Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for January 2019. 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.
FDA Approves First Generic Version of Advair for Asthma, COPD
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first generic form of the Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder) inhaler has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Small Increase in HbA1c Seen With Switch to Human Insulin in T2DM
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Switching from analogue to human insulin is associated with a small increase in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, according to a study published in the Jan. 29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Methotrexate Well Tolerated, Effective for Psoriasis in Chinese
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Methotrexate is well tolerated and effective for psoriasis in a Chinese population and is more effective for those without psoriatic arthritis, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in JAMA Dermatology.
E-Cigarettes More Effective for Smoking Cessation
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Electronic cigarettes are more effective for smoking cessation than nicotine replacement therapy, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Management of MS in Pregnancy Reviewed in U.K. Guideline
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It is important to discuss family planning and pregnancy proactively in women of childbearing age who have multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review published online Jan. 5 in Practical Neurology.
Oral Antibiotics Noninferior to IV for Bone, Joint Infection
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients being treated for bone or joint infection, oral antibiotics are noninferior to intravenous antibiotics, according to a study published in the Jan. 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Infective Endocarditis Related to Injection Drug Use Rising
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for infective endocarditis related to injection drug use increased from 2006 to 2015, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Expanded Recall Announced for Ibuprofen Oral Suspension Drops
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An expanded recall of ibuprofen oral suspension drops that may contain higher-than-specified levels of ibuprofen that could harm infants’ kidneys has been announced by Tris Pharma, Inc.
Off-Label Uses in Dermatology Often Missing From Compendia
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The compendia used by Medicare for making coverage determinations are inadequate for dermatologic illnesses, and there is considerable discrepancy between compendia, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in JAMA Dermatology.
No Asthma Benefit Seen With n3PUFA in Overweight Teens
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Omega-3 fatty acid (n3PUFA) supplements do not appear to improve asthma control in teens and young adults who are overweight or obese, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Eye Infections in Newborns Advised
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed the recommendation for use of ocular prophylaxis for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. This recommendation forms the basis of a final recommendation statement published online Jan. 29 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Final Recommendation Statement
Evidence Review (subscription or payment may be required)
Large Insulin Price Hike to Be Investigated by U.S. Congress
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The soaring cost of insulin will be investigated as the U.S. Congress holds hearings into the high cost of prescription drugs, a lawmaker says.
AP News Article
Finasteride Not Tied to Increase in Prostate Cancer Mortality
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Finasteride is not associated with an increased risk for death due to prostate cancer, according to a research letter published in the Jan. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Public Health Interventions Could Cut Global Burden of Hepatitis C
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Public health interventions can go a long way toward meeting World Health Organization hepatitis C virus (HCV) targets, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in The Lancet.
NOACs Recommended as First-Line Prevention of Stroke in A-Fib
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with atrial fibrillation, novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are recommended over warfarin to prevent stroke and weight loss is recommended for overweight and obese individuals, according to updated guidelines published online Jan. 28 in Circulation.
Direct-Acting Antivirals Not Tied to Liver Cancer Recurrence
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is not associated with increased overall or early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence among patients with a previous complete response to HCC treatment, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in Gastroenterology.
Assay Aids Anticoagulant Dosing of Obese Patients for Bariatric Sx
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) may provide better information than anti-factor Xa (anti-XA) in determining the best dosage for blood thinners among obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, according to a study recently published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Disorders.
Many Teens Not Up to Date on HPV Vaccination
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many adolescents do not complete human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination before turning 13 or 15 years old, according to a report published online Jan. 17 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Home-Based Program Achieves Hypertension Control
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new home-based care delivery program can provide efficient and effective blood pressure (BP) control in individuals with hypertension, according to a study recently published in Clinical Cardiology.
Report IDs Areas Lacking Good Practice in Health Tech Assessment
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a report published in the January issue of Value in Health, an ISPOR–The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research working group indicates the lack of good practices in three areas of health technology assessment (HTA).
