All News

Breaking News for July 12, 2004

Many factors go into how drug companies determine the pricing of their new products.

Two political parties continue bickering over merits of Medicare discount cards.

Average wholesale price (AWP) is being replaced by average sales price (ASP).

Tips for enjoying the summer safely. New products for plant allergies, athletic injuries, insects, and pointers for camping.

Clinicians will soon be able to offer postmenopausal women transdermal estrogen therapy that delivers half the dose of the lowest currently available dose of transdermal estrogen. The FDA recently approved estradiol transdermal system (Menostar, Berlex) 14 mcg/d for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The product will be available later this summer.

The FDA recently approved timolol (Istalol, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) ophthalmic solution 0.5% for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. The product will be available within the next several months.

FFF Enterprises Inc. claims to have launched the fist verified electronic pedigree system to track drugs throughout the pharmaceutical industry supply chain.

Only 26% of pharmacists think imported drugs are unsafe but 90% think buying drugs on the Internet should be better governed, according to a NOP World survey.

A study found that less than 2% of 406 major drug-drug interactions were listed in all four national drug compendia and 71% were listed in only one of the expert sources.

USP Column - Improving patient identification

New technologies assist in therapeutic decisions

This installment defines terms used in HIPAA's new security standards

Stockchecker on cough and cold

Pharmacists need to be sure they are culturally competent when counseling patients across barriers of language, customs, and beliefs.

Doctor insists on DAW1, despite the cost

With an eye to improving patient safety, some hospital Pharm.D.s conduct chart reviews looking for clues that an adverse drug event or error may have occurred based on 24 triggers, such as STAT orders for diphenhydramine or Vitamin K.

Breaking News for June 21, 2004

The Medicare-sponsored discount cards went live on June 1, generating confusion and apathy

At FDA scientific session the agency discusses its plans to improve reporting on drug errors

ASHP, NACDS offer safety tips for consumers on avoiding counterfeit medications

Clinicians can now offer their patients the first nonsystemic, gastrointestinal selective antibiotic to receive FDA approval. The agency recently approved rifaximin (Xifaxan, Salix Pharmaceuticals) tablets for the treatment of TD caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in those 12 years of age or older. Rifaximin is currently approved for use in 17 countries worldwide. It is expected to be available in U.S. pharmacies in August.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved azacitidine (Vidaza, Pharmion) for injectable suspension for the treatment of all 5 subtypes of MDS. These subtypes include: refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Survival rates vary widely for the different MDS subtypes.

The FDA recently approved trospium (Sanctura, Indevus Pharmaceuticals/Odyssey Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. The product launch of trospium is expected to take place during the third quarter of 2004.

New study finds it pays to base pharmacists up on hospital wards

Even thought pharmacists are experiencing more on-the-job stress, they are still satisfied with their jobs, according to a national survey of 1,737 practicing R.Ph.s.

Promoting patient compliance can generate new business for community R.Ph.s

Thoracic society meeting sees the release of new guidelines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Women living in rural areas are in special need of pharmaceutical care

This installment deals with the problem of physicians who don't enter their DEA number on their Rxs