FDA approves abuse-deterrent labeling for OxyContin, nixes generic

FDA announced April 16 that it will not approve any generic versions of the original OxyContin formulation as the benefits no longer outweigh its risks. The original OxyContin was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety, as it could be easily misused and abused by crushing and snorting. The original formulation was approved in 1995. » Full article

Compounding pharmacies recall sterile products

On April 15, 2013, 2 pharmaceutical compounders recalled their sterile products following an alert issued by FDA. » Full article

Antibiotics offer small benefit for patients with respiratory infections

Physicians would need to prescribe antibiotics to more than 12,000 patients diagnosed with common colds to prevent 1 hospital admission for pneumonia, according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine..

Includes video interview with study lead author Sharon B. Meropol, MD, PhD, of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland OH.

» Full article with Video interview

Women at highest Bca risk benefit most from preventive drug therapy

Women at the highest risk of contracting breast cancer benefit the most from preventive drug therapy, including tamoxifen and raloxifene, according to a study published in the April 16, 2013, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.. » Full article

ACO providers: Pharma can help lower healthcare costs, but won't

Healthcare providers believe that the pharmaceutical industry could play an important role in helping value-based healthcare providers such as accountable care organizations to deliver better care at lower cost. But pharma companies currently do a poor job of delivering the kind of data needed to accomplish that goal, according to a survey of physicians in value-based delivery models, conducted by Oliver Wyman, a New York-based management consulting firm... » 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.

New initiatives arise out of NECC compounding tragedy

The human toll of the New England Compounding Center (NECC) tragedy continues to grow as the death count is at 50 and the number of patients sickened now exceeds 722. These cases have been reported, and are being tracked by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 20 states. The impact that this sequence of events has had, is having, and will continue to have on the practice of pharmacy nationwide is of unprecedented magnitude and is of the utmost concern to practicing pharmacists everywhere. » Full article

• FDA panel seeks tighter controls on hydrocodone-containing products

• New Jersey compounding pharmacy recalls all products, fearing mold contamination

• FDA approves Surfaxin for prevention of RDS in premature infants

• Breast cancer vaccine possibility to be studied through grant

• Enhanced support for shared decision-making reduces costs of care

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

Respond Here
See what your colleagues are saying!