MISCELLANEOUS
Rx-to-OTC switching is likely to continue unabated due to the high cost of health care in the U.S.
Pharmacists should prepare for a shift in the way the profession is currently practiced.
A pharmacist’s knowledge of medications can be lifesaving in an emergency situation.
Four new drugs (abiraterone, avanafil, clobazam, tafluprost) that were approved by the FDA in the past year are reviewed.
Six new molecular entities (aflibercept, asparaginase
Erwinia chrysanthemi, brentuximab vedotin, glucarpidase, ipilimumab,
lucinactant) that were recently approved by the FDA are reviewed.
There is probably no issue more divisive in the political arena today than that of health care reform.
As exhibited by the annual Gallup poll, rising above other professions in ethics and honesty is a top priority for pharmacists.
Pharmacies would do well to adopt the principles of this institution’s successful, people-centered management style.
The agency is still vital to this country’s health and well-being.
Pharmacists should advise patients to be wary of counterfeit drugs being sold on the Internet and in foreign “drug stores.”
Pharmacists have actively answered the polls posted monthly on our Web site.
It is essential that practitioners be aware of changes in a drug’s
therapeutic profile as reported by their own patients and in the
pharmaceutical literature.
Pharmacy practice has transformed into a more clinical and patient-centered role.
Drug shortages have silently, but steadily, risen to critical levels.
Pharmacies are rated as one of the top three businesses in providing customer service.
Pharmacist consultation on patient compliance and adherence is the future of pharmacy and must be embraced now.
Nonadherence to medication for chronic diseases leads to worse
therapeutic outcomes, higher hospitalization rates, and increased
health care costs.
Pharmacists must be vigilant about enforcing HIPAA privacy regulations.
A richly detailed new book provides insight into the intricacies of this complicated disease.
Counterfeit medications are increasingly widespread, highly profitable, and dangerous.
Pharmacists should be aware of both the physical and emotional conditions of their patients.
Pharmacists worldwide are active participants in their countries’ health care systems.
Profiles of several new drugs approved by the FDA in the past year
(asenapine, bepotastine, dronedarone, liraglutide, tocilizumab,
ustekinumab).
Five new molecular entities approved by the FDA in the past year are
discussed (dalfampridine, ecallantide, pralatrexate, prasugrel,
telavancin).
One of the most difficult things for a health care professional to do is report a colleague who may be practicing while under the influence.
The responses to polls on the
U.S. Pharmacist and PharmQD Web sites are often surprising.
Timely and accurate reporting is an essential element of monitoring and improving patient safety.
Botox, which is a purified form of the toxin botulinum produced by the bacterium
Clostridium botulinum, has several medical applications.
The debate over legalizing marijuana is ongoing despite support by respectable medical organizations for its legalization.
A listing of articles published in 2009.
Some heartwarming stories have emerged from our newly launched social networking site, PharmQD, and they are especially timely during this holiday season.
Weight-loss, or bariatric, surgery is considered for the morbidly obese
patient when all conventional therapy--including behavioral
modification, diet therapy, exercise, and medication--has failed.
The 2007 National Health Interview Survey for noninstitutionalized
adults provides an understanding of the prevalence of acute feelings of
sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or nervousness or that everything
is an effort.
For the community pharmacist, the ability to aid in the management of
opioid dependence is vital to closing the gap between treated and
untreated opioid-dependent individuals.
Alcohol dependence is a serious health concern that is associated with many long-term consequences.
Ultimately, it is the pharmacist's responsibility to check all prescriptions filled, and the consequences of not performing due diligence could be severe.
The following descriptions of new molecular entities approved in 2008-2009 summarize each new drug's clinical and pharmacologic profile, as well as selected pharmacokinetic, adverse-reaction,
drug-interaction, and dosing data.
With pharmacists moving more toward a role of medication therapy
management versus dispensing, it is crucial for the practitioner to
keep up with the latest guidelines.
New molecular entities are new drug
products containing as their active ingredient a chemical substance
marketed for the first time in the United States.
There has been a significant increase in obesity in the United States within the last 2 decades, and excess body weight contributes to the development of chronic conditions in later years.
A pilot study examines a possible untapped resource.
Medication errors are more likely in those with low health literacy, including many older adults, patients with chronic diseases, recent immigrants, and people who do not understand English well or at all.
An incredible thing is taking place in this country: A politician is
taking the nation's pulse on health care by actually touching base with
regular citizens and asking them their opinions.
While there is no question that our
health care system needs an overhaul, importing drugs from Canada is
not the answer.
