Community Practice

Earlier this year, CVS Caremark began blocking about 30 drugs whose manufacturers were offering copay coupons. Express Scripts is taking similar steps.

Hospital readmissions constitute one of the most significant problems in healthcare. Medication therapy management is one way to reduce the problem.

The future may lead pharmacy practice in several new directions. Here are a few of the possibilities.

A survey of new Rx, new generic, and new OTC products

RxAlly has launched a new Performance Network of more than 20,000 pharmacies nationwide, with a core mission to generate measurable improvements in patient health outcomes and healthcare costs.

A sizable segment of the medication-using public seems to have decided that "natural" is better than anything pharmaceutical. But nature isn't always harmless.

FDA has approved pancrelipase delayed-release capsules to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency resulting from cystic fibrosis or other conditions.

As the drug-shortage crisis continues, pharmacists look for ways to stem the tide. In health systems, the most powerful solution results from collaboration across departments.

A roundup of OTC products to help manage the small hurts left by summer fun.

Fondaparinux shown to be safe for patients with renal impairment.

Kent Hospital, in Warwick, R.I., is stepping up its staff's awareness of safe injection practices.

Several drugstore chains are taking part in a pilot project with the CDC to provide HIV testing.

Teens are using OTC cough syrup, with DXM as an active ingredient, to get high. While the drug may be legal, its harmful effects are similar to those of illegal drugs.

DEA published its interim final rule on e-prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) more than two years ago. While vendors work toward compliance, nationwide deployment of EPCS can only occur once both state and federal laws are aligned in all jurisdictions.

Short-term hormone replacement therapy is a relatively safe treatment for healthy, recently postmenopausal women, according to a new consensus statement.

An oral dose of modified-release tranexamic acid may offer an effective first-line therapy for patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, according to a recent study published online July 17 in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

A new formulation of the widely prescribed painkiller OxyContin has led drug abusers to shift to heroin, according to research results reported as a letter to the editor in the July 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

In a recent study, researchers found that rectal indomethacin significantly reduced the incidence of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in high-risk patients.

In patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, interferon beta did not alleviate the progression of the disease, according to a new study.

More effective ways of combating pertussis in young infants, such as vaccinating pregnant women, should be considered, according to the authors of a new study.

Data from poison centers can be used to predict methadone overdose trends in the United States, according to a study published July 19 in PLoS One.

A recent Danish study found that exposure to the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine during pregnancy was not associated with a significantly increased risk of major birth defects or preterm births.

FDA has announced a safety communication regarding the risk of seizures in patients with multiple sclerosis starting dalfampridine (Ampyra, Acorda Therapeutics). The safety communication stemmed from a review of post-marketing adverse event reports.

The Florida Pharmacy Association and others are suing to restore patient access to Medicaid pharmacy providers.

At a hearing held last week about the prescription drug gray market, John Coster, PhD, RPh, senior vice president of government affairs, National Community Pharmacists Association, testified that a balanced approach was necessary to address the prescription drug shortage problem and to protect patient care.

A new study has found that omega-6 fatty acids can help prevent coronary heart disease (CHD) and that dietary saturated fat increases the risk for CHD.

The Two Sister Study, funded in part by Susan Komen for the Cure, was conducted to examine the possible risks associated with fertility drugs and breast cancer. The results were published July 6 in the Journal of The National Cancer Institute.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy issued a report last week that called for international collaboration among regulators and other public agencies to help combat the ongoing problem of the online counterfeit drug supply.

A new policy proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid could force independent community pharmacies to stop selling diabetes testing supplies, and beneficiaries would not have access to the care they need from their local pharmacies, according to a statement from the National Community Pharmacists Association.

FDA recently issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.