Children's consumption of chronic medications on the rise, new research shows
June 23rd 2010In 2009, the drug trend for children, a measure of prescription-spending growth, increased 10.8%, driven by a 5% increase in drug utilization and higher medication costs, according to the Medco "2010 Drug Trend Report."
Marin County swaps mercury thermometers for digital during Earth Week
June 15th 2010As part of Earth Week 2010, California pharmacies and the Marin Sanitary District collaborated to reduce household amounts of mercury, a toxic substance associated with damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, lungs, and immune system.
Methamphetamine: Prescription-only or e-tracking systems?
June 15th 2010Oregon's law requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine products practically eliminated its illicit methamphetamine problem. But some pharmacists, consumer groups, and the drug industry say that it will increase healthcare costs and inconvenience consumers. They think electronic sales-tracking systems would be a better approach.
Aggressive lipid control fails to benefit type 2 diabetics
June 15th 2010Adding fenofibrate to statin therapy fails to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to results of the first trial to evaluate combination therapy presented at the 59th annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology.
Safe disposal of pharmaceuticals a growing concern
June 15th 2010A growing public health concern is the presence of potentially harmful pharmaceuticals in drinking water, due to improper disposal of waste prescription drugs. At least 20 states now have collection programs for unused medications. The greater use of such programs requires the reeducation of the community to raise awareness of the dangers and of the solutions to the problem of waste pharmaceuticals. The more convenient the options for disposal of most medications, the more likely they will be disposed of properly.
OTC genetic tests: Coming soon to a pharmacy near you (maybe)
June 15th 2010On May 11th the news that Walgreens, partnering with Pathway Genomics, was going to offer customers a genetic testing kit made headlines almost as fast as a world peace announcement. Then Pathway received a letter of inquiry from the FDA, and Walgreens decided to halt the initiative until more clarity was reached. However, when genetic testing kits do become available at retail outlets, there will be a need for plenty of patient education, which pharmacists can best provide.
CVS faces probes by FTC, HHS, DEA; CEO Ryan to retire
June 15th 2010Both the FTC?s consumer protection and competition bureaus are spearheading an investigation into CVS Caremark?s alleged monopolistic practices. HHS is investigating possible false Medicare claims. DEA is investigating charges of improper sale of pseudoephedrine in 2007 and 2008. And the SEC has received complaints of insider trading.
Industry pioneer Benet receives premier pharmacology prize, honorary doctorate
May 14th 2010Pharmacology pioneer Leslie Z. Benet, PhD, who established the foundation for much of what is now known about the rate at which drugs are metabolized in the body, was honored with the premier prize from the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.