Pharmacy Insights

Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer

2008-08-27T16:13:00.006-04:00

Preventing Cervical Cancer: Tens of millions of girls and young women have been vaccinated against the disease in the United States and Europe in the two years since two vaccines were given government approval in many countries.In the United States, Merck markets its HPV vaccine as Gardasil. Gardasil has been made

New warning added to fluroquinolone class of antibiotics

2008-07-14T21:44:00.003-04:00

The FDA is notifying the makers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs for systemic use of the need to add a boxed warning to the prescribing information about the increased risk of developing tendinitis and tendon rupture in patients taking fluoroquinolones and to develop a Medication Guide for patients. This class of

Generic Avalide receives Approval

2008-06-19T23:15:00.002-04:00

Mylan Inc. today announced that the company has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, 150 mg/12.5 mg and 300 mg/12.5 mg. This is the generic version of Avalide which is manufactured by

Glaxo receives Approval for Bird Flu Vaccine

2008-05-19T13:35:00.004-04:00

The LONDON press reports that GlaxoSmithKline has received permission to market a human bird flu vaccine. This is significant because it is the first pharmaceutical to receive a license for pre-pandemic use in all 27-member European Union states. Noteworthy to those of us living in the USA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has ordered for 27.5 million doses.Glaxo has spent at

How should a business plan for a disaster such as pandemic flu?

2008-05-13T17:31:00.003-04:00

How should a business plan for a disaster such as pandemic flu? An article published in the Washington Post last week pointed out that less than one-third of businesses have any type of plan. Former US Secretary of Health, Tommy Thompson points out why companies can't ignore this vital issue. I'm convinced, but as a small business owner, what resources are available to help start the planning

Anthrax Vaccine: New Developments

2008-05-07T11:02:00.004-04:00

Anthrax... So you haven't heard about the vaccine for a while; is the threat of bioterrorism still real?VaxGen, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company, announced today it has completed the sale of all assets and rights related to its recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine product candidate and related technology to Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. Emergent BioSolutions paid VaxGen $2 million

More Dismal News as Merck Announces 1200 jobs cut

2008-05-06T13:59:00.004-04:00

Pharmaceutical manufacturer giant Merck & Company Inc. announces more bad news with the elimination of 1,200 sales jobs in its US salesforce. This news comes after a decision last week from the FDA that issued a non-approvable letter for Cordaptive which was supposed to be Merck's newest cholesterol lowering drug. Also, Merck had been notified that immediate improvements must be made at one of

FDA issues Class 1 Recall FDA for Digitek (digoxin)

2008-05-05T15:36:00.004-04:00

A very important nationwide Class I recall of all strengths of Digitek, a drug used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms was issued April 29,2008. Digitek(digoxin) products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. Digitek is being recalled due to the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may contain

New Study Proves Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease

2008-05-01T14:48:00.004-04:00

In an important new study just published in the Neurobiology of Aging, investigators led by David R. Schubert, Ph.D.,have identified the probable molecular basis for the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's. interaction. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's and diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate. Alzheimer's affects one in

National Institute of Aging Highlights Healthcare and Housing Costs

2008-04-20T23:35:00.005-04:00

The National Institute of Health report released in March 2008 Highlights Healthcare and Housing Costs in Americans aged 65 and older. Health care costs, particularly for prescription drugs, have risen dramatically for older Americans. Between 1992 and 2004, average inflation-adjusted health care costs for older Americans

FDA seizes ED drugs Sold as Natural Supplements

2008-04-14T21:18:00.004-04:00

Buyer beware: China drug manufacturer tried to market Erectile Drugs drugs as "natural supplements" Guess you could call this the case of the "Shangai Surprise."The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Marshals seized more than 14,000 dosage units valued at more than $100,000, of Shangai Regular, Shangai Ultra, Super Shangai, Naturalë Super Plus, and Lady Shangai. Although these

Drug Therapy Updates from the American College of Cardiology

2008-04-01T12:09:00.008-04:00

Several new studies were presented at the American College of Cardiology that are important to patients with hypertension and heart disease. The medications Crestor, Lotrel, and Micardis all showed positive results and the ACCOMPLISH and JUPITER trials were halted early due to such positive results. Great news for helping reduce cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.* Important new study

Generic Medications: What you need to know

2008-03-27T13:34:00.015-04:00

Everyone knows that healthcare spending continues to rise at warp speed, and drug costs represent a large portion of the spend. One way that patients can help keep their costs down is by using generic medications when they are available.Most savvy consumers are already on this bandwagon and realise the tremendous cost savings that generic drugs can provide. In an earlier post, I had announced

Do you know a Medical hero??

