FDA Updates

Since February is National Children's Dental Health Month, it's an appropriate time to introduce new oral care products for children and adults.

A survey of new Rx, new generics, new indications, and new OTC

'Tis the seasons for coughs, colds, and sore throats. Americans are expected to spend $3.6 billion this season on OTC remedies, 1.7% more than last year. The upsurge is attributed to media exposure of swine flu and a tough economy that has more consumers trying OTC remedies before they see their doctors.

A survey of new Rx, new generics, new indications, and new OTC

A survey of new Rx, new indications, and new OTC

Retail pharmacy managers are discovering that many third-party administrators do not agree that their inventory information approval systems meet compliance requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service for customers' use of flexible spending accounts.

More than 23 million Americans, close to 8 percent of the population, have diabetes. For drugstores, the medical nature of their retail business makes them the outlet of choice for shoppers purchasing diabetes products. Retail pharmacists may choose to maximize patient awareness by placing their diabetes-care display and educational literature near the pharmacy counter.

Nearly a third of all Americans have trouble getting a good night's sleep. Although customers seeking OTC help this year will have to rely on the old stand-by, antihistamines, a few new products are available.

Working with healthcare professionals and the public, the FDA is developing new guidelines for prevention of medication misuse and abuse and other medication errors linked to preventable harm.

Schnucks Markets plans to get customers into its pharmacy departments with the addition of EyeSite vision-screening kiosks. Thirty kiosks were recently added to its grocery stores in the St. Louis area.

More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and at least 25 million suffer on a daily basis. A Nielson study reported early in 2009 announced that 94 percent of patients are satisfied with their OTC remedies. The study estimated that OTC medications annually save patients an average total of $174 each in office visits and medication costs. Because of fewer patient visits top physicians, the study attributes $757 million in annual savings to the U.S. healthcare system.

A survey of new Rx and new OTC

The products pharmacists discuss most often with patients are oral pain-relief products, lip balms, and cold-sore preparations, according to an exclusive Drug Topics survey of pharmacists.

A survey of new Rx, new indications, new generics, and new OTC

Walgreens recently announced the release of its Specialty Pharmacy State of the Industry report. Keep reading to find out more.

Manufacturers, promoters, and sellers of dietary supplements are prohibited by law from making claims to treat or cure illness or disease, or their symptoms. Pharmacists should encourage patients to check with medical professionals before commencing use of any dietary supplement.

A survey of new Rx; new indications; new generics; and new OTC

With the settlement of the class-action lawsuit brought against First DataBank and McKesson by third-party payors accusing the companies of conspiring to inflate average wholesale prices (AWP) of hundreds of drugs, AWP values will roll back from 1.25 to 1.20 times the drugs' wholesale acquisition cost (WAC).

Caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are highly contagious and are present throughout the U.S. population in epidemic proportions. Because the stress of the new school year weakens the body's defenses and triggers cold-sore episodes, September may be called the start of the cold sore "season."

Consumer shopping habits have changed in the new economy and some of those habits will have an impact on purchases of prescriptions and OTC healthcare products for the next few years.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

The kids are going back to school, and opportunities for exposure to head lice abound. In the U.S., an estimated 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year among children 3 to 11 years old. This year, some new products offer relief.

Citizen petitions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work. Sometimes.

In 2009, economic uncertainties, fear of new influenza strains, and pain are contributing to problems with sleeplessness experienced by many among the U.S. population.

Parents with some understanding of the possible dangers of OTC cold remedies often still give them to their young children.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Several new OTC products are on pharmacy shelves for seasonal sufferers seeking relief.

In a recent ceremony in Boulder, Colo., Pharmaca CEO and Chairman Barry Perzow received the Chain of the Year award from Drug Topics Editor-in-Chief Margaret Mulligan.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is endorsing a congressional effort to crack down on the bulk sale of a cough syrup ingredient sometimes abused as a recreational drug.

A survey of new Rx, new OTC, new indications, and new generics