Formulary Watch |

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.

Focus on: Atazanavir. A novel azapeptide inhibitor of HIV-1 protease (PDF)

Atazanavir is a novel azapeptide protease inhibitor (PI) that has been approved by FDA for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced HIV-infected individuals. Atazanavir has a low pill burden consisting of 2 capsules administered once daily and it has an adverse effect profile that is not associated with clinically relevant lipid effects. In clinical studies of up to 48 weeks, atazanavir demonstrated comparable antiretroviral efficacy to nelfinavir and efavirenz in treatment-naïve patients. The most common adverse effect associated with atazanavir is a reversible dose-related increase in unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin.

Managing Antibiotic Resistance: Effective Treatment Strategies

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with theEssential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for ContinuingMedical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the DannemillerMemorial Educational Foundation and Advanstar Communications, Inc.

States challenge pharmaceutical policies

State governments and enforcement agencies have become more active in efforts to regulate drug sales and marketing and have addressed a number of pressing issues:

Daptomycin: A novel lipopeptide antibiotic for the treatment of resistant gram-positive infections (PDF)

The continuing rise of resistance rates among bacteria today has led to the need for the development of new antibiotics with the ability to circumvent current resistance mechanisms. Daptomycin (Cubicin, Cubist Pharmaceuticals) is an injectable novel lipopeptide antibiotic shown to have excellent in vitro bactericidal activity against gram-positive organisms, including resistant isolates. First in the new class of lipopeptide antibiotics, daptomycin possesses a unique mechanism of action. Daptomycin was recently approved by FDA for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible strains of specific gram-positive microorganisms. Daptomycin may offer an alternative in the treatment of gram-positive infections, especially when resistance is suspected.

ASHP Images

images

Daptomycin: A novel lipopeptide antibiotic for the treatment of resistant gram-positive infections (PDF)

The continuing rise of resistance rates among bacteria today has led to the need for the development of new antibiotics with the ability to circumvent current resistance mechanisms. Daptomycin (Cubicin, Cubist Pharmaceuticals) is an injectable novel lipopeptide antibiotic shown to have excellent in vitro bactericidal activity against gram-positive organisms, including resistant isolates. First in the new class of lipopeptide antibiotics, daptomycin possesses a unique mechanism of action. Clinical studies in patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections have shown daptomycin to be similar in clinical cure rates compared to standard therapy. Daptomycin was recently approved by FDA for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible strains of specific gram-positive microorganisms. Daptomycin may offer an alternative in the treatment of gram-positive infections, especially when resistance is suspected.

Considerations for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the managed care setting (PDF)

The direct and indirect healthcare costs associated with multiple sclerosis are high. In the managed care setting, before treatment is initiated, these costs must be reconciled with other factors such as the epidemiological and clinical features of MS and current recommendations for pharmacologic management. Managed care organizations (MCOs) have the opportunity to improve the outcomes of MS through a system of care. MCOs can also manage the costs of the 2 first-line therapies (glatiramer and agents from the interferon class) used to treat MS by using stepped care and preferred formulary designations. In addition, improved outcomes can be achieved by establishing a disease management approach to treat MS.

Inspra (Eplerenone) Pfizer

Antihypertensive now indicated for improving survival of CHF patients