Pharmacy Week in Review: Pharmacies Cope with Hurricane Florence's Impact, FDA OKs New Menopause Treatment

A look at last week's top stories in the world of pharmacy.

Nicole Grassano, Host:

Hello and welcome to the

Pharmacy Times

News Network. I’m Nicole Grassano your host for our Pharmacy Week in Review.

Generic estradiol vaginal inserts have received final FDA approval to relieve the symptoms of menopause in women,

Pharmacy Times

reported. Glenmark's newly approved Estradiol Vaginal Inserts USP are equivalent to Novo Nordisk’s VAGIFEM.

Menopause, the time when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends and she is no longer fertile, results in a reduction in both estrogen and progesterone production. Low levels of these 2 hormones can lead to symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, hot flashes, mood changes, painful sexual intercourse, and sleep problems.

Pharmacies closed by Hurricane Florence are working to re-open amid loss of power or other weather-related events,

Contemporary Clinic

reported. Meanwhile, customers are being directed to open stores in or near the affected areas, and some pharmacies are going even further to assist customers and staff members as they recover from the storm’s impact.

Walmart officials said in a statement that its priority is the safety of its team members and customers. Throughout the storm, Walgreens has conducted wellness checks on all field and store team members in impacted areas, and the company is making disaster support services available to employees who have been displaced or need more resources.

Additionally, in North Carolina and South Carolina, Walgreens has donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts. The company also donated nonperishable food items to help support emergency shelters in the region.

Researchers have identified a potential point of intervention that could prevent the progression of liver damage to cancer,

Specialty Pharmacy Times

reported. A triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1, also known as TREM-1, activates inflammation short-term following an injury, such as a laceration, or in response to external invaders, such as bacteria, according to a new study published in the

Journal of Clinical Investigation

.

However, for the first time, researchers have found that, when activated by chronic offending agents, such as hepatitis and obesity, TREM-1 can contribute to a destructive level of inflammation that results in liver damage and possibly cancer. This transformation can occur in 5 to 50 years, and could be reversible up to the point of cirrhosis if the offending agent is stopped, according to the researchers.

Pharmacists may get more questions about Alka Seltzer Plus Maximum Strength Day & Night Cold & Flu Powermax Gels if their patients have seen a new commercial for the OTC medication. In the spot, called “My Cold,” a man’s cold has left him miserable, and after sneezing violently and losing his phone down a storm drain, he is reminded that the cold cost him his mobile device. According to the commercial, Alka Seltzer Plus Maximum Strength Day & Night Cold & Flu Powermax Gels provides relief for those suffering from cold and flu symptoms, when taken as suggested.

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

Pharmacy Times

News Network.