Pharmacists might want to offer extra counsel to patients filling prescriptions for depression medications. Why? A new study finds they aren’t getting all of the information they need, or want, from the prescribers.

Perioperative Statin Use Reduces CABG
Surgery Complications

Patients often are advised to discontinue taking statins before surgeries such as coronary bypass grafting (CABG). That might not be such a good idea, according to a new study which finds that perioperative statin use reduces cardiac complications and the risk of death during and after the procedure. Here are the details.

Expectant mothers who become pregnant while taking oral contraceptives—or shortly after cessation—are often nervous about the effects on the fetus. Pharmacists now can provide them some reassuring information: A very large study finds no difference in prevalence of major birth defects with contraceptive use compared to no contraceptive use.

Pharmacists Help Diabetes Patients Lower A1c to
Less Than 7%

Patients with diabetes often have difficulty adhering to an insulin prescription when their A1c rises too high. A new study finds that working with a pharmacist can help. Here is more information.