All News

FDA has approved the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet) [C-II] and Actiq (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) [C-II]. Both products, manufactured by Cephalon, are indicated for management of breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients with cancer.

On June 15, 2011, FDA published an online safety communication informing prescribers and patients that pioglitazone (Actos, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc) use may be associated with a 20% to 40% increased hazard of new bladder cancer.

The merger of 2 of the biggest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, has been top of mind with industry stakeholders who are wondering how the PBM space will shake out moving forward.

FDA has approved ticagrelor (Brilinta, AstraZeneca) tablets to reduce the rate of heart attack and cardiovascular death in adult patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Over the past 3 decades, pharmacists have become integrated members of multidisciplinary teams. To recognize the value of the role of pharmacists in improving patient outcomes and safety in cardiac care, the American Heart Association (AHA) will offer pharmacists a session devoted specifically to them at this year?s AHA Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.

An increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to a significant increase in cases of children?s pneumonia, a new study has reported.

FDA has approved the influenza vaccine formulation for the 2011-2012 vaccine that will be used by the 6 manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute influenza vaccine for the United States.

The CDC is concerned about the increasing potential in gonorrhea patients for resistance to cephalosporin.

After the North Dakota legislature defeated a bill to overturn the state?s Pharmacy Ownership Law this year, a group is working to get the issue on the 2012 general election ballot.

Potential Medicare budget cuts made through a new board are likely to significantly reduce healthcare access for beneficiaries, according to testimony presented to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee.

The concentration of the influenza drug oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu, Genentech) for oral suspension has been reduced from 12 mg/mL to 6 mg/mL to reduce the possibility of prescribing and dosing confusion that can lead to medication errors, FDA announced.

In this section we showcase products and product news that ran up against space limitations or fell outside the parameters of recently featured categories in the print edition. Look for more OTC Product News in upcoming issues of the Drug Topics e-newsletter.

Thefts of pharmaceuticals in transit to retail pharmacies have been on the rise over the past few years.

On April 22, 2011, Menactra was granted FDA approval for use in infants and toddlers as young as 9 months of age.

Experts suggest that pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine may soon change the practice of community pharmacy.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, established by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, recently named an executive director and is seeking public input on healthcare research priorities.

The National Community Pharmacists Association expects U.S. legislators to get behind 2 new bills that would allow independent pharmacists to negotiate insurance contracts with pharmacy benefit managers.

Outdoor sports, a day at the beach, backyard sunbathing, and gardening all can leave eyes exposed to a steady onslaught of dust, wind, sand, pollution and the sun's rays. For first aid and maintenance, new products offer relief.

In our profession, the entry-level degree is now Doctor of Pharmacy. In spite of this, we have missed many opportunities to propel our profession forward.

Pharmacy benefit managers argue that mail-order pharmacies are less expensive for healthcare plans and patients. Not so, says the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Founded in 1904, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is an impartial professional organization geared toward supporting the efforts of individual state boards of pharmacy to protect the public health and safety.

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

A shortage of primary care physicians, decreased reimbursement, and increased complexity of patient care can make delivering patient care harder than ever. A new Asheville model shows what teamwork can accomplish.

Long-term-care facilities are overusing antipsychotic drugs. One of every 7 elderly nursing home residents is receiving at least 1 atypical antipsychotic.

As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down a landmark case that would have prohibited data-mining companies from selling physicians' prescribing information to pharmaceutical manufacturers for use in marketing. Still some independent pharmacists say they are not in favor of the practice.

Hospitals and health systems that have not caught up with the latest version of The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals could run into trouble.

Readers speak out about the moratorium on new pharmacy schools, pharmacist turnover and the POWER program, job satisfaction, and more

One component of a new federal action plan for controlling viral hepatitis calls for expanded delivery of hepatitis A and B vaccines through pharmacies, beginning in 2013.