Compounding pharmacies can help resolve drug shortages

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By: VALERIE DeBENEDETTE |Drug Topics

More than 200 medications crucial in fighting conditions such as leukemia, breast and colon cancer, and infectious diseases are in short supply in the United States. As a result, compounding pharmacists and pharmacies that have the resources to compound sterile injectable formulations and other forms of drugs are being called on to help deal with these shortages.

Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) is urging its member pharmacists to continue working with physicians and hospitals to help reduce the problem of drug shortages — which has been going on for years, according to John Preckshot, RPh, an independent compounding pharmacist in Peoria, Ill. Now, however, the situation “is finally reaching epidemic proportions.”

For the full article, click here.

Filed Under: Compounding Tagged With: ,

APhA Releases New Edition of Popular NAPLEX Review

January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Contact: Michelle Fritts

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) just published the 9th edition of The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy, a reference widely used by student pharmacists and new graduates to prepare for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX®). The book is also a popular benefit of APhA membership, provided at no charge, except for a $10 shipping and handling fee, to thousands of final-year student members upon request.

The 9th edition features a three new chapters—Drug Information, Biostatistics and Clinical Trial Design—plus updated information on drug approvals, indications, and formulations. About half of the book’s 41 chapters focus on drug therapy for chronic and common diseases, the heart of today’s NAPLEX. Other features of the book are more than 900 practice exam questions and answers, plus explanations that reinforce key learning points; and 13 appendices providing a broad range of useful information including normal laboratory values, drugs in renal and hepatic failure and the top 200 prescription and over-the-counter products.

The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy, 9th edition (ISBN 978-1-58212-162-8; softbound; 996 pages; $65.95 [$52.95 for APhA members]), was edited by Dick R. Gourley, PharmD, and James C. Eoff III, PharmD. Gourley is Dean Emeritus at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Memphis, and Interim President of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. Eoff is Executive is Interim Dean at the College of Pharmacy. The more than 40 chapter authors all are current or former faculty members at the college.

A current, one-volume compilation of pharmacy knowledge, The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy is also a popular reference for busy practitioners wishing to stay current and for those returning to the field after a hiatus. The book may be ordered online atwww.pharmacist.com/shop_apha or by phone by calling 800-878-0729.

The content is also available through APhA’s digital subscription product, PharmacyLibrary, www.pharmacylibrary.com.  In addition to the searchable book, PharmacyLibrary features a NAPLEX Review self-testing functionality, using all 900 questions from the book plus an additional 700 practice exam questions exclusive to PharmacyLibrary.

About the American Pharmacists Association
The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.

Filed Under: Pharmacy Tagged With: , , ,

FDA, FTC Act To Remove HCG Weight Loss Products From Market

January 23, 2012 By 1 Comment

FDA News Release

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued seven Warning Letters to companies marketing over-the counter (OTC) HCG products that are labeled as “homeopathic” for weight loss.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women. HCG is FDA-approved as an injectable prescription drug for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions.

The letters warn the companies that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved, and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss.

The joint action is the first step in keeping the unproven and potentially unsafe products from being marketed online and in retail outlets as oral drops, pellets, and sprays.

The labeling for the “homeopathic” HCG products states that each product should be taken in conjunction with a very low calorie diet. There is no substantial evidence HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from the recommended caloric restriction. Consumers on a very low calorie diet are at increased risk for side effects including gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart arrhythmias.

“These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.”

“Deceptive advertising about weight loss products is one of the most prevalent types of fraud,” said David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Any advertiser who makes health claims about a product is required by federal law to back them up with competent and reliable scientific evidence, so consumers have the accurate information they need to make good decisions.”

According to the Warning Letters, the companies have 15 days to notify the FDA of the steps they have taken to correct the violations cited. Failure to do so may result in legal action, including seizure and injunction, or criminal prosecution.

Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events (side effects) that may be related to the use of these products to MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program, by calling 800-FDA-1088, or electronically at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

Filed Under: missouri pharmacist

Sell Yourself

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By DWIGHT NYBERG | President | MPA

In the early 1970’s, my Dad’s prescription volume was one-third of today’s volume, and he made twice the profit! That’s the new math I never understood.

The President’s call for zero copay on prescriptions for our Tricare patients is a prime example of not understanding healthcare. The lower copay for prescriptions should be available at the pharmacies that provide one-on-one or face-to-face consultation, patient education, drug therapy modification and/or product selection. The remaining pharmacies are mandated to charge copays.

It’s a proven fact that medication therapy management and patient education are both proactive methods of: Improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life. What an example of managing healthcare expenses! The same pharmacists who are hurt by this are already dispensing a larger percent of generic drugs. This helps the health care system save more money.

Could you do 20 or 30 MTM’s or patient education sessions each day, at $100 to $150 per session?

Remember, you’re the expert, you’re the best, you’re selling yourself.

Take a moment, estimate the dollar savings you could create each day, week, month, and year.

An easy $200 to $300 a day, $1,000 to $1,500 a week, $20,000 to $30,000 a month … you continue and use your estimate. Are you worth more than $150 per session?

Now, think about the diabetic, the asthma patient, the potential fall patient who’s lifestyle and quality of life you helped improve.

You’re the drug expert, you’re selling yourself !!!

Afraid the future will leave you behind? Then help create the future!

Participate with the Missouri Pharmacy Association as we challenge, change, and develop the future of Pharmacy.

An opportunity for all pharmacists!

Sell yourself, SELL YOURSELF!!!

Filed Under: missouri pharmacist, Presidents Letter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

International Pharmaceutical Experience

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By KK VOUTHY | UMKC | 2013 Pharm.D. Candidate

On September 7 three UMKC School of Pharmacy students traveled to Mexico City to present a poster at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics Outcomes Research third Latin America Conference. The poster the students submitted, with guidance from faculty members, was titled Describing Trends and Determinants of Non-opioid Analgesic Prescribing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in the U.S. Outpatient Settings.

The poster was a finalist for the best poster in the Health Care Use & Policy Studies – Disease Management category. The presentation was open for conference attendees to attend and speak with presenters regarding their findings. UMKC students had an opportunity to meet with researchers from various countries including Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Canada, and  the United Kingdom.

“Most of the presentations were not in English, but they had translators you can listen to. There was definitely a language barrier since most people spoke Portuguese or Spanish,” says Fikru.

In between poster presentations, fourth year students Bithia Fikru, Walter Agbor, and KK Vouthy attended various educational lectures about health technology assessment, costs of healthcare, pharmacoeconomics of various disease state management strategies and issues facing Latin American health.

“It was an eye opener to see how advanced the United States utilization of health care technology to make cost effective decisions compared to a Latin American countries , they are in the process development stage,” says Vouthy.

Before they left, the three students experienced Mexico City by taking a self-guided tour of the central portion of Mexico City. They tasted well-cooked –piping-hot street tacos, freshly made tortillas, roasted corn on a stick, and drank from a young coconut with a straw.

They also had a chance to Salsa in the park, every Friday night and all day Saturday people gather around at the park and dance. Instructors, experienced and un-experienced dancers come together to practice and enjoy dancing.

“The people are very warm and affectionate; you can see that everywhere you go. The culture is very romantic,” says Agbor.

On their last day, students were amazed at how committed to health the city was to promote bike riding. Large portions of the historic center of Mexico City were closed to traffic, the weekly event was called Muévete en Bici or Move by Bike. Throughout the area there were bike stations for people to check out bicycles called Ecobicic. Their hotel was centrally located in the historic area; the students had an opportunity to get their morning work, walking many blocks to find a taxi to the airport. The trip was a success; they worked with the University and SOP student services office to ensure a safe trip.

Filed Under: missouri pharmacist
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »