Chain Pharmacy

FDA has approved linagliptin/metformin hydrochloride (Jentadueto, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly) tablets, a new tablet that provides a single-tablet treatment option, taken twice-daily, for adult patients who need to control their blood sugar.

FDA approved ivacaftor (Kalydeco, Vertex Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of a rare form of cystic fibrosis in patients aged 6 years and older who have the specific G551D mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator gene.

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy is not pleased with changes to the Medicare Part D reporting requirements proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are 3 times more likely to have a fall resulting in injury compared with those who don?t use SSRIs, according a study published online January 18 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

The Federal Trade Commission turned thumbs down on Omnicare?s attempted acquisition of competitor PharMerica. The agency filed suit in federal court to block the hostile takeover.

FDA approved ivacaftor (Kalydeco, Vertex Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of a rare form of cystic fibrosis in patients aged 6 years and older who have the specific G551D mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator gene.

ScriptPro’s Central Pharmacy Management System won a 2011 Best in Klas award for Software Solutions (pharmacy, outpatient, retail), the 2 companies announced.

The Spiro PD has been cleared to market by FDA for the use by a patient to test lung function in children, adolescents, and adults, the product’s developer, PMD Healthcare, announced.

Walgreens has taken 2 major steps to grow the customer base of its pharmacies since ending its relationship with pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts on January 1.

FDA approved axitinib (Inlyta, Pfizer) to treat patients with an advanced kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma who have not responded to another drug for this type of cancer.

FDA has approved exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension (Bydureon, Amylin and Alkermes) - the first once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes.

FDA has approved vismodegib (Erivedge, Curtis and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group) for the treatment of adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer.

Zanamivir and oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Roche) can help prevent and treat the symptoms of influenza, but there is not enough information to evaluate the drugs’ safety and efficacy for preventing the spread of flu or pneumonia, according to a new review published online January 18.

Two key retail pharmacy groups, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association, have renewed their opposition to proposed federal upper limits for generic drug reimbursement under Medicaid.

Aspirin prophylaxis in people without prior cardiovascular disease does not appear to reduce cardiovascular death or cancer mortality, however it was associated with reductions in nonfatal myocardial infarction, according to the results of a meta-analysis published online January 9 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Welcome to the latest public health emergency: Shortages of anti-infective agents. These shortages can adversely affect clinical care and patient outcomes, according to a new study.

FDA approved ingenol mebutate (Picato, LEO Pharma) gel (0.015%, 0.05%) for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). It is the first topical AK therapy that can be used for as few as 2 or 3 consecutive days.

The Endocrine Society recently released new clinical-practice guidelines recommending that all patients have their blood-glucose levels tested upon admission to the hospital, even if they haven’t had a prior diagnosis of diabetes.

Getting new Alzheimer’s drugs to market quickly was 1 of the initiatives discussed during the mid-January meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services in Washington, D.C.

William Edward Evans, PharmD, director and CEO at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has been selected to receive pharmacy’s highest award, the Remington Honor Medal, the American Pharmacists Association announced.

Regions Bank, which operates 1,800 U.S. banks, recently rescinded its policy requiring employees to fill prescription drugs for chronic conditions through mail-order pharmacies.

GE has launched its first product in partnership with the biotechnology medical testing company Bionime, a home device for diabetics called the GE100 Blood Glucose Monitoring System.

FDA recently approved methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules (LA) CII, USP, the generic equivalent of Ritalin LA. Actavis Group, an international generic pharmaceuticals company, received first-to-file exclusivity on the 20-mg, 30-mg, and 40-mg strengths.

Welcome to the latest public health emergency: Shortages of anti-infective agents. These shortages can adversely affect clinical care and patient outcomes according to a new study.

A combination of vitamin D and calcium supplementation can reduce the risk of fractures in older adults, according to a study published in the December 20, 2011, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.