Drug Formulary Review Archives – September 1, 2006
September 1, 2006
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Drug therapy lab safety monitoring can be improved
New research has shown that a computerized tool in the hands of health care professionals who work together can effectively increase the number of patients who receive laboratory safety monitoring of drug therapy. -
Hospitals need better ADR reporting systems
The first study to evaluate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in a large population of hospitalized Medicare patients has found that only 53% of hospitals representing 67% of the patients studied appeared to have functional systems for reporting ADRs. -
Pharmacists must involve patients to reduce ADEs
A study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) says pharmacists and other health care professionals must allow and encourage patients to take a more active role in their own medical care if the number of adverse drug events (ADE) is to be reduced. -
News Briefs: Hospital uses bar code system to reduce errors
In 2005, Lawrence (KS) Memorial Hospital had a medication error rate that was less than one mistake out of every 10,000 dosages, good but not good enough, according to hospital director of pharmacy and IV therapy Pat Parker. -
New FDA Approvals
Atripla tablets, a fixed-dose combination of three widely used antiretroviral drugs in a single tablet taken once daily, alone or in combination with other antiretroviral products for treating HIV-1 infection in adults, was approved by FDA. -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: ‘Montezuma's revenge' to refractory pouchitis? Survey says: Probiotics
Probiotics are defined as "viable microorganisms that (when ingested) have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of specific pathologic conditions." -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: HRT, calcium with vitamin D in postmenopausal women? An update on the Women’s Health Initiative
In 1991, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was established to address cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It was a 15-year, multimillion-dollar project that included 161,808 women aged 50-79 years.