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Exclusive Drug Topics survey of consumers uncovers how pharmacists have made a palpable difference in their lives

Breaking News for March 22, 2004

A closeup look at how Michigan hospital is implementing best practices to improve patient safety

The FDA recently approved bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) for use in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic CRC. Bevacizumab is the first angiogenesis inhibitor to be approved for use in the U.S. Genentech began to ship bevacizumab to wholesalers within 3 days of its approval.

Should a national registry and other controls be set up for the distribution of Roche's Accutane?

poison control group issues ipecac guidelines outside the hospital setting

The Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy has recommended more discussion about the possible development of national standards and an acccreditation process for technician training and education.

Drug company sales to mail order pharmacies continued to climb last year in the annual IMS Health roundup of Rx class of trade sales.

No need for hair despair: More treatments coming.

Top 200 generic drugs in 2003 by retail dollars

Top 200 brand drugs of 2003 by retail dollars

Alimta (pemetrexed), from Eli Lilly & Co. is first drug to be approved by FDA for treatment of mesothelioma who are not candidates for resection or curative surgery

The North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the state pharmacy board's power to discipline pharmacists and pharmacies when an error is made after the R.Ph. has filled more than 150 scripts on one shift.

Race track pharmacy

In FDA's final report on drug counterfeiting, the agency lays out a multi-pronged approach to licking this problem

Caduet for the treatment of high cholesterol and hypertension.

The FDA recently approved cetuximab (Erbitux, ImClone Systems) for use in combination with irinotecan (Camptosar, Pfizer) for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (EGFR-1)-expressing, metastatic CRC in patients who are refractory to irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Cetuximab was also approved for use as monotherapy for the treatment of EGFR-1-expressing, metastatic CRC in those who are intolerant of irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

Hospitals given deadline for reporting their quality of care or else face consequences

The National Community Pharmacists Association is seeking government approval to issue a Medicare-endorsed Rx discount card that offers access to local pharmacists with no mail order pharmacy component.

Judge makes reimbursement decision favorable to pharmacists in California

How pharmacists can use the media to tell and sell pharmaceutical care

Authors present a case that illustrates the importance of patient counseling to avoid drug errors.

USP safety page

How hospitals are complying with JCAHO standards on abbreviations

Democrats relent on overtime regs. R.Ph.s reaction to regulations that are going to exempt pharmacists from getting paid overtime

This article discusses the Medicare drug benefit legislation and its requirements for privacy and security

The politics of Canadian drug importation has muzzled pharmacy boards in states where governors and mayors are gung-ho for bringing in lower priced medications to score points with voters.

The FDA recently approved tiotropium (Spiriva HandiHaler, Pfizer/Boehringer-Ingelheim) inhalation powder for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD, including bronchitis and emphysema. In the airways, tiotropium inhibits muscarinic (M3) receptors at the smooth muscle, leading to bronchodilation. The manufacturer anticipates that tiotropium will be available in pharmacies by mid-year.

What PhRMA plans to do in this presidential election year

Ertaczo is an antifungal used for the treatment of athlete's foot.