News

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are being implemented in a variety of settings to assist with the challenges associated with the management of infectious diseases. Here's a review of ASPs from the perspective of a formulary decision-maker.

With limited treatments available, the discovery of mutations in Janus kinase 2 (JAK 2) in 2005 was a major step forward for scientists in search of new therapies for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced its endorsement of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation that thimerosal not be banned from vaccines.

Benzodiazepines, which have been associated with an increased incidence of infections in the critically ill, also may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia, according to a recent report published in Thorax.

Adverse drug events in the elderly can be prevented with appropriate monitoring, according to CDC.

A study of 1.7 million patients with diabetes indicates that reducing inflammation of the mouth can produce improvement in other health measures.

A look at the statin prescription trends in the Advocate Physician Partners organization.

Perampanel is a selective, non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist that is used as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures and was approved by the FDA on October 22, 2012.

Gastric bypass surgery can improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, but doesn't cure diabetes, according to the largest community-based study of long-term diabetes outcomes after bariatric surgery, published online ahead of print in Obesity Surgery.

Recent FDA action (through December 2012) related to, Rabeprazole sodium delayed-release sprinkle capsules, CXA-201, CB-215, Buprenorphine subdermal implant, LX1033, ISIS-TTR Rx, Digoxin Immune Fab, Glucagon, AAV1-FS344, Trans sodium crocetinate, Betamethasone valerate foam 0.12%

African-American men and women continue to have higher risks of dying at the first presentation of heart disease compared with their white counterparts, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Self-management has small effects on pain and disability in people with low back pain, according to a study published online in Arthritis Care & Research.

Recent FDA Approvals (through December 2012) related to (Bedaquiline, Janssen, Oseltamivir, Genetech, Apixaban, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lomitapide, Aegerion, Varicella zoster immune globulin preparation, Cangene, Teduglutide, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Pasireotide diaspartate, Novartis, Ponatinib, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Influenza virus vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline, Raxibacumab, Crofelemer, Salix, Cabozantinib, Exelixis)

The smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) may increase the risk of cardiovascular adverse events, according to an updated safety review from FDA.

Last week, NABP Executive Director Carmen Catizone, MS, RPh, unveiled an action plan to inspect nonresident compounding pharmacies and create a database to share regulatory information about these pharmacies with the state boards of pharmacy nationwide. This was in response to the fungal meningitis outbreak that took the lives of 37 individuals and injured 590.

In the short term, gastric bypass surgery can profoundly improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Experts say consolidation, cooperation and planning for the worst are the best strategies to prepare for 2013.

New guidelines from HHS reveal a fee equal to 3.5% of premiums for plans participating in federal exchanges.

The National Governors Assn. talks Medicaid with President Obama during fiscial policy meetings.

Making prescription refills more affordable and easier to get may reduce disparities among hypertension patients, according to a study online in Archives of Internal Medicine.

When men are treated for a longer-duration antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infection (UTI), there is no decrease in early recurrence compared with those treated for a shorter duration, according to a study online in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Half of the 3.2 billion prescriptions dispensed annually are not taken as prescribed. Pharmacy benefit leaders must reconsider the financial context of medication adherence and medication possession, according to industry leaders presenting at a recent online seminar for the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

Qualitest, a subsidiary of Endo Health Solutions, issued a voluntary nationwide recall Dec. 6 for 101 lots of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets, USP 10 mg/500 mg, due to the potential for oversized tablets.

Heparin container and carton labels must now clearly state the total drug strength, according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication.

Diabetic patients with ovarian cancer who took the drug metformin for their diabetes had a better survival rate than patients who did not take it, according to a study from Mayo Clinic, published early online in Cancer.

Osteoporosis medication is also effective in men, according to a large-scale, international study, published in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The 32-mg, single intravenous (IV) dose of the anti-nausea drug Zofran (ondansetron hydrochloride) will no longer be marketed because of the potential for serious cardiac risk, according to an updated Safety Communication from FDA.

Medical use of probiotics could be significant in minimizing Clostridium difficile (C difficile) infection among hospitalized patients taking antibiotics, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.