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While many people were trying to escape the scenes of death and destruction within Haiti, pharmacists Tamara Neff and Jess Streif were finalizing plans to travel there.

Here's one drug industry extravaganza that you won't forget in a hurry.

FDA announced that clopidogrel, an antiplatelet agent given to reduce the risk of heart attack, unstable angina, stroke, and cardiovascular death in patients with cardiovascular disease, will require a new black-box warning about its reduced effectiveness in patients who are poor metabolizers of the drug.

There is room for individual expression in our workplace; however, in a profession such as pharmacy, the main effort should be dedicated to patient care rather than how to successfully navigate the toxic personalities in the pharmacy.

More than 50 million Americans, including up to 40% of children, suffer from indoor and outdoor upper respiratory allergies. This year, several manufacturers have new offerings to control and treat asthma, allergy, and sinus symptoms.

In response to a flurry of drug thefts plaguing pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in recent months, the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, an arm of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), is holding a seminar on Supply Chain Security May 10 and 11 in Alexandria, Va.

Seven metered-dose inhalers for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will soon be phased out, according to FDA. The move goes along with U.S. commitments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

A reformulation of controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin, Purdue Pharma), designed to curb misuse and abuse of the drug, has received FDA approval.

Following FDA?s expanded indication for rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) in February, the drug?s producer now plans to extend the market for the drug by offering it as a preventive measure to people who do not have cholesterol issues.

Galderma Laboratories has received FDA approval for adapalene lotion, 0.1% (Differin), a first-of-its-kind lotion formulation of the retinoid adapalene for treating acne.

Carglumic acid tablets (Carbaglu, Orphan Europe) for treatment of a rare genetic condition characterized by excess ammonia in the blood have received FDA approval.

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, addressed health leaders worldwide who represent industry, academia, government, and advocacy to help kick off a global consortium to fight tuberculosis (TB). She recently spoke at a press conference in Washington.

Following the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 that enabled the agency to mandate REMS for drugs and biologics that pose greater risks, a new document finds that REMS may be effective if FDA uses the proper approach and incorporates new technologies (e.g., genetic testing, electronic medical records).

A final rule requiring pharmacies participating in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program to electronically submit their Part D prescriptions to patients? Medicare plan sponsors or their intermediaries was published by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Federal Register, reported Health Data Management.

A pharmacist's most important job is to see that the right drug in the right strength with the right label reaches the right patients.

As the years went by, it became evident just how much of a stamp the first person to get hold of you professionally will put on your career.

Doctors have no idea how much valuable knowledge resides in the brain of a pharmacist. If they did, they'd be on the phone a lot more often.

As graduation nears for many pharmacists, most will be making a six-figure salary. However, they will also carry a six-figure debt. Success may well depend on how that debt is handled.

A new Web site for seniors was launched by Carex Health Brands to assist with in-home healthcare needs.

As pharmacists search for ways to serve patients more effectively, technology is becoming increasingly important.

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

After months of debate, the House approved legislation that makes significant changes in the nation's healthcare system.

If you don't like the "reality" you're looking at, you can change the person who's doing the looking.

While approximately 40% of patients with schizophrenia have been partly or entirely nonadherent with antipsychotic medications, patient adherence improved dramatically when Veterans Affairs pharmacy staff coordinated these patients' medications, according to a new study.

Aging boomers and couch potatoes returning to spring outdoor activities need help for their aching backs, creaky joints, sore muscles, and headaches. Some new products designed to help have arrived on the market.

In a down economy where many people are out of work, out of benefits, and out of luck, pharmacists can be thankful that their profession generally offers good compensation and benefits, job security, and respect.

Richard J. Bertin, RPh, PhD, RADM, is this year?s recipient of the PPSI/Stan Hartman Special Distinguished Person of the Year award, which will be presented at a breakfast to be held Sunday, March 27, at the Sheraton Seattle hotel, Willow A room, Seattle, Wash., concurrently with the American Pharmacists Association 159th annual meeting.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a nonprofit organization devoted to medication error prevention and safe medication use, has a voluntary practitioner error-reporting program that has helped to identify a variety of medication errors and their causes.