Community Practice

New research points the way to safer drug combinations.

In hopes of establishing national standards for pharmacists, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) has created a taskforce to investigate the pharmacological management of medical marijuana.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed provider-status legislation authorizing pharmacists throughout the Golden State to give a full range of immunizations, as well as dispensing birth control pills and certain medications for international travel.

The level of customer satisfaction with mail-order pharmacies continues to decline well below that of brick-and-mortar pharmacies, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates.

Cognitive enhancers-drugs taken to enhance concentration, memory, alertness, and moods- that are often given to patients with Alzheimer’s disease do not improve cognition or function for those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the long term-about 96 weeks, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

A new poll sent to independent compounding pharmacies by the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) found that approximately 40% of pharmacies surveyed would close their businesses under the requirements of Senate Bill 959, The Pharmaceutical Quality, Security, and Accountability Act.

WellTransitions program helps improve health outcomes and lower hospital rates of hospital readmission through inpatient counseling and medication reconciliation provided by Walgreens pharmacists.

Varenicline may be a helpful smoking-cessation aid to stable depressed patients already receiving antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, and its use does not appear to worsen moods, thoughts, or emotional states.

Three of the largest health systems in New Jersey and four in Pennsylvania, totaling 25 hospitals, have formed an interstate consortium to work on quality, population health management, best practices, and medical research, according to a press statement from one of the health systems.

Pharmacists throughout California are a signature away from being able to give a full range of immunizations, as well as dispensing birth control pills and certain medications for international travel.

Study author says blood-pressure control program's remarkable success keeps growing - and can be replicated.

Pharmacists take heat every day from belligerent patients and bullying managers - because they allow it. Here are three words: Corporate Compliance Officer.

While FDA has done little to combat tobacco use, manufacturers are targeting young African Americans with saturation advertising, using menthol cigarettes as bait.

When frightened girls come back from emergency trips to Mexico and ask you how to use an off-label drug as an "abortion pill," what are you going to tell them?

With the flu season right around the corner, pharmacies should engage payers as early in the year as possible to ensure adequate time to finalize contracting, fully test their billing capabilities, and stock inventory before the official start of the vaccine season.

Massachusetts' Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has instituted a policy shift excluding coverage of prescription drugs compounded for adults. Plaintiffs call this "a callous decision" and "a major blow" to the state's many patients who depend on compounded medications.

A new survey of U.S. neurologists indicates that one-fifth have not been aware of FDA safety alerts connected with anti-seizure drug therapies.

A look at upcoming Continuing Pharmacy Education units on osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and cardiometabolic syndrome.

As a healthcare model, the PCMH is a work in progress, but all signs point to its increasing importance. And pharmacists are key members of the team.

Numerous studies have concluded that the risk of influenza vaccination leading to Guillain-Barre syndrome is slim indeed. To see the odds, read on.

Indianapolis pharmacists and the college of pharmacy at Butler University brainstorm solutions to the problem of medication adherence in a live CE program.

An estrogen receptor agonist, ospemifene counteracts the effects of declining estrogen hormones on vaginal tissue, thereby reducing pain during intercourse.

The War on Drugs began a century ago. It's still going strong -- and so is the traffic in illegal drugs. What's up with that?

A 12,000-patient Danish study suggests that the addition of one antiplatelet agent to oral anticoagulation is sufficient.

Drug Topics readers weigh in on natural medicines, foreign-made pharmaceuticals, and drugstore tobacco sales.

Quadrivalent and trivalent vaccines from major pharmaceutical manufacturers are shipping now.

2D barcodes hold more than the NDC. Their 2,300 characters (compared to 48 in linear barcodes) can hold lot numbers and expiration dates, along with the product IDs.

Filling a prescription at a doctor’s office may be convenient, but it’s certainly no bargain for patients or taxpayers, according to an analysis of workers’ compensation payouts in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

After Adheris, Inc. sought a preliminary injunction to block a rule that would prevent companies from sending Rx refill reminders to patients, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delayed its implementation.

While many drug store chains are educating customers about the soon-to-be-implemented Affordable Care Act, Rite Aid is taking the education a step further.