December, 2024

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It’s Time to Staunch Our Self-Inflicted Wounds

Drug Topics

Outside forces are at play, but pharmacists must turn inward to address some challenges in their profession.

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Opinion: The DEA’s 2025 quotas for opioids will leave seriously ill patients in pain

STAT

A woman sat in our emergency department in agonizing pain, feeling shaky, nauseous, and weak — drug withdrawal was setting in. But she wasn’t a “junkie” or even a recreational drug user. She was in her mid-60s with advanced cancer in her ovaries that had spread to her abdomen, causing unbearable pain. She was my patient — let’s call her Teresa.

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If Zyrtec doesn’t work what should I try?

The Checkup by Singlecare

Zyrtec ( cetirizine ) is an over-the-counter ( OTC ) medication and antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms. Signs of allergic rhinitis, hay fever , and seasonal allergies include sneezing , runny nose , stuffy nose , swollen nasal passages , itchy eyes , and watery eyes. These conditions are similar to nonallergic rhinitis in that they cause the same symptoms, but they are different in that the latter isnt caused by contact with an allergen.

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A biotech’s race to tackle the most severe hepatitis

PharmaVoice

Bluejay Therapeutics is one of just a handful of companies developing treatments for hepatitis D.

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From Diagnosis to Delivery: How AI is Revolutionizing the Patient Experience

Speaker: Simran Kaur, Founder & CEO at Tattva Health Inc.

The healthcare landscape is being revolutionized by AI and cutting-edge digital technologies, reshaping how patients receive care and interact with providers. In this webinar led by Simran Kaur, we will explore how AI-driven solutions are enhancing patient communication, improving care quality, and empowering preventive and predictive medicine. You'll also learn how AI is streamlining healthcare processes, helping providers offer more efficient, personalized care and enabling faster, data-driven

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Five Lessons Learned About Antimicrobial Stewardship Metrics

IDStewardship

In this article an experienced antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist discusses lessons learned from navigating antimicrobial stewardship metrics. Authored by: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP Article posted 13 December 2024 If you cannot measure it, you cannot determine if you have changedit. Antimicrobial stewardship metrics are essential for identifying, acting on, and re-evaluating opportunities to enhance the safe and appropriateuse of antibiotics.

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Study: Shingles Could Significantly Increase Risk of Dementia and Parkinson Disease

Pharmacy Times

Researchers recommend early vaccination against herpes zoster to mitigate the risks.

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‘I want help’: Behind bars, pleas for addiction medications often go nowhere

STAT

James Mannion knew what he needed. For nine months, while incarcerated in a county jail in Portland, Maine, he pleaded for a medication called buprenorphine. Mannion, a barber, recreational fisherman, and father of two, was once a regular heroin user, but had used the medication to eliminate the cravings and withdrawal he experienced whenever he tried to quit opioids cold turkey.

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FDA issues warnings to GLP-1 compounders

The Checkup by Singlecare

Originally approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes, the class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1s quickly acquired a reputation for helping people shed stubborn pounds. As a result, the use of medications like Ozempic , Wegovy , Zepbound , Rybelsus , and Mounjaro has skyrocketed, as people turned to these medications to help them lose weightcausing drug shortages and creating a market for compounded versions of these brand-name drugs.

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With Makary set to face FDA commissioner hearings, how deep do his industry ties run?

PharmaVoice

Dr. Marty Makary’s conflicts of interest could come into question before he is confirmed as the next FDA commissioner.

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Legislators urge DOJ to investigate PBMs for potential role in opioid epidemic

Fierce Healthcare

A group of legislators is calling on the Department of Justice to dig into whether pharmacy benefit managers played a role in the opioid epidemic. | A group of legislators is calling on the Department of Justice to dig into whether pharmacy benefit managers played a role in the opioid epidemic.