2003 to 2015 Saw Increase in Outpatient Benzodiazepine Use
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Outpatient benzodiazepine use increased from 2003 to 2015, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in JAMA Network Open.
Risk for Conversion of MS Varies With Different Therapies
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), the risk for conversion to secondary progressive MS is lower with initial treatment with fingolimod, alemtuzumab, or natalizumab versus glatiramer acetate or interferon beta, according to a study published online in the Jan. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Levodopa + Carbidopa Does Not Modify Disease in Early Parkinson
THURSDAY, Jan. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with early Parkinson disease, treatment with levodopa combined with carbidopa has no disease-modifying effect, according to a study published in the Jan. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Insulin Price More Than Doubled in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Some Americans with type 1 diabetes have cut back on their insulin usage as the cost of the drug nearly doubled over a five-year period.
CBS News Article
Benzodiazepine, Opioid Co-Usage Up in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Concurrent use of benzodiazepine receptor modulators and opioids and of nonselective and selective benzodiazepine receptor modulators increased from 1999-2000 to 2013-2014, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in SLEEP.
Meta-Analysis: Aspirin Linked to Lower Risk for CV Events in Primary Prevention
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For individuals without cardiovascular disease, use of aspirin is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular events and an increased risk for major bleeding, according to a meta-analysis published in the Jan. 22 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Herd Protection Seen With 4-Valent HPV Vaccination
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2006 to 2017, there was a decrease in 4-valent vaccine-type human papillomavirus (HPV) detection among vaccinated and unvaccinated women, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in Pediatrics.
Mavoglurant Improves Visual Attention in Fragile X Syndrome
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with fragile X syndrome (FXS), mavoglurant treatment improves visual attention and pupil reactivity, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in PLOS ONE.
Marketing of Opioids Linked to Increased OD Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Marketing of opioids to physicians is associated with increased mortality from opioid overdoses, according to a study published online Jan. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
Medical Cannabis Decisions Being Made by Users, Not Doctors
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many patients use medical cannabis without their mainstream health care provider’s knowledge, and further, they self-adjust their pharmaceutical use in response to cannabis use, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
CDC: Slight Hike in Prevalence of Gastroschisis Since 2006-2010
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Over time, the prevalence of gastroschisis has increased, with more babies born with gastroschisis in areas with high and medium versus low opioid prescription rates, according to research published in the Jan. 18 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
CDC: Opioid Prescribing Higher in Rural Versus Urban Areas
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of individuals prescribed an opioid is higher in rural than urban areas, according to research published in the Jan. 18 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Messages for Increasing Parental Confidence in HPV Vaccine ID’d
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Providing information on the benefits of vaccination, including cancer prevention, and avoiding expressing urgency to vaccinate can increase parent confidence in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in Pediatrics.
Poor Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes Tied to Fracture Risk
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Poor glycemic control is associated with an increased risk for fracture in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) but not in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Medication Treatment for Substance Abuse Up in Facilities
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2016, there was an increase in the proportion of substance use treatment facilities offering medication treatment (MT), according to a study published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
FDA Panel Has Tie Vote on New Type 1 Diabetes Drug
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel vote on whether to recommend approval of the first oral medication for type 1 diabetes ended in an 8-8 tie Thursday.
The New York Times Article
FDA Investigating Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons, Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration alerted health care providers on Thursday that the agency is investigating the use of paclitaxel-coated balloons and paclitaxel-eluting stents to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the femoropopliteal artery because of a potentially increased mortality risk in the long term.
Inappropriate Antibiotic Rx Common in Privately Insured
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Less than half of all outpatient antibiotic prescription fills by privately insured nonelderly adults and children in the United States are appropriate or potentially appropriate, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in The BMJ.
Oral Hepatoselective Glucokinase Activator Promising in T2DM
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of the oral hepatoselective glucokinase activator (GKA) TTP399 for type 2 diabetes does not cause hypoglycemia and has no detrimental effect on plasma lipids or liver enzymes, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in Science Translational Medicine.
