Drug Formulary Review articles from June 2004

Drug Formulary Review archives from June 2004

Hospital consortium standardizes prescription writing for members: protocols integrate Joint Commission goals.
June 1, 2004... A consortium of hospital systems in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area has implemented a program to standardize protocols for handwritten prescriptions. The effort integrates Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations goals for...

Compendia disagree on drug-drug interactions: researchers develop their own list of serious DDIs.
June 1, 2004... Pharmacists may turn to drug interaction compendia for detailed information on serious drug-drug interactions (DDIs). New research, however, shows that the compendia seldom agree on which DDIs are considered to be of the highest clinical...

Gene mutation patients respond to gefitinib: screening may identify those who would benefit.
June 1, 2004... New research shows that mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene correlate with clinical responsiveness in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa). The study was...

Few new antibiotics are in the pipeline.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Despite a critical need for new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections and other infectious diseases, very few new antibiotics are being developed, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. ...

Pharmacy groups establish compounding accreditation board.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A coalition of pharmacy-related professional and regulatory organizations has announced the creation of a voluntary accreditation program for pharmacy compounding. The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board was established to help...

Be aware of possible drug mix-ups for obstetrical patients.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Pharmacists are being warned again of possible dangerous mix-ups between the pharmacological opposites methylergonovine maleate (Methergine) and terbutaline sulfate (Brethine). Numerous reports of injuries have been related to lookalike...

Pancreatic extract makers to submit marketing applications.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified manufacturers of pancreatic insufficiency products that these drugs must get approval by the agency within the next four years to remain on the market. The FDA decided to require approval...

Concurrent oxandrolone, warfarin use may have adverse effect.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Savient Pharmaceuticals is updating health care professionals about the use of its product oxandrolone (Oxandrin) when used in patients concurrently treated with the oral anticoagulant warfarin for systemic anticoagulation. Oxandrin, a...

New FDA approvals.
June 1, 2004... These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): * Apomorphine (Apokyn), manufactured for Bertek Pharmaceuticals by Draxis Pharma. The FDA has approved apomorphine (Apokyn) as an injectable...

Aprepitant (Emend) formulary evaluation: Part 2: clinical trials summary, recommendations, and criteria for use.
June 1, 2004... Clinical trial summary Phase IIa studies Four Phase IIa studies have been conducted with aprepitant to establish a time period for therapy, dose, and a regimen of combination therapy with aprepitant for the Phase IIb trial. ...