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Position Your Pharmacy for Expansion

Speaker: Chris Antypas and Josh Halladay

Access to limited distribution drugs and payer contracts are key to pharmacy expansion. But how do you prepare your operations to take the next step? Meaningful data: Collect and share clinical data regarding outcomes, utilization, and more Reporting: Limited distribution models require efficient tracking and reporting systems Workflows: Align workflows with specific pharma and payer contractual requirements For in-depth, expert insights on pharmacy expansion, watch this webinar from Inovalon.

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Patients With Post-COVID POTS Experience Disruptions in Circadian Blood Pressure Rhythm Regulation

Pharmacy Times

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnoses have greatly increased following the COVID-19 pandemic.

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PBM Reform Pulled Back in Late Change to Spending Package

Drug Topics

With pressure from the House GOP, expected PBM reform was not included in Congress end-of-year spending package.

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Gilead to test once-a-year HIV prevention shot

STAT

Gilead said Tuesday that it will soon begin Phase 3 testing for a drug it believes could prevent HIV infection with just a single shot every year. Such a medicine, if proven effective, would be the closest thing to a vaccine the HIV field has produced in four decades of research. The company plans to begin the trial next year, with an eye toward regulatory filings in late 2027.

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Does Mounjaro need to be refrigerated?

The Checkup by Singlecare

Like semaglutide, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-a-week injectable medication that is FDA approved for helping manage blood sugar levels in those with Type 2 diabetes. It mimics two gastrointestinal hormones: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). So, the active ingredient can also be prescribed for weight loss or obesity, combined with diet and exercise, under its licensed brand name Zepbound.

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What the FDA's New Dosage Guidance Means for the Future of Clinical Research

Speaker: Dr. Ben Locwin - Biopharmaceutical Executive & Healthcare Futurist

What will the future hold for clinical research? A recent draft from the FDA provides valuable insight. In "Optimizing the Dosage of Human Prescription Drugs and Biological Products for the Treatment of Oncologic Diseases," the FDA notes that "targeted therapies demonstrate different dose-response relationships compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy, such that doses below the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) may have similar efficacy to the MTD but with fewer toxicities.

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Will the ‘anti-woke’ movement derail DEI efforts in pharma?

PharmaVoice

Amid the DEI backlash in corporate America, pharma leaders are quietly adjusting tactics.

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Congress' end of year health deal may be falling apart

Fierce Healthcare

It still needs to pass, but an end-of-year package for healthcare is looking probable. The legislation includes PBM reform, telehealth extensions and more.

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Advancing Lung Cancer Treatment With Bispecific Antibodies: A Review of Amivantamab and Tarlatamab

Pharmacy Times

Bispecific antibodies amivantamab and tarlatamab hold promise for patients.

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Younger, Middle-Aged Adults Face Higher Burden of Neurologic Long COVID Symptoms

Drug Topics

The higher burden of neurological symptoms among younger and middle-aged adults translated to worse subjective quality of life, according to a recent study.

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5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Pharmacy Management Software

Are you still using workarounds to manage your daily operations? To achieve peak performance, it's time to explore other options for specialty and infusion pharmacy software. Streamline pharmacy operations and improve clinical performance with automated processing, real-time data exchange, and electronic decision support. Download this helpful infographic to: Drive efficiency and patient adherence from referral receipt to delivery and ongoing care – all with our Pharmacy Cloud.

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Opinion: Extending Medicare coverage to obesity medications is imperative

STAT

Although bipartisan legislation to provide Medicare coverage for obesity treatments has circulated in Congress for more than a decade, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) ventured to  estimate  the budgetary effects of such a policy for older Americans starting in 2026 for the very first time in a report published in October.  The CBO should be commended for conducting this comprehensive analysis.

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Can you drink while taking metoprolol?

The Checkup by Singlecare

Mixing alcohol with metoprolol can come with various side effects, some of which can be serious. Many people take metoprolol, either as metoprolol tartrate or metoprolol succinate , to help manage high blood pressure and heart conditions. If youre considering drinking alcohol while taking this prescription drug, you should know the possible risks. For some people who know how they react to the medication and alcohol, drinking in moderation may be doable.

