All News

Much ongoing research and discussion concerns the risks of using proton pump inhibitors with clopidogrel.

An ounce of prevention

Across the country, pharmacists are helping prevent the spread of disease in their communities by advocating and administering vaccinations to keep people healthy.

Continuing shortages of generic oncology chemotherapeutic agents dangerously limit patient-care choices, affect clinical outcomes, and stretch already tight pharmacy resources.

As healthcare moves swiftly toward a more comprehensive electronic platform, pharmacies will be required to upgrade their claim submission standard from NCPDP 5.1 to NCPDP D.0, an updated version of the HIPAA standard for pharmacy claims transactions.

Take your best shot

Very soon the pharmacist will be the primary care provider for all colds, stuffy noses, sore throats, and coughs. This is your chance. Take it or leave it.

New Products

A survey of new Rx, new generic, and new OTC products

Advocates are hoping for a new push in Congress to control rogue online pharmacies, according to Bryan A. Liang, professor at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and vice president of the Partnership for Safe Medicine.

A new report from the Institute of Medicine recommends that 8 preventive health services for women be added to the services that health plans will cover at no cost to patients under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is accepting nominations for its annual profession-wide awards and honors. The awards will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans, March 9-12, 2012. The awards represent the pharmacy profession?s most comprehensive recognition program.

Pharmacies can play a valuable role in helping patients prepare for the upcoming flu season. That includes administering influenza vaccinations, according to results of a public-private partnership campaign in Palm Beach, Fla. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores highlighted the results of the partnership in a report it co-authored that was published in the September/October issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

FDA issued a warning last week that chronic high doses (400 mg/day to 800 mg/day) of fluconazole (Diflucan) during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with specific birth defects in infants. However, according to the Safety Alert released August 3, the risk does not appear to be associated with the single low dose of fluconazole (150 mg) that is used to treat vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis).