Formulary Watch |

Health-system pharmacists receive 2003 Best Practices Award

New Orleans-Providing pharmacy services in nontraditional settings, implementing medication scanning technologies, and developing strategies to improve immunization rates of high-risk patients are just some of the innovations recognized by ASHP's Best Practices Award in Health-System Pharmacy.

Medication safety research grants available to pharmacist/nurse teams

New Orleans-The ASHP Research and Education Foundation is offering anew research grant program for the next 3 years focused on the partnershipbetween pharmacists and nurses in fostering a safe medication-use system.The program's goal is to strengthen the relationship between pharmacistsand nurses as they work together to provide safe care to patients. The competitivegrant program will offer $80,000 per year in funding over the next 3 yearsto research teams that investigate new design characteristics and processesin the medication-use system intended to improve medication outcomes forpatients.

Award and grants focus on medication safety

New Orleans-ASHP honored Kevin L. Roberg yesterday for his efforts toreduce medication errors in hospitals and health systems. Roberg receivedthe society's Board of Directors Award of Honor during the opening sessionof the 38th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.

ASHP poster presentations encourage sharing of ideas

New Orleans-The poster sessions at the 38th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meetingencourage attendees to informally discuss current projects in pharmacy practicewith colleagues. The sessions are an opportunity to gather ideas and informationfrom hundreds of successful programs implemented at other health-care systems.

ALLHAT and JNC 7: Health-system applications and economic considerations

New Orleans-The results of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatmentto Prevent Heart Attack (ALLHAT) Trial, along with the highlights of theSeventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7), were presentedon Dec. 9 at an educational session of the 38th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.

ASHP offers guidance on implementing HIPAA regulations

Bethesda, Md.-The daily activities of health-system pharmacists are greatlyaffected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996(HIPAA). To help keep practitioners up-to-date with current regulationsand other important information, ASHP has developed an online resource centeron its website, www.ashp.org.

Pharmacists Provider Coalition supports enhanced role of pharmacistsin Medicare drug act

Bethesda, Md.-Leaders of the Pharmacists Provider Coalition say theysupport Congress' commitment to medication therapy management services forhigh-risk seniors, calling the provision "a big step forward for patientsafety."

ASHP introduces audio resource to help prevent verbal prescribingerrors

Bethesda, MD-Verbal medication orders pose more risk for errors thanthose that are electronic or written, due to sound-alike drug names. Tolower that risk, ASHP has introduced "AudioMeds: Medication Use andPronunciation," the first audio/print guide to pronunciation of bothgeneric and brand names for nearly 200 frequently prescribed medications.

ASHP drug shortages resource center revamped, relaunched

Bethesda, Md.--A new version of the ASHP Drug Product Shortages ManagementResource Center is now available to members and other health-care professionalswho need up-to-date, accurate information on alternatives for drug productsthat are in short supply.

ASHP offers strategies to protect against counterfeit drugs

Bethesda, Md.--Health-system pharmacists now have a resource to aid theirongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of drug products. ASHP has developedstrategies that practitioners should follow to help prevent the acquisitionof counterfeit drugs.

Federal funding preserved for hospital pharmacy residencies

Washington, DC-In a victory for Medicare patients, the Centers for Medicareand Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided to continue contributing directlyto the funding of pharmacy residency training in hospitals. The regulationaddresses CMS's annual payment rates for the Hospital Inpatient ProspectivePayment System for fiscal year 2004 that began on October 1.

New Medicare Act gives high-risk seniors access to pharmacists' medicationtherapy management services

Bethesda, Md.--The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)endorses the new Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and ModernizationAct passed in late November. ASHP leaders say this legislation takes animportant step forward, adding prescription drug coverage to the Medicareprogram and giving high-risk elderly patients new access to vital medicationtherapy management services.

JCAHO plans to assess accredited organizations on National PatientSafety Goals

Rockville, Md.--As of January 1, 2004, all JCAHO-accredited organizations(hospitals and health-care facilities) will be assessed to ensure that theyare implementing JCAHO's National Patients Safety Goals. New goalsare set annually in July and take effect January 1 of the following year.

