Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - (Page 7) 7 NEWS Roundup gredients in these products is unknown, consumers should be aware that the safety, efficacy, and purity of the ingredients cannot be validated. The undeclared ingredients in the referenced products may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerine) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take products containing nitrates. Consumers who have these products should discontinue using them and consult their healthcare professional. For more information, visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/ safety07.htm#Shangai. to maintain complete and accurate records. Continued registration, DEA said, would be “inconsistent with the public interest.” This notice was published in the Jan. 2 Federal Register http://www.access.gpo.gov/ su_docs/fedreg/a080102c.html. Community Practice MTM heats up in Ohio Molina Health Care, a Medicaid HMO in Ohio, is rolling out a pilot medication therapy management program. More than 900 patients state-wide will be eligible for the program and be offered in clinic sites in Columbus and Marion, Ohio. The program will focus on patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In addition the state Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) announced that pharmacists would be eligible to provide MTM services with a doctor’s referral under its new asthma policy. To participate in the program, pharmacists must be BCMH panel members. The bureau also announced that it would boost generic drug dispensing fees from $4.10 to $12.30. States look to strengthen prescription monitoring programs According to a report in the Cody Enterprise, h t t p : / / w w w. c o d ye n t e r p r i s e . c o m / a r t i c l e s / 2007/12/24/news/news2.txt a Wyoming state congressman wants to improve Wyoming’s Prescription Drug Monitoring System from monthly to real-time. Advocates hope that a real-time monitoring system would prevent patients from doctor shopping. In addition, officials in Florida are planning to push again for a statewide controlled substance computer database. Judge blocks Maine law barring use of Rx information for marketing A law was supposed to go into effect in Maine on Jan. 1, prohibiting the use of physician prescribing information for marketing purposes. But a judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring the law from being implemented on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. Applauding the decision are IMS Health, Wolters Kluwer Health, and Verispan LLC, three health information companies which had sued to derail the law. Maine is the second state where such a law has come to a screeching halt. Last year New Hampshire saw a federal injunction imposed as well. A third state, Vermont, which passed a similar law, still has to survive a suit filed by the three companies. Chains blame weather, economy for soft December sales CVS, Walgreen, and Rite Aid reported disappointing sales for December and said bad weather, a relatively mild flu season, and general economic conditions were to blame. CVS said sales generated by stores open at least a year rose 1.8% last month. CVS said December sales were light because of “general economic conditions,” adverse weather early in the month, and a lack of spending on flu medicine. Walgreen’s December same-store sales rose 2.6%—the smallest rise since at least 1990. Meanwhile, Rite Aid posted a 0.5% same-store sales decline for December. DEA revokes Tenn. pharmacy’s registration as of Feb. 1 The Drug Enforcement Administration is revoking the registration of the Jonesborough, Tenn., Medicine Shoppe owned by pharmacist Jeffrey Street as of Feb. 1. DEA explained that audits of the pharmacy have found repeated overages or shortages of controlled substances and failure NACDS Foundation awards over $120,000 in scholarships The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has awarded $122,000 in pharmacy student scholarships. The awards are given as part of the foundation’s Pharmacy Student Scholarship Program, which strives to support the development of future leaders in community pharmacy practice and recognizes pharmacy students who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in chain pharmacy. DT http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a080102c.html http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a080102c.html http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Shangai http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Shangai http://www.codyenterprise.com/articles/2007/12/24/news/news2.txt http://www.codyenterprise.com/articles/2007/12/24/news/news2.txt
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 Contents Medication Errors: The Value of Habit FDA Official: Biomarkers Can Change the Future Latest News Roundup Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Medication Errors: The Value of Habit (Page 4) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - FDA Official: Biomarkers Can Change the Future (Page 5) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 6) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 7) Drug Topics - January 21, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 8)
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