GPhA: Tackling key issues of the day
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association looks at biologics, citizen petitions, patent reform, trade policy, and other key issues.
NCPDP eyeing standards for e-MARs for nursing home patients
A work group is looking at what interoperatability standards are needed to establish electronic medication administration records in long-term care.
FDA studying link between Singulair and suicides
The FDA is undertaking a study of Merck?s Singulair to see if it is associated with a higher rate of suicide.
New weight-based dosing for ribavirin available for hepatitis C patients
Schering-Plough has announced that FDA has approved a 1,400-mg dose of ribavirin and recommended that it be dosed based on patient weight.
Hospitals show that following best practices can reduce drug administration errors
The results of a demonstration project involving seven Bay Area hospitals showed that they cut their medication administration errors by 57% after they followed a set of six best practices.
R.Ph.s believe patient education on insomnia is important, Takeda study shows
Takeda survey results show pharmacists believe more patient information about insomnia medications is necessary.
Pharmacist who forged Rx faces loss of license for three years
A New Jersey pharmacist could be sentenced to three years of probation and a three-year suspension of his license for forging a prescription for oxycodone.
Pharmacy benefit manager launches specialty pharmacy program
Prime Therapeutics introduces Triessent specialty pharmacy program
CIGNA offers generic coupons, price comparisons on its online Rx price quote tool
CIGNA adds online generic coupons and prescription drug price comparisons to its online prescription drug price quote tool
FDA advises consumers not to use Blue Steel and Hero dietary supplements
FDA warns consumers not to use Blue Steel and Hero products
Calif. board puts off e-pedigree rule to 2011
The California Board of Pharmacy has announced that it will delay implementation of its electronic pedigree requirements until 2011.
FDA issues draft guidance for the development of drug-eluting stents
FDA issues draft guidelines for drug-eluting stents
FDA seeks comment on pedigree technologies
In a Federal Register notice, the Food & Drug Administration is seeking comments regarding prescription drug authentication
MTM looks to gain traction beyond Medicare program
ClearScript looks to expand its medication therapy management program to employer health plans.
Inflammatory mass leads Medtronic to recall implantable pumps
Medtronic recalls SynchroMed EL, SynchroMed II, and IsoMed implantable pumps
Braun API supplier issues heparin bag recall
Scientific Protein Laboratories issues recall of heparin sodium active pharmaceutical ingredient
Rite Aid rolls out Identigene's OTC DNA paternity test kit
Rite Aid stores market Identigene's retail over-the-counter DNA paternity test kit
PhRMA joins SMARxT drug disposal cause
Another group, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, is going green
Supplier to physician dispensing doubles capacity at new larger facility
Bryant Ranch Prepack prescription prepacker for physicians opens larger facility
Compassionate use of mifamurtide available for osteosarcoma
Mifamurtide available through compassionate access study
Onsite health centers not being fully tapped by companies
Companies not fully tapping potential of onsite health centers
NCPIE survey finds that most adults use OTCs for themselves and their children
Study shows most adults use non-prescription medications for themselves and their children
More groups demand pathway for biogenerics
New study unveiled at GPhA meeting reveals costs of savings from biogeneric drugs
California hospital fined for heparin overdose
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center must pay a fine of $25,000 for drug errors related to heparin overdose
New report offers clues on patient satisfaction with hospitals
A Press Ganey Associates report reveals which patients are most and least satisfied with their hospitals.
New deal struck to expand distribution of imaging agent
Cardinal Health and GE Healthcare are partnering to expand the distribution of the imaging agent Myoview.
AHRQ pushes pill cards to improve adherence
The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality issues instructions for creating pill cards to improve patient adherence.
Pharmacies bemoan generics' shrinking margins
Generics and pharmacy's bottom line.
Whitehouse drug control strategy focuses on illegal Internet sales
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy applauds President Bush for focusing on illegal Internet sales of prescription drugs
Safeway providing vaccination against shingles
Safeway offers immunization to help prevent shingles
