Drug Topics - June 16, 2008 - (Page 34)

34 DRUG TOPICS Cover Story time,” said Nicholson. Hagel added, “We strongly support the patient-physician-pharmacist triad and that healthcare decisions need to be made together.” Giroux said NCPA sees BTC as an opportunity to work with physicians to improve drug safety. Looking in the crystal ball How soon will the industry learn if a BTC class is created? Ilisa Bernstein, director of pharmacy affairs in the Office of the Commissioner at the FDA, said, “There are differences of opinion whether this will increase access, whether pharmacists have the knowledge and training to assist patients in selecting the right product, and what an ideal program might look like for BTC. There’s been criticism about whether we have the legal and regulatory authority to do such a thing. Once we figure out what the different options are and where it all stands, we’ll have a better idea of what the timetable might be for whatever it might be.” In the meantime, the Government Accountability Office is conducting a study at the request of the House Energy & Commerce Committee to examine the FDA’s proposal for a BTC class of drugs. Marcia Crosse, Ph.D., director of healthcare, at the GAO, said, “We’ve been asked by one of the Congressional committees that has oversight over FDA to take a look at this issue, since FDA has been considering it, and to update a report we did in the mid ’90s on this sort of proposal. We are currently talking with the industry and are contacting some other countries that have these programs in place to try to provide more updated information than our prior report contained. We are also reviewing the comments FDA has received. It will be several more months before we are finished.” In May, delegates from the state boards of pharmacy adopted a resolution during the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy annual meeting calling for a collaboration with stakeholders to develop statutory authority to establish a BTC class of drugs. http://www.uniteddrugs.com

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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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