LONG-TERM CARE

Study highlights need to treat female nursing-home patients for vitamin D deficiency

The majority of older women in nursing homes are likely to be deficient in vitamin D during winter months, and those with the lowest levels are at a significantly increased risk of death, according to a study published online February 8, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. » More

Editor's Pick

Teriflunomide: An orally administered disease-modifying drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Teriflunomide is a once-daily, orally administered, disease-modifying drug undergoing FDA review as a potential therapy for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).  If approved by FDA, teriflunomide would be one of the first available oral treatments for MS.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION

The latest FDA drug approvals: What you need to know

Of the 35 new molecular entities approved by FDA in 2011, 17 are considered groundbreaking because of their potential to make a real difference in the lives of patients.

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CLINICAL NEWS

Clinical pharmacists can help reduce discrepancies in patient medication histories

Clinical pharmacists were instrumental in reducing errors in patients’ physician-acquired medication histories, according to a study published online on March 13 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. » More

Alzheimer’s drugs donepezil, memantine show some benefits in study

A new study of patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease found that extended treatment with donepezil could improve cognition and function for even severe patients; however, experts caution that the benefits of the drug were modest. » More

Heroin may be more effective than methadone for relapsing addicts

Diacetylmorphine, or heroin, may be a more effective treatment than methadone for people with relapsing chronic opioid dependence, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. » More

Ingenol mebutate gel is effective treatment for actinic keratosis, study shows

Ingenol mebutate topical gel (0.015% for face and scalp and 0.05% for trunk and extremities) was effective for treating actinic keratoses, a common precursor to sun-related, squamous cell carcinoma, according to a new study. » More

FDA ACTIONS

FDA approves first Boniva generics to treat or prevent osteoporosis

FDA approved the first generic versions of Boniva (ibandronate) tablets, a once-monthly product to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. » More

FDA approves first effervescent osteoporosis treatment in a buffered solution

FDA has approved alendronate sodium (Binosto, EffRx Pharmaceuticals) effervescent tablets, the first effervescent osteoporosis treatment in a buffered solution. » More

DRUG TRENDS

Amneal launches first generic equivalent to Lexapro in liquid form

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has launched escitalopram oxalate oral solution in 5 mg/5 mL strength, the first generic of antianxiety/antidepressant Lexapro (Forest) in liquid form on the market. » More

Survey

In the online New England Journal of Medicine, 2 Canadian doctors disagree with Medicare's 3-year coverage policy of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation because the annual cost of immunosuppressive therapy is $15,000 to $20,000 but the cost of dialysis after graft failure is substantially higher at $75,000. Should Medicare change its policy of 3-year coverage of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation to lifelong coverage?

Yes
No

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