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Blues and generic drugs

JCAHO to survey hospitals by six patient safety goals in 2003

Ken Barker study shows 19% drug error rate in hospitals

Patients 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.

On 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.

Morris Weinberger study on pharmaceutical care among asthma patients

Once again, readers nominated pharmacists they considered a cut above the rest.

outstanding pharmacists of the year 2002 list of nominees

Bowl of Hygeia award

HHS issues final rule on Medicare-endorsed drug card program

OIG report draws alarm from R.Ph.s

Five pharmacies are pilot testing paperless patient inserts in a system developed by Thomson Healthcare and Health Information Designs as rival Etreby Computer Co. gears up it's web-based e-solution.

An exclusive,nationwide survey gives a candid view of pharmacists' attitudes toward drug companies

The industry needs to address the growing number of drugs requiring special risk managment programs that place undue burdens on pharmacies, according to APhA official Susan Winckler.

Chain drugstores must get more involved in state and national political debates over Medicaid and a Medicare Rx benefit, urged NACDS president Mark Griffin at the group's Pharmacy & Technology Conference.

Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, and other states react to Medicaid waiver program.

The recent approval of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin, Sanofi-Synthelabo) by the FDA provides a treatment option for patients who previously did not have any alternatives except symptom-directed care. The Agency approved oxaliplatin, for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV), for the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum whose disease has recurred or progressed during or within 6 months of completion of first-line therapy with the combination of bolus 5-FU/LV and irinotecan (Camptosar, Pharmacia & Upjohn).

Medicaid reimbursement cuts in Massachusetts and Washington have pharmacies threatening to drop out of the Rx program.

Highlights of FDA hearing on bar coding

Angry as hell over PBMs, community R.Ph.s are taking off the gloves in their battle with them.

PSOS is a new organization formed to enhance patient safety

The FDA recently approved tegaserod (Zelnorm, Novartis), the first drug for the short-term treatment of women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) whose primary bowel symptom is constipation. It is also the first agent in a new class of drugs. Tegaserod is a 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist.

Despite taking on more responsibilities, technicians feel they don't have much room for advancement

Despite taking on more responsibilities, technicians feel they don't have much room for advancement

Chains ahve a tricky job juggling their pharmacies and PBMs.

On June 27, Andrx Corporation announced that the FDA had granted final marketing approval for its extended-release lovastatin (Altocor) to slow the progression of atherosclerosis in those with coronary heart disease as part of a therapeutic strategy to lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (total-C). Extended-release lovastatin is also indicated as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of total-C, LDL-C, Apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides, and to increase HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

A U.S. Senator wants random testing of compounded drugs but state pharmacy boards think such oversight is not workable.

HCPCS codes and DRGs must be set up before many new drugs are reimbursed

On June 6, the American Medical Association held a media briefing on anemia, funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Amgen, Inc. Topics included anemia and heart failure and new strategies for treating anemia associated with cancer treatment.

While most pharmacies gave test patients printed information about their drugs, the quality of the leaflets was uneven, according to a University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy study.