R.Ph.s play key role in combating noncompliance
September 4th 2006Remember this bit of advice: "Take your medicine; it's good for you"? Well, it appears that a lot of people haven't been following that counsel. It is estimated that 80% of patients don't take their medications as prescribed, and about 20% of all prescriptions are never filled. Patient noncompliance not only poses serious health consequences but can also result in significant losses of revenue.
New paper outlines standards for Alzheimer's care
September 4th 2006The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) recently released a position paper to affirm that a minimal set of care principles now exists for those with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers, and to articulate these principles. "Principles of care for patients with dementia resulting from Alzheimer disease" was published in the July 2006 issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and on the AAGP Web site at http://www.aagponline.org/prof/position_caredmnalz.asp.
Novel contraceptive inserted as a single rod
September 4th 2006A subdermal implantation of a single etonogestrel-containing rod can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. Does this sound too simple to be true? The manufacturer of Implanon, Organon Inc., is hoping women will be intrigued. The Food & Drug Administration approved the new 68-mg implant just last month. It contains the same component that's in the company's vaginal contraceptive, NuvaRing.
FDA proposes new rule for conversion to electronic drug info list
August 28th 2006An Electronic Drug Registration and Listing System (EDRLS) has been proposed by the FDA that would include a complete list of drug products marketed in the U.S. A change from the current paper system, the new electronic list would be available to healthcare providers, government agencies, and healthcare payers and would include specifics such as dosage forms, ingredients, strengths, labeling, and manufacturing information.
FDA issues statement on ephedrine supplements
August 28th 2006On Aug. 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver upheld the FDA final rule declaring all dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated and, therefore, illegal for marketing in the U.S., reversing a decision by the District Court of Utah. Commenting on the Denver court's ruling, the FDA said, "The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling demonstrates the soundness of FDA's decision to ban dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, consistent with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
Arcadia opens walk-in clinics in Meijer stores
August 28th 2006Arcadia Resources, a provider of home care, staffing services, and related home care equipment, is opening health clinics in seven Meijer stores in Michigan. Arcadia announced in June that it will operate health clinics in nine Meijer stores in Indiana.
Warning added to ADHD-drug label
August 28th 2006"Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events" is the statement that's been added to GlaxoSmithKline's dextroamphetamine sulfate sustained-release capsules and tablets (Dexedrine Spansules) labeling. The revision comes in response to an FDA request to all manufacturers of CNS stimulants used to treat ADHD for additional and standardized language based on recommendations made by members of two different advisory committees, according to Glaxo.
N.Y. State Attorney General expands Web site
August 28th 2006New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is informing New Yorkers that his Web site has been expanded to enable consumers to search and compare the prices for 150 commonly prescribed drugs that state law requires pharmacies to disclose to them upon request.
N.J. pharmacies create on-line Rx drug registry
August 28th 2006Pharmacies in New Jersey will soon be required to submit price information for the 150 most frequently prescribed prescription drugs as part of the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry. The recently signed law calls for drug prices to be available on a state-run Web site and a toll-free hotline in English and Spanish.
Two pharmacy co-ops expand cooperation
August 21st 2006Independent pharmacy cooperatives United Drugs and Partners in Pharmacy Cooperative (PIPCo) recently announced a new agreement to expand cooperation between the two organizations. "This new relationship lets us continue to preserve and strengthen our members' independence but allows them to do business on a chain level," explained Gene Brah, executive director of PIPCo.
Once-daily single pill simplifies HIV cocktail
August 21st 2006With the Food & Drug Administration's approval of Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences), HIV patients will have access to a once-daily single-tablet regimen. The new product combines three agents from two classes of antiretrovirals: Efavirenz (600 mg) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI); and emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir (300 mg) are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). All three work by blocking reverse transcriptase, an enzyme required for HIV replication.
Individualized oncology therapy: R.Ph.s are key
August 21st 2006Pharmacists will continue to assume a gatekeeper role in individualized oncologic therapy, according to experts participating in an American Medical Association-sponsored media briefing, "Revolutionary Cancer Treatments," held in New York City recently. The event addressed the issue of unmet needs in cancer therapy. Carolyn D. Runowicz, president of the American Cancer Society, was the moderator for the meeting.
Shire selects two groups for orphan drug distribution
August 21st 2006Specialty pharmacy Caremark was been chosen by Shire Human Genetics Therapies to participate in a limited distribution network for idursulfase (Elaprase), the orphan drug recently approved to treat Hunter Syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis II.
Cost and docs barriers to e-prescribing
August 21st 2006The cost of training providers and physicians who are reluctant to give up their old ways continue to be major obstacles to the adoption of e-prescribing. Andrew Morgan, an insurance specialist at CMS' Office of E-Health Standards & Services (OESS), said that some doctors don't want to spend a lot of time being trained.
CCPA: Give military families a choice when filling Rxs
August 21st 2006The newly formed Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action (CCPA), a group representing 55,000 community pharmacies, is urging the House-Senate Conferees of the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5122/S. 2766) to give military families enrolled in TRICARE a choice when filling Rxs. Catherine Polley, co-president of CCPA, said, "Congress is considering legislation that raises co-pays at community pharmacies and could force millions of military families to fill their maintenance medications through mail order."
GPhA challenges authorized generics study
August 21st 2006GPhA has announced the results of an independent study that disputes a recent PhRMA report endorsing the use of authorized generics. The new study, An Assessment of Authorized Generics: Consumer Effects and Policy Issues, by Aidan Hollis, M.D., and Bryan A. Liang, M.D., concluded that the practice of authorizing generics significantly reduces incentives for independent generic firms to challenge invalid brand-name patents and develop non-infringing processes.
Two pharmacy co-ops expand cooperation
August 21st 2006Independent pharmacy cooperatives United Drugs and Partners in Pharmacy Cooperative (PIPCo) recently announced a new agreement to expand cooperation between the two organizations. "This new relationship lets us continue to preserve and strengthen our members' independence but allows them to do business on a chain level," explained Gene Brah, executive director of PIPCo.
PhRMA finds more than 400 biotech products in pipeline
August 21st 2006A new PhRMA report finds that more than 400 biotechnology drugs are currently in clinical trials or awaiting approval from the FDA. Of the total, 210 are to treat cancer, 50 are for fighting infectious diseases, 44 for autoimmune disorders, and 22 for both HIV infection and cardiovascular disease.
Major shift in operations forecast for distributors
August 21st 2006Market research firm Health Industry Insights is predicting that a major shift will occur in the way pharmaceutical distributors operate over the next few years. In a recently published report, the firm predicted the shift will be from an inventory focus to an information focus.