CLINICAL NEWS

Periprocedural dabigatran use is associated with higher major bleeding rate than warfarin, study finds

Patients using periprocedural dabigatran had a significantly higher major bleeding rate than those using warfarin, according to a study published online first February 1, 2012, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. » More

FDA approves first quadrivalent flu vaccine

FDA approved the first 4-strain influenza vaccine live, intranasal (FluMist Quadrivalent, MedImmune) for the prevention of influenza. The vaccine’s 4 strains (2 type-A and 2 type-B lineages) help provide broad protection against circulating influenza A and B. » More

Study: Fibromyalgia patients taking pregabalin see improvement in sleep, daily pain

Fibromyalgia patients taking pregabalin had significant improvements in sleep and decreased daily pain, according to a new study published in the April 2012 issue of Arthritis Care & Research. » More

EDITOR’S PICK

Diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy: A treatment review

Diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy (DPN) affects a large percentage of patients and significantly increases the cost of medical care. Multiple mechanisms regarding the pathogenesis of DPN have been proposed but currently treatment is directed toward symptomatic relief for the patient. » Click here.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The impact of electronic health records on pharmacy practice

E-prescribing, a paperless, real-time transmission of data, places pharmacists squarely within the healthcare technology team.

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FDA NEWS

FDA approves pregnancy category change for insulin detemir injection

FDA has approved insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection (Levemir, Novo Nordisk) pregnancy Category B classification, indicating that when used in pregnant women with diabetes, the injection did not increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby.» More

Generic Vancocin prompts industry speculation of FDA practices

FDA’s approval (April 10) of generic versions of ViroPharma’s antibiotic Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride) for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, has some industry experts wondering if FDA is trying to speed up the availability of generics or politically favor new company competition in select areas of therapy. » More

Backlog of ANDAs could be alleviated with passage of generic drug user fee act

Congressional approval of the bipartisan Generic Drug and Biosimilars User Fee Act could eliminate 90% of the backlog of Abbreviated New Drug Applications by 2017, FDA official Russell Wesdyk, BS, MBA, said in a presentation last month. » More

Survey

Which of the following healthcare industry trends do you believe will have the most significant impact on the ability to manage pharmacy expenditures over the next 3-5 years?

a) Aging US population
b) Expanded coverage via HC reform
c) Price inflation by drug manufacturers
d) Growth in the specialty drug market
e) Increased incidence of key chronic diseases (eg, diabetes, CAD, asthma/COPD, etc.)

Click here and see what your colleagues think, too.

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