Hospitalized patients with bacterial pneumonia now have new treatment

FDA has expanded the use of telavancin (Vibativ, Theravance) to treat adult patients with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus when alternative treatments are not suitable. » Full article

PrEP for injection drug users

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to injection drug users who are at high risk of HIV infection, following the positive results of the Bangkok Tenovir Study, published online June 12 in the Lancet.
» Full article

Red meat link to diabetes

Adding more than a one-half serving of red meat daily for 4 years can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus over the subsequent 4-year period, according to a report published online June 17 for JAMA Internal Medicine. » Full article

Dust mite allergy tx

The first of 2 pivotal phase 3 trials with a new allergy immunotherapy tablet for the treatment of house dust mite-induced respiratory diseases, has met its primary end points, according to ALK and partner Merck. » 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.

Medication underdosing and underprescribing: Important issues that may contribute to polypharmacy

Medication underdosing and underprescribing are often overlooked and can result in poor patient outcomes. They can also contribute to polypharmacy and significant cost to the healthcare system. Pharmacists can play a key role in preventing underdosing and underprescribing of medications by ensuring that patient-specific pharmacotherapy is prescribed and administered, and by providing patient and provider education regarding appropriate use of medications. » Full article

• Small benefit from antibiotics for patients with respiratory infections

• Unsafe injections a problem

• Fatty acid intake and CV risk

• Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis

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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