Kombiglyze XR tablets approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults
November 8th 2010FDA has approved saxagliptin and metformin extended-release (XR) (Kombiglyze XR, AstraZeneca/Bristol-Myers Squibb) tablets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Kombiglyze XR is the first and only once-a-day metformin XR plus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor combination tablet offering strong glycemic control across glycosylated hemoglobin levels, fasting plasma glucose, and postprandial glucose.
First IV formulation for acetaminophen approved
November 3rd 2010FDA has approved acetaminophen injection (Ofirmev, Cadence Pharmaceuticals), the first intravenous (IV) formulation of acetaminophen for the management of mild-to-moderate pain, moderate-to severe-pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever.
FDA issues complete response letter for lorcaserin
October 25th 2010FDA has issued a complete response letter (CRL) for lorcaserin's (Arena and Eisai) New Drug Application. Lorcaserin is intended for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, in some patients who are obese or patients who are overweight and have at least 1 weight-related co-morbid condition.
FDA approves Botox for chronic migraine
October 22nd 2010OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan) has been approved by FDA as prophylactic treatment of headaches in adults with chronic migraine. It is the first clinically studied prophylactic treatment to receive FDA approval specifically for this debilitated patient population.
FDA approves first once-daily eyedrop for inflammation and pain after cataract surgery
October 21st 2010Bromfenac ophthalmic solution (Bromday, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) 0.09% has been granted FDA approval as a once-daily prescription eyedrop for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal to deliver keynote at NACDS Foundation dinner
October 19th 2010The former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, will be the keynote speaker for the 12th Annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation Dinner on November 30, 2010, in New York City.
October is American Pharmacists Month
October 19th 2010"Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist" is the theme of American Pharmacists Month (APhM). Sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association, APhM is a time to recognize the significant contributions to healthcare made by pharmacists around the country.
NIH chooses ScriptPro for pharmacy automation
October 19th 2010The National Institutes of Health awarded ScriptPro a contract to provide pharmacy automation systems to assist in the internal control and identification of drugs and to enhance the safety and efficiency of medication dispensing as well as use by patients.
Four hospitals choose McKesson solution to automate prescription delivery
October 19th 2010Four acute-care hospitals have chosen ROBOT-Rx, an automated medication-dispensing and pharmacy-integration system manufactured by McKesson Corp., as part of a total bar-code-based pharmacy system for medication safety and operational efficiency.
AHRQ's new bilingual guide helps patients after hospital discharge
October 19th 2010Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for when I Leave the Hospital/Como cuidarme: Guia para cuando salga del hospital, is a new, bilingual guide produced by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to help hospitals reduce their rates of readmission by better preparing patients before they leave the hospital.
Two organizations get joint accreditation as continuing education providers for healthcare teams
October 19th 2010The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center have jointly awarded accreditation to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and VHA Inc.
C.A.R.E.S. launches tools to prevent misuse and abuse of pain medication
October 19th 2010The C.A.R.E.S. Alliance, a new patient-safety organization sponsored by Covidien, recently launched a range of online tools designed to help solve the growing problem of misuse and abuse of opioids by identifying the risks associated with these medications.