Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for May 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.
No Consistent Cardiovascular Benefit Seen for Supplements
THURSDAY, May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The data on popular supplements show no consistent cardiovascular benefit, according to a study published in the June 5 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
FDA Issues Final Guidance on Inhalational Anthrax
THURSDAY, May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Final guidance has been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to assist in the development of drugs for the prevention of inhalational anthrax for individuals who may have been exposed but who have not yet displayed related signs or symptoms.
ASHP: SVP, Injectable Opioid Shortages Threaten Patient Care
THURSDAY, May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The widespread shortages of injectable opioids and small-volume parenteral (SVP) solutions are jeopardizing patient care and placing a strain on hospital operations, according to a report published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Galcanezumab Beats Placebo for Episodic Migraine
THURSDAY, May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with episodic migraine, galcanezumab is better than placebo for reducing migraine headache days, according to a study published online May 29 in JAMA Neurology.
Oral Propranolol Seems Safe for Infantile Hemangioma
THURSDAY, May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The safety profile of oral propranolol seems to be good for children with infantile hemangioma, according to a study published online May 29 in Pediatrics.
Birth Control Pills Recalled Over Potential Pregnancy Risk
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Almost 170,000 birth control pill packs are being recalled over a manufacturing error that could lead to unplanned pregnancy, maker Allergan says.
FDA Approves New Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Xeljanz (tofacitinib) has been expanded to include adults with active moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, the agency said Wednesday.
Annual Health Care Expenditure Higher for Hypertensive Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with hypertension have a higher annual adjusted incremental expenditure of $1,920, according to a study published online May 30 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Elevated HbA1c Usually Leads to Prompt Tx Start, Intensification
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most patients are newly initiated on antidiabetic therapy or have antidiabetic therapy intensified within six months of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) elevation, according to a study published online May 24 in Diabetes Care.
Parents Have Concerns Over Food Allergy Precautions at Schools
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A substantial portion of parents whose children have food allergies have concerns over the safety of their child at school, according to a study published online May 12 in BMC Pediatrics.
Worse Survival for BRCA Germline Mutation Carriers in Pancreatic CA
WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutation carriers with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have worse survival after resection, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Most Premature Infants Receive Early Antibiotics
TUESDAY, May 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most premature infants receive empirical antibiotic therapy, according to a study published online May 25 in JAMA Network Open.
Mini-Dose Glucagon May Halt Post-Exercise Hypoglycemia
TUESDAY, May 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Mini-dose glucagon (MDG) is an effective approach for preventing exercise-induced hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online May 18 in Diabetes Care.
Reduced-Dose Anticoagulants Feasible for Extended VTE Tx
TUESDAY, May 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For an extended duration, reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be as effective as full-dose treatment for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a review published online May 17 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Increase in Tx Candidates With 2017 Hypertension Guidelines
FRIDAY, May 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline is associated with an increase in the proportion of adults recommended for antihypertensive treatment compared with the 2014 guideline, according to a study published online May 23 in JAMA Cardiology.
FDA Approves Palynziq for Phenylketonuria
FRIDAY, May 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Palynziq (pegvaliase-pqpz) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat phenylketonuria, or PKU.
Antidepressant Prescribing Linked to Lasting Weight Gain
FRIDAY, May 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antidepressant prescribing is associated with long-term increased risk of weight gain, according to a study published online May 23 in The BMJ.
Certolizumab Looks Promising for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis
FRIDAY, May 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Twice-weekly certolizumab biologic appears to be both safe and effective for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, according to a study published online April 13 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
AAP Recommending Injectable Flu Shot for 2018-19 Flu Season
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parents are advised to choose the injectable flu vaccine for the 2018 to 2019 season, according to a decision published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which will publish a formal policy statement on the issue in September.
Congress Approves Bill Expanding Private Care for VA Patients
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients served by the beleaguered Veterans Affairs health system may have wider access to private care, thanks to a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate. President Donald Trump is known to support the bill, which now awaits his signature.
