The Senate has unanimously passed S. 3397, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, to allow patients to return unused medications safely and legally. Prior to the bill, medications that qualified as controlled substances could only be returned to authorized DEA agents. Under the new legislation, non-DEA authorized personnel as well as long term care […]
A recent study suggests a significant link between heavy acetaminophen use in adolescents and an increased risk of asthma and eczema. The study questioned 13 and 14 year olds as to their use of acetaminophen and the occurrence of asthma and eczema symptoms. The responses were classified into categories of no use, moderate use (at […]
Pharmacy quality control is a benefit to pharmacists, employees, and consumers. A functional quality control program is also a requirement of Medicare Part D, many state pharmacy boards, and an increasing number of third-party private payers. Pharmacies are required to show proof of quality control procedures and their impact on daily processing. Currently on the […]
The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the vaccines for the upcoming flu season. This year there will be one vaccine that will cover H1N1, a strain of influenza A (Perth), and a strain of influenza B (Brisbane). The Centers for Disease Control has recently revised recommendations to suggest that everyone over the age […]
The results of a recent study indicate that the use of a calcium supplements for those treating osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of heart attack. After a smaller study indicated the increase in risk, researchers performed a meta-analysis on data logged from previous studies in which patients were asked to take calcium supplements. The […]
The Food and Drug Administration is currently hosting a two day hearing in an attempt to gather responses on the FDA guidance that is currently given on some prescription medications. The meetings deal specifically with the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) that are assigned to specific drugs. The REMS require drug makers to provide […]
The Wall Street Journal has reported on links between members of the recent Avandia advisory panel and various drug makers. The advisory panel recently ruled in a 21-12 vote that the FDA should keep Avadia on the market despite links between the diabetes medication and increased risk of heart attacks. Dr. David Capuzzi, who voted […]
A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology recently reported their research on the development of a patch that could be used by consumers to self administer flu vaccine. The patch makes use of microneedles that are small enough to pierce the skin and deliver medication with minimal discomfort. Previous attempts to create patches that […]
