Clinical twisters: Addressing CVA prophylaxis
This case study assesses the need for anticoagulation and the drugs of choice for prophylaxis against cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) in patients with previous CVAs of different origins.
Is there room in the market for a recombinant thrombin?
Recombinant thrombin introduced for use in surgeries.
Hospitals gearing up to meet Joint Commission's anticoagulation goals
JCAHO has set new patient safety goal related to anticoagulation that hospitals must meet.
USP report shows drug mixups on the rise, jeopardizing patient safety
U.S. Pharmacopeia comes up with a new list of soundalike, lookalike drugs for pharmacists to watch out for.
Viewpoint: The wrong prescription for growing your income
Two IRS criminal investigators caution pharmacists about healthcare fraud.
New Products: March 10, 2008
Recent drug approvals, dosages, indications, and new home health care products.
Technology Update: National Cancer Institute looks at wireless compliance monitoring
New technologies impacting community and hospital pharmacies.
California pharmacy board urged to delay e-pedigree
Pharmacists debate the efficacy and impact of California's forthcoming e-pedigree rule.
New OTCs just in time for allergy season
As allergy season approaches, this article reveals what new otcs are available to help adult and children allergy sufferers.
What OTCs do P.Rhs. recommend for allergies?
Findings from Drug Topics' exclusive survey of pharmacists' otc recommendations for allergies.
How pharmacists can make best use of health-care and billing codes
Here's a primer on healthcare and billing codes, from NDC to CPT.
Mandatory generic substitution continues to be questioned
More bills are being proposed that bar pharmacists from substituting antiepileptic drugs and immunosuppressants.
JP at large: My heroes over the years
Jim Plagakis names the people he admires.
Pharmacy edges toward medication returns
Kaiser Permanente, Elephant Pharmacy, and other groups in California work together to dispose of unused drugs in an environmentally friendly way.
Pharmacy technician numbers are on the rise nationwide
State boards of pharmacy tackle technician certification, pedigree, and other difficult policy issues.
Cancer vaccines: The hope is real
Vaccines are not just a preventative any more. Many vaccines are now in development to treat cancer.
IDSA updates aspergillosis treatment guide
New recommendations on how to treat aspergillosis from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Intelence: New HIV drug is smart choice for some
The new molecular entity Intelence helps treat HIV.
Letters: March 10, 2008
Pharmacists comment on security, behind-the-counter drugs, and other issues.
GPhA sets sights on increasing access to generic medicines in 2008
The GPhA annual meeting featured speakers dicussing the challenges and opportunities in the generic industry in 2008.
Latebreakers: Improved insulin pen for Humalog debuts
Eli Lilly launches Kwikpen insulin delivery pen for Humalog.
Latebreakers: Antihistamine Xyzal now in oral solution
Levocetirizine approved as oral solution.
Latebreakers: Michigan Political Action Committee pushes back against Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Michigan pharmacists push ballot initiative prohibiting insurance companies from requiring state residents to use mail-order pharmacies.
Latebreakers: Dual anti-cholesterol niacin/statin combo granted approval
NiaSpan and simvastatin combination approved for cholesterol lowering.
Latebreakers: Avastin gets nod for new breast cancer indication
Accelerated approval for bevacizumab new indication.
Latebreakers: TNF-blocker Humira gets OK for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Adalimumab approved for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Latebreakers: USA Today puts focus on medication errors
USA Today series draws attention to the role of technicians and corporate policies in contributing to medication errors at chain pharmacies.
Pharmacy school offers natural products degree online
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers online degree in natural products, herbals, and dietary supplements.
CMS finds discrepancy between NPI and IRS records
Many business names and identification numbers used in NPI database do not match IRS records, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Joint Commission gives update on its standards, sentinel events
Many hospitals are still not complying with Joint Commission standards related to medications.