Rising Fatal Drug Overdoses Linked to Years of Life Lost
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For non-Hispanic whites, rising fatal drug overdose rates are associated with increases in the mortality rate and years of potential life lost from 1999 to 2015, according to a study published online May 22 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Delay of Lactate Draws in Sepsis Ups Risk of In-Hospital Death
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Each hour of delay in detecting abnormal lactates in patients with sepsis increases the odds of in-hospital death, according to a study published online May 24 in CHEST.
Burosumab May Benefit Children With X-Linked Hypophosphatemia
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For children with X-linked hypophosphatemia, subcutaneous burosumab is associated with decreases in rickets severity and with improved renal tubular phosphate reabsorption, according to a study published in the May 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Global Variation in Personal Health Care Access and Quality
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable global variation in personal health care access and quality, according to a study published online May 23 in The Lancet.
Regional Anesthesia Tied to Lower Opioid Use in TKA, THA
THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Regional anesthesia is associated with a lower opioid consumption in both knee and hip replacement surgeries, compared to general anesthesia, according to a study published May 14 in PAIN Practice.
Recommendations Developed for Managing Postpartum Pain
WEDNESDAY, May 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations for managing postpartum pain have been developed and published in a Committee Opinion online May 17 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Increase in Pediatric ADHD Meds Exposures from 2000 to 2011
TUESDAY, May 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 through 2011 there was an increase in pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication exposures reported to U.S. poison control centers, according to a study published online May 21 in Pediatrics.
TNFi Exposure In Utero Does Not Up Serious Infection Risk
TUESDAY, May 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Offspring born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are exposed to tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) in the gestational period do not have a significantly increased risk of serious infections, according to a study published online May 17 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
CDC: No Change in Level of Uninsured in U.S. in 2017
TUESDAY, May 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 9.1 percent of individuals in the United States were uninsured in 2017, which was not significantly different from the level in 2016, according to a report published online May 22 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Centers for Health Statistics.
Addressing Parents’ HPV Vaccine Hesitancy Ups Vaccination Rates
TUESDAY, May 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers engaging parents hesitant about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and addressing their concerns can lead to same-day vaccinations, according to a study published online May 15 in Pediatrics.
FDA OKs Doptelet for Liver Dz Patients Undergoing Procedures
MONDAY, May 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Doptelet (avatrombopag) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with chronic liver disease who are slated to have a medical or dental procedure.
Patterns of Potential Misuse Help Assess Risk of Opioid Overdose
MONDAY, May 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patterns of potential opioid misuse are positively associated with subsequent opioid overdose, according to a study published online May 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
FDA Approves Aimovig to Prevent Migraines
MONDAY, May 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent migraine headaches in adults.
Rivaroxaban Linked to Low VTE Recurrence in Active Cancer
MONDAY, May 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with active cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE), rivaroxaban is associated with lower VTE recurrence compared with dalteparin, but with elevated clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB), according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Semaglutide Found to Be Effective Against Type 2 Diabetes
MONDAY, May 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Semaglutide is safe and effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, according to a review published online May 13 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Language Used in Medical Record Can Affect Patient Care
FRIDAY, May 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Stigmatizing language used in medical records to describe patients can influence medical students and residents in terms of their attitudes towards the patient and their clinical decision-making, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Pharmacists Should Counsel Patients Fasting for Ramadan
FRIDAY, May 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists should counsel Muslim patients who fast during Ramadan with respect to their medications and adjusting their medication regimen, according to an article published in Drug Topics.
Adding Chiropractic to Usual Care Beneficial for Low Back Pain
FRIDAY, May 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For active-duty military personnel, the addition of chiropractic care to usual medical care is associated with improvements in low back pain intensity and disability, according to a study published online May 18 in JAMA Network Open.
FDA Approves Non-Opioid Treatment for Opioid Withdrawal
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Lucemyra (lofexidine hydrochloride) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Budesonide-Formoterol Used As Needed Beneficial in Mild Asthma
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Inhaled combined budesonide-formoterol used as needed is beneficial for mild asthma, according to two studies published in the May 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text – O’Byrne (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Bateman (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy Varies by Sex
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced cancers, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is associated with improved overall survival, with the magnitude of the benefit sex-dependent, according to research published online May 16 in The Lancet Oncology.
