Pharmacy & Therapeutics- July 2008 - (Page 376) CONTENTS Cover: Angiography–CT scan, top view, of the brain showing cerebral thrombophlebitis in a patient having a migraine crisis (three-dimensional reconstruction). See related CE/CME article on page 404. (Copyright © Sovereign / ISM / Phototake. All rights reserved.) July 2008 FEATURES PROFILE DEPARTMENTS Editorial 378 David Nash, MD, MBA, debunks four myths about health care spending. For instance, it is widely known that the U.S. spends more on health care than other nations, but this is not because of drug costs or doctor fees. Medication Errors 379 Matthew Grissinger, RPh, FASCP, describes common mishaps that can occur with lomustine (CCNU), a drug used to treat Hodgkin’s disease and brain cancer. Prescription: Washington 380 Stephen Barlas wonders whether offering money to doctors who switch to electronic prescriptions will be enough of an incentive. New Drugs/Drug News/ New Medical Devices 387 From becaplermin to zoledronic acid, P&T presents the latest information about FDA approvals, new indications, recalls, and industry updates. Drug Forecast 391 Drs. Chang and Chagan review posaconazole (Noxafil) for fungal infections. 376 P&T® • July 2008 • Vol. 33 No. 7 FDA’s Janet Woodcock Riding High CDER Director Wins “Wows” Amid Agency Woes An in-depth interview with the director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research reveals a conscientious leader who is receiving high marks for her candor about the agency’s challenges. Stephen Barlas MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 396 American Society of Clinical Oncology Presentations cover therapies for breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia, non–small-cell lung cancer, bone resorption, and melanoma. Walter Alexander CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT 398 The Pharmacological Management of Migraine, Part 1 Overview and Abortive Therapy Migraine is the most common headache complaint in clinical practice. Part 1 of a two-part series presents a summary of treatments used to reduce the severity and duration of migraine and its associated symptoms and also discusses the comorbidities, clinical presentation, and risk factors associated with this affliction. George DeMaagd, PharmD, BCPS 404 CE Test and Forms 417 420 The Law of Unintended Consequences When Pain Management Leads to Medication Errors In 2001, The Joint Commission released new pain guidelines and attempted to address the problem of undertreated pain; however, the resulting focus on the pain score number has inadvertently led to some serious adverse drug events. In addition, the recent dramatic increase in opioid use has resulted in greater abuse of these prescribed drugs, often by teenagers. Steven Hanks, MD, MMM, FACP Correction: In the May 2008 issue of P&T, the professional title of an author, Anna Gu, was incorrectly stated in the article entitled “Effect of Persistence with Drug Therapy on the Risk of Myocardial Re-infarction” (page 288). Her byline should have read as follows: “Anna Gu is currently a Consultant at Analysis Group in Boston, Massachusetts.”
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