NCPA opposes proposed credit card settlement
October 29th 2012The National Community Pharmacists Association, other retail associations, and retailers, including Walmart and Target, are more than disappointed by the proposed settlement of a lawsuit that they brought against Visa, MasterCard, and several of the largest U.S. banks for allegedly conspiring to fix their credit card swipe fees.
CDC guidance changes in monitoring asymptomatic patients from meningitis outbreaks
October 25th 2012The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for managing asymptomatic cases associated with the meningitis outbreak that has sickened 317 patients and been linked to the deaths of 24 in 17 states.
U.S. Marshals seize dietary supplements, unapproved drug in New York
October 25th 2012A Port Washington, N.Y. company recently had several dietary supplements and drugs seized by U.S. Marshals after the FDA determined the products had misleading labels and were not approved, according to an FDA press release.
ACIP recommends bacterial meningitis vaccine for at-risk infants
October 25th 2012The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the use of Meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus b Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine (MenHibrix, GlaxoSmithKline) in infants at increased risk for bacterial meningitis.
Intranasal fentanyl spray benefits compared with oral agents for breakthrough cancer pain
October 24th 2012Patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) may want to consider intranasal fentanyl spray over oral agents to treat their breakthrough pain because of improved onset of analgesia and avoidance of nausea and vomiting, according to a report published online September 25 for The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Combination of folic acid, vitamin B has no effect on colorectal adenoma
October 24th 2012Long-term treatment of folic acid and vitamin B6 and vitamin12 had no statistically significant effect on colorectal adenoma among women who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, according to recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Study: Sleep deprivation may cause insulin resistance in adipocytes
October 24th 2012Sleep restriction may contribute to poor health, including an increased risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. In addition, fewer hours of sleep can adversely affect molecular metabolic pathways in peripheral human adipocytes, according to a clinical study published in the October issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
Mass. DPH finds multiple health, safety violations at NECC
October 24th 2012Numerous health and safety violations related to the practice of pharmacy at the New England Compounding Center, Framingham, Mass. have been documented by investigators of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and FDA, according to Madeleine Biondolillo, MD, in a press conference Oct. 23.
Selling Rx drugs in cyberspace leads to 21 arrests, NYPD says
October 22nd 2012An 11-month undercover operation by the New York Police Department's Manhattan South Narcotics division resulted in the indictments and arrests of 21 people accused of illegally selling prescription drugs on Craigslist.com.
More than 250 cases of meningitis, 20 dead from outbreak caused by compounded steroid
October 18th 2012The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported as of October 18 that 247 patients have developed fungal meningitis and 19 have died after receiving epidural steroid injections with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate, which was recalled from New England Compounding Center (NECC) on Sept. 26.
Two Congressmen ask Justice Department to investigate meningitis outbreak
October 17th 2012Two lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a criminal investigation to determine if the New England Compounding Center (NECC) violated any state or federal laws, directly contributing to the contamination of steroid products that were distributed to more than 20 states.
Combination therapy provides rapid sedation for acute agitation in ED
October 17th 2012Use of concurrent sedating agents provides rapid sedation and reduces the need for resedation in acutely agitated patients, according to clinical trial results published online September 14 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.