Drug Formulary Review Archives – May 1, 2004
May 1, 2004
View Issues
-
Statin research calls current guidelines into question
New research is challenging the current guidelines of how to treat atherosclerotic coronary disease with statin drugs. Current guidelines by the National Cholesterol Education Program have set a therapy target of 100 mg/dL. Two recent head-to-head trials, however, suggest that intensive statin therapy may be of greater benefit. -
Hospital develops unit-based pharmacist program
Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) may be one way to curb medication errors. The reality, however, is that most health care centers have not implemented such a program and may never will. CPOE systems are expensive, and some professionals fear the technology will be outdated during the time it takes to install the system and teach staff to use it. -
Medications approved switch from IV to PO
Here are the medications that clinical pharmacists at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY, can switch from IV to PO without first getting physician approval. -
Testing shows women unaware of fracture risk
Pharmacists in a recent project screened and counseled patients about their risk for bone fractures and found that most of them (78%) had no knowledge of their risk prior to the screening. -
News Briefs
Fentanyl (Duragesic) recall is expanded; Most hospital pharmacists monitor medication therapy; Study: Early treatment with thrombolytic t-PA for stroke; Sponsors announced for Medicare drug discount card. -
New FDA Approvals
These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). -
In the Pipeline
The following drugs are in various stages of clinical studies and trials. -
Aprepitant (Emend) Formulary Evaluation
Mechanism of Action, Indications, Special Populations, Adverse Reactions, Drug Interactions, and Precautions