October 24th 2024
Nina Vadiei, PharmD, BCPP, a clinical associate professor at UT Austin and a clinical pharmacy specialist in psychiatry at San Antonio State Hospital, discusses her career as a psychiatric pharmacist.
NCPA backs legislation to rein in PBM practices, preserve seniors' access to diabetes supplies
May 14th 2010The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has endorsed two legislative bills that are aimed at controlling healthcare costs by requiring greater transparency of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and ensuring that Medicare patients with diabetes can continue to obtain their medical supplies from their local community pharmacies, during its 42nd annual National Legislation and Government Affairs Conference held in Washington last week.
Study results confirm safety of shingles vaccine in older patients
May 14th 2010In a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that evaluated the general safety of the live herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax, Merck) in adults aged 60 or older, the safety profile of ZOSTAVAX was similar to that of placebo with respect to serious adverse events.
Bruce Roberts leaves NCPA for a PBM with a difference
May 5th 2010Even though Bruce Roberts strongly criticized pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) during his tenure as executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), he is enthusiastic about the prospect of heading up a type of PBM.
Pharmacists termed innovators, leaders for improving healthcare quality
May 5th 2010The American Pharmacists Association annual meeting opened in Washington just days before the big March vote on healthcare reform, and a number of people from the political realm were there to praise pharmacists and ask for their support.
New black-box warning for clopidogrel
May 5th 2010FDA announced that clopidogrel, an antiplatelet agent given to reduce the risk of heart attack, unstable angina, stroke, and cardiovascular death in patients with cardiovascular disease, will require a new black-box warning about its reduced effectiveness in patients who are poor metabolizers of the drug.
Rash of drug thefts triggers enhanced industry vigilance
May 5th 2010In response to a flurry of drug thefts plaguing pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in recent months, the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, an arm of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), is holding a seminar on Supply Chain Security May 10 and 11 in Alexandria, Va.
Inhalers filled with ozone-depleting ingredients will be off market soon
April 15th 2010Seven metered-dose inhalers for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will soon be phased out, according to FDA. The move goes along with U.S. commitments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Rosuvastatin's expanded indication draws criticism
April 15th 2010Following FDA?s expanded indication for rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) in February, the drug?s producer now plans to extend the market for the drug by offering it as a preventive measure to people who do not have cholesterol issues.