Pharmacy leaders offer new practice paradigm--PCT
December 16th 2002To comply with state practice acts and OBRA '90, pharmacacy practice must include clincial technology, such as devices and instruments, not just drugs, according to a group of leading scientists, educators, and attorneys who have issued a manifesto.
Single-pill combinations: New therapy for Type 2 diabetes
December 16th 2002Patients with type II diabetes now have therapeutic options that combine two medications in one convenient pill. Persons following complex treatment regimens can take fewer pills, and may incur lower copay costs. The FDA approved Metaglip (glipizide/metformin, Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Avandamet (rosiglitazone/metformin, GlaxoSmithKline) two months ago.
New schizophrenia drug has good side-effect profile
December 16th 2002Patients with schizophrenia now have a therapeutic option with a novel mechanism of action and favorable adverse effect profile. Last month, the FDA approved aripiprazole (Abilify, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole is currently available in pharmacies.
Inciting change for the sake of pharmacy means getting involved
November 18th 2002In order for things to evolve, they must change, and hopefully for the better. This is certainly true of pharmacy. Although there have been many changes in the way pharmacists are reimbursed for their services, marking their increased acceptance as healthcare providers, many more changes need to happen.
New drug for enlarged prostate to hit pharmacies next month
November 18th 2002Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) will soon have a therapeutic option that will reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for BPH-related surgery, and improve the symptoms of BPH. On October 10, the FDA approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for dutasteride (Avodart, GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride will be available in pharmacies in December.
New antihypertensive has unique mechanism of action
October 21st 2002Patients whose hypertension remains inadequately controlled despite the availability of several classes of antihypertensive drugs will soon have a therapeutic option with a unique mechanism of action. Eplerenone is the first agent that selectively binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor and blocks the binding of aldosterone.
First nucleotide analog approved for hepatitis B
October 21st 2002On September 20, the FDA approved adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera, Gilead Sciences) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults with evidence of active liver disease. Adefovir dipivoxil is the first nucleotide analog to be approved for the treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis B. Adefovir dipivoxil is an acyclic analog of deoxyadenosine monophosphate.