New morning sickness drug approved

FDA has approved doxylamine succinate 10 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 10 mg (Diclegis, Duchesnay) delayed-release tablets for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in women who do not respond to conservative management, including dietary and lifestyle modifications. These modifications include eating several small meals instead of 3 large meals, eating bland foods that are low in fat and easy to digest, and avoiding smells that can trigger nausea. » Full article

Amiodarone linked to higher cancer risk in men

The antiarrhythmia drug amiodarone appears to be linked to a higher risk of cancer in men, specifically those who receive higher cumulative defined daily doses within the first year of treatment, according to a retrospective study published online April 8 in Cancer. » Full article

Plan B now available to all ages without prescription

A New York federal judge has struck down the restrictions on levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives and ordered FDA to make the drugs available without a prescription and without point-of-sale or age restrictions within 30 days, according to an April 4th memorandum and order. » Full article

Generic HF drugs offer cost savings

Guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure is highly cost-effective and able to produce significant health gains for individuals with mild to moderate disease, according a study published April 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. » Full article

Continuing Education

New CPE Series: Pain Management Considerations

Welcome to a new 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-August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013-October 2013 Drug Topics with 2 monthly interactive online case studies. The April activity covers concepts and definitions of pain management.

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 login.

LIVE EVENT!

Medication Therapy Management for Patients with Diabetes CPE Series

Reserve the dates—May 22 or May 23—to attend an innovative 6-hour live program at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy campus. Learn motivational interviewing skills, apply medication therapy management concepts to patients with diabetes, and practice your new skills to earn 6 CPE credits and a certificate of achievement (additional 6 CPE credits are awarded for post-activity requirements) – for a total of 12 CPE credits.

Prerequisite: Completion prior to the event of the 7 knowledge-based and 3 application-based activities in this CPE series by University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Drug Topics.

Click here for more information and to register.

New online interactive case studies available now

The second case study, Case Studies in Diabetes Care-Part 2, is available, offering you an opportunity to apply diabetes management concepts from the Drug Topics 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.

Review of the pharmacologic arsenal for the war on obesity

This article reviews the pharmacologic treatment of obesity including past treatment options, lessons learned in recent years, current short- and long-term treatment options, and future direction. Formulary considerations of currently available agents are discussed. » Full article

• FDA approves Osphena for painful intercourse due to menopause

• Colonoscopy screening reduces risk of advanced CRC

• FDA updates drospirenone-containing birth control pill labels

• Niacin ER not recommended for patients at risk for cardiovascular outcomes

RESOURCES

Drug Watch

Latest Clinical News

SURVEY

Which of the following do you see as the biggest gaps in care for the patient on specialty/biologic drugs today?

– Adherence to therapy
– Transitions in care support
– Coordination/communication of care across HC continuum
– Inadequate efficacy/outcomes monitoring
– Safety/comobidity screening

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