How the Reclassification of Hydrocodone Affects Your Pharmacy Recently, the FDA voted 19-10 in favor of reclassifying medications containing hydrocodone to be reclassified from a Schedule III product up to a Schedule II. This decision was made in light of the many overdoses Americans die from every year involving prescription painkillers. 75% of these deaths […]
What Pill Color Variations Could Mean for Patient Adherence The Archives of Internal Medicine published a recent study that found that patients who stopped taking their medication often did so due to variations in pill color and size. Generic medications are the same chemically as their brand name counterparts, but the difference in color or […]
What Your Pharmacy Needs to Know about FluBlok, the First Recombinant Flu Vaccine On Wednesday January 30th, 2013, the FDA approved its first recombinant flu vaccine for use in medical settings. This vaccine, known as FluBlok, is the first of its kind in the United States. What makes FluBlok unique is that it contains recombinant […]
Gearing Up for Children’s Sports The upcoming arrival of spring means that many children are going to start playing cooperative sports. Educating parents about possible health concerns is just one step a pharmacy can take toward getting on board with sports season. Address Medical Issues Draft a pamphlet or flyer that alerts parents to symptoms […]
February is American Heart Month February 1 marks the start of American Heart Month, and pharmacies nationwide are gearing up for this opportunity to educate their customers about heart health. Chances are customers know someone with heart disease, or who has suffered a heart attack or stroke. Pharmacies hold a vital role in helping customers […]
Be the Best Pharmacy Technician You Can Be The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has published a new pharmacology text designed specifically for pharmacy technicians in the modern workplace: Understanding Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians by Mary Ann Stuhan, Pharm.D. The organization and language of the text is aimed directly at pharmacy technicians and […]
How to Handle Difficult and Dangerous Pharmacy Customers As with any service profession, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are not immune to the depredations of unruly customers clamoring for preferential treatment. Due to their evening hours and limited staff, grocery stores and drug stores are prime targets for crime. Many would-be ruffians find it easier to […]
Chicken Pox Injection Approved to Decrease Severity in High Risk Patients The Cangene Corporation’s varicella immune globulin preparation Varizig has received FDA approval in recent weeks and will be used to reduce the severity of chickenpox infections in high-risk individuals when given within 4 days of exposure. While the drug has been in use for […]
