Home Pharmacy November 2018 Briefing – Pharmacy

November 2018 Briefing – Pharmacy

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for November 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Teva Recalls Two Blood Pressure Medications

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — All lots of amlodipine/valsartan and amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination blood pressure tablets have been recalled by Teva Pharmaceuticals due to higher-than-acceptable levels of a chemical that may cause cancer.

Care for Chronic Kidney Disease Varies Across VA Facilities

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For veterans with diabetes and concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD), CKD care, including ordering laboratory tests and scheduling nephrology referrals, varies considerably by facility, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Increase Seen in Amphetamine, Opioid Use in Pregnant Women

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of amphetamine and opioid use has increased among pregnant women, especially in rural counties, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the American Journal of Public Health.

Most Bills Enacted Into Law Limit Vaccine Exemptions

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most proposed bills in state legislatures from 2011 to 2017 sought to expand access to immunization exemptions, but the majority of bills enacted into law limited exemptions, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the American Journal of Public Health.

FDA Approves Treatment for AML Patients With Gene Mutation

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Xospata (gilteritinib) tablets were approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults with an FLT3 mutation, the agency announced in a news release. The FDA also granted expanded approval to the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay used to detect the FLT3 mutation in AML patients.

FDA Approves Firdapse for Rare Autoimmune Disorder

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Firdapse (amifampridine) tablets have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS).

Certain SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs for T2DM Also Cut CV Risk

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) demonstrate significant cardiovascular (CV) benefit and should be used for reducing CV risk in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), according to a report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways published online Nov. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

FDA Approves First Biosimilar to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Drug

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Truxima (rituximab-abbs) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first biosimilar to the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma drug Rituxan, the agency said today.

Lanadelumab Reduces Attack Rate in Hereditary Angioedema

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hereditary angioedema type I or II, lanadelumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits active plasma kallikrein, reduces the attack rate compared with placebo, according to a study published in the Nov. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

FDA: Kratom Products Have High Levels of Heavy Metals

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In addition to many other health risks, kratom products can have high levels of heavy metals, according to Scott Gottlieb, M.D., commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Men Should Avoid ‘Rhino’ Sexual Enhancement Products, FDA Says

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning men that “Rhino” products promising better sex may pose serious health risks.

FDA Approves Vitrakvi for Cancers With Certain Genetic Trait

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult and pediatric patients whose cancers have a specific genetic feature.

More information

FDA to Update Medical Device Approvals Process

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A major update of the United States’ system for approving medical devices was announced yesterday by the Food and Drug Administration.

Risks of Trazodone Similar to Those of Atypical Antipsychotics

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older adults with dementia, trazodone is associated with a comparable risk for falls and fractures as that of atypical antipsychotics, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in CMAJ, the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

Food Assistance May Help Older Adults Adhere to Diabetes Meds

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may reduce the number of low-income older adults with diabetes forgoing medications because of cost, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Involving Opioids Up

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2016, there was a sharp increase in pregnancy-associated mortality involving opioids, according to a research letter recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Recommended Therapies for Polycythemia Vera Underused

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among older patients with polycythemia vera (PV), therapeutic phlebotomy and hydroxyurea (HU) are associated with improved overall survival and decreased risk for thrombosis but are underused, according to a study recently published in Blood Advances.

ACA Coverage Substantial, but Did Not Impact Labor Markets

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Millions of workers gained insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without adverse effects on labor markets, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.

Report: How Have Workers Fared Under the ACA?

FDA Approves New Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the approval of Daurismo (glasdegib) tablets for use in combination with a low dose of the chemotherapy cytarabine to treat newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment is indicated for patients aged 75 years or older who have comorbidities that may prevent the use of intensive chemotherapy.

Newborns Infected With Ebola in Congo Outbreak

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ebola infections in newborns are being reported in the current outbreak of the deadly disease in Congo, the World Health Organization says.

AP News Article
More Information: CDC

Early Antibiotic Use May Be Tied to Higher Childhood Body Weight

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antibiotic use in children <24 months of age is associated with a slightly higher body weight at 5 years of age, according to a study published recently in Pediatrics.

