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Editor's Notebook |
The FDA's REMS Misstep
It's disappointing that new provisions in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program do not directly address pharmacists taking a more active role in patient consultation. |
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Counseling Pearls |
Modifying Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation Intake in Women at Risk of Osteoporosis
The primary objective of this study was to identify women in the community pharmacy setting at risk for osteoporosis or on bisphosphonate therapy who were not taking recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D supplementation. |
Preeclampsia Revisited
The clinical course of pregnancy-related hypertension can lead to devastating effects for both the mother and the fetus. Characteristics such as gestational age and disease severity are key components in identifying the most appropriate methods for managing patients at risk. |
 Optimal Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis
This bladder pain syndrome occurs mostly in women and is often misdiagnosed. For optimal treatment, clinicians should implement the most conservative therapies to prevent unnecessary additional risks for patients. |
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Clinical Corner |
Pharmacologic Agents Used in Obstetrics
Various drugs are employed to induce labor and manage pain during delivery. Misoprostol and oxytocin are the most commonly used agents for cervical ripening and labor induction, and analgesics for pain management are both systemic and neuraxial. |
Bariatric Surgery in Women: Medication Considerations
Use of this procedure to treat obesity has dramatically increased, especially among females of reproductive age. There are multiple factors for a pharmacist to consider in the postoperative medication management of these patients. |
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Consult Your Pharmacist |
Detecting Pregnancy and Ovulation With Home Test Kits
Home pregnancy tests and fertility monitors are generally reliable and easy to use. |
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Educational Spotlight |
Update on the Treatment and Prevention of MRSA Infections
Pharmacists can help develop programs to improve outcomes, halt antimicrobial resistance, and reduce adverse events. |
Emphysema: A Clinical Review
Current guidelines do not differentiate between emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but collectively address treatment under the heading of COPD. |
Erectile Dysfunction
A variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options are available for treating impotence. |
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New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Approved
Silver Spring, MD — The FDA has approved Aubagio (teriflunomide), a once-a-day tablet for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In a clinical trial, the relapse rate for patients taking Aubagio was about 30% lower than for placebo. For most patients with MS, episodes of worsening function (relapses) are initially followed by recovery periods (remissions) that progressively decline over time. The drug, manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis of Bridgewater, NJ, carries black box warnings concerning the risk of liver problems and birth defects and is labeled as Pregnancy Category X. |
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More Flu Shots Being Administered at Retail Pharmacies
Chicago, IL — While the majority of Americans still get vaccinated for the flu at their physician's office, an increasing number are heading to their local pharmacy. During the last flu season, defined by the CDC as October through May, about 20% of those who received a flu shot got it at a retail pharmacy. As recently as a decade ago, that figure was basically nothing. This shift has been driven by convenience, aggressive marketing campaigns, and low cost (under the Affordable Care Act, most insurers can no longer charge copayments for preventive care, a category that includes flu vaccines). For example, pharmacists and nurse practitioners at Walgreen Co.'s stores vaccinated about 5.5 million people against the influenza virus, making it the second-largest single provider behind the federal government. |
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Roche to Open Research Facility in Manhattan
Nutley, NJ — Pharmaceutical company Roche is planning to open its new Translational Clinical Research Center in New York City at the end of 2013, transferring about 200 jobs from its site in Nutley, NJ. Earlier this year, the company had announced it would close its 80-year-old NJ location, eliminating about 1,000 positions. The new facility will handle the clinical development of experimental drug molecules discovered in Europe and manage interactions with the FDA. Roche's primary research and development division, Genentech, will remain in the San Francisco area. |
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