A recent study showed that there is a high level of misunderstanding of prescription drug warning labels among adults with low literacy levels.
Pharmacists working in hospitals are largely unseen by patients, but they are no
less important than community pharmacists in elevating the quality of health
care.
A listing of articles published in 2008.
It's been nearly 60 years since George Orwell wrote his prophetic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four , which coined the idiomatic term Big Brother as a euphemistic way of describing an invasion of our privacy.
W hen I was a freshman in college, those "clinical rotation things" seemed so far away.
FYI 12/15/2008
More Americans Seeking Medical Care Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that on average, each American seeks medical care at a doctor's office or a hospital emergency department about four times a year, an increase of 26% over the decade from 1996 to 2006.
What could Domino's Pizza and pharmacy possibly have in common? Well, nothing I'm aware of, but Save Mart Supermarkets and Lucky stores in California have apparently ripped a page right out of Domino's marketing playbook by announcing one of the most thoughtless pharmacy marketing campaigns to reach my desk, the "19-Minute Promise.
Methadone Effective Against Leukemia In what may be a breakthrough study, Claudia Friesen and colleagues of the Institute of Legal Medicine at the University of Ulm in Germany said study data support the finding that methadone, a drug generally used by drug addicts as a substitute for heroin and other opioid drugs, appears to be a potent killer of resistant leukemia cells.
"Grandpa, I don't want to eat the rice.
Currently I am in my second year of pharmacy school at the University of Connecticut (UConn), and it has been an amazing experience in terms of what the school can do for you as a student and the various opportunities that are available, such as community projects and studying abroad.
NACDS: Pharmacist Should Be Included in Any Health Care Reform Alexandria, VA -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is urging Congress to have pharmacists play a key role in any health care reform that is being considered.
In unrelated cases that received widespread attention a few years ago, two college-aged women died after applying a pharmacy-compounded combination of lidocaine and tetracaine topical gel.
Many Consumers Don't Like Therapeutic Substitution Washington, DC -- A survey conducted by the National Consumers League (NCL) uncovered that nearly three-quarters of prescription users would be very concerned if a drug prescribed for them were switched to another drug in the same therapeutic category--20% of the consumers surveyed said that even if their physician suggested a change they would not approve of it.
W hat could Domino's Pizza and pharmacy possibly have in common? Well, nothing I'm aware of, but Save Mart Supermarkets and Lucky stores in California have apparently ripped a page right out of Domino's marketing playbook by announcing one of the most thoughtless pharmacy marketing campaigns to reach my desk, the "19-Minute Promise.
New molecular entities (NMEs), as defined by the FDA, are new drug products containing, as their active ingredient, a chemical substance marketed for the first time in the United States.
Longs to Walgreens: No Deal Walnut Creek, CA -- Longs Drug Stores Corp.
An antioxidant, or a free-radical scavenger, is a molecule capable of decreasing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules.
New molecular entities (NMEs), as defined by the FDA, are new drug products containing, as their active ingredient, a chemical substance marketed for the first time in the United States.
The profession of pharmacy is evolving into a new and exciting area of health care now that pharmacists are being prepared to become emerging leaders of medication therapy management.
Frostbite occurs when skin and the tissue underneath it literally freeze as a result of exposure to extreme cold.
When the great English poet Alexander Pope wrote, "To err is human, to forgive divine," I don't think he was referring to the legal sharks that feed off the errors made by health care professionals.
I like New Jersey.
According to Marketing Technology Solutions, health care has joined the ranks of businesses that have been adversely affected financially by the weak economy and fears of a recession.
A group of Louisiana biochemists attending the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society reported that proteins in alligator blood may provide new antibiotics to fight infections caused by pathogens that are resistant to more conventional medication.
For all the hoopla and noise being made by the two presidential hopefuls over the state of our health care, there is not much talk about life expectancy in the United States compared with that in other countries.
It is amazing to me how many issues relating to retail pharmacy haven't changed all that much over the past two decades.
At some point, certain medications become unused and unwanted, whether due to expiration, noncompliance, change in therapy, or other reasons.
Alexandria, VA -- A survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) uncovered that the number of health system pharmacists playing a significant role in consulting with physicians on a wide range of drug protocols increased by 2% over the past six years.
Researchers from Missouri State University and St. Louis-based Donald Danforth Plant Science Center found ways to genetically enhance grape plants that produce resistance to fungal diseases.
Researchers at Princeton and Harvard Universities believe that the discovery of two key proteins guiding one of the two groups of pathogenic bacteria that make up an ant's outer shell could pave the way to the development of new antibiotics.
