U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

October 5, 2022

Dispensing Abortifacients Becomes Increasingly Complex for Pharmacists

New state laws are making it extremely complex for pharmacists to dispense drugs used as abortifacients, even if they have a myriad of other uses. Three pharmacy associations and the American Medical Association recently released a joint statement calling for more clarity so that pharmacists do not end up in legal jeopardy. Here is more information.

Human-Drug Prices Much Higher Than Pet Versions With Same Ingredients

Why would two drug formulations with the same ingredients and common human-equivalent doses differ dramatically in price? One answer is that one is for humans and the other is for pets. Find out what a new research letter says about variation in pricing between human and pet medications and why that might be the case.

COVID-19 Vaccines Appear to Temporarily Affect Menstruation-Cycle Length

Pharmacists should be prepared to answer questions about how COVID-19 vaccination affects menstrual cycles. A new international study supports previous research from the United States on that issue. Find out what menstrual changes are and are not attributable to recent vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Pharmacists Should Be Aware of Growing EV-D68 Infections in Children

As if influenza and COVID-19 aren't enough, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals need to be aware of another severe respiratory illness in children and adolescents. Find out the symptoms of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections and how cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been linked to it.