Health System

Drug-disposal options in the United States are still evolving, and patients often do not know proper procedures. As the most accessible of healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a responsibility to promote best practices.

The new dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University called "visionary leader."

The AMA raised a ruckus over "drug store intrusion into medical practice." Turns out, lots of folks may have missed the point.

When pharmacist step up communications with patients and other healthcare providers, they see improved medication adherence, better patient outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs.

Patients randomized to acyclovir MBT experienced less time from prodromal symptoms to healing; more patients had abortive episodes that did not progress to vesicular lesions; and duration of abortive episodes was briefer.

ORBIT-AF study results indicate that the benefit of adding aspirin therapy to oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation patients is unclear.

Getting active in pharmacy causes brings plenty of reward - for your business, your community, and your profession. Here are some tips from some successful campaigners who are in it for the long haul.

New Rx, indications, generics, OTC, and devices.

New research points the way to safer drug combinations.

Under a priority review to help alleviate a drug shortage, FDA has approved lipid injectable emulsion, USP (Clinolipid, Baxter Healthcare) for intravenous feeding (parenteral nutrition) in adult patients, providing a source of calories and essential fatty acids for adult patients who are unable to eat or drink.

Chronic use of opioids among obese patients prior to bariatric surgery continues after bariatric surgery, and the dose. has been shown to be greater postoperatively than preoperatively, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Patients who skip filling an antibiotic prescription after hospital discharge because of high out-of-pocket costs are at increased risk of rehospitalization and cost the healthcare system substantially more in the long term, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.

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.

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is calling for public review and comments on its draft plan to reduce adverse drug events that are preventable. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 4 to email feedback to ADE@hhs.gov.

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

The entire multidisciplinary healthcare team can be compared to a football team. And pharmacists are called upon to play several positions.

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.