March 2018 Central Nervous System

In 2017, the FDA reached new milestones with its highest number of generic drug approvals in a single month and a historic number of annual approvals, signaling promise for 2018.

The results of a recent study have indicated that caregivers can improve the quality of life of care home patients with dementia by increasing social interaction to at least 1 hour a week.

Despite recent concerns about proton pump inhibitor (PPI) safety, the results of a recently published study found no evidence that PPI use contributes to a higher risk of dementia or Alzheimer disease in older adults.

The results of a recent study show that individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) face a heightened risk of developing dementia compared with those who have a healthy BMI.

The results of a recent study have indicated that teenagers who experience a concussion face an elevated risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life.

For the first time, epilepsy rate estimates have been available for every state, totaling at least 3.4 million individuals living with the disorder.

Patients with early-stage Parkinson disease may be able to slow the progression of their condition by engaging in high-intensity exercise, according to the results of a recent study.

Pet Peeves featured in the March 2018 edition of Pharmacy Times.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, but treatable, disease characterized by airflow limitation and inflammation.

Can you you figure out what these prescriptions say?

Pharmacists are continuing to expand their role as health care providers with more direct patient care opportunities. Pharmacists working under the supervision of a physician can provide an annual wellness visit, which is an exam that focuses on the patient’s health, allowing them the opportunity to develop a personalized approach to health care and disease prevention.

Ketamine, used by club goers to hallucinate and trip, is being studied to treat depression.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental mental disorder characterized by difficulty paying attention, excessive activity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with development and/or functioning.

The FDA has approved Lyrica CR (pregabalin, Pfizer) for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia.

Eliglustat, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, is a first-line treatment for adults with type 1 Gaucher disease.

Several new devices for the administration of inhaled medications have been introduced.

Rx products featured in the March 2018 issue of Pharmacy Times.

Brown bag consults can be essential educational and safety tools to measure and ensure quality care.

Depression, which affects 17% of Americans, is remarkably responsive to antidepressant therapy, but only if the patient actually takes the medication.

What should these pharmacists do?

Generic products featured in the March 2018 edition of Pharmacy Times.

Case studies with an OTC focus.

OTC analgesics are used extensively by many patients to self-treat and manage headaches. However, selecting these products may be overwhelming for some consumers, particularly those who have preexisting medical conditions or take other medications.

A team-based approach to diabetes patient care can help improve outcomes, according to a Pharmacy Times® Peer Exchange that addressed this subject recently.

Over-the-counter medications featured in the March 2018 issue of Pharmacy Times.

Proposed federal legislation aims to achieve better health outcomes by giving patients with diabetes the freedom to decide which testing supplies work best for them.

When a patient alleged that he met the qualifications for coverage under the Americans with Disabilities Act and filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging lack of accessibility at a local pharmacy, would he prevail?

It seems as if every couple of years, someone advocates anew that the prescription monitoring programs run by 49 states be consolidated and put under a national program.

US-based businesses and taxpayers have become increasingly frustrated with the double whammy of increasing spending on medications without the decreasing cost of care from a healthier population.