November 23 Pharmacy Week in Review: FDA Approves Rifamycin for Travelers-related Illness, Study Finds Incidence of Eczema is Much Higher Than Other Inflammatory Conditions

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Nicole Grassano, Host: Hello and welcome to the Pharmacy Times News Network. I’m Nicole Grassano your host for our Pharmacy Week in Review.

Walgreens officials said that they have launched a program called Feel More Like You, developed to help people living with cancer and their caregivers manage the potential physical changes associated with cancer treatment, Pharmacy Times reported.

Co-developed with Look Good, Feel Better, the signature component of Feel More Like You is an integrated approach to cancer care, with specially trained Walgreens beauty consultants and pharmacists working to provide personalized expertise and support to people living with cancer. Additionally, Walgreens community-based specialty pharmacies will play a pivotal part in helping to provide support to coordinate care between individuals with cancer and their local Walgreens store.

About 500 Walgreens beauty consultants have completed specialized training developed by Look Good Feel Better, to address the physical changes associated with cancer treatment, such as changes to cuticles and nails, dry hair and hair loss, dry skin and skin discolorations, and sensitivity to sunlight.

FDA officials approved the broad spectrum, semi-synthetic, orally administered, minimally absorbed antibiotic rifamycin to treat adult patients with travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E.coli not complicated by blood in the stool or fever, Contemporary Clinic reported.

As the most common travel-related illness, travelers' diarrhea—defined as 3 or more unformed stools in 24 hours—affects about 10% to 40% of individuals who travel each year. Most commonly caused by bacteria found in water, individuals at highest risk are those who travel to most of Asia, as well as Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, and the Middle East, according to the FDA.

Rifamycin's effectiveness was shown in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial during which the drug significantly reduced symptoms of travelers’ diarrhea in adults afflicted with the condition in Guatemala and Mexico.

The incidence of atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is much higher than other inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis, yet there is only 1 FDA-approved treatment for the condition, Specialty Pharmacy Times reported.

A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows a high prevalence of eczema among US adults, with an estimated 16.5 million individuals living with the disease. The study authors aimed to determine eczema prevalence among US adults, disease severity, and the impact of it on quality of life.

Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is commonly associated with children but can occur at any age.

Pharmacists may get more questions about Ricola Herbal Immunity if their patients have seen a new commercial for the OTC lozenges. In the spot, called “Immunity,” a woman stops on her walk through a valley to catch her breath and take a Ricola drop. According to the commercial, Ricola’s drops and gummies can help those who take them stay on top of their world.

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Thanks for watching our Pharmacy Week in Review. I’m Nicole Grassano at the Pharmacy Times News Network.