FDA approves 2 drugs to treat skin cancer

FDA has approved dabrafenib (Tafinlar, GlaxoSmithKline) and trametinib (Mekinist, GlaxoSmithKline) for patients with advanced (metastatic) or unresectable melanoma. » Full article

Reducing MRSA by disinfecting patients

Decolonization of all intensive care unit patients with antimicrobial soap and ointment significantly reduces all bloodstream infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
» Full article

Target screening for C diff

Testing patients with just 3 risk factors upon hospital admission has potential to identify nearly 3 out of 4 asymptomatic carriers of C difficile, according to a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
» Full article

Continuing Education

Pain Management CPE: May activity available now

Welcome to our 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 to August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies.

The May activity covers pharmacology and therapeutics of pain medications, focusing on non-opioid analgesics.

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.

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.

Managed care approach to substance abuse treatment

An examination of people’s behaviors as they relate to drug use in the 20th century has shown that people will expend a large amount of energy to acquire any agent that has the ability to alter their minds, bodies, or behaviors in order to achieve a euphoric effect. It is with prolonged use of a substance that addiction or tolerance can develop, which can lead to impairments in social, academic, or occupational functioning. » Full article

• Advanced renal cell carcinoma

• C diff in hospitals

• ED associated with CV events, all-cause mortality

• AAP guidelines for managing pediatric C diff

SURVEY

Which best represents your opinion regarding abuse-deterrent/tamper-resistant opioids:

— FDA should require all existing opioids to be reformulated in this fashion

— FDA should require only new opioid introductions (brand and generic) to be abuse-deterrent

— FDA should require only new ‘branded’ opioids to be abuse-deterrent in nature

Click Here to let us know.

RESOURCES

Drug Watch

Latest Clinical News