Pharmacist News and Research

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There are many tasks that a pharmacist is responsible for each day. Pharmacists are some of the most accessible members of the healthcare team, as individuals can seek their advice quickly and easily, even without an appointment.

Computerized warning system alerts harmful drug orders for older hospital patients

Adverse drug events, such as dizziness or confusion occur in an estimated 40 percent of all hospital patients and can be the result of inappropriate medications being ordered. Not surprisingly, elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to these adverse events, which not only result in longer hospitalizations, but can also pose a threat of serious complications and even death.

10 Aug 2010

New, improved ClinicTools now available

The new and improved ClinicTools is deployed. Physicians can send error-free prescriptions, including test orders, electronically. Pharmacies, labs and diagnostic centers can now register for free to increase their respective business. ClinicTools started out as simply an electronic medical record platform for healthcare providers.

3 Aug 2010

Paperwork for reimbursement prevents PCTs access to high-cost cancer drugs

The amount of paperwork that primary care trusts (PCTs) have to fill out in order to be reimbursed for cancer drugs is so great that they may be missing out on millions of pounds, a report suggests.

30 Jul 2010

Advanced Protein Systems is now APS BioGroup

APS BioGroup, formerly Advanced Protein Systems, the world's largest producer of colostrum products, announces its new company name and expanded focus to include advancements in private label contract manufacturing for health supplements and the introduction of Immulox®, an immune support product and supplement ingredient derived from colostrum.

29 Jul 2010

Novartis launches new OTC children's liquid acetaminophen product

Novartis announces the introduction of Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever, the only branded over-the-counter children's liquid acetaminophen product currently available nationwide in the US. Triaminic® now offers parents a product that combines the pain relieving and fever-reducing power of acetaminophen with the brand that has been trusted by pediatricians and parents for more than 50 years.

27 Jul 2010

Outcomes selected to administer MTM program for employees in the State of Iowa

Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care has been selected by the State of Iowa Department of Administrative Services to administer a Medication Therapy Management program for the state employee health plan.

26 Jul 2010

Dr Payne to receive RPS conference practice research award

Dr Katherine Payne has been announced the winner of the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust 2010 Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)Conference Practice Research Award. The award will be presented at the conference on Monday, 6th September when Dr Payne will deliver a plenary lecture on her prize-winning research.

23 Jul 2010

TCG releases Will-Call Rx system for accurate prescription pick up, inventory management

TCGRx announces the release of Will-Call Rx, a computerized system for hanging and retrieving will call prescriptions. Will-Call Rx uses energy efficient LED lights to identify prescription locations and barcode scanning ensures prescription verification, accurate prescription pick up and inventory management.

20 Jul 2010

FDA warns public over safety of stolen Advair Diskus inhalers

The FDA is warning the public that certain Advair Diskus inhalers stolen from a distribution warehouse in 2009 have been found in some pharmacies. The safety and effectiveness of the stolen inhalers cannot be assured and they should not be used.

17 Jul 2010

NCPDP pleased with HHS' adoption of SCRIPT Standard to achieve Meaningful Use

The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) today acknowledges and applauds the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on its Final Rules announcement on "meaningful use" of an Electronic Health Record (EHR), including the adoption of NCPDP SCRIPT Standard for the secure, electronic transmission of prescriptions and prescription-related information.

14 Jul 2010

Drugs taken for common medical conditions cause long term cognitive impairment in older adults: Study

Drugs commonly taken for a variety of common medical conditions including insomnia, allergies, or incontinence negatively affect the brain causing long term cognitive impairment in older African-Americans, according to a study appearing in the July 13, 2010 print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

14 Jul 2010

U.S. lags in keeping workers safe from toxic drugs

In many countries, there are strict regulations and inspections regarding workers who handle chemotherapy drugs. "In the U.S., however, neither environmental monitoring nor exposure tracking is mandated. And neither is routinely taking place, said Tom Conner, a research biologist with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

13 Jul 2010

CPhA welcomes announcement of agreement to lower generic drug prices

The Canadian Pharmacists Association today welcomed the announcement of an agreement reached between the Government of British Columbia, the British Columbia Pharmacy Association, and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores to lower generic drug prices and invest in expanded pharmacy services.

12 Jul 2010

FDA-approved bioidentical estrogens help women manage common symptoms of menopause

Women looking for the best method to manage common symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and night sweats, may not have access to credible information, especially when it comes to understanding their estrogen therapy options. In fact, there are an array of celebrities and authors who are simply not qualified to give medical advice about managing menopause, yet they dominate the internet and media space simply because of their popularity.

8 Jul 2010

OTN signs agreement to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into telemedicine service offering

PharmaTrust, makers of the world's leading remote prescription drug dispensing technology, has signed an agreement with the Ontario Telemedicine Network that will enable OTN's Members, including hospitals, to integrate PharmaTrust's technology into their telemedicine service offering. This new development will expand access to valuable pharmacy services for Ontarians.

7 Jul 2010

Infoway adds diagnostic imaging, drug information systems to Certification Services

Canada Health Infoway has added diagnostic imaging and drug information systems to its pre-implementation Certification Services. Health information technology vendors can now receive certification for seven classes of technology.

6 Jul 2010

AstraZeneca announces new support program for patients on ARIMIDEX

AstraZeneca today announced a new patient support program for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer who are prescribed ARIMIDEX. The program is designed to provide eligible patients with instant discounts, potentially saving the patient up to $300.

1 Jul 2010

Experts evlauate impact of Medicare Part D program on independent and chain pharmacies

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Part D) added prescription drug coverage to Medicare beginning in January 2006.

30 Jun 2010

Pharmacy technician certification associated with reduction in medication errors, survey finds

Results from a recent Pharmacy Technician Certification Board sponsored survey find that lead pharmacists perceive pharmacy technician certification as an essential component in reducing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and increasing positive health outcomes. The results, unveiled at the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting in March 2010 by researcher Shane Desselle, R.Ph., PhD, FAPhA, Associate Dean for Tulsa Programs, Chair, and Professor of the Department of Pharmacy: Clinical and Administrative Sciences at University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, were gathered from a random sample of over 3,250 pharmacists serving in a variety of practice settings across the United States.

28 Jun 2010

Prescription Solutions introduces Clinical Vantage to improve health and well-being of members

Prescription Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefit management organization and a UnitedHealth Group company, has launched Clinical Vantage, a suite of clinical programs that enables clients to create specialized solutions to meet their particular needs to improve the health and well-being of members.

25 Jun 2010