Statins: 30% lower risk of COPD exacerbation

A new retrospective case-control study among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found a 30% decreased risk of COPD exacerbation with any statin use.
» Full article

Medtronic recalls MiniMed insulin infusion sets

FDA sent out a MedWatch warning, on July 12, 2013, after Medtronic recalled its MiniMed Paradigm insulin infusion sets.
» Full article

New oral anticoagulants and bleeding risk

Patients taking the new generation of oral anticoagulants (nOACs) are associated with a significantly higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), according to a new study. » Full article

Avandia: Ease restrictions

FDA advisers recommended in early June the easing of restrictions on the diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline), following an independent re-examination of GSK’s RECORD study conducted by Duke Clinical Research Institute. » Full article

Continuing Education

Pain Management: New July CPE activity available

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 by completing our April 2013 through August 2013 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies.

The July activity covers regulatory and ethical issues in pain management.

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.

Efficacy of new drugs compared to older ones not dramatic, study says

The effectiveness of new drugs compared with that of older drugs has fallen since the 1970s, according to a new study in Health Affairs. » Full article

• Adhering to generic cholesterol-lowering drugs associated with lower costs of care

• FDA introduces new MedWatch reporting and learning tools

• Underdosing in obesity: Focus on anticoagulation

• FDA evaluates diabetes drugs

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

Drug Watch

Latest Clinical News