A prospective study published in Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrated that despite standardization of data entry within the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system in a specific healthcare facility, inconsistent communication in orders entered into the CPOE posed a significant safety risk.
Depression and its management in children and adolescents; Focus on bucindolol; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment
Prescribing psychotropic medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disorders in children is common around the world, even though serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported with the use of these drugs, said speakers at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)/European Society for Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) International Congress on Clinical Pharmacy meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Results from the Regulation of Coagulation in Orthopaedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 4 (RECORD4) trial published in Lancet demonstrated that rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily is superior to subcutaneous (SC) enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total knee arthroplasty.
2008 Top 100 branded drugs by total prescriptions and total retail dollars
Top 100 branded drugs by total prescriptions
2008 Top 100 branded drugs by total dollars spent
Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options; Focus on liraglutide; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis
The economic stimulus package approved by Congress in February provides more than $1 billion to support research on competing medical treatments. Although a fairly minor piece of the larger $789 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the provision set off widespread reaction to the possibility that comparative study results may be used to limit coverage of more expensive medicines.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in the United States, especially among older adults. This article reviews nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to management of OA of the knee and hip.
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that is currently pending FDA approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This agent mimics the actions of food-induced endogenous GLP-1 release, thus causing glucose-dependent increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and reduced appetite and gastric emptying.
Generic drugs approved by FDA (through May 2009) including drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, levalbuterol, and topiramate
Recent FDA approvals (through May 2009) related to Coartem, Ixiaro, Lexapro, Reclast, and Symbyax
Recent FDA action (through May 2009) related to budesonide/formoterol, sertindole, quetiapine, saxagliptin, bevacizumab, dronedarone, and ofatumumab
New indication: Tigecycline (Tygacil), a tetracycline-class antibiotic, was approved on March 20, 2009, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia
New molecular entity: Everolimus (Afinitor), an antineoplastic agent, was approved on March 30, 2009, for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib
Because so many people nowadays seem to be using cell phones rather than computers and e-mail to stay in touch, telemedicine programs are taking note of this trend and beginning to rely more on mobile phone technology.
Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Labeling updates and warnings through April 2009 for insulin pens and cartridges
In a multinational prospective study published in the BMJ, investigators demonstrated that parenteral medication errors are common occurrences in intensive care units (ICUs), but the number of errors can be reduced through the use of error-reporting and electronic prescribing systems.
In a pilot study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators demonstrated that modafinil blocks dopamine transporters and increases dopamine levels in the brain, suggesting that this agent has the potential for abuse and addiction.
The headlines about contaminated heparin and tainted peanuts have put pressure on FDA to improve its methods for detecting unsafe medical and food products and to take swift action when problems emerge. The complaints are prompting the Obama administration to provide more resources for FDA while Congress weighs expanding agency operations and enforcement authority.
This article reviews the similarities and differences between albuterol (ALB) and levalbuterol (LEV) to provide P&T committees a concise summary of the available literature regarding efficacy, side effects, and cost of these agents.
Generic drugs approved by FDA (through April 2009) including malathion lotion, 0.5%
Recent FDA action (through April 2009) related to alglucosidase alfa, bosentan, cetuximab, doxepin, telavancin, quetiapine extended-release, oxycodone/niacin, and EUR-1073
Recent FDA approvals (through April 2009) related to PegIntron, Rebetol, Apidra SoloSTAR, Temodar, Copaxone, and Edluar
