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Which statement most accurately reflects your assessment of the majority of your pain-management patients? |
| Their suffering is legitimate and their needs are being met |
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18% |
| They are being underserved by the medical establishment |
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47% |
| They are drug-chasers and scam artists |
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35% |
| Total Votes: |
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181 |
This month we would like to know...
How have e-prescriptions affected your pharmacy practice?
• I don't see much difference
• Their occasional inaccuracies are annoying but tolerable
• Their frequent inaccuracies keep disrupting the workload
• Don't get me started!
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FDA actions
FDA approves first oral MS drug, Novartis’ fingolimod
FDA has approved the oral multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis), 0.5 mg daily, as a first-line treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The approval makes fingolimod the first oral treatment indicated for relapsing forms of MS available in the United States. More... |
Manufacturer recalls 60 million tablets of blood pressure medication
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. recalled 60 million tablets of the blood pressure medication Avalide (irbesartan-hydrochlorothiazide) in the United States and Puerto Rico. More... |
Amgen and Johnson & Johnson recall anemia drugs
Amgen and Johnson & Johnson are recalling certain lots of the anemia drugs Epogen (epoetin alfa, Amgen) and Procrit (epoetin alfa, Johnson & Johnson) because vials of the injectable medicines might develop tiny glass flakes that could cause blood clots and other serious health problems. More... |
FDA orders halt to production and marketing of unapproved single-ingredient oral colchicine
FDA has requested that all companies that manufacture, distribute, and/or market unapproved single-ingredient oral colchicine, a medication commonly used for the daily prevention of gout, to treat acute gout flare-ups, and for the treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever, stop the manufacturing of this drug. More... |
Abbott to withdraw its obesity drug in U.S.
Abbott is complying with FDA’s request to withdraw sibutramine (Meridia) from the U.S. market because the obesity drug may pose unnecessary cardiovascular risks to patients, FDA announced. More... |
FDA committee recommends approval of dabigatran etexilate for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
FDA’s Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9 to 0 on Sept. 20 in favor of approving dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. More... |
FDA warns about increased risk of thigh-bone fracture with bisphosphonates
FDA is requiring a labeling change and Medication Guide to warn patients and healthcare providers about the possible risk of atypical thigh-bone (femoral) fracture in patients who take bisphosphonates for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. More... |
FDA warns 3 companies over unproven claims on mouth rinses
FDA has issued warning letters to three companies that manufacture mouth-rinse products and market them with claims that they remove plaque above the gum line or promote healthy gums. These claims suggest the products are effective in preventing gum disease when no such benefit has been demonstrated. More... |
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DMARDs, glucocorticoids, biologics offer similar effects on joints for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), glucocorticoids, biologics, or a combination of these agents significantly reduces radiographic evidence of joint destruction, with no advantage seen for patients whose treatment includes biologics, according to research published in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism. More... |
Prophylactic antivirals reduce corneal disease recurrences
Individuals with ocular herpes simplex virus treated with prophylactic oral antibiotics appear to be at a lower risk of recurrence of epithelial keratitis, stromal keratitis, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis, according to research published in the September issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, HealthDay News reported. More... |
Lower BP goals set for blacks to manage hypertension
The updated International Society on Hypertension in Blacks consensus statement on the management of hypertension in this population places a major emphasis on comprehensive assessment and appropriate risk stratification of individual patients with hypertension, according to a report published online Oct. 4 in Hypertension and reported by HealthDay News. More... |
Maryland researchers get grant to develop drug to treat cocaine addiction
The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded a 5-year, $3.7 million research grant to Jia Bei Wang, PhD, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to develop a drug to treat cocaine addiction. More... |
Researchers identify risk factors for ER visits in chronic opioid users
Use of Schedule II opioids, back pain, headache, and pre-existing substance use disorders are all associated with alcohol- or drug-related encounters and emergency department visits in adults who have taken prescribed opioids for at least 90 days, according to a study published in the Sept. 13 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, HealthDay News reports. More... |
Sampling restrictions modestly alter prescribing behavior
Implementation of a policy restricting drug sampling and pharmaceutical industry detailing in a small rural clinic resulted in modest reductions in the prescription of branded and promoted drugs, according to research published in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, HealthDay News reported. More... |
NIOSH alerts healthcare professionals to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) presents in its document “Preventing Occupational Exposure to Atineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings” a standard precautions or universal precautions approach to handling hazardous drugs safely. More... |
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Tools
C.A.R.E.S. launches tools to prevent pain medication misuse and abuse
The Collaborating & Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety (C.A.R.E.S.) Alliance, a new patient-safety organization sponsored by Covidien, recently launched a range of online tools designed to help solve the growing problem of misuse and abuse of opioids by identifying the risks associated with these medications. More... |
AHRQ’s new bilingual guide helps patients after hospital discharge
Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for when I Leave the Hospital/Cómo cuidarme: Guía para cuando salga del hospital, a new, bilingual guide produced by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), can help hospitals reduce their rates of readmission by better preparing patients before they leave the hospital. More...
