Drug Topics - June 16, 2008 - (Page 12)

12 DRUG TOPICS JUNE 16, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Latebreakers mended for adults 60 and older even if they’ve had a prior episode of shingles. Researchers have found that the vaccine reduces the occurrence of shingles by about 50% and, for adults ages 60-69, it reduced occurrence of the illness by 64%. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 95% of adults are at risk of developing shingles due to prior infection with chicken pox and the risk of complications from the virus rises after age 60. The new full recommendation replaces a provisional recommendation the CDC made in 2006. ance companies from using high commissions and volume-based bonuses to encourage agents to enroll people with Medicare in substandard plans that provide inadequate financial protection, abysmal customer service, and poor access to providers,” insisted Robert Hayes, president of the consumer-oriented Medicare Rights Center. CMS is accepting comments at www.regulations. gov through July 15. the day after surgery for up to seven days, not to excced 15 total doses. The FDA will allow use of the drug only at hospitals registered under the Entereg Access Support and Education (E.A.S.E) program. The E.A.S.E. program is part of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) developed for alvimopan, which includes limits on dispensing of the drug. Post-op ileus drug gets long-awaited approval Alvimopan (Entereg), a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist from both Aldolor and GlaxoSmithKline, has been granted approval by the Food & Drug Administration to accelerate gastrointestinal recovery following partial large or small bowel resection surgery with primary anastomosis. Alvimopan is for in-hospital use only and is used as a single 12mg capsule administered orally prior to surgery followed by a capsule twice daily beginning NACDS suggests ways to improve MedGuides to FDA Medication guides don’t do a good job of warning patients about drug risks and consume a lot of pharmacists’ administrative time. So stated the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in comments to the Food & Drug Administration. NACDS recommends that FDA switch to a single MedGuide for a whole drug class, instead of for individual drugs; establish standards for manufacturer distribution of MedGuides; set up a toll-free number for pharmacists to obtain MedGuides; allow printing and electronic mailing of MedGuides; require Medguides only on new Rxs and upon request for refills; and create a single patient-oriented medication information document. CMS reins in Medicare Advantage plans A new rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services attempts to tighten regulation of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. The rule establishes marketing standards for selling plans and prohibits some hard-sell tactics. The rule also authorizes CMS to fine companies up to $25,000 for violations. Still, many consumer groups worry that the rule does not go far enough. “These regulations do nothing to prevent insur- EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Philip P. Burgess, R.Ph., M.B.A. Mary E. Inguanti, R.Ph., M.P.H. Dennis Burton, B.S.Pharm., MBA Jack Rosenberg, Pharm.D., Ph.D. National Director, Pharmacy Affairs Walgreen Co. Deerfield, Ill. Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., FAMCP The Pharmacy Group LLC Glastonbury, Conn. David J. Fong, Pharm.D. Senior Vice President Pharmacy & Family Care Safeway Inc. Pleasanton, Calif. Professor and Director of International Drug Information Center Arnold & Marie Schwartz Frederick S. Mayer, R.Ph., M.P.H. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences FASHP President Executive Director of Pharmacy Pharmacists Planning Service Inc. Long Island University Brooklyn, N.Y. Clarian Health, Methodist San Rafael, Calif. Hospital Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, Gene Memoli Jr., R.Ph., FASCP Indianapolis, IN Director of Customer Develop- Pharm.D., Ph.D. Director, PRIME Institute ment College of Pharmacy Omnicare University of Minnesota Cheshire, Conn. Minneapolis, Minn. Vice President Specialty Pharmacy Services Specialty Scripts Pharmacy Fall River, Mass. Vice President of Operations Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Hartford, Conn. James A. Jorgenson, R.Ph., M.S., http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.regulations.gov http://www.regulations.gov

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Drug Topics - June 16, 2008 Contents Latebreakers Letters Latebreakers in Depth Pharmacists Lose in Final ESRD Rule New Drug Helps Palliative Patients on Opioids Take Care of Business Oral Treatment Reduces Multiple Sclerosis Flare-ups Beware of Inflammatory Masses From Implantable Infusion Systems Safer Therapeutic Options Emerging for Atrial Fibrillation Congressional Committee Chair Calls for Action Against Hospital Infections This Software System Helps Hospitals Manage Anticoagulation Therapy Rx Care Community Practice JP at Large Self-Care Cover Story Long-Term Care Chains and Business Technology Technology Update Continuing Education New Products Advertisers Index Classified Viewpoint

Drug Topics - June 16, 2008

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