Opioid addiction treatment in the ED better than referrals

Emergency department (ED) patients with opioid dependence who receive a brief intervention and ED-initiated treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone and referral to primary care for 10-week follow up, are twice as likely to be engaged in addiction treatment at 30 days compared with standard referral and a brief intervention with a facilitated referral, according to a study published in JAMA. » Study details

FDA issues biosimilar final guidance

FDA has issued 3 final biosimilar guidances for industry: Scientific Considerations in Demonstrating Biosimilarity to a Reference Product; Quality Considerations in Demonstrating Biosimilarity of a Therapeutic Protein Product to a Reference Product; and Biosimilars: Questions and Answers Regarding Implementation of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009. » Read more

Continuing Education

MTM essentials for asthma: Part 1

This month Drug Topics and the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy offer a new CPE series: MTM for the patient with respiratory disease. Pharmacists can earn up to 18 hours of CPE credit with 9 monthly knowledge-based activities (released April – December 2015). This month the series kicks off with MTM essentials for asthma management, covering the pathophysiology of asthma, clinical presentations of asthma, assessment methods, and nonpharmacologic management options.

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 with the session code 15DT29-YKX36.

Announcement: Our CE activities have moved to a new learning management system to better serve you. The login to the Online CE Center is https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/login.php. All current user registration information has been uploaded for your convenience. Current users do not need to register. To review your registration page to ensure the data is up to date or to register, go to https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/program_register.php. For a full list of courses, go to http://pharmacy.uconn.edu/academics/ce/drug-topics-and-uconn-ce/

Medicare Part D scripts reach $103 billion

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday released new data on Medicare Part D prescription drugs prescribed by physicians and other healthcare professionals in 2013. » Read more

• FDA: Final guidance on evaluation, labeling of abuse-deterrent opioids

• [BLOG]: FDA approves first biosimilar in US, may lead to easier access to biologic medications for patients

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