Sustained Use of Oxymetazoline Cream Efficacious for Rosacea
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Oxymetazoline is safe and effective for the treatment of moderate-to-severe persistent erythema of rosacea, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Addition of Cannabidiol May Cut Drop Seizures in Lennox-Gastaut
WEDNESDAY, May 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The addition of cannabidiol to conventional antiepileptic medication is associated with a reduction in the frequency of drop seizures among patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, according to a study published in the May 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Nonprofit Manufacturer Could Keep Generic Drug Costs Down
WEDNESDAY, May 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A nonprofit manufacturer could help keep generic drug prices down and maintain their supply, according to a perspective piece published in the May 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Fremanezumab Linked to Fewer Monthly Migraine Days
WEDNESDAY, May 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with episodic migraine, fremanezumab is associated with a reduction in the mean number of monthly migraine days, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prescription Med Use in Children Down Overall From 1999 to 2014
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2014 there was a decrease in prescription medication use overall among children and adolescents, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
FDA Approves ‘Biosimilar’ Drug to Treat Certain Types of Anemia
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first “biosimilar” to the anemia drugs Epogen and Procrit.
Novel Purchasing Strategy Could Cut Medicaid Costs for HCV Meds
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A novel purchasing strategy could dramatically reduce the costs of medications for hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online May 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Early Post-Op APAP Exposure May Cut AKI Risk in Peds Cardiac Sx
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, early postoperative acetaminophen exposure may be associated with a reduced rate of acute kidney injury (AKI), according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Peripheral Neuropathy Common in Childhood Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Childhood cancer survivors frequently have clinical abnormalities attributable to peripheral neuropathy, according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Neurology.
Shower Cream, Body Lotion Combo Improves Atopic Dry Skin
TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A shower cream and a body lotion with physiological lipids are effective in improving skin hydration in patients with dry skin, according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
FDA Expands Use of MS Drug to Include Children
MONDAY, May 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded its approval of the multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya (fingolimod) to include children aged 10 and older.
Opioid-Related Payments Linked to Increase in Opioid Rx
MONDAY, May 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Receipt of opioid-related payments from industry in 2014 was associated with increased opioid prescribing in 2015, according to a research letter published online May 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Practice Intervention Targeting IV Opioids May Cut Exposure
MONDAY, May 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An intervention targeting the use of intravenous opioids may reduce opioid exposure, according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Sofosbuvir Improves Renal Safety in Patients With Chronic Hep C
FRIDAY, May 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sofosbuvir-based treatment appears to guarantee renal safety for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus over one year of follow-up, according to a study published online May 7 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Many Dispensaries in CO Proffer Marijuana for Morning Sickness
FRIDAY, May 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of Colorado cannabis dispensaries recommend cannabis products to treat nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to a study published online May 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Fx Risk Should Be Monitored in Bisphosphonate Drug Holiday
FRIDAY, May 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, taking a bisphosphonate (BP) drug holiday is associated with increased risk of fracture for patients with lower femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) or T scores, according to a recent study published in Endocrine Practice.
Uveal Effusion Reported After Initiation of Anti-PD-1, -PD-L1
THURSDAY, May 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients receiving immunotherapy with antiprogrammed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) and antiprogrammed cell death ligand-1 (anti-PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies may develop uveal effusion, according to a report published online April 12 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Many Oncologists Discuss, Recommend Medical Marijuana
THURSDAY, May 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many oncologists recommend medical marijuana (MM) clinically despite not feeling sufficiently knowledgeable about its utility, according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Recent Oral Antibiotics Use Tied to Higher Risk of Nephrolithiasis
THURSDAY, May 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recent use of oral antibiotics is associated with increased odds of nephrolithiasis, according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Low-Dose Vaginal Estradiol Improves Menopause-Linked QOL
THURSDAY, May 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For menopausal women with moderate-severe vulvovaginal symptoms, treatment with low-dose vaginal estradiol is associated with improved menopause-related quality of life, according to a study published online May 7 in Menopause.
