New black-box warning for clopidogrel
May 5th 2010FDA announced that clopidogrel, an antiplatelet agent given to reduce the risk of heart attack, unstable angina, stroke, and cardiovascular death in patients with cardiovascular disease, will require a new black-box warning about its reduced effectiveness in patients who are poor metabolizers of the drug.
Rash of drug thefts triggers enhanced industry vigilance
May 5th 2010In response to a flurry of drug thefts plaguing pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in recent months, the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, an arm of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), is holding a seminar on Supply Chain Security May 10 and 11 in Alexandria, Va.
Inhalers filled with ozone-depleting ingredients will be off market soon
April 15th 2010Seven metered-dose inhalers for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will soon be phased out, according to FDA. The move goes along with U.S. commitments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Rosuvastatin's expanded indication draws criticism
April 15th 2010Following FDA?s expanded indication for rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) in February, the drug?s producer now plans to extend the market for the drug by offering it as a preventive measure to people who do not have cholesterol issues.
Liraglutide may improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
April 15th 2010Patients taking oral antidiabetes drugs who switched from exenatide twice daily to liraglutide once daily experienced further reductions in hemoglobin A1c and weight loss, according to the results of a clinical study.
Global TB collaboration pushes to generate more effective disease-fighting regimens
April 15th 2010FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, addressed health leaders worldwide who represent industry, academia, government, and advocacy to help kick off a global consortium to fight tuberculosis (TB). She recently spoke at a press conference in Washington.
Report analyzes how FDA can use REMS most effectively
April 15th 2010Following the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 that enabled the agency to mandate REMS for drugs and biologics that pose greater risks, a new document finds that REMS may be effective if FDA uses the proper approach and incorporates new technologies (e.g., genetic testing, electronic medical records).
Pharmacies now required by CMS to e-submit Part D prescriptions
April 15th 2010A final rule requiring pharmacies participating in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program to electronically submit their Part D prescriptions to patients? Medicare plan sponsors or their intermediaries was published by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Federal Register, reported Health Data Management.
Pharmacist intervention boosts patient compliance
April 7th 2010While approximately 40% of patients with schizophrenia have been partly or entirely nonadherent with antipsychotic medications, patient adherence improved dramatically when Veterans Affairs pharmacy staff coordinated these patients' medications, according to a new study.
PPSI honors Richard Bertin as Distinguished Person of Year Sunday at APhA meeting
March 22nd 2010Richard J. Bertin, RPh, PhD, RADM, is this year?s recipient of the PPSI/Stan Hartman Special Distinguished Person of the Year award, which will be presented at a breakfast to be held Sunday, March 27, at the Sheraton Seattle hotel, Willow A room, Seattle, Wash., concurrently with the American Pharmacists Association 159th annual meeting.