FDA ACTIONS

New diet drug overwhelmingly endorsed by FDA committee

A new weight-loss medication got an overwhelming endorsement on Wednesday from FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee voted 20-2 in favor of approving phentermine/topiramate (Qnexa, Vivus). » More

First medication approved by FDA for patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome

FDA has approved the first medication therapy, mifepristone (Korlym, Corcept Therapeutics), for endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, a condition that, left untreated, has a mortality rate of 50% after 5 years. » More

FDA acts to bolster supply of critically needed cancer drugs

FDA announced a series of steps to increase the supply of critically needed cancer drugs, including temporarily allowing 2 drugs to be imported. The moves are building on President Barack Obama’s executive order to help prevent future drug shortages, FDA said. » More

Editor's Pick

Immunization update: A 2011 retrospective on product changes and new recommendations

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases updated immunization schedules annually. In the 12 months that span schedule updates, new evidence becomes available and product changes occur. New products are approved by FDA and existing products may obtain approval for additional formulations or further indications. This article reviews certain recommendations and product changes that have occurred during 2011 since publication of the immunization schedules in January/February 2011. » Click here.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Cardiometabolic disease: The pharmacist’s role in managing weight loss and medication adherence

Pharmacists can help with the management of weight loss through nutrition education, exercise counseling, and strategies for medication adherence.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exams and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to login and take the exams.

CLINICAL NEWS

Study: Most cases of CDI aren’t being spread by patients in same ward

A recent study challenges the conventional assumption about how Clostridium difficile infection spreads in hospitals, finding that almost three-quarters of the new cases aren’t transmitted by patients in the same ward. » More

Antibiotic amoxicillin no help in treating acute rhinosinusitis

No significant difference was found in treating patients experiencing clinically diagnosed uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis with antibiotic amoxicillin compared with patients who received placebo, according to a study in the February 15 issue of JAMA. » More

No benefit of B vitamins or omega-3 on cancer outcomes, study finds

There are no beneficial effects of supplementation with relatively low doses of B vitamins and/or omega-3 fatty acids on cancer outcomes in individuals with prior cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online February 13 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. » More

Zinc plus antibiotics saves lives of children with pneumonia, study finds

Zinc used in conjunction with antibiotics significantly reduced mortality in children aged 6 months to 59 months with severe pneumonia when compared with antibiotics alone, according to the findings of a recent study done in Uganda. » More

Survey

Who performs medication therapy management (MTM) or medication reconciliation in your health system?

1)  A nurse or nurse case manager performs MTM in my health system

2)  A physician performs MTM or medication reconciliation in my health system

3)  A pharmacist performs MTM or medication reconciliation in my health system

4)  More than 1 different type of healthcare provider performs MTM and/or medication reconciliation in my health system

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey regarding the use of aliskiren-containing medications? Click here.

Resources

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