Health System

Abbott recalls some blood glucose meters because of incorrect readings

Express Scripts report forecasts sharp increase in spending on specialty drugs.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings has introduced a bill to stop price gouging for drugs that are in short supply. H.R. 1958 is called The Gray Market Drug Reform and Transparency Act of 2013.

Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be at increased risk for cardiovascular events with newly prescribed long-acting beta-agonists and long-acting anticholinergics.

The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board will conduct unannounced surveys of compounding pharmacies seeking to renew accreditation from the group. The move is intended to further distinguish accredited compounding pharmacies from unaccredited ones.

After its recent review, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) could not recommend vitamin D and calcium supplementation for the primary prevention of fractures in healthy adults.

New version includes clarifications submitted by ASHP and other stakeholders

The IV injectable treatment is easy to administer and has been shown to prolong survival in patients with CRPC.

JP reaches down deep for his inner Dalai Lama

NCPA is working with healthcare leaders in Congress to ensure development of appropriate measures

When the U.S. Congress buries game-changing laws deep in the bowels of complicated acts named for other things altogether, you wonder why they can't just call things like they see 'em. For starters.

IMS study analyzes the shift from fee-for-service in four states through changes in prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs, diabetes therapies, and respiratory medications

Doses and length of treatment higher than recommended

It's time to get tobacco products out of pharmacies

Hoping to further curtail diversion of controlled substances, DEA has expanded the options for their collection

Pharmacists assume many roles in medication therapy management - roles that are receiving acknowledged provider status

Pharmacists are becoming consultants, medication managers, and more in the coordinated care environment of ACOs

As a collaborative member of an integrated healthcare team, the pharmacist specializes in monitoring drug therapies for disease states

Tofacitinab approved for 5-mg tablets for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis unhealed by methotrexate

Pharmacists report good-to-excellent compensation, yet stress levels impact job satisfaction

New Rx, generic, indication, and OTC

Letters, e-mails, and posts from Drug Topics Readers

One-quarter of U.S. adults have multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and most suffer from a combination of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Not surprisingly, medical expenses are significantly higher for those with MCC, according to a new study.

Collaboration produced better outcomes without use of additional meds

Long-term study of 12,500 patients with multiple risk factors found no benefit

Study focused on data from eight sites over a 6-year period and involved 217,755 participants

Providers should take note of changes in the availability of commercial HCV tests

Fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder combo is a long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment for COPD

Patient satisfaction improves under PDAS model

Coming on the heels of FDA's denial of generic forms of OxyContin, the ruling triggers speculation about overall FDA strategy