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Merck’s RSV antibody could soon paddle into the rough waters of a crowded market

PharmaVoice

A new antibody from Merck would join a market teeming with new entries, but plenty of regulatory and financial uncertainty.

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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Manhattan: reports

Fierce Healthcare

UnitedHealth Group abruptly ended its investor day event on Wednesday morning as new reports surfaced that the CEO of its health plan division had been fatally shot. | UnitedHealth Group abruptly ended its investor day event on Wednesday morning as news reports surfaced that the CEO of its health plan division had been fatally shot.

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FDA Approves First Generic of Liraglutide Injection to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Pharmacy Times

The approval of the generic to liraglutide injection, currently in shortage, could help increase patient access to the type 2 diabetes treatment.

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Cannabis Could Help Reduce Opioid Use in Patients with Chronic Pain

Drug Topics

Most patients with reduced opioid prescriptions during cannabis use had chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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STAT+: Next-gen obesity treatment from Novo Nordisk misses mark in pivotal trial

STAT

Novo Nordisk’s next-generation obesity candidate led patients to lose a substantial amount of weight in a pivotal study but fell short of expectations, results that cast into doubt the future competitiveness of the company in the booming weight loss market. The treatment, called CagriSema, led patients to lose 20% of their weight at 68 weeks in a late-stage study when looking at all participants, including those who dropped out, Novo said Friday.

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RFK Jr. could 'cost lives in this country' if he pursues changes to US vaccine policy, Gottlieb says

Fierce Pharma

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment last month to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services immediately sent waves of speculation swirling throughout the biopharma industry. | The former FDA Commissioner pointed to the threat of measles if vaccination rates were to decline by 5%.

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Milk-based therapies could be coming. This biotech CEO is aiming to lead the way.

PharmaVoice

Intrinsic Medicines is entering phase 2 trials in Parkinson’s disease and IBS for its human milk oligosaccharide drug candidates next year.

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DOJ sues CVS, alleging it knowingly filled unlawful opioid prescriptions

Fierce Healthcare

The Justice Department has filed suit against CVS, alleging that the retail giant unlawfully dispensed opioid prescriptions. | The Justice Department has filed suit against CVS, alleging that the retail giant unlawfully dispensed opioid prescriptions.

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Dupilumab Lowers Incidence of Psychiatric and Sleep Disorders in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Pharmacy Times

The monoclonal antibody demonstrates the ability to reduce the incidence and improve symptoms related to sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety.

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Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate Molnupiravir for Treatment of COVID-19 in High-Risk Adults

Drug Topics

The MOVe-NOW study will assess the investigational oral antiviral using a different formulation than what is currently approved under an emergency use authorization.

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STAT+: Eli Lilly to test obesity medications as treatments for alcohol and drug addiction, CEO says

STAT

Eli Lilly, the company that makes the blockbuster weight loss treatment Zepbound, will start studying its obesity products as treatments for alcohol and drug abuse, making it the first major drugmaker to do so, CEO David Ricks said Tuesday. Emerging research suggests that GLP-1 drugs — Zepbound is one such treatment — not only reduce food cravings but may also suppress desires for other substances.

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Peculiar Articles: 10 Potential Conversation Starters From The Medical Literature

IDStewardship

In this posta list of peculiar journal articles are highlighted, which may serve as conversationstarters from the medical literature. Authored by: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP Social events like holiday parties or kids birthday parties can be unpredictable. Sometimes you know everyone and it is a lot of fun. Sometimes you do not know many people and you are stuck trying to make conversation with new acquaintances.

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Big Pharma’s new DTC play: partnering with digital health providers

PharmaVoice

The pharma giant is looking for another edge in the competitive weight loss market through DTC expansion.

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