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In an apparent first, Massachusetts has added a physician and a nurse as members of the state pharmacy board.

You can prevent drug errors by providing patient counseling.

How brand-name manufacturers can get their drugs out the door faster.

NACDS thinks there's a good chance Medicare drug benefit will pass in 2003.

Changes in health benefits to retirees are expected to drive the growth of mail order.

Drug errors relating to Bextra.

The FDA recently approved teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection [Forteo, Eli Lilly], a recombinant form of human parathyroid hormone, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at increased risk for fracture. Teriparatide is also indicated to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.

Pharmacy continued it's growth spurt last year, as state pharmacy boards registered more pharmacists, technicians, and stores.

Pharmacy needs to define the education, training, regulation, and role of technicians, according to the Sesquicentennial Stepping Stone Summit Two report issued by 14 national groups.

Some states have additional CE requirements beyond acceptance by ACPE.

You can prevent drug errors by providing patient counseling.

To comply with state practice acts and OBRA '90, pharmacacy practice must include clincial technology, such as devices and instruments, not just drugs, according to a group of leading scientists, educators, and attorneys who have issued a manifesto.

United States Pharamacopei'a Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety releases report on drug errors in hospitals as a result of improper administration techniques.

Business Outlook 2003: Chains

CVS settles overtime lawsuit with Alabama R.Ph.s.

Patients with type II diabetes now have therapeutic options that combine two medications in one convenient pill. Persons following complex treatment regimens can take fewer pills, and may incur lower copay costs. The FDA approved Metaglip (glipizide/metformin, Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Avandamet (rosiglitazone/metformin, GlaxoSmithKline) two months ago.

Patients with schizophrenia now have a therapeutic option with a novel mechanism of action and favorable adverse effect profile. Last month, the FDA approved aripiprazole (Abilify, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole is currently available in pharmacies.

CMS posts nursing home quality on the Web, drawing criticism from GAO, who says it's premature.

Complying with HIPAA

Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvani pass laws allowing pharmacists to initiate and modify drug therapy

In order for things to evolve, they must change, and hopefully for the better. This is certainly true of pharmacy. Although there have been many changes in the way pharmacists are reimbursed for their services, marking their increased acceptance as healthcare providers, many more changes need to happen.

Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) will soon have a therapeutic option that will reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for BPH-related surgery, and improve the symptoms of BPH. On October 10, the FDA approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for dutasteride (Avodart, GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride will be available in pharmacies in December.

Providers can expect insurers to put the squeeze on them over the increasing costs for specialty pharmaceuticals

Hospitals should be prepared for JCAHO surveys on pain management

A shortfall of up to 157,000 pharmacists by 2020 is predicted by attendees at Pharmacy Manpower Project conference. More pharmacists will be needed to deliver the patient care services aging baby boomers are going to need, conference attendees concluded.

Brighter lighting and quieter workplaces could cut dispensing errors in community pharmacies, according to an Aburn University School of Pharmacy study.

Generic biologics

Generic supplements zero copay programs

Blues and generic drugs