Specialty Rx users face steep price increases

Spending on drugs used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis will increase 67% by the end of 2015, according to a three-year forecast by Express Scripts. » More

New Rx inhalers increase cardiac risks with COPD

Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be at increased risk for cardiovascular events with newly prescribed long-acting beta-agonists and long-acting anticholinergics. » More

Congressman pushes for ‘gray market’ reform bill

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland) has introduced a bill to stop price-gouging for drugs that are in short supply. » More

Abbott recalls FreeStyle InsuLinx glucose meters

Due to a recurring error that sometimes prompts FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Meters to display false test readings, Abbott Diabetes Care has voluntarily recalled the product. » More

Continuing Education

Pain Management CPE: May activity available now

Welcome to our CPE series: Pain Management Considerations for Medication Therapy Management, which has been designed for pharmacists who take care of patients who need pain relief. You can earn up to 10 credits from April 2013 to August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies.

The May activity covers pharmacology and therapeutics of pain medications, focusing on non-opioid analgesics.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exams and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to log in.

New online interactive case studies available now

The second case study, Case Studies in Diabetes Care-Part 2, is now available, offering you an opportunity to apply diabetes management concepts from the knowledge-based diabetes series. Earn 1 hour of CPE credit for completing each individual application-based activity.

Log in: www.drugtopics.com/casestudies

To begin Part 1, click on Course Catalog ID: 2013-02-2.
To begin Part 2, click on Course Catalog ID: 2013-03-2.

Announcement: Welcome to the new user registration process. This new process requires all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide or update their NABP e-Profile ID in order to electronically keep track of CPE credits from ACPE-accredited providers. If you have not done so, you can obtain your NABP e-Profile ID now at www.MyCPEmonitor.net. This profile will enable you to have one login for all the NABP programs and services you will need throughout your career.

Check these out, too

• PCAB strengthens accreditation process

• Some supplements won’t prevent fractures

• Collaboration improves diabetes care

• Actavis to buy Warner Chilcott

Voices

Anticoagulation Update

TAKE OUR SURVEY

Specialty drugs are expected to take a big bite out of U.S. spending over the next three years. Will drug benefit plans be able to include these expensive drugs for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis?

— Yes

— No

Click Here to let us know.