Pharmacy & Therapeutics - March 2009 - (Page 114) CONTENTS Cover: Colored scanning electron micrograph of two prostate cancer cells in the final stage of cell division. See section on degarelix in the Pharmaceutical Approval Update feature, page 159. (© SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc. All rights reserved.) March 2009 FEATURES FEATURE ARTICLE DEPARTMENTS Editorial 119 David B. Nash, MD, MBA, discusses evidence-based case rates, the building blocks of a new payment model that aims to support a patient-centered health environment. Medication Errors 120 Matthew Grissinger, RPh, FASCP, recommends rest periods, off-duty time, naps, meal breaks, and other safety practices to prevent fatigue in health care workers, thereby minimizing the potential for mistakes on the job. Prescription: Washington 122 Stephen Barlas discusses how the FDA under the Obama administration might deal with off-label drug promotion for unapproved uses. New Drugs/Drug News/ New Medical Devices 124 From ATryn to Tindamax, P&T presents the latest information about FDA approvals, indications, recalls, and updates. Drug Forecast 138 Drs. Kapur and Bonk review rilonacept (Arcalyst) for treating cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. Administration of Proton Pump Inhibitors In Patients Requiring Enteral Nutrition Patients who need enteral nutrition may also require PPIs for acid suppression. The currently available and most widely prescribed PPIs are reviewed, along with their routes of delivery in nasogastric, gastrostomy, and jejunal feeding tubes. Terri M. Wensel, PharmD COMMENTARY 143 Health Care Blog Watch Emerging Trends in the Blogosphere Even pharmaceutical companies, which have long shied away from blogging on the Internet, understand that the conventional static Web site is just not good enough any more. Will future pharma bloggers be able to incorporate the realtime engagement and transparency that are needed? Miriam Reisman MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 153 FDA Advisory Committee Meeting on Prasugrel For Acute Coronary Syndromes If approved by the FDA, the platelet inhibitor prasugrel will be a first-in-its-class competitor of clopidogrel (Plavix). The new drug is designed to reduce the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease, but bleeding and the risk of neoplasms can result. Walter Alexander 155 Pharmaceutical Approval Update Topics include milnacipran (Savella) tablets for fibromyalgia, calcitriol ointment (Vectical) for plaque psoriasis, and degarelix subcutaneous injection, a hormone for treating advanced prostate cancer. Marvin M. Goldenberg, PhD, RPh, MS 157 Author Guidelines 161 114 P&T® • March 2009 • Vol. 34 No. 3
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