USPSTF Suggests Universal HIV Screening, PrEP for High-Risk Patients

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends HIV screening for individuals aged 15 to 65 years, including all pregnant women, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be offered to those at high risk of HIV. These findings form the basis of two draft recommendation statements published online Nov. 20 by the USPSTF.

Draft Evidence Review – Adolescents/Adults
Draft Recommendation Statement – Adolescents/Adults
Comment on Recommendation Statement – Adolescents/Adults
Draft Evidence Review – Pregnancy
Draft Recommendation Statement – Pregnancy
Comment on Recommendation Statement – Pregnancy
Draft Evidence Review – PrEP
Draft Recommendation Statement – PrEP
Comment on Recommendation Statement – PrEP

Ocrelizumab May Help Preserve Hand, Arm Function in PPMS

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), ocrelizumab reduces progression of upper-extremity (UE) impairment, according to an exploratory analysis published online Nov. 12 in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal.

Insulin Needed for T2DM Tx Set to Increase >20 Percent by 2030

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2018 to 2030, the insulin required to treat type 2 diabetes is expected to increase more than 20 percent, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Probiotics Show No Benefits for Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For children with acute gastroenteritis, probiotics show no significant benefit versus placebo, according to two studies published in the Nov. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text – Schnadower (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Freedman (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

ADT May Up Risk for Heart Failure in Prostate Cancer Patients

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with prostate cancer, androgen deprivation therapy is associated with an increased risk for heart failure, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

FDA Approves Drug to Treat Rare Immune Disease

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Gamifant (emapalumab-lzsg) for the treatment of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in pediatric (as young as newborn) and adult patients who have refractory, recurrent, or progressive disease or intolerance with conventional HLH treatment.

FDA Warns Two Companies About Bogus Opioid Addiction Treatment

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Warning letters about products illegally marketed as treatments for opioid addiction, pain, and anxiety have been sent to two companies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

FDA Approves Drug for Treatment of Travelers’ Diarrhea

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced it has approved Aemcolo (rifamycin), an antibacterial drug indicated for treating adult patients with travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) without fever or blood in the stool.

Few Mandatory Pediatric Postmarketing Studies Completed

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, only 33.8 percent of mandatory pediatric postmarketing studies were completed, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Novel Scoring System Can Up Access to Biologics in Psoriasis

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new scoring system that accounts for “not relevant” responses (NRRs) on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) for patients with psoriasis is valid for avoiding bias and can improve access to biologics, according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.

Dementia Tied to Mortality in Older Adults With Down Syndrome

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Dementia is associated with mortality in most older adults with Down syndrome, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Neurology.

Pain Management Telementoring May Cut Opioid Prescribing

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Military patients whose primary care clinicians participated in a telementoring program, including education on pain management best practices, have larger declines in opioid-related prescriptions than patients whose clinicians did not participate, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Even With Standing Orders, Naloxone Access Varies

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are great differences in access to naloxone even among states that have passed legislation to allow pharmacists to dispense the medication without a physician’s prescription, according to two research letters published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Abstract/Full Text – Puzantian (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Evoy (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

FDA Approves First-Line Tx for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday expanded approval for the use of Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) injection in combination with chemotherapy for adult patients with specific types of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

Prevalence of Food Allergy 7.6 Percent in U.S. Children

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of food allergy (FA) is 7.6 percent among children in the United States, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Pediatrics.

Patient Education Ups VTE Prophylaxis in Hospital Setting

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A patient-centered education bundle intervention can reduce nonadministration of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Network Open.

HIV Transmission Risk Small With Antiretroviral Compliance

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for sexual transmission of HIV is negligible when an HIV-positive sex partner adheres to antiretroviral therapy and maintains viral suppression, according to research published in the November issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

Opioid Misuse Varies With Sexual Orientation

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid misuse varies with sexual orientation, with increased misuse among female bisexuals, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

MS Relapse Drops During Pregnancy but Rises After

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse decrease during pregnancy but increase postpartum, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in Neurology.

