Drug Topics Top 10: Most Read Stories From April 2024

How Individuals are Committing E-Prescription Fraud

Check out this list of our 10 most read stories from April 2024. / Pixel-Shot - stock.adobe.com

During a webinar co-sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association, Erin Hager, Diversion Investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), presented her team’s findings on e-prescribing fraud, how it’s done, and what pharmacists can do to avoid it.

COVID-19 Not Associated With Increased Risk of Asthma Development in Children

An infection with the SAR-COV-2 virus does not increase the risk of asthma development in pediatric patients, according to data published in the journal Pediatrics. The study authors noted that the research could be useful in the prognosis and treatment of long-term respiratory effects of COVID-19 in children.

How Has the ‘DIR Hangover’ Impacted Independent Pharmacies in 2024?

At the American Associated Pharmacies (AAP) Annual Conference, held April 4 to 6 in San Diego, California, Drug Topics sat down with Douglas Hoey, CEO of NCPA, to discuss the results of the poll and what both congress and CMS can do to help mitigate the impact of the DIR hangover on independent pharmacies.

BD to Increase Plastic Syringe Production After FDA Warns on Imports From China

After warning health care providers against using plastic syringes from China late last November, the FDA doubled down on its recommendation. Initially, the guidance came after the agency collected reports of leaks, breakages, and other problems associated with the syringes; following recent facility inspections and product examinations, the FDA’s quality concerns have continued to mount.

FDA Approves Antibiotic Ceftobiprole Medocaril for Injection for 3 Indications

The FDA approved antibiotic ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection (Zevtera) for 3 indications: the treatment of adults with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), including right-sided infective endocarditis; the treatment of adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), and the treatment of adults and children aged 3 months to 18 years with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

The Psychedelic Pharmacy: A Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Treatment

After a long hiatus, research in psychedelic medicine is progressing rapidly. With the potential approval of MDMA in the near future, what role will pharmacists play in integrating these new therapies into treatment plans?

Measles Cases in the US Increased Significantly in 2024

Although the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, a 2019 outbreak of Measles in the northeastern part of the country has led to an alarming uptick in the number of cases, with 29% of cases from 2020 until now occurring in the first quarter of 2024.

GAO Releases Report on States’ Regulation of PBMs

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) addressed the measures that states have taken to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Focusing on 5 states—Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Maine, and New York—the GAO found rules requiring drug-pricing transparency, pharmacy access, and licensure, among other things.

Keeping Pharmacies Independent: Best Practices For Selling, Buying a Business

At the American Associated Pharmacies (AAP) Annual Conference, held April 4 to 6 in San Diego, California, the Cardinal Health Pharmacy Transitions Services team hosted a session titled “You Don't Have To Sell To a Chain! Keeping Independent Pharmacies Independent.” The session aimed to outline best practices for buying or selling a pharmacy, review the ideal pharmacy transition timeline, and explain pharmacy valuation methodologies.

Who Is Taking Care of Pharmacists?

In a session presented at the American Pharmacists Association 2024 Annual Meeting,2 Bruce Berger, PhD, FAPhA, didn’t discuss pizza parties, but he did note that although taking a yoga class or receiving deep muscular relaxation can be a nice way to spend a workday, the activities don’t address the deeper issues driving burnout, stress, and moral injury in the workplace.