharmacies, according to a statement from the National Community Pharmacists Association.

FDA has approved carfilzomib (Kyprolis, Onyx Pharmaceuticals) to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior therapies, including treatment with bortezomib (Velcade, Takeda) and an immunomodulatory therapy.

During the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Annual Meeting in Kissimmee, Fla. in mid-July, Jill Fitzgerald, PharmD, who is Drug Topics CPE accreditor, was sworn in as chair-elect to the AACP Continuing Professional Education Section.

Walgreens and Express Scripts (ESI) have finally come to terms on a new pharmacy network agreement that includes rates and terms under which Walgreens will serve ESI's new and existing clients.

FDA recently issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.