Study: Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding deaths, thrombotic events in all trauma patients
October 11th 2012Tranexamic acid can safely be used in all trauma patients, not just those who are the most severely injured, according to data analyses results published in the Sept. 11 issue of the British Medical Journal.
NASP to offer a unified voice for specialty pharmacy
October 10th 2012The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), a new organization that focuses on specialty pharmacy, had its first event this week at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Educational Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it announced Michael A. Nameth, RPh, MBA, will serve as the interim executive director.
Generic antidepressant taken off the market
October 8th 2012After reviewing new data, FDA has concluded that Budeprion XL 300 mg (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets), manufactured by Impax Laboratories, Inc., and marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., is not therapeutically equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline’s Wellbutrin XL 300 mg.
Illinois appeals court upholds pharmacists right to refuse to dispense emergency contraception
October 8th 2012An Illinois appeals court recently upheld a ruling that pharmacists are permitted to refrain from prescribing emergency contraceptives, finding that healthcare professionals are protected by an Illinois state law.
FDA gives green light to ANDA for chewable diabetes tablet
October 8th 2012FDA has approved Boston Therapeutic’s petition to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a new, chewable tablet formulation of the diabetes drug metformin hydrochloride. The company plans to market the new formulation under the name Pazamet.
Metformin effective, safe in type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of renal function
October 8th 2012Metformin is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and can be used in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment, according to a long-term observational study that was published online in the British Medical Journal.
Most U.S. adults favor immunization, yet 40% need more vaccination information, survey says
October 5th 2012Most adults – 71% – believe it's important to be up-to-date on immunizations to be healthy, but that isn't reflected in the number of adults who actually get vaccinated, according to a new Walgreens Immunization Index study.
CDC issues advisory about meningitis outbreak from contaminated steroids
October 5th 2012The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA are jointly investigating a meningitis outbreak that has affected approximately 35 people in six states so far. Five patients have died and 30 are ill after receiving an epidural steroid injection contaminated by fungus, according to a report issued from CDC yesterday.
Biologics for RA treatment don't increase cancer risk
October 4th 2012Biologic response modifiers developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cancer, according to a study published September 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
How long should beta-blockers be used in CAD patients?
October 3rd 2012While beta-blocker use continues to be the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), especially for those patients who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), these drugs may not be effective long term, according to an online report published Oct. 3 in JAMA.
Acellular pertussis vaccine may not provide long-lasting immunity
October 2nd 2012The acellular pertussis vaccine that was introduced in the 1990s may not offer long-lasting protection against whooping cough in immunized children after the fifth dose, according to a case-control study published September 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Methamphetamine, heroin users have similar risk for dental disease
October 2nd 2012Long-term users of methamphetamine compared with heroin users in an urban setting had a high prevalence of dental disease, much higher than the general U.S. population, according to a small cross-sectional study published September 1 in the Journal of the American Dental Association.