Mandated Neonatal Abstinence Reporting Helps Quantify Cases
FRIDAY, Jan. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Mandated neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) surveillance and reporting allows state health departments to quantify incidence and informs programs and services, according to research published in the Jan. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Antibiotics Often Inappropriately Prescribed for Bronchiolitis in ED
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most children younger than 2 years with bronchiolitis seen in U.S. emergency departments and prescribed antibiotics have no documented bacterial coinfection, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
FDA Approves First Generic Version of Epilepsy Drug Sabril
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first generic version of Sabril (vigabatrin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent complex partial seizures in adults and children aged 10 years and older with epilepsy.
WHO: Vaccine Hesitancy a Major Global Health Threat
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Vaccine hesitancy is among the top 10 health threats facing the world in 2019, the World Health Organization says.
Newsweek Article
More Information: WHO
FDA Down to 5 Weeks of Funding to Review New Drug Applications
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only about five weeks of funding left to review new drug applications, according to Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.
CNN News Article
Ertugliflozin Seems Safe, Effective for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ertugliflozin appears safe and effective at improving long-term glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on metformin, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Prevalence of Knee OA Lower With Menopausal Hormone Therapy
THURSDAY, Jan. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For postmenopausal women, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is lower with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Menopause.
Dermatologists’ Rx for Antibiotics Dropped From 2008 to 2016
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dermatologists’ use of antibiotics to treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea is decreasing, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in JAMA Dermatology.
Adoption of Advanced Health IT Capabilities Inconsistent
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of advanced health information technology (HIT) capabilities is inconsistent across health care systems, with electronic health record (EHR) standardization being the strongest predictor of advanced capabilities, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.
Review Shares Best Practices for Evaluating Penicillin Allergy
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new review, published in the Jan. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, addresses best practices for the evaluation and management of reported penicillin allergies.
USPSTF Recommends Risk-Reducing Meds for Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends risk-reducing medications for women at high risk for breast cancer who are at low risk for adverse events, but medications are not recommended for routine use. These recommendations form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Jan. 15 by the task force.
Draft Recommendation Statement
Draft Evidence Review
Comment on Recommendation
Congo Ebola Outbreak Now Second Worst in History
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There have been 600 confirmed cases of Ebola and 347 confirmed deaths since early August in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, making this outbreak of the disease the second largest and second deadliest in history.
ABC News Article
More Information: CDC
Guideline Issued for Treatment of Mild/Moderate Ulcerative Colitis
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new clinical guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published Dec. 18 in Gastroenterology focuses on the medical management of patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
Abstract/Full Text – Guideline (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Technical Review (subscription or payment may be required)
Opioids Now More Deadly for Americans Than Traffic Accidents
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For the first time in history, Americans’ risk for dying from an opioid overdose is higher than their risk for dying in a car accident, the National Safety Council reported Monday.
Comorbidities Adversely Linked to Cancer Trial Participation
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For cancer patients, the presence of comorbidities is adversely linked to trial discussions, trial offers, and trial participation, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in JAMA Oncology.
Vitamin D Supplementation Can Help Cut COPD Exacerbations
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D supplementation safely and substantially reduces the rate of moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations in patients with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <25 nmol/L, according to a review published online Jan. 10 in Thorax.
Study Explores Influence of Genetics, Environment in Disease
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The influence of heritability and environmental factors has been identified for a large number of phenotypes, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Nature Genetics.
Delayed Contraception Leads to Early Unwanted Pregnancy
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Delayed contraceptive initiation is associated with unwanted pregnancy within three months of sexual debut, according to a study published online Jan. 15 in Pediatrics.
800-662-HELP Underappreciated in Media, General Population
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration national helpline (800-662-HELP) seems to be underappreciated in the media and by the general population, according to a research letter published online Jan. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
U.S. Doctor Released From Omaha Hospital After Ebola Monitoring
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An American doctor who was monitored for 21 days after possible Ebola exposure did not develop the deadly disease and has been released from the Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, officials say.
