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OTC Product News

In this section we showcase products and product news that ran up against space limitations or fell outside the parameters of recently featured categories in the print edition. Look for more OTC Product News in upcoming issues of the Drug Topics e-newsletter.

Infopia America?s SmartDiabetes product line has launched in 284 Walgreens drug stores in central and northeast Florida. The product line coordinates diabetes management between the patient, physician, and pharmacist.

This month, FDA launched its revamped Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts website, making it easier for consumers to search and view food- and product-recall information published since 2009.

Roche recently recalled its Accu-Chek FlexLink Plus infusion sets globally because they may deliver insufficient amounts of insulin to patients.

Fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis) reduced the risk of disability progression in patients with RRMS, regardless of treatment history, according to a study reported at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

One pharmacist asks, what else will the profession of pharmacy find wrong with chain drugstores? He asks that the industry put aside its differences and look at what is best for pharmacy.

FDA has approved rituximab (Rituxan, Genentech) in combination with glucocorticosteroids for the treatment of 2 forms of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis.

Vaginal progesterone administered from the mid-trimester of pregnancy until term in women with a premature cervical shortening, as confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound, significantly reduced the rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks gestation, according to a phase 3 study published online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

There are several therapies in addition to blood thinners that physicians should consider when managing patients with deep vein thrombosis, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. The statement is published online in Circulation.

Jenelle Sobotka, PharmD, FAPhA, 2011-2012 president-elect of the American Pharmacists Association, started out at the U.S. Veterans Administration, where she helped improve patient health through medication management.

Excessive use of antibiotics has led to the development of drug-resistant pathogens. A sharp decline in development of new antibiotics has limited antimicrobial treatment options. Consequently, as infections become more difficult to treat, patient outcomes may worsen and healthcare costs may rise.

CMS is considering new regulations that would require Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to contract directly with long-term-care facilities rather than with consultant pharmacists. This doesn't sit well with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

In March the National Association of Chain Drug Stores relaunched its advertising campaign to promote new MTM legislation and pharmacists ' role in medication therapy management.

Many third-party payers have either switched to or are considering moving to a mail-order requirement for long-term prescriptions that would prevent patients from choosing to purchase medications through retail pharmacies. Pharmacists and patients are pushing back.

The role of pharmacists in medication adherence has taken center stage nationally since last year's passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, when medication adherence and medication therapy management were recognized as areas that should receive funding.