Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus formed
July 6th 2011The first Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus was established in late June. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) created the caucus, which is meant to serve as an advocate for community pharmacy issues and as a clearinghouse of information for senators, staff, and other interested parties.
Breaking news: FDA approves only once-daily LABA for COPD
July 5th 2011FDA has approved once-daily indacaterol inhalation powder (Arcapta Neohaler, Novartis) 75 µg for the long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Arcapta is not indicated for acute deteriorations of COPD or to treat asthma.
FDA's Hamburg to make final decision on Avastin's indication for metastatic breast cancer
July 1st 2011In the face of dozens of pink-clad demonstrators at the gates of FDA and many heartfelt pleas from women with metastatic breast cancer, an advisory committee to the agency voted unanimously at the end of June to hold firm in its recommendation that approval for Avastin (bevacizumab) for breast cancer be withdrawn.
Crizotinib treatment for ALK+ NSCLC shows early promise
June 30th 2011Crizotinib, an investigational drug, demonstrated an association with a sharp increase in survival rates for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive genetic alteration, according to the results of an early-phase study presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Intensive-dose statin therapy may increase diabetes risk
June 30th 2011Compared with moderate-dose therapy, intensive-dose statin therapy appears to be associated with increased risk of new-onset diabetes, concluded a meta-analysis of data from 5 statin trials published in the June 22/29 issue of JAMA.
Breaking news: FDA issues CRL for Remoxy, cites inconsistencies in its drug release performance
June 28th 2011Pfizer?s second attempt at an abuse-resistant formulation of oxycodone (Remoxy) recently received a complete response letter (CRL) from FDA. Just a week earlier, FDA approved another of the drug maker?s abuse-resistant products ? immediate-release Oxecta (oxycodone HCl) ? for the management of acute and chronic moderate-to-severe pain.
NCPA disputes PCMA claim about managed Medicaid savings
June 28th 2011Local pharmacists can reduce Medicaid costs by helping millions of patients take their medication properly, said B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, in a prepared statement of response to a recent ad campaign sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.
FDA calls for changes in ESA dosing for patients with chronic kidney disease
June 24th 2011FDA has announced more conservative dosing recommendations for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) when they are used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, thrombosis, and death.
Breaking news: Southern California Kaiser pharmacists settle on new contract
June 24th 2011Kaiser Permanente pharmacists in Southern California have finally agreed to a new 3-year contract. The new terms were reached after an extended battle that saw pharmacists vote to strike, then reject what Kaiser called a final offer.
Longer-term use of pioglitazone associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer
June 23rd 2011FDA published an online safety communication on June 15, informing prescribers and patients that pioglitazone (Actos, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc., Deerfield, Illinois) use may be associated with a 20% to 40% increased hazard of new bladder cancer.
Syringe labeling device improves patient safety, decreases medical errors
June 23rd 2011A new labeling system improves the syringe preparation workflow by automatically printing full-color labels compliant with American Society of Anesthesiologists and containing all The Joint Commission required elements, announced a statement issued by the manufacturer.
FDA alerts pharmacists to risperidone, ropinirole mix-ups
June 23rd 2011FDA announced reports of medication errors involving risperidone (Risperdal, Johnson & Johnson) and ropinirole (Requip, GlaxoSmithKline), noting that in some cases, patients who took the wrong medication needed to be hospitalized, according to a Medication Safety Announcement released June 13.
Rite Aid launches sun safety campaign with Skin Cancer Foundation
June 21st 2011Rite Aid kicked off the summer by launching a new healthy skin care campaign in partnership with the Skin Cancer Foundation. The program includes free consumer information in all Rite Aid stores and online as well as increased professional information for the chain?s pharmacists.
FDA mandates new rules for sunscreen labels
June 21st 2011FDA announced new testing and labeling requirements for OTC sunscreen products that will help manufacturers better indicate those that when used with other sun protection measures reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, as well as help prevent sunburn, according to a news release issued by the agency.