Investigational Cream Promising for Atopic Dermatitis
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Topical application of a transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily, member 1 (TRPV1) antagonist may be an effective and safe treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a phase IIb study published online Jan. 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Menopausal Hormone Tx Use Down Post-WHI Recommendations
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) recommendations for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use issued in 2002 have been widely adopted, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Menopause.
One in Five Back Pain Patients Experience Persistent Pain
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eighteen percent of patients with back pain experience a persistent trajectory, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Expanding Pharmacist Practice Scope Could Reduce ED Overcrowding
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The introduction of emergency department- or community-based pharmacists with an expanded scope of practice may cut emergency department overcrowding, according to a study recently published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Median Survival for Stage 4 ALK-Positive NSCLC Nearly 7 Years
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis for patients with stage IV anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 6.8 years, according to a study published online Dec. 29 in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Drug Overdose Death Rate Increasing Among Middle-Aged Women
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2017, the drug overdose death rate increased 260 percent among women aged 30 to 64 years, according to research published in the Jan. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
CDC: Flu Cases Hit 7 Million in the United States
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The flu season is picking up steam, with about 7 million Americans having been struck by a strain of the flu virus, health officials said Friday.
Statin Therapy Reduces Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy in T2DM
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk for diabetic retinopathy, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Drug Repurposing May Provide More Psychiatric Tx Options
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Three classes of drugs hold potential as repurposed agents to treat patients with serious mental illness, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Persistent Opioid Use High in Head, Neck Cancer Patients
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Persistent opioid use at three and six months remains high among patients undergoing treatment for head and neck squamous cell cancer, according to a study recently published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Prices Still Explain High U.S. Health Care Spending
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The difference in health spending between the United States and other countries is still explained by health care prices, according to a study published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
FDA: Chocolates, Candies May Be Contaminated With Hepatitis A
THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A public health alert about possible hepatitis A contamination in Modjeskas from Bauer’s Candies was announced Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Seniors Still Report Barriers to Hearing Care Services
THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicaid are less likely to use hearing care services and more likely to report having trouble with their aids, according to a study published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
Transdermal HRT Not Linked to Increased Risk for VTE
THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), while transdermal preparations are not linked to increased risk, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the BMJ.
Flu Vaccination Safe for Hospitalized Patients
THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Influenza vaccination during hospitalization is associated with reduced risk for readmission, outpatient visits, fever, and clinical evaluations for infection postdischarge, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Smartphone App Can Detect Early Signs of Opioid Overdose
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Specialized smartphone software can be used to detect early signs of opioid overdose, according to research published in the Jan. 9 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
Nine Cases of Wound Botulism ID’d in Injection Drug Users
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among persons who inject drugs, nine cases of wound botulism were identified in Southern California from September 2017 to April 2018, according to research published in the Jan. 4 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Long Work Hours Tied to Poor Glycemic Control in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Long work hours (≥60 hours/week) are associated with poor glycemic control in young Japanese men with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
No Increased Fall Risk With HTN Treatment in Older Women
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Treating high blood pressure (BP) is not associated with an increased fall risk among older women, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Increase in Brand-Name Drug Cost Mainly Due to Existing Drugs
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The costs of oral and injectable brand-name drugs increased from 2008 to 2016, with most of the increase due to existing drugs, while new drugs accounted for cost increases in specialty and generic drugs, according to a study published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
IC Nicardipine Promising for Tx of Spontaneous Coronary Slow-Flow
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Intracoronary (IC) administration of nicardipine seems to be highly effective in reversing spontaneous coronary slow-flow (CSF), according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the Journal of Invasive Cardiology.
Medical Marketing Has Increased in Past 20 Years
TUESDAY, Jan. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 through 2016, there was an increase in medical marketing, especially direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising, according to research published in the Jan. 1/8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Antibiotics Prescribed for Children More Often at Nonpediatric EDs
TUESDAY, Jan. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most emergency visits by children occur at nonpediatric emergency departments, which have more frequent antibiotic prescribing, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in Pediatrics.
