Joint Commission's 2010 report targets medication preparation, storage, and security
August 18th 2011Medication storage was one of the biggest problems that The Joint Commission found in hospitals in 2010, according to its new survey. During a webinar this week, sponsored by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Darryl Rich, PharmD, surveyor in the Joint Commission's Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations, also described some new requirements in the Commission?s National Patient Safety Goals for 2011.
FDA approves 2 new strengths of leuprolide acetate to treat children with CPP
August 17th 2011FDA has approved 2 new strengths (11.25 mg and 30 mg) for 3-month administration of leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot-PED, Abbott) for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty.
FDA approves vemurafenib and companion diagnostic test for late-stage skin cancer
August 17th 2011FDA has approved vemurafenib (Zelboraf, Daiichi Sankyo and Genentech), the second melanoma drug this year to improve overall survival. Zelboraf is indicated for the treatment of patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
FDA assigns PDUFA action date for peginesatide NDA
August 16th 2011FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of March 27, 2012, for the review of the New Drug Application for the investigational agent peginesatide (formerly known as Hematide). If approved, peginesatide will be the first once-monthly erythropoiesis stimulating agent available for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease in patients on dialysis in the United States.
NCPA calls for PBM transparency in health insurance exchanges
August 15th 2011Pharmacy benefit managers should be required to be more transparent in health insurance exchanges, the National Community Pharmacists Association asserted in comments recently submitted to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Together Rx Access appoints new board chairman
August 15th 2011Gary Pelletier, director and team leader for Pfizer Helpful Answers, was recently appointed the Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Together Rx Access program. The Together Rx Access card was created by several leading pharmaceutical manufacturers to help hardworking Americans and their families gain access to savings on prescriptions at their community pharmacies.
Rite Aid, skin cancer group launch sun safety campaign
August 15th 2011Rite Aid Corporation and the Skin Cancer Foundation have launched a new healthy skin-care campaign offering free information online and in all Rite Aid stores to consumers, and increased professional information to the chain's pharmacists.
FDA approves Benlysta for SLE, Horizant for RLS
August 15th 2011Systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious, potentially fatal autoimmune disease that affects between 300,000 to 1.5 million Americans of all races. Restless legs syndrome is a disruptive neurologic disorder that affects up to 10% of all Americans.
Walgreens and Johns Hopkins to collaborate in unique training and research partnership
August 15th 2011Walgreens' pharmacists will be better able to help patients manage chronic diseases and assist in new medical research as part of a unique training and research partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine.