Why Pharmacists Unknowingly Fill
Discontinued Medications

E-prescribing doesn’t do everything physicians may think it does. That’s one reason pharmacists often are left in the dark when a medication has been discontinued. A new study provides information on how often and why pharmacists sometimes fill discontinued prescriptions.

Pharmacy Compounding Differs From Process Leading to Meningitis Outbreak

Traditional compounding in pharmacies is a very different process from the manufacturing system blamed for a widespread meningitis outbreak. That’s what the National Community Pharmacists Association told two congressional committees. Here’s what NCPA had to say and how the positions were challenged by a lobbying group.

Patients Using Sleep Medication Have Much Greater Risk for Hospital Falls

Ensuring that hospitalized patients get enough sleep is critical, and clinicians often turn to a common medication to help them get rest. That has some significant downsides, however, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study. Here are the surprising results on the likelihood of patient falls with zolpidem. 

Taking Daily Multivitamin Doesn’t Reduce Cardiovascular Risks for Men

Pharmacists often are asked about the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin. Here is some important information to share: The supplements do not appear to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in men, according to a new study. Study authors also offered some advice on weighing the need for a multivitamin in light of their conclusions.