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A shortage of primary care physicians, decreased reimbursement, and increased complexity of patient care can make delivering patient care harder than ever. A new Asheville model shows what teamwork can accomplish.

Long-term-care facilities are overusing antipsychotic drugs. One of every 7 elderly nursing home residents is receiving at least 1 atypical antipsychotic.

As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down a landmark case that would have prohibited data-mining companies from selling physicians' prescribing information to pharmaceutical manufacturers for use in marketing. Still some independent pharmacists say they are not in favor of the practice.

Hospitals and health systems that have not caught up with the latest version of The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals could run into trouble.

Readers speak out about the moratorium on new pharmacy schools, pharmacist turnover and the POWER program, job satisfaction, and more

One component of a new federal action plan for controlling viral hepatitis calls for expanded delivery of hepatitis A and B vaccines through pharmacies, beginning in 2013.

California has failed to bill drug manufacturers for nearly $30 million in rebates due on compound drugs dispensed through the state Medicaid program, known as MediCal.

A pharmacy student who works in a retail pharmacy and has completed several clinical and community rotations has not seen wide implementation of MTM at any level.

According to new guidelines, researchers at the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute of Aging of the National Institutes of Health have categorized AD into 3 different stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's dementia.

NEW: In View from the Zoo, David Stanley launches his monthly column with a 21st century Catch-22.

While academe is working toward training people to work in an environment of interdisciplinary teamwork, what is needed is a shift in our sense of community in the workplace, a broadening of our sense of who we are and what our place is in the larger patient-care environment.

If you dare to deny the importance of your technicians, try leaving them out of the mix for just 1 week; you'll see your business come to a grinding halt.

Chronic cluster headaches are debilitating for patients who experience them. A recent study concluded that low-intensity anticoagulation with warfarin was associated with significantly higher incidence of remission and less headache impact on patients' lives.

Polypharmacy is becoming a greater risk factor for elderly cancer patients, resulting in an increased risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions, according to a recent study published in The Lancet Oncology.

The involvement of specialty pharmacists and nurses increased medication adherence in patients with hepatitis C (HCV), recent research has reported.

According to a briefing presented to Congress on Tuesday, drug shortages are having an enormous impact on the nation's health systems through delayed treatment, less effective drug treatments provided to patients, and increased drug costs.

FDA has issued a new draft guidance to facilitate the development and review of companion diagnostics ? tests used to help healthcare professionals determine whether a patient with a particular disease or condition should receive a particular drug therapy or how much of the drug to give. The draft document is intended to provide companies with guidance on the agency's policy for reviewing a companion diagnostic and the corresponding therapy.

While the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is in favor of the Medicaid Access Rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), it has several concerns about the proposal.

Duane Reade?s new flagship store on Wall Street in New York City features sushi chefs and a new connection to Walgreens? pharmacy network. The Duane Reade store signals a prototype for future Duane Reade stores. Duane Reade is owned by Walgreens and has more than 250 stores in the New York City region.

Ohio proponents of medical marijuana use are working to get the issue on the ballot for the November 2012 general election, hoping to see the drug finally approved for medical use in the state.

New studies confirm that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. But the mechanisms by which vitamin D may affect progression, beta cell function, dysglycemia, and retinopathy are not clear.

Low-cost generic drug programs pioneered by Wal-Mart and other big-box retailers are a mixed blessing for patients with diabetes. The loss-leader strategy used by big-box, chain, independent, and online pharmacies has boosted the mean cost of branded diabetes medications by up to 113% since 2008.

David D. Pope, PharmD, CDE, editor-in-chief of CreativePharmacist.com, has developed and directs an innovative, web-based program titled HealthyHeartClub.com, which offers accountability, encouragement, and education to help patients adopt healthier lifestyles and decrease cardiovascular risk.

FDA has approved Boostrix [Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap); GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals] for use in adults aged 65 years and older for active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). This approval makes Boostrix the first Tdap vaccine approved for use by this age group.

Dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi), which is approved for nonpermanent atrial fibrillation (AF), was being tested on patients with permanent AF. However, that trial, PALLAS (Permanent Atrial fibrillation outcome Study using Dronedarone on top of standard therapy) phase 3b, has been terminated because it was causing increased cardiovascular events.

FDA has approved the first and only fentanyl nasal spray (Lazanda, Archimedes) in the United States for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients aged 18 years and older who are already receiving opioid therapy to which they are tolerant, for their underlying persistent cancer pain.

In an effort to address the efficacy of various treatment options available to reduce pain and improve physical function and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, a broad literature review was conducted and new guidelines were published online May 17 in Neurology and were presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Honolulu.

FDA has approved rivaroxaban tablets (Xarelto, Janssen Pharmaceuticals), a novel, once-daily, oral anticoagulant for the prevention (prophylaxis) of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE) in people undergoing knee- or hip-replacement surgery. Xarelto is the only new oral anticoagulant with FDA approval for this indication.

An FDA advisory panel recommended in late June that Avastin should no longer be used to treat breast cancer.