Nursing home oversight gets a boost with CMS proposal
July 14th 2015At the White House Conference on Aging, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed new rules to improve the care of approximately 1.5 million elderly who reside in more than 15,000 long-term care (LTC) facilities nationwide. If finalized, a pharmacist will review a resident's chart at least every 6 months.
FDA approves ceftazidime-avibactam to treat two complicated infections
July 10th 2015The combination product is indicated to treat either complicated intra-abdominal infections, where it is used in combination with metronidazole, or complicated urinary tract infections in patients with few or no other treatment options.
ASHP calls for adequate pharmacist representation on state boards of pharmacy
July 9th 2015Last month, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) approved a policy that calls for adequate pharmacist representation on state boards of pharmacy by pharmacists from various practice settings, including hospitals, health systems, clinics, and nontraditional settings, to ensure proper oversight to protect public health.
Hospital discharge service by pharmacists cuts COPD readmission rates
July 9th 2015Patients hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at high risk for 30- and 60-day readmissions. In 2008, the mean 60-day admission rate following an emergency department visit of COPD patients was 18% and the mean readmission rate was more than 30%.
FDA approves promising heart failure treatment
July 8th 2015FDA approved sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto, Novartis), an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a first-in-class drug for heart failure. It is indicated for patients whose condition is classified NYHA class II-IV, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization.
ISMP calls for elimination of dosage cups with multiple scales
July 6th 2015The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) issued a warning in June to stop using dosing cups for liquid medicine that are embossed with scales for drams, ounces, teaspoon, and tablespoon measures. These measurement scales can be easily confused with the milliliter dosing scales.