September 2015 Specialty Pharmacy

This Continuing Education activity is supported by an educational grant from Mallinckrodt.

The bipartisan Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act has been introduced in Congress.

As an increasing number of popular drugs loses patent protection, the FDA has said it will require additional resources to independently regulate generics.

An OTC drug used to alleviate allergy symptoms could treat hepatitis C virus infection as well.

An investigational combination of 3 interferon-free drugs has proven effective at treating hepatitis C virus.

Although hepatitis C virus medications are often costly to many patients, recent study results suggest that treating the disease can reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.

What should these pharmacists do?

Can you you figure out what these prescriptions say?

Read about impatient patients, drive-through debacles, and other pet peeves.

Read about the new generic products featured in September.

This Continuing Education activity is supported by an educational grant from Alcon, Inc.

Marilyn Mootz, a pharmacy student at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, firmly believes that pharmacists should influence positive change among their patients through exemplary care.

Every pharmacist encounters patients with whom they have trouble connecting.

Approximately 65% of individuals undergoing chemotherapy will experience chemotherapy-induced hair loss, which is usually temporary and completely reversible when therapy ends.

Vitamin D supplementation has been studied as a possible intervention for reducing the risk of falls in elderly patients.

Pharmacists working in outpatient clinics have counseling opportunities that are similar to the often abundant counseling opportunities in community retail settings.

Ambulatory infusion therapy is a flourishing nationwide trend.

The introduction of retail clinics into the health care marketplace in the early 2000s has slowly shifted the way people receive ambulatory care-offering critical access to care for the nearly 77 million Americans who are uninsured or underinsured.

Over the past 2 decades, advances in HIV therapy have allowed patients to manage their infection through the use of long-term medication therapy.

Remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, thrombi, and increased vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure lead to right heart failure and death if not treated.

Widespread vaccine use benefits the public by producing unprecedented good health. Vaccine-related adverse events, which can be perceived or real, can decrease vaccination rates, however.

As pharmacists administer more vaccines, the risks of needle-stick injury and transmission of a bloodborne disease increase among pharmacists.

Is it appropriate for a judge to add an "enhancement" to lengthen a sentencing period because the pharmacist abused the public's trust?

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) launched a new program and website during its annual meeting in May.

Read about the new Rx Products featured in September.

The FDA has approved Shire's Vyvanse for the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorder.

Milk thistle is a herbal product widely used in the United States and around the world.

Despite the resolve of many across the nation who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to keeping patients safe and the many safety accomplishments achieved over the past few years, a number of medication safety issues remain unresolved.

Pharmacists are ideally situated to help patients beat hepatitis C.

Read about the new OTC Products featured in September.