Tenn. database flagging doctor shoppers, reducing painkiller Rxs
October 9th 2014Since the start of Tennessee’s drug database three years ago, more than 2,000 so-called ‘doctor shoppers’ have been thwarted and prescriptions for painkillers have decreased, according to a report in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Flu vaccinations delayed due to supply issues
October 6th 2014Some pharmacies and health clinics in the United States and Canada are waiting on quadrivalent influenza vaccine, after production issues this fall. Clinics that had expected to receive the vaccine by mid-September are now forced to wait until mid-October.
Pertuzumab ups survival in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
September 30th 2014Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who received pertuzumab (Perjeta, Roche) as part of their chemotherapy regimen had a significantly longer median survival rate-by almost 16 months-compared with those who only received the trastuzumab/docetaxel regimen, according to a presentation during the 2014 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Spain.
FDA approves tiotropium bromide mist for COPD
September 25th 2014FDA approved tiotropium bromide (Spiriva Respimat, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals) inhalation spray for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD.
Project IMPACT: Diabetes shows value of pharmacist patient care services
September 23rd 2014Pharmacists delivering patient care services as part of patient-centered, interdisciplinary healthcare teams can make a difference for diabetes patients who are disproportionately affected by the disease and have limited access to quality care, according to the final results of Project IMPACT: Diabetes.
FDA approves once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes
September 19th 2014FDA has approved dulaglutide (Trulicity, Eli Lilly) to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection used to improve glycemic control and is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes in adults.