Onset of Musculoskeletal Adverse Events Varies Between Statins

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The onset of musculoskeletal adverse events (MAEs) during statin monotherapy is significantly faster with use of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin versus simvastatin, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in Pharmacology Research & Perspectives.

Epinephrine Personal Autoinjectors Cost-Effective at $24

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a simulation of children with peanut allergy, epinephrine personal autoinjectors are cost-effective at $24, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Network Open.

Higher Risk for Amputation, DKA With SGLT2 Inhibitors for T2DM

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is associated with an increased risk for lower-limb amputation and diabetic ketoacidosis compared with use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in The BMJ.

CDC: 8.8 Percent Uninsured in U.S. in First Half of 2018

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In the first six months of 2018, 8.8 percent of U.S. individuals of all ages were uninsured, which was not significantly different from 2017, according to a report published Nov. 15 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Name-Brand Medications Driving Spike in U.S. Drug Spending

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rising drug spending in the United States is being fueled by expensive name-brand prescription medicines, a new study shows.

NBC News Article
Blue Cross Blue Shield Report

CDC: Many Americans May Have Prediabetes and Not Know It

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, but 90 percent of them do not know they have it, medical experts say.

Pharmacist-Led Effort Cuts Inappropriate Rx in Older Adults

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A pharmacist-led intervention has the potential to reduce prescriptions for inappropriate medication in older adults, according to a study published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Changes in Risk Indicators of MetS Severity Tied to T2DM Risk

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with prediabetes who are randomly assigned to interventions, changes in risk indicators of metabolic syndrome (MetS) severity are associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published in the November issue of Diabetes Care.

Consensus Statement Issued on Management of Foot, Ankle Gout

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners-Orthopedics Specialty Practice Group have issued a new joint clinical consensus statement on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of gouty arthritis of the foot and ankle; the consensus statement was published in the November-December issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.

One-Third of Peds Medication Errors Due to Usability Issues

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of pediatric patient safety reports in 2012 to 2017 that were related to electronic health record (EHR) use were attributed to usability issues, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

Denosumab Promising for TDT-Induced Osteoporosis Treatment

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Denosumab (DNM), a fully human monoclonal antibody against the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), may be beneficial for managing transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT)-induced osteoporosis, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in Blood Advances.

Ebola Outbreak Worst in Congo’s History

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The current Ebola outbreak in Congo is the worst in the country’s recorded history, the health ministry says.

AP News Article
More Information: CDC

No Efficacy Signal for Fluoxetine in EV-D68 Acute Flaccid Myelitis

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The antiviral agent fluoxetine is well tolerated but is not effective for patients with proven or presumptive enterovirus D68-associated acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), according to a study published online Nov. 9 in Neurology.

Quick New Ebola Test Approved by FDA

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A fast, single-use fingerstick test for infection with the Ebola virus has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Curcumin Lacks Benefit

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — When used perioperatively in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, curcumin has no beneficial effect, according to a study published in the Oct. 29 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

FDA Approves New Version of OTC Primatene Mist

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new version of an over-the-counter asthma inhaler that was taken off the market in 2011 has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Trump Administration Finalizes Birth Control Coverage Opt-Out

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A birth control coverage opt-out for employers was finalized by the Trump administration on Wednesday.

AP News Article

Zoliflodacin Seems Effective for Some Gonococcal Infections

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Oral zoliflodacin, which inhibits DNA biosynthesis, seems effective for urogenital and rectal gonococcal infections but is less effective for pharyngeal infections, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Quantity of Opioids Prescribed Postop Linked to Consumption

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The quantity of opioids prescribed after surgery is associated with patient-reported opioid consumption, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in JAMA Surgery.

Improved Long-Term Pregnancy Outcomes for Goserelin + Chemo

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For premenopausal women with stage I to IIIA estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer, goserelin plus chemotherapy is associated with an increased likelihood of becoming pregnant without an increased risk for adverse effects, according to a study published online Oct. 29 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Medicaid Expansion Approved in Three Republican-Leaning States

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of thousands more low-income Americans could get health insurance after voters in three Republican-leaning states approved Medicaid expansion in the midterm elections.

