Drug Utilization Review 2003-06-01

Drug-resistant bacteria reaching crisis stage

Pharmacists and other health care professionals must be aggressive in fighting against drug-resistant bacteria or face serious consequences, infectious disease control specialists say.

The role of pharmacists in antimicrobial resistance

All pharmacists need to play an active role in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, says Michael Rybak, president of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists in Austin, TX, and professor of pharmacy and medicine at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Facts about recent upsurge in antimicrobial resistance

The Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists in Austin, TX, recently convened a panel with other health care organizations to discuss the recent increase in antibiotic-resistant infections.

SARS gives U.S. practice in fighting new pathogens

The worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has put pharmacists and other health care professionals on alert. The incidence of SARS cases in the United States seems to be contained, but health officials warn that the threat is still real until Asia is able to control the virus.

Basic information about SARS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided the following basic information about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

News Briefs

FDA adds heart benefit to simvastatin (Zocor) label; Pharmacists needed for underserved populations; APhA releases bulletin on gabapentin (Neurontin); Smallpox compensation bill becomes law; PhRMA plans to report counterfeit drugs to FDA

In the pipeline

The following drugs are in various stages of clinical studies and trials.

New FDA approvals

These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Ramipril formulary evaluation

Ramipril (Altace) is a long-acting oral angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with essential hypertension or congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction. Ramipril also is indicated in cardiovascular risk reduction.

Drug Criteria & Outcomes: New FDA approvals

These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Drug Formulary Review Archives – June 1, 2003

June 1, 2003