MEDICATION SAFETY

Some antipsychotics more dangerous for elderly dementia patients

Antipsychotic medication should be used on elderly dementia patients only in cases of clear need, authors of a recent study said, but they found that some antipsychotics are more dangerous than others after examining data from thousands of nursing-home residents aged 65 or older. » More

Editor's Pick

FDA notes conflicting results of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use during pregnancy and risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

FDA notified healthcare professionals and the public of conflicting results on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants by women during pregnancy and the potential risk of a rare heart and lung condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, also referred to as persistent fetal circulation. » Click here.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Cardiometabolic disease: The pharmacist’s role in managing weight loss and medication adherence

Pharmacists can help with the management of weight loss through nutrition education, exercise counseling, and strategies for medication adherence.

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CLINICAL NEWS

Bevacizumab improves vision for patients with AMD

A treat-and-extend regimen of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) produced “significant visual improvements” for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, according to an article published in the March issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology. » More

Analysis: Pills as good as stents for stable heart patients

Treating stable heart patients with a handful of pills works just as well as propping open blocked heart arteries with a stent, U.S. researchers said, according to Reuters, adding to evidence that less-invasive, less-costly drug treatment works as well as implanting a medical device in such patients. » More

ASSOCIATION NEWS

NAMS highlights benefit-risk ratio of hormone therapy for menopause

The 2012 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) updates the evidence-based position statement published by NAMS in 2010 regarding recommendations for hormone therapy for postmenopausal women. » More

AAP now recommends HPV vaccine for boys

New guidelines for the use of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend for the first time vaccinating adolescent boys as well as girls. » More

FDA ACTIONS

FDA panel recommends approval of aclidinium bromide for COPD

An FDA advisory panel voted 12-2 to recommend approval of aclidinium bromide (Forest Laboratories and Almirall SA) 400 µg twice daily for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. » More

First synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant for prevention of RDS approved

FDA has approved lucinactant (Surfaxin, Discovery Labs) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants at high risk for RDS. Surfaxin is the first synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant approved for use in neonatal medicine. » More

Survey

In the online New England Journal of Medicine, 2 Canadian doctors disagree with Medicare's 3-year coverage police of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation because the annual cost of immunosuppressive therapy is $15,000 to $20,000 but the cost of dialysis after graft failure is substantially higher at $75,000. Should Medicare change its policy of 3-year coverage of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation to lifelong coverage?

Yes
No

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