ACA Coverage Gains Could Erode Without Individual Mandate
TUESDAY, Jan. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eliminating the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate penalty is unlikely to destabilize the individual market in California but could roll back coverage gains, according to a study published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
Multimethod Approach Improves ID of Med Nonadherence
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An approach involving a combination of provider report and pharmacy refill data can improve identification of medication nonadherence among youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published in the January issue of Pediatric Nephrology.
Rituximab Beneficial in Secondary Progressive MS
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), treatment with rituximab is associated with a significantly lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and delayed progression, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Neurology.
Rx Opioids Up Pneumonia Risk in Patients With, Without HIV
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prescribed opioids are associated with an increased risk for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization among persons with and without HIV, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Flu Vaccine Cuts Flu-Related Hospitalization in COPD Patients
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalization, influenza vaccination is associated with a significant reduction in influenza-related hospitalization, according to a study published online Jan. 4 in CHEST.
Recent Nasal Preps Less Effective Than Injected Vax for Flu in Kids
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) is less effective than inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) against influenza A/H1N1pdm09 in all pediatric age groups, according to research published online Jan. 7 in Pediatrics.
Gabapentin Improves Sexual Function in Provoked Vulvodynia
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For women with provoked vulvodynia, gabapentin improves sexual function compared with placebo, although overall sexual function is still lower than for pain-free controls, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Meta-Analysis: Botulinum A Tops Placebo for Chronic Migraine
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For chronic migraine, botulinum type A injections are superior to placebo after three months of therapy, according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors at Risk for Later Cancers
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) remain at increased risk for developing subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), according to research published online Dec. 17 in Cancer.
Exercise Can Consistently Lower Blood Pressure
MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Exercise can consistently yield reductions in blood pressure, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 18 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Prenatal Valproate Exposure Linked to Increased ADHD Risk
FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of the antiepileptic drug (AED) valproate during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among offspring, according to a study published online Jan. 4 in JAMA Network Open.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome/AML Risk Increased After Chemo
FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risks for therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia (tMDS/AML) are elevated after chemotherapy use for solid tumors, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Oncology.
Discharge One Hour After Naloxone for OD May Be Option
FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A rule with six criteria can determine whether patients can be safely discharged from the emergency department after a one-hour observation period following prehospital naloxone administration, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Academic Emergency Medicine.
Classification of Psoriasis Severity Depends on Definition
THURSDAY, Jan. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Depending on the definition used, there are large variations in the proportion of patients identified as having moderate-to-severe psoriasis, according to a study published in the December issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.
Pediatric Mortality Rate From Opioid Poisoning Rose 1999 to 2016
THURSDAY, Jan. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2016, there was close to a threefold increase in the pediatric mortality rate from opioid poisonings in the United States, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in JAMA Network Open.
Antidepressant Use in Seniors Linked to Risk for Hip Fracture
THURSDAY, Jan. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among older adults, antidepressant users sustain more hip fractures than nonusers both before and after therapy initiation, according to a study published online Jan. 2 in JAMA Psychiatry.
U.S. Doctor Monitored for Ebola Exposure in Nebraska Hospital
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An American doctor is being treated at a Nebraska medical center for possible exposure to the Ebola virus while providing medical care in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is in the middle of an Ebola outbreak that has left more than 300 dead.
CBS News Article
More Information: CDC
Available Vial Sizes Can Cut Drug Waste in Weight-Based Dosing
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pharmaceutical vial fill volumes can be optimized to reduce drug wastage when dosing is calculated by patient weight or body surface area, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy.
College Students at Increased Risk for SgB Meningococcal Dz
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — College students have an increased risk for sporadic and outbreak-associated serogroup B meningococcal disease, according to a study published online Dec. 31 in Pediatrics.
Price of Alirocumab Would Have to Be Cut to Be Cost-Effective
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome receiving a statin, the price of alirocumab would have to be reduced to be cost-effective, according to a study published online Jan. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
No Increased Fracture Risk With Canagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Canagliflozin is not associated with increased fracture risk versus glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Jan. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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