USP's hospital medication error report supports key patient safety goals

New Orleans, La.--The most recent report compiled by the United StatesPharmacopeia (USP) found that high-alert medications have continued to harmhospitalized patients, according to Diane D. Cousins (pictured at left),RPh, vice president of USP's Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety.Cousins announced the results of the MEDMARX report, based on data from2002, at a press conference at the 38th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.

Exhibit Hall opens for business

New Orleans, La.--The ASHP Midyear Meeting's Exhibit Hall is the largest program of its kind and one of the most popular features of the meeting. The exhibits provide opportunities for networking and learning more about the latest products, services, and technologies in the pharmaceutical industry.

ASHP sets goals for pharmacy 2015 project

BETHESDA, MD-The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' landmarkinitiative to help make medication use more effective, scientific, and safeand to significantly improve the practice of pharmacy in hospitals and healthsystems is off to a strong start.

On and beyond Bourbon Street: Where the party never stops

How can one even begin to explain the nightlife in a city that defines it! Well, of course, there is Bourbon Street, which doesn't need any explaining. Just take a peek down this famous thoroughfare and it won't take but a second to see that the party is always here-during Mardi Gras or any other day. Even beyond Bourbon Street you can find other great bars, clubs, pubs, and live music if you know where to look.

Your guide to dining in New Orleans

Have no reservations about choosing to dine in the Big Easy. The following suggestions will help get you started in choosing destinations for lunch near the Morial Convention Center, dinners out on the town, and pubs, bars, or clubs for after-hours entertainment.

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Schedule of Events for Thursday, December 11, 2003.Please note that this schedule was based on preliminary information from ASHP and could be subject to change; please refer to the final ASHP schedule available at the meeting for verification and exact times/locations of sessions.

Monday, December 8, 2003

Schedule of Events for Monday, December 8, 2003.Please note that this schedule was based on preliminary information from ASHP and could be subject to change; please refer to the final ASHP schedule available at the meeting for verification and exact times/locations of sessions.

Meeting Preview

James E. Orlikoff (pictured at right), an expert in health-care governance,organizational development, and leadership quality, will be the keynotespeaker during the meeting's Opening General Session that takes place from9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, in Hall D. He is president of Orlikoffand Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in health-care governanceand leadership quality, organizational development, strategy, and risk management.He is the National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the AmericanHospital Association and Health Forum.

Clinical Importance of Increased Antimicrobial Concentrations

Raising the antimicrobial concentration at the site of the infection has recently been identified as an important factor in combating bacterial resistance. Low in vitro concentrations of mlactams can eliminate susceptible pathogens but can augment resistant populations.

How Bacterial Resistance Develops

The mechanisms of bacterial resistance vary from one antibiotic to another and from one organism to another. There are several mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

Predicting the Efficacy of Antibiotic Regimens: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Parameters

Application of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of antibiotics to prescribing practices can help determine which antimicrobial to select for effective bacterial eradication and to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance

Guidelines for antibiotic prescribing were developed because antibiotic resistance has increased steadily over the years since these agents were first introduced, in large part due to antimicrobial overuse.

Risperdal Consta (Risperidone long-acting injection) Janssen/Alkermes

Antipsychotic administered as 1 injection every 2 weeks

Raptiva (Efalizumab)

Biologic therapy for continuous control of plaque psoriasis

Cialis (Tadalafil) Lilly/ICOS

New PDE5 inhibitor approved for erectile dysfunction

Lexiva (Fosamprenavir) GlaxoSmithKline/Vertex

QD or BID administration without food or water restrictions

Focus on: Lansoprazole IV. A new delivery method for an established PPI (PDF)

An intravenous formulation of lansoprazole has been developed and is under review by FDA. If approved, lansoprazole will be the second IV proton pump inhibitor available in the United States, providing an alternative to the currently available pantoprazole IV. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of lansoprazole IV have been found to be comparable to the oral form. Until more data are available the agent, if approved, should be reserved as an option for patients unable to take lansoprazole via the oral route.