California provider-status bill signed into law
October 2nd 2013California Governor Jerry Brown has signed provider-status legislation authorizing pharmacists throughout the Golden State to give a full range of immunizations, as well as dispensing birth control pills and certain medications for international travel.
Pharmacy best college major for lucrative career
September 30th 2013Want to guide your son or daughter toward a college major that has the best chance of leading to a good-paying job? If so, then there’s no better choice than pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences, according to Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine.
Digoxin use linked to higher risk of death for patients with newly diagnosed heart failure
September 30th 2013Digoxin, commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72% higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed heart failure, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the September issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Dapagliflozin as part of triple therapy works well for T2DM
September 30th 2013In adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are uncontrolled on metformin and sulfonylurea, dapagliflozin can be added to help improve HbA1c and reduce fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and seated systolic blood pressure, according to results from a study presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Barcelona, Spain, in September.
New NCPA webpage helps independents make Obamacare choices
September 30th 2013The National Community Pharmacists Association has created a webpage to educate independent pharmacy owners about Obamacare insurance options for its employees and to help staff members answer patient questions about health insurance exchanges.
NACDS, NCPA support passage of compounding, drug security bill
September 27th 2013Both the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have endorsed The Drug Quality and Security Act, with letters to Congress to approve the legislation that was introduced September 26. The bill’s two major provisions are expected to address high-risk compounding practices and help to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Cognitive enhancers don’t help after 96 weeks in mild cognitive impairment for Alzheimer’s patients
September 26th 2013Cognitive enhancers-drugs taken to enhance concentration, memory, alertness, and moods- that are often given to patients with Alzheimer’s disease do not improve cognition or function for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the long term-about 96 weeks, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
S. 959 passage would close 40% of compounding pharmacies, survey says
September 26th 2013A new poll sent to independent compounding pharmacies by the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) found that approximately 40% of pharmacies surveyed would close their businesses under the requirements of Senate Bill 959, The Pharmaceutical Quality, Security, and Accountability Act.
Tamoxifen mental ‘fogginess’ side effect should be taken seriously
September 23rd 2013Some women who take tamoxifen to treat or prevent breast cancer report experiencing a mental fogginess while on the drug, and researchers have now confirmed that there’s a biological basis for those symptoms, according to a study published online Sept. 17, 2013, in the Journal of Neuroscience.
7 health systems join to form interstate alliance
September 23rd 2013Three of the largest health systems in New Jersey and four in Pennsylvania, totaling 25 hospitals, have formed an interstate consortium to work on quality, population health management, best practices, and medical research, according to a press statement from one of the health systems.
Oct. 4 deadline for comments on plan for ADE prevention
September 23rd 2013The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is calling for public review and comments on its draft plan to reduce adverse drug events that are preventable. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 4 to email feedback to ADE@hhs.gov.
FDA blocks drug products from Ranbaxy facility in India
September 18th 2013FDA has issued an import alert authorizing border control officials to detain drug products manufactured at Ranbaxy Laboratories, Ltd.’s facility in Mohali, India. The agency said action is warranted because Ranbaxy is not complying with U.S. manufacturing requirements.