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ASHP offers guidance on implementing HIPAA regulations
December 9th 2003Bethesda, Md.-The daily activities of health-system pharmacists are greatlyaffected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996(HIPAA). To help keep practitioners up-to-date with current regulationsand other important information, ASHP has developed an online resource centeron its website, www.ashp.org.
Focus on: Lansoprazole IV. A new delivery method for an established PPI (PDF)
December 1st 2003An intravenous formulation of lansoprazole has been developed and is under review by FDA. If approved, lansoprazole will be the second IV proton pump inhibitor available in the United States, providing an alternative to the currently available pantoprazole IV. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of lansoprazole IV have been found to be comparable to the oral form. Until more data are available the agent, if approved, should be reserved as an option for patients unable to take lansoprazole via the oral route.
Focus on: Atazanavir. A novel azapeptide inhibitor of HIV-1 protease (PDF)
December 1st 2003Atazanavir is a novel azapeptide protease inhibitor (PI) that has been approved by FDA for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced HIV-infected individuals. Atazanavir has a low pill burden consisting of 2 capsules administered once daily and it has an adverse effect profile that is not associated with clinically relevant lipid effects. In clinical studies of up to 48 weeks, atazanavir demonstrated comparable antiretroviral efficacy to nelfinavir and efavirenz in treatment-naïve patients. The most common adverse effect associated with atazanavir is a reversible dose-related increase in unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin.
Considerations for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the managed care setting (PDF)
November 1st 2003The direct and indirect healthcare costs associated with multiple sclerosis are high. In the managed care setting, before treatment is initiated, these costs must be reconciled with other factors such as the epidemiological and clinical features of MS and current recommendations for pharmacologic management. Managed care organizations (MCOs) have the opportunity to improve the outcomes of MS through a system of care. MCOs can also manage the costs of the 2 first-line therapies (glatiramer and agents from the interferon class) used to treat MS by using stepped care and preferred formulary designations. In addition, improved outcomes can be achieved by establishing a disease management approach to treat MS.
Wyeth reports off-label use of venlafaxine associated with pediatric risks
October 1st 2003A recent "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter issued by Wyeth outlines the potential risks associated with the company's antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor and Effexor XR) when the drug is administered in the pediatric population. The letter, dated August 22, 2003, cites data from clinical studies in pediatric patients (aged 617 y) and details changes that have been made to the labeling for venlafaxine. Venlafaxine has been prescribed off-label in the pediatric population despite never being approved by FDA for use in children or adolescents.
Patient-based strategies encourage increased use of generic drugs
October 1st 2003As patient-based strategies promote acceptance and wider use of generic drugs, managed care organizations' (MCOs's) tools now include aggressive voucher programs that go so far as to provide preprinted prescription blanks for patients to take to their doctors.
Statins linked to reduced risk of cancer
September 1st 2003Users of statins were 20% less likely to have cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.660.96) in a case-control study from the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, that was presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Treatment for male pattern baldness delays prostate cancer
September 1st 2003Finasteride (Propecia, Merck), an inhibitor of 5a-reductase, prevents or delays the appearance of prostate cancer by 24.8% (P<.001), according to researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
Cardiovascular benefit of 'polypill' evaluated in BMJ
September 1st 2003Three different drugs at half the standard dose are estimated to reduce the risk of stroke by 63% and ischemic heart disease (IHD) events by 46% for those aged 60 to 69 years, according to a study in BMJ. Another study published in the same issue recommends that those with known occlusive vascular disease and everyone aged 55 years or older take a "polypill," including the combination of blood pressure-lowering drugs, a statin, folic acid, and aspirin.