Physicians Favor National Health Insurance Indianapolis, IN -- According to a survey of 2,200 physicians conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine's Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research (CHPPR), more doctors than ever before favor national health insurance...
During my retail pharmacy career, nothing made my blood boil more than hearing a patient ask me, How hard is it to fill a prescription? All you have to do is pour pills from one bottle to another...
Investigators in Berlin, Germany, have found that chewing sugar-free gum often enough can lead to substantial unintended weight loss.
The FDA has identified 25 drugs and biologic products that will be required to submit a proposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) safety plan by September 21, 2008.
Did you ever wonder why most people seem to come down with the flu during the winter months?
A study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University indicates that pharmacists who work at locations with drive-through windows believe the extra distractions associated with windows service contribute to processing delays, reduced efficiency and dispensing errors.
Research from the University of Auckland in New Zealand revealed a strong correlation between how long children sleep and how much they weigh
As the Presidential campaigns heat up, there has been much talk about fixing the U.
New York, NY -- An investigation by The Associated Press found an assortment of pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water in 24 of the 62 metropolitan water systems included in its research.
I was having a conversation with some friends the other day who are not pharmacists and the question came up as to why some pharmacists use RPh after their name and others use PharmD ; why some use the more esoteric PD or DPh , and still others use a combination of all of the above.
Studying hard may not damage your brain, but it could do serious damage to your back, neck, and eyes.
When it comes to treating inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, taking more than one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) could lead to complications beyond the common gastrointestinal side effects associated with some NSAID products.
Temperature is one of the standard vital signs taken to help monitor a patient's well being.
When many centenarians are asked about the secret to their longevity, a common answer is "good genes."
A report by pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts, revealed that more U.S. adults are taking prescription drugs than ever before, which accounted for $12 billion in additional spending during 2006 alone.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA '90) included mandates for the states to improve understanding of medications by Medicaid beneficiaries for whom they were prescribed and dispensed.
OIG Report: Pharmacists' Profits on Medicare Part D Razor Thin Alexandria, VA -- A report released by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services should come as little surprise to thousands of retail pharmacy entrepreneurs.
For many seasoned pharmacists, the days of typing prescription labels on a typewriter, filling out patient profiles by hand, submitting paper insurance claims, and handling many other manual administrative chores are distant memories.
A blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels remains a key diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Injunction Puts the Brakes on CMS Medicaid Reimbursement Cuts Alexandria, VA -- A judge for the U.
Pharmacists field questions about such self-care topics as motion sickness on a daily basis.
Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, believe a hormone that activates brain circuits that generate hunger signals could be the reason people become obese.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average life expectancy for Americans is 78 years.
Whatever winter holiday you celebrate, it's that time of year again when we all become kids for a few weeks.
Lawsuit Filed to Block Medicaid Drug Cuts Alexandria, VA -- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) filed a motion requesting expedited review of a lawsuit it filed that challenges Medicaid reimbursement reductions imposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), scheduled to be implemented in January 2008.
A meta-analysis of obese intensive care unit (ICU) patients revealed that obese patients are no more likely to die than other patients while in the ICU; however, they are more likely to stay longer in the ICU and need mechanical ventilation for longer periods than other patients.
The knees joints allow movement of the body while supporting the legs, allowing the ability to stand, bend, turn, and walk.
In the "no big surprise" category of clinical studies comes a result that was presented at a recent meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.
Whether you really like to sleep or you are an insomniac, you may be flirting with a greater chance of dying.
Research published in the online journal British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that expensive running shoes are probably not worth their weighty price tag.
For many people, changing from standard time to daylight savings time may be a welcome yearly event.
"Behind-the-Counter" Drug Category Considered by FDA Rockville, MD -- The FDA is considering an official new category of prescription drugs that could be dispensed without a prescription after consulting with a pharmacist.
Did you happen to catch a news story that came out last month about a retired Indiana pharmacist who was arrested for working without a current license for the past 17 years? It turns out that Indiana issued him a license in 1981, but the license expired in June 1990.
In the United States, one in four Americans either suffered from a mood disorder in his or her lifetime or currently suffers from one.
The odds of getting hit by lightning under normal conditions during a thunderstorm are very low.
The FDA's drug approval process calls for all new drugs to show evidence of safety and efficacy through three distinct phases of clinical trials prior to marketing.
I think most Editors-in-Chief of any magazine will readily admit that one of the absolute joys of their job is receiving letters from their readers.
