According to a briefing presented to Congress on Tuesday, drug shortages are having an enormous impact on the nation's health systems through delayed treatment, less effective drug treatments provided to patients, and increased drug costs. Read full article.

A monthly review of the
peer-reviewed literature by
Drug Topics' Editorial Advisor
Anna D. Garrett, PharmD, BCPS. Anna Garrett is manager, Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Mission Hospital, Asheville, N.C.

Polypharmacy is becoming a greater risk factor for elderly cancer patients, resulting in an increased risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions, according to a recent study published in The Lancet Oncology. Read full article.

New studies confirm that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. But the mechanisms by which vitamin D may affect progression, beta cell function, dysglycemia, and retinopathy are not clear. Researchers say prospective vitamin D supplementation trials are the next step, and ad hoc treatment with vitamin D is not. Read full article.

Pertussis has been unusually common in Seattle-area babies in recent years. Now a new report suggests the problem could be corrected by encouraging vaccination of the people who care for them. Read full article.

A combination of antibiotics was more effective in preventing full-blown tuberculosis than the old regimen, according to a new study published in the July 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Read full article.

The involvement of specialty pharmacists and nurses increased medication adherence in patients with hepatitis C (HCV), recent research has reported. Read full article.