ACP recommends metformin as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes
February 16th 2012Physicians should prescribe oral metformin as a first-line therapy for most patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as for those whose blood sugar cannot be controlled with diet, exercise, and weight loss, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians
Article: Shortage of anti-infective drugs needs government attention
February 16th 2012Anti-infective drug shortages pose significant problems for clinicians and are a rapidly evolving public-health emergency that may require government oversight, according to an article published online January 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
FDA warning: Counterfeit version of cancer drug Avastin circulating
February 15th 2012Some cancer patients may not get proper treatment because a counterfeit version of the drug sold as Avastin 400mg/16mi has been purchased by as many as 19 medical practices in the United States, FDA warned Wednesday.
Ambulatory pharmacies help improve adherence, quality of care
February 15th 2012Having an ambulatory pharmacy within a healthcare facility can assist discharged patients with their medication regimen and help to improve medication adherence, which can also help reduce the number of readmissions and increase patient satisfaction.
Intimacy-enhancement pill RegenArouse recalled, FDA says
February 14th 2012An herbal pill sold as a "natural intimacy enhancement" for females has been recalled because of the undeclared presence of tadalafil (Cialis, Eli Lilly), a drug used as a treatment for male erectile dysfunction, FDA announced.
FDA approves preservative-free solution for glaucoma, ocular hypertension
February 14th 2012FDA has approved tafluprost ophthalmic solution (Zioptan, Merck) 0.0015%, the first preservative-free prostaglandin analog ophthalmic solution for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
NCPA tells Congress: Drug shortages mean higher costs, fewer prescriptions filled
February 14th 2012Drug shortages have resulted in higher acquisition costs for pharmacies and the inability to fill prescriptions, according to a new survey, and the National Community Pharmacists Association conveyed that message to Congress.
FDA issues 3 draft guidances on biosimilars
February 14th 2012FDA has issued 3 draft guidances for the development of biosimilar versions of approved biologic products, which will help flesh out the abbreviated approval pathway created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law in 2010.