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Education
Two organizations get joint accreditation as continuing education providers for healthcare teams
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center have jointly awarded accreditation to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and VHA Inc. More... |
New York pharmacist program reaches out to underserved high school students
The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University’s Brooklyn (N.Y.) Campus and the Campus’ Liberty Partnership Program debuted a “Future Pharmacists Program” this past summer. The aim is to provide high school students from traditionally underserved groups and neighborhoods the exposure to careers in pharmacy. More... |
Industry/Product news
Pfizer to strengthen its position within pain relief market through acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer plans to acquire King Pharmaceuticals for $3.6 billion in cash, expanding its current portfolio of treatments for pain relief and pain management. Under the terms of the deal, Pfizer will pay $14.25 a share, which represents approximately 40% over King’s closing share price on Oct. 11, the company announced in a conference call. More... |
OTC Product News
With this issue of Drug Topics’ e-newsletter, we expand our OTC Product Update page to showcase products and product news that fell outside the parameters of recently featured categories or ran up against space limitations in the print edition. Look for more OTC Product News in upcoming issues of the Drug Topics e-newsletter! More... |
Four hospitals choose McKesson solution to automate prescription delivery
Four acute-care hospitals have chosen ROBOT-Rx, an automated medication-dispensing and pharmacy-integration system manufactured by McKesson Corp., as part of a total bar-code-based pharmacy system for medication safety and operational efficiency. More... |
NIH chooses ScriptPro for pharmacy automation
The National Institutes of Health awarded ScriptPro a contract to provide pharmacy automation systems to assist in the internal control and identification of drugs and enhance the safety and efficiency of medication dispensing and use by patients. More... |
Association news
CPhA appoints Jon Roth as new CEO
Jon Roth brings an outsider’s point of view to his new role as CEO of the California Pharmacists Association. And that outsider’s perspective tells him that pharmacists have only begun to discover how to provide patient care and how to go forward in this era of healthcare reform. More... |
NCPA creates new division dedicated to LTC pharmacies, patients
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) announced a new division of the association dedicated to advancing the interests of independent long-term-care (LTC) pharmacy providers. More... |
Finalists prepare for NCPA Student Business Plan Competition
With the approach of the October 23 Student Business Plan Competition sponsored by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the 3 finalist teams are preparing to present their concepts for innovative pharmacies before a panel of judges. More... |
October is American Pharmacists Month
�Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist� is the theme and core message of American Pharmacists Month (APhM). APhM, sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), is a time to recognize the significant contributions to healthcare and the commitment to patient care by pharmacists in all practice settings from around the country. More... |
APhA offers new Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate programs
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has announced 6 new offerings in 2010 of the Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate program. More... |
Gen. Stanley McChrystal to deliver keynote at NACDS Foundation dinner
The former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, will be the keynote speaker for the 12th Annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation Dinner on November 30, 2010, in New York City, N.Y. More... |
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Meetings and events
October 23-27 NCPA
Philadelphia, PA
Contact:
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-8200
Fax: 703-683-3619
[email protected]
October 27-31 ASCP
San Francisco, CA
Contact:
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-541-4999
Fax: 312-541-4998
December 5-9 ASHP
Anaheim, CA
Contact:
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-657-3000
December 7-8 2010 European Compliance Academy
ECA Certified Pharmaceutical Development Manager Course: Quality by Design in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Heidelberg, Germany
Contact:
CONCEPT HEIDELBERG
P.O. Box 10 17 64
69007 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: ++49-62 21/84 44-0
Fax: ++49-62 21/84 44 84
[email protected]
December 8-9 2010 European Compliance Academy
The New FDA/EU Approach to Process Validation
Berlin, Germany
Contact:
Bethesda, MD 20814
CONCEPT HEIDELBERG
P.O. Box 10 17 64
D-69007 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 62 21/84 44-0
Fax: +49 (0) 62 21/84 44 34
[email protected]
December 8-9 2010 European Compliance Academy
Rapid Microbiological Methods Conference
Budapest, Hungary
Contact:
CONCEPT HEIDELBERG
P.O. Box 10 17 64
D-69007 Heidelberg, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 62 21/84 44-0
Fax: +49 (0) 62 21/84 44 34
[email protected]
February 13, 2011 19th Annual WILLIAM R. BACON MEMORIAL
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Palm Springs, California
Contact:
Phone: 800-333-7535; 760-325-6611
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