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As a collaborative member of an integrated healthcare team, the pharmacist specializes in monitoring drug therapies for disease states

Tofacitinab approved for 5-mg tablets for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis unhealed by methotrexate

Walgreens explores use of predictive models and risk stratification

Pharmacists report good-to-excellent compensation, yet stress levels impact job satisfaction

New Rx, generic, indication, and OTC

Letters, e-mails, and posts from Drug Topics Readers

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) wants its members to help choose a new name for the society, according to Sean M. Jeffery, PharmD, ASCP's president. More specifically, the organization wants a name that clearly expresses the role of consultant pharmacists in caring for the elderly regardless of the care setting.

One-quarter of U.S. adults have multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and most suffer from a combination of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Not surprisingly, medical expenses are significantly higher for those with MCC, according to a new study.

Collaboration produced better outcomes without use of additional meds

Long-term study of 12,500 patients with multiple risk factors found no benefit

Study focused on data from eight sites over a 6-year period and involved 217,755 participants

Providers should take note of changes in the availability of commercial HCV tests

Fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder combo is a long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment for COPD

Patient satisfaction improves under PDAS model

While spending on commonly used drugs fell by 1.5% in 2012, specialty drug spending in 2013 is expected to grow by 20%. Health plans and employers are taking notice.

Coming on the heels of FDA's denial of generic forms of OxyContin, the ruling triggers speculation about overall FDA strategy

Infographic: Current facts and tools for change

If filled prescriptions are collecting dust in the pick-up bin of your pharmacy, they may not be going anywhere anytime soon. Americans are failing to adhere to their medications because doing so makes them feel "sad," "old," or "worried," according to a recent survey.

How to lead a great team by being a great team leader

Last year, Americans spent less on medicines per capita (3.5%) because of a greater availability of lower costing generics, a decline in the use of brand-name products, lower levels of price increases, and a reduction in spending on new medicines, according to a new report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Migraine prevention drugs used during pregnancy can cause decreased IQ scores in children born to mothers who take these medications, according to an FDA alert.

Leaders of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and hundreds of its members were in Washington, DC, last week for a two-day advocacy-focused conference. They hope to garner support from Congress for leveling the playing field between pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and independent community pharmacies.

FDA has approved ezetimibe and atorvastatin (Liptruzet, Merck) tablets for the treatment of elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with primary or mixed hyperlipidemia as adjunctive therapy to diet, according to the manufacturer.

Medicaid coverage was linked to “substantially reduced” depression and the increased diagnosis of diabetes and the use of diabetes medication among low-income adults. At the same time, Medicaid coverage had no detectable effect on the prevalence of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, according to the study published in the May 2 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

The use of neuraxial, or epidural, anesthesia improved outcomes – including mortality – in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery, according to a new study in the May issue of the journal Anesthesiology,

The New Jersey Board of Pharmacy and the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs published a new pharmacy security guide to help prevent drug theft and diversion at retail pharmacies.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back nets 371 tons of Rx meds

Screening patients for risk factors upon hospital admission has potential to identify nearly three out of four asymptomatic carriers of Clostridium difficile, according to a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice on May 1 to appeal New York Judge Edward R. Korman’s decision last month to make levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives available without a prescription and without point-of-sale or age restrictions.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has joined forces with other healthcare industry leaders to raise awareness of the need for better medication adherence and to advance public policy with near-term solutions.