CNBC Article

Addition of Elotuzumab Ups PFS in Refractory Multiple Myeloma

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with multiple myeloma in whom treatment with lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor has failed, progression-free survival is longer in those receiving the immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody elotuzumab in addition to pomalidomide and dexamethasone versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nonadherence, Discontinuation of Statins High in 1st Year of Rx

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-year nonadherence and discontinuation are high among older adults prescribed statins, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Polygenic Risk Score Predicts Tx Response in Schizophrenia

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A polygenic risk score (PRS) for schizophrenia can predict 12-week posttreatment symptom scores among patients with first-episode psychosis, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Abx-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Tied to Clinical Failure in UTI

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Community-onset urinary tract infection (UTI) due to extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R) Enterobacteriaceae (EB) is significantly associated with clinical failure, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

CDC Director Says Congo Ebola Outbreak May Be Uncontainable

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — It may not be possible to bring the Ebola outbreak in Congo under control, and the deadly disease may become entrenched in the northeastern part of the country, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield says.

Washington Post Article
More Information: CDC

AHA: After 2007 Recs, Increase Seen in Infective Endocarditis

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Following the 2007 American Heart Association (AHA) update of recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) to prevent infective endocarditis (IE), there has been a decrease in AP and an increase in IE incidence for high-risk individuals, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The research was published to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, held from Nov. 10 to 12 in Chicago.

Stratifying by Severity May Allow Shorter TB Tx Regimens

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Stratifying tuberculosis (TB) patients by disease severity may enable shorter treatment regimens, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in Nature Medicine.

Buprenorphine/Samidorphan Helpful in Refractory Depression

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An adjunctive buprenorphine/samidorphan (BUP/SAM) combination seems beneficial for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with inadequate response to antidepressant therapy (ADT), according to a study published online Oct. 29 in Molecular Psychiatry.

Majority of Internists Still Have Financial Ties to Industry

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A majority of internists still report financial ties to industry, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Most Meds Affecting Neurotransmitters Not Linked to Autism Risk

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Prenatal exposure to most medications affecting neurotransmitter systems is not associated with estimates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in JAMA Psychiatry.

FDA Approves Powerful New Opioid Despite Criticisms

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ruling against the recommendation of one of its chief experts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved an extremely potent new opioid painkiller, Dsuvia.

Washington Post Article
HealthDay Article
Statement From FDA Commissioner

U.S. Opioid Overdose Deaths Reach Record Number

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of opioid overdose deaths in the United States reached a new record last year with 72,000 deaths, which works out to about 200 a day, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration report released today. The report comes just over a week after U.S. health secretary Alex Azar said overdose deaths have started to level off.

AP News Article
2018 National Drug Threat Assessment

Sign-Up Season Begins on HealthCare.gov

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The federal government website where Americans can sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is up and running, officials said yesterday.

AP News Article
HealthCare.gov

HPV Vaccination Uptake Increasing, but Still Too Low

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Although progress has been made in increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, coverage is still too low to achieve full cancer prevention potential, according to a report from the President’s Cancer Panel published Nov. 1.

First FDA-Approved Cannabis Drug Now Available in U.S.

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The first cannabis-based medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now available by prescription nationwide.

CNN Article
HealthDay Article
FDA June Approval

Second Hypertension Drug Recalled Due to Contamination

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Another hypertension drug is being recalled due to contamination that could pose a cancer risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

CNN Article
FDA Recall Alert

AAD Releases New Guidelines for the Tx of Cutaneous Melanoma

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New guidelines have been released for the treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, according to a report from the American Academy of Dermatology published online Nov. 1 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Financial Conflicts of Interest Prevalent Among CPG Authors

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is a high prevalence of financial conflicts of interest among authors of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to high-revenue medications and in gastroenterology, according to two research letters published online Oct. 29 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text – Khan (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Combs (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Updated Guidelines Released for Emergency Care of Children

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nurses Association have released updated guidelines for emergency care of injured and critically ill children. The guidelines were published in a policy statement in the November issue of Pediatrics.

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