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The guide evaluates the use of Abilify, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, and Geodon.

The final language includes provisions requiring pedigree outside the normal distribution channel, which includes drop shipments; a surety bond; criminal background checks and continuing training for designated representatives; penalties and discipline language; and a directive requiring the board to establish—prior to July 1, 2009—an implementation date for electronic pedigree.

The FDA is warning consumers not to buy or eat three red yeast rice products sold on Web sites as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol.

The advisers recommended that the agency approve proposed changes to iPLEDGE, a computer-based distribution program and pregnancy registry that provides a closed-loop system for prescribing, dispensing, and distributing isotretinoin, a drug that can cause birth defects, miscarriages, and premature births, according to the FDA.

The legislation would grant the agency authority to crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids; require that tobacco companies disclose the contents of tobacco products and reduce or remove harmful ingredients; stop tobacco companies from misleading the public about the health risk of their products; and require larger, more effective health warnings on tobacco products.

Under the plan, individuals with a detectable viral load following treatment with telbivudine for six months will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs.

The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy has fined a Las Vegas hospital $10,000 and suspended three of its pharmacists for errors that have led to the death of a premature baby last fall.

Because so many questions remain about what medication therapy management claims processing should look like, NCPDP held a meeting last month to consider whether it should set up a work group to address these issues.

Part of the standards deal specifically with physician practice, pharmacy, and the Part D benefit.

TRICARE has the highest-rated health insurance plan for the fifth consecutive year, according to a survey of more than 33,500 U.S. consumers. Kaiser Permanente regained its top-HMO rating in this year's WilsonRx Health Insurance Satisfaction Survey.

The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board has a new man at the top. It's Tom Murry from North Carolina. Like his predecessor Ken Baker, Murry is both a pharmacist and lawyer by training.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah has introduced a generic drug plan to be used for antidepressants. Beginning next month, Regence said it will need prior authorization before filling prescriptions for some brand-name drugs.

Abbott has issued a Dear Healthcare Professional letter to convey the report of an accidental overdose of lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) oral solution that led to the death of an infant.

Drug class gets stronger warning of heart risk

The Minnesota Dental Association has adopted new guidelines released by the American Heart Association and the American Dental Association.

Sanofi Pasteur has begun shipment of its influenza vaccine in the U.S. for the 2007-2008 season.

According to National Vaccine Information Center, following analysis of reports submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a statistically significant increased risk of GBS and other serious adverse event reports was found when the HPV vaccine was coadministered with other vaccines.

The Teamsters Union has sent a letter to the investors of PharMerica, warning them that the long-term care provider's close ties with AmerisourceBergen might not be in the best interest of shareholders. According to the union, AmerisourceBergen has been linked to problems with drug counterfeiting, an alleged illegal rebate scheme, and loss of controlled substances in several of its warehouses.

The march to equality has been long and slow for women pharmacists.

Many hospitals have instituted paper-based systems to capture inpatient prescription information to avoid adverse drug events, but one community-based hospital has gone a step further to adopt an automated medication reconciliation program. Fauquier Health System in northern Virginia is currently testing a pilot system that electronically provides the hospital staff with a patient's medication history.

Proposed rules from the Health Resources and Services Administration to make children's hospitals eligible for 340B are moving slowly. And final rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will boost costs while cutting reimbursement.

Terrorism and natural disasters are putting pharmacists into the forefront of emergency medical care, prompting pharmacy schools to expand their curriculum.

The new bundled payment would adjust for differences across dialysis facilities for the services paid for under the composite rate and the drugs that are currently billed separately.

A 65-year-old male patient refuses to continue rosiglitazone / metformin due to recent media coverage of safety issues.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recently updated its guidelines for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma to include new therapeutic options, as well as changes to diagnostic criteria and staging.

The Joint Commission's recently announced 2008 National Patient Safety Goals include a new requirement to reduce risks associated with anticoagulant therapy.

A panel of six pharmacists give their opinions in a roundtable on how technology can curb and also promote drug errors.

Companies offer technology that can be used by pharmacists to help improve patient compliance.