Health System

FDA approved Mylan Pharmaceutical's 15-mg, 30-mg, and 45-mg pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets, the first generic version of Actos (Takeda), along with diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Healthcare delivery in the United States has evolved as more patients visit their neighborhood retail clinics for acute and preventive care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created partnerships with several pharmacies to help patients learn about new Medicare benefits available under the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare reform legislation that was upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court in late June.

FDA’s latest “Drug Info Rounds†video for health professionals helps pharmacists understand the agency’s Accelerated Approval Program for drugs when there is an unmet medical need.

It’s important to put processes in place to be sure a patient’s medication list at discharge from the hospital is the same information that is provided to the primary care physician to avoid medication errors, according to a recent study published online July 24 in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

FDA has issued a Drug Safety Communication concerning three children who died and one child who experienced a nonfatal but life-threatening case of respiratory depression after taking the pain-reliever codeine following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.

FDA has approved the influenza vaccine formulation for six manufacturers for the 2012-2013 influenza season.

Systemic corticosteroid monotherapy using prednisone is not effective for patients with acute rhinosinusitis, according to a new study published in the August 7 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The use of generic prescription drugs instead of their brand-name counterparts has saved Americans and the nation’s healthcare system $1.07 trillion over 10 years ending in 2011, according to the results of a study commissioned by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.

Federal legislation is needed to control pharmacies that are re-selling drugs on the gray market, according to Carmen Catizone, the executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

FDA has approved vincristine sulfate liposome injection for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have had at least two relapses or whose disease has progressed following two or more anti-leukemia therapies.

What has staved off even higher levels of ongoing shortages is that drugmakers are reporting potential shortages much more often and FDA is using various tactics to prevent them from becoming reality.

As a flurry of blockbuster drugs lose their 20-year patent protection, the market is splitting wide open as drugmakers offer competing generic versions.

That the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act bodes well for the generic drug market, which is already growing by leaps and bounds annually. Industry consultants expect ACA implementation to notably benefit retail pharmacists, PBMs, and drug wholesalers.

It might seem like common sense, but observing stringent hygiene protocols in hospital rooms can cut down on HAIs.

When pharmacy trade journals are talking about the same issues and the same solutions as they were 15 years ago, more than just the times are out of joint.

Jill Fitzgerald, PharmD, who is Drug Topics' CPE accreditor, was sworn in as chair-elect to the AACP Continuing Professional Education Section.

A recent report indicates that independent pharmacies are more prone to fraud and abuse than are chain stores.

Readers share an appreciation of JP, a defense of mail-order pharmacy, and how the $4 prescription has affected pharmacy.

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.