Cost Savings Limited With Generic Imatinib
WEDNESDAY, May 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Prices of imatinib (Gleevec) remained high even after a generic version was introduced, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
Chronic Aspirin Exposure Linked to Melanoma Risk in Males
WEDNESDAY, May 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Chronic acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin) exposure is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma (MM) in men, but not women, according to a letter to the editor published online March 27 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Intravesical Gemcitabine Therapy Cuts Bladder Cancer Recurrence
TUESDAY, May 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Immediate post-resection intravesical installation of gemcitabine is associated with reduced recurrence over four years for patients with suspected low-grade non-muscle-invasive urothelial cancer, according to a study published in the May 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Regulatory Requirements Drive Dissatisfaction With EHRs
TUESDAY, May 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Regulatory requirements are likely to be an important aspect of physician dissatisfaction with electronic health records (EHRs) that is driving burnout, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online May 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Evidence Lacking for Impact of PDMPs on Drug Overdoses
TUESDAY, May 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is insufficient evidence available for examining the correlation between prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and non-fatal or fatal overdoses, according to a review published online May 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Risk of Pediatric Mental Illness Up After Injury Hospitalization
TUESDAY, May 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medicaid-insured children are at increased risk for mental health diagnoses and psychotropic prescriptions after hospitalization for an injury compared with pre-hospitalization, according to a study published online May 7 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
FDA Approves Drug Combo for Aggressive Thyroid Cancer
MONDAY, May 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Two anti-cancer drugs administered together have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat BRAF-positive anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Folic Acid May Cut Stroke Risk in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients
MONDAY, May 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hypertensive patients may lower their stroke risk with folic acid supplements, according to a study published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Pharmacists Can Play Role in Identifying Frailty
FRIDAY, May 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — As the number of older people in the United States continues to increase, pharmacists and health care professionals need to recognize and address the health care challenges associated with age, including frailty, according to an article published in Drug Topics.
Many Organizations Not Meeting Trial Reporting Requirements
FRIDAY, May 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many organizations are not meeting the trial registration and results reporting requirements clarified by “The Final Rule,” which had a compliance date of April 18, 2017, according to a study published online May 1 in BMC Medicine.
Psychiatric Diagnosis Common in Medicaid-Insured Children
FRIDAY, May 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — About 20 percent of Medicaid-insured children receive a psychiatric diagnosis by age 8 years, according to a study published online April 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Unit-Dose Packaging Cuts Accidental Peds Opioid Exposures
THURSDAY, May 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The transition to use of buprenorphine products with unit-dose packaging (UDP) starting in 2010 correlated with a reduction in unintentional pediatric exposures to buprenorphine-naloxone, according to a study published online May 3 in Pediatrics.
No Clinical Benefit Seen for Bath Emollients in Childhood Eczema
THURSDAY, May 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For children with eczema, there is no clinical benefit for adding emollient bath additives, according to a study published online May 2 in The BMJ.
Pediatric Pharmacists Face Unique Challenges
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Board-certified pediatric pharmacists can have a significant impact on pediatric patients with their unique pharmacy needs, according to a report published in Drug Topics.
Women’s Representation in CVD Drug Trials Varies
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women are well-represented in some cardiovascular disease clinical trials, but representation of women is low for trials in certain conditions, according to a study published in the May 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Reduces PTSD Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For veterans and first responders with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), receipt of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy is effective and well tolerated for reducing symptoms, according to a study published online May 1 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Nodal Response to Pre-Op Tx Tied to Survival in Esophageal Cancer
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, the status of lymph nodes following preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy determines survival, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, held from April 28 to May 1 in San Diego.
Glyburide Not Noninferior to Insulin for Gestational Diabetes
TUESDAY, May 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For women with gestational diabetes, glyburide is not noninferior to insulin, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Doctors Generally Confident With Deprescribing for Elderly
TUESDAY, May 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are generally comfortable with deprescribing for elderly patients, although there are several barriers to deprescribing, according to a study published online April 22 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Synthetic Opioid Involvement in Opioid-Related Deaths Up
TUESDAY, May 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Synthetic opioid involvement in opioid-related overdose deaths increased significantly from 2010 to 2016, according to a research letter published in the May 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Practices Should Be Aware of Correct Way to Fire Employees
TUESDAY, May 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should be aware of the correct protocol for, as well as the laws involved in, firing employees, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Copyright © 2018 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