Pharmacy Execs Visit Capitol Hill to Discuss Medicaid Access Issues Washington -- In a major collaborative effort, more than 70 pharmacy executives and industry representatives visited members of Congress to address issues that could likely affect the access to health care by Medicaid recipients.
Pharmacists' professional brethren will finally feel what has been happening to them over the years.
A recent study of volunteers in a hypobaric chamber simulating altitudes of 650 to 8,000 feet revealed that some passengers flying long distances inside a commercial airliner at typical cabin pressures might experience discomfort that is similar to a case of mountain or altitude sickness.
It seems like a day doesn't go by that I am not being asked to fill out one survey or another.
NCPA: CMS Downplaying Effect of New Medicaid Reimbursement Rule Alexandria, Va.
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) expressed outrage in reaction to CMS' final rule to reduce Medicaid reimbursements, particularly Medicaid's pharmacy reimbursement formula for generic prescription drugs.
What makes men think they are invincible when it comes to getting sick? That's one of those age-old questions that's right up there with why men don't ask for directions.
New Jersey Bill Requires Pharmacists to Fill Rxs Trenton, NJ -- A bill that amends the New Jersey Pharmacy Practice Act prohibits pharmacists in the state from refusing to dispense or refill "a prescription or medication order solely on the grounds that the dispensing or refill of the prescription or medication order would contravene the pharmacist's philosophical, moral or religious beliefs.
FYI 7/13/2007
Diabetes Reduces Life Expectancy It is a well-know fact that diabetes can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, the most common malady.
During much of the 20th century, cigarette smoking was tacitly and even overtly romanticized.
I don't watch a lot of television, but it seems an evening doesn't go by that I am not exposed to a direct-to-consumer (DTC) ad for a prescription medication.
GSK Defends Its Record on Avandia Washington -- Responding to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that highlights cardiovascular problems linked to GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) diabetes drug Avandia, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Committee on Finance, and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member of the committee, sent letters to FDA Commissioner Andrew C.
FYI 6/19/2007
In-Store Clinics: Filling a Need
As I write this column, I have recently returned from the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).
Hip fractures are typical in the aging population. Although the majority of patients who break a hip eventually recover most of their ability to function, a broken hip in an older patient can mean a permanent loss of independence.
Let's face it: There isn't a pharmacist in practice that wants to make an error.
FYI 5/18/2007
Female Stem Cells Work Better It appears that women have the upper hand when it comes to stem cells.
FDA Advisory Board Rejects Arthritis Drug Approval Gaithersburg, MD -- The FDA's Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee voted overwhelmingly to reject approval of Merck's COX-2 inhibitor Arcoxia (etoricoxib).
Pharmacists frequently consult with patients who experience dental pain.
Pharmacist Compounding Under Scrutiny by Congress Alexandria, VA -- According to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), if Congress has its way, patients who need potentially life-saving medications that need to be compounded by their community pharmacists may be facing a severe medical crisis.
Two decades ago I used the same headline as this editorial, but instead of average manufacturer price (AMP), it was average wholesale price (AWP).
FYI 3/21/2007
Black Tea More Beneficial Without Milk Black tea has been cited in many research studies to have positive cardiovascular qualities due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects.
New molecular entities (NMEs), as defined by the FDA, are new drug products that have as their active ingredient a chemical substance marketed for the first time in the United States.
Without revealing my exact age, suffice it to say that I am a product of the pre-technical revolution that descended on this country and the profession of pharmacy some 40 years ago.
As a fourth-year pharmacy student at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, I have been trying to decide where to begin my career.
It seems at least a quarter of the prescription consults I give as a pharmacy intern end with patients inquiring about the College of Pharmacy at Touro University-California.
In the past, hiring employees was based on an application and a "gut feeling" on the part of the employer.
Medicaid Cuts May Be Death Knell for Many Community Pharmacies Alexandria, Va.
It seems a day doesn't go by that I don't ask myself "Whatever happened to customer service?" During the winter holidays when telephone, Internet, and store traffic was at an all-time high, a drop-off in customer service may be unacceptable, but it is understandable.
Over the past several weeks, pharmacists received a mixed bag of news.
Express Scripts Looks to Acquire Caremark Rx St.
FYI 1/23/2007
Almonds May Protect Against Heart Disease and Diabetes Risk According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition , eating almonds may play a role in avoiding blood sugar spikes after consumption of a carbohydrate-rich meal of foods that raise blood sugar levels.
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that is more severe in the morning but becomes less painful as the day continues. This condition occurs due to tiny tears in the plantar fascia—the piece of fibrous tissue connecting the heel to the base of the foot.