2008-03-21T15:51:00.000-04:00

The last article I wrote about detailed my personal experience with Dr Woo, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who has made a difference in my family's life. Several people have contacted me to tell me that they were touched by the story and some related a story about a healthcare professional who touched their life.So, I decided that this would be a great time to start a series of stories about

Hero with a Stethoscope

2008-03-17T18:59:00.000-04:00

Today, I thought I would share with my readers a personal story about a very special physician who has the ability to not only repair the crooked spines of children, he gives these young patients the chance to lead a normal, active life. I am honored to introduce Dr. Raymund Woo, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon from the University of Florida Shands Medical Center.Imagine, if you can, that the

Breakthrough in the Diagnosis of Depression

2008-03-13T22:24:00.000-04:00

In breaking news that could be a new milestone in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have discovered that a change in the location of a protein in the brain could serve as a biomarker for depression. This could mean that it will be possible to identify patients with depression with a simple laboratory test and will

New OTC medications to cost $1 at Kmart

2008-03-10T17:18:00.000-04:00

Today, Kmart Pharmacy announced the launch of a new program, which offers pharmacy customers a choice of 10 over-the-counter (OTC) medications from Kmart's own private-label generic brand for only $1 with every prescription purchase.Popular OTC medications in the program include aspirin, ibuprofen, children's pain reliever, baby aspirin, nasal decongestant, cough suppressant, anti-diarrhea

Official Google Blog: Google Health, a first look

2008-03-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

Official Google Blog: Google Health, a first look

Google Health- Health Records Online

2008-03-03T21:02:00.000-05:00

Last week, Google Health announced a partnership with the very prestigious Cleveland Clinic. Most recently, key executives were at Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference in Orlando, Florida, where Eric Schmidt gave the closing keynote and offered a deeper view into their overall health strategy.According to Eric, "Google Health aims to solve an urgent need that dovetails

Ouch!!- Healthcare spending will reach $4 Trillion

2008-02-27T14:14:00.001-05:00

This news just in. Maybe the article should be entitled "Where's the roof in healthcare spending?" Economists are now predicting that by 2017, total health care spending will double to more than $4 trillion a year!!! That translates into one of every $5 the nation spends will be on health-related costs.This represents a 6.7 percent annual increase in spending, nearly three times the rate of

Important Drug Recall- Duragesic patches

2008-02-22T18:20:00.000-05:00

Anyone who has 25 mcg/hr DURAGESIC or Sandoz Inc. fentanyl patches should check the box or foil pouch for the expiration date to see if they have patches that are being recalled. If your patches have an expiration date on or before December 2009, you should return them to your pharmacy to examine and possibly exchange. If you are not sure who has made your fentanyl patch, or cannot find an

Generic Fosamax Receives Approval!!

2008-02-08T15:46:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic versions of Fosamax (alendronate sodium tablets), used to treat osteoporosis, a condition that causes thinning and weakening of a person's bones.Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, North Wales, Pa., was approved to manufacture alendronate sodium tablets in three once-daily dosing strengths (5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, and 40 milligrams

Herbal Products Part II: What you need to know

2008-02-08T15:28:00.000-05:00

Patients with medical illness should not use herbs and dietary supplements without medical supervision. If you are taking herbal products, please make sure you inform your healthcare provider. However, I must add that not all physicians are well-versed and up to date on herbal products, since these are not usually part of their formal training. So make sure you know as much about the herbal

Herbal Products Part I: What you need to know

2008-02-05T16:30:00.001-05:00

Let's talk for a moment about herbal products and where they fit in to your healthcare regimen. It has been estimated that about 38 million adults in the United States use herbal products and dietary supplements. This tranlates into about 18% of the US population. Yet, rather distubingly, only one third told their healthcare provider about their use. It is important that the consumer

Vytorin : What's a Patient to Do?

2008-01-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

If you've watched the news or read the newspaper, you probably know that there is some apparent controversy about the cholesterol drug Vytorin. The results of the study nicknamed ENHANCE were just released, and the results were not as favorable as hoped. However, there is no need to panic if you're taking Vytorin; the results showed nothing harmful either.Vytorin (ezetimibe-simvastin) is a

Laughter: Good for the Heart and the Soul

2008-01-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

You've heard it before, and yes, your mother was right: it takes more muscles to frown than smile. And most of the self-help gurus will promote the attributes of positive energy and "The Secret" fans will affirm the "power of attraction" And of course, there's lots of science to back up that, to make a huge generalization, a happier patient is a healthier patient..... But today, I think I'll

Align: A New Probiotic Now Available in Pharmacies

2008-01-09T17:57:00.000-05:00

Align is a natural dietary supplement that helps promote a healthy, balanced digestivesystem when taken daily1. Align is a capsule that is taken just once a day, every day to help balance common digestive upsets such as diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating.Align capsules contain Bifantis™ , a probiotic that has been clinically proven to improve digestive balance1*. Bifantis is the

Generic Protonix is now available- if you can find it!

2008-01-08T16:50:00.000-05:00

Generic Protonix has been approved by the FDA, but can you actually find it, and if so, for how long?? Protonix which is manufactured by Wyeth and it is used to treat GERD, ulcers, and other gastrointestinal conditions. It is in the class of PPI's-- proton pump inhibitors- which help prevent the stomach from producing acid. Teva has launched about a three month supply of generic Protonix (

Common Abbreviations

2008-01-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

A pharmacist must constantly be aware of the importance of accuracy; there is a credo that is closely held: " the right drug, the right strength, the right directions, and the right patient." Interpreting the directions on a prescription are a crucial part of the pharmacist’s duties. There are many abbreviationswhicht must be interpreted correctly that have to do with the directions, which are

Your Prescription for Health

2007-12-29T16:33:00.000-05:00

We have all heard the saying, "Knowledge is Power"; and when you are dealing with important health issues, it can actually save your life!!While some of this information seems very basic and just "common sense", as a healthcare professional ,I can tell you that many people either just don't understand or don't realize its importance.1. What prescription medications are you currently taking?