Deaths linked to Zyprexa Relprevv

FDA is investigating 2 unexplained deaths in patients who received an intramuscular injection of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa Relprevv (olanzapine pamoate), according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication. » Full article

“Pay-for-delay” ruling

The US Supreme Court today stated that pay-for-delay agreements between brand name drug companies and generic manufacturers are subject to antitrust scrutiny. » Full article

FDA expands denosumab use

FDA approved the expanded use of denosumab (Xgeva, Amgen) to treat adults and some adolescents with giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB), a rare and usually non-cancerous tumor. » Full article

Unsafe injections remain problematic

Unsafe injections remain a problem in the United States and throughout the world, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. » Full article

Continuing Education

Pain Management CPE: June activity available now

Welcome to our CPE series: Pain Management Considerations for Medication Therapy Management, which has been designed for pharmacists who take care of patients who need pain relief. You can earn up to 10 credits from April 2013 to August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies.

The June activity covers pharmacology and therapeutics of pain medications, focusing on opioid analgesics.

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 log in.

Announcement: Welcome to the new user registration process. This new process requires all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide or update their NABP e-Profile ID in order to electronically keep track of CPE credits from ACPE-accredited providers. If you have not done so, you can obtain your NABP e-Profile ID now at www.MyCPEmonitor.net. This profile will enable you to have one login for all the NABP programs and services you will need throughout your career.

Management of antipsychotic medication polypharmacy

Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches that employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy. » Full article

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SURVEY

With a third new oral agent (Tecfidera) recently introduced for relapsing-remitting MS, how will the MS market look in the next 3-5 years?

— Orals will become the most frequently prescribed products

— Injectables will continue to dominate market share

— Equal split between orals and injectables

Click Here to let us know.

RESOURCES

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