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Some families run to redheads. Some families witness a series of multiple births over a couple of generations. But a flock of pharmacists? Would that be nature, nurture, or morphic resonance?

Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, has introduced an authorized generic version of Diovan (valsartan) tablets for the treatment of hypertension. The generic version of Diovan will be available in 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg strength tablets, the same strength as the branded version.

FDA has approved another treatment for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), a rare yet aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Belinostat (Beleodaq) by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals was approved under FDA’s accelerated approval program. It is indicated for patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL.

During the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ upcoming 2014 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Anaheim, CA., a so-called Intelligent Pharmacy Pavilion (IPP) featuring demonstration rooms with the latest technology for hospital and ambulatory care pharmacies will be showcased.

A new survey indicates that pharmacists, nurses, and other practitioners believe IV insulin and anticoagulants should be considered the medications that can cause the most harm when used improperly.

The misuse of single-dose and multiple-dose vials has harmed thousands of patients, in some cases causing bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis B and C, meningitis, and epidural abscesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Compounding pharmacists are concerned about Express Scripts’ decision to stop covering around 1,000 active compounded drug ingredients used by compounding pharmacies to create topical treatments.

State lawmakers in California are considering a bill that would allow patients to opt out of health plan requirements that certain prescriptions be filled by mail order.

A federal report credits Florida’s crackdown on pill mills and doctor shoppers with reducing deaths from prescription-drug overdoses by nearly one quarter.

A bill that would authorize California pharmacists to dispense naloxone hydrochloride, a drug used to reverse opiate overdoses, has cleared several legislative hurdles.

A panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended healthy children between the ages of 2 and 8 receive nasal spray flu vaccines instead of flu shots.

We all know that electronic prescriptions solved all those script communication problems between prescribers and pharmacists, right? Well, the Cynical Pharmacist dispelled any such myths in his blog “Electronic prescriptions: Return to sender.” It was our most-read story of June.

FDA has approved Afrezza, insulin delivered through a small inhaler that is believed to act more rapidly than injectable insulins such Humalog and NovoLog.

Although intensive glycemic control has been the standard of care for delaying the onset and slowing the progression of microvascular disease, treatment burden and unwanted effects like weight gain, hypoglycemia, and gastrointestinal side effects do affect patients’ quality of life. Patient preferences and their views of treatment burden need to be considered when making decisions about glycemic treatment, according to a report published online for JAMA Internal Medicine.

Now that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has secured the Internet domain .pharmacy, the group hopes the designation will help consumers identify legitimate online pharmacies and related resources.

Retail pharmacies that use Cardinal Health’s Heart Health Specialized Care Center will now have more tools to help patients manage cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease.

More than 80% of healthcare employees dilute certain IV push medications, which is not always necessary, according to a new survey conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

Kim Ankenbruck has a knack for expressing what many of her fellow pharmacists are thinking. Here, she tackles the question of how to practice integrity in an environment designed to punish the attempt.

On July 1, 2014, FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Small Business and Industry Assistance (CDER SBIA) will host a webinar designed to help manufacturers, repackagers, wholesale distributors, and dispensers identify suspect products.

FDA’s review of the hypertension drug olmesartan found no clear evidence of increased heart risks for diabetes patients, but the agency will require additional information be provided on the drug’s labels.

Last November, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommended statin therapy for approximately 33 million more Americans who don’t have cardiovascular disease (CVD), but have an estimated 10-year CV risk of 7.5% or higher.

If it’s a positive return on investment you seek, look no further than your local free medical clinic.

FDA has approved the new antibacterial drug tedizolid phosphate (Sivextro, Cubist Pharmaceuticals) to treat adults with skin infections.

The California State Supreme Court recently upheld a ruling that allows healthcare plans serving the poor to ignore what it costs pharmacies to obtain drugs when establishing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.

A new law that will allow pharmacists in Kansas to create collaborative agreements with physicians will take effect in July.

A Utah pharmacist recently pled no contest to charges he filled a fraudulent prescription with M&Ms instead of pain pills, according to a report in the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently warned about alphanumeric symbol mixups, particularly in handwritten scripts, which have led to medical errors.

The Boerhringer Ingleheim-Eli Lilly Diabetes Alliance presented more than 40 posters, abstracts, and oral presentations June 13-17 at the 74th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

Pharmacy groups, patient advocates, and many businesses are urging Congress to pass legislation that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to use discounted or preferred copays at independent pharmacies willing to accept the terms of Part D prescription drug plans.