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Agency plans to consolidate oversight of drugs and biologics and revise program for ensuring high quality pharmaceutical manufacturing

Applied Health Outcomes, Tampa, FL-Fixed-dose combination antihypertensive agents may save money for your institution or plan as well as for your patients.

Orlistat (Xenical) in combination with diet and lifestyle changes significantly prevents obese patients from developing type 2 diabetes, say researchers involved in this 4-year study presented at the 9th International Congress on Obesity, Sao Paulo, Brazil. They add that this is the first time a weight loss drug has been shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in an at-risk population.

Innovative People, Organizations, and Ideas an Interview with Vicki Crane, MBA, RPh, and Mark Teresi, MBA, CPA

Eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist under FDA review for treatment of hypertension. With a high trough-to-peak ratio, it is suitable for once-daily dosing. It significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with mild to severe hypertension and can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensives. Although chemically related to spironolactone, eplerenone has a lower binding affinity for androgenic and progestogenic receptors than spironolactone, which may translate into a lower incidence of endocrine-related adverse effects. In addition, eplerenone lowers blood pressure particularly well in patients with low-renin, salt-sensitive hypertension, such as African Americans.

Sometimes regarded with suspicion, evidence-based medicine is not just a ploy to reduce costs. Rather, it is the best approach to decision-making in modern medical practice. This internationally recognized authority on evidence-based medicine explains what it is, how to use it to make the best clinical decisions, and how to implement it in practice. Sometimes regarded with suspicion, evidence-based medicine is not just a ploy to reduce costs. Rather, it is the best approach to decision-making in modern medical practice. This internationally recognized authority on evidence-based medicine explains what it is, how to use it to make the best clinical decisions, and how to implement it in practice.

ranked by staffed beds, 2000

Healthcare is still plagued by its old foes: limited access and minimal proof of quality

One of the biggest uncertainties in today's healthcare market is what managed care's future role will be in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The most recent trend is an exodus from Medicare+Choice due to the federal government's insufficient reimbursement levels.

The problem of having millions of Americans without health care coverage isn't going away, and the business community has a vested interest in solving it.

The buck stops with the individual, and the entire system will be out of whack until Americans learn to eat less, exercise more and stop smoking. That's why there's such strong interest in highly targeted wellness programs.

Although many organizations have implemented well-intentioned medication error reduction strategies, the authors of this article argue that most approaches don?t address the underlying foundation upon which many errors occur. In this article, they present 10 core process improvements?from ?genericizing? all drug names throughout the hospital/health system to purchasing all single-dose packaging?that they believe could have a significant impact on patient safety if implemented.

as reported September 1, 2002

New Indication: Anemia treatment gains postchemotherapy indication

NME:Abused drug approved for cataplexy in tightly controlled program

NME: Chemotherapy agent to be used in combination for recurrent colorectal cancer

Information about Dr. David Shulkin and the Patient Safety Officer Society

Each month, showcasing innovative people, organizations, or ideas!This month, a new professional society launches?interview withDavid Shulkin, MD, president of the Patient Safety Officer Society

Tegaserod maleate (Zelnorm) is the first selective partial 5-HT4 agonist approved by FDA for the short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women whose primary bowel symptom is constipation. To help you prepare for P & T Committee review, this article presents tegaserod?s chemistry and pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trial results, adverse effects profile, dosing information, cost, and the author?s opinion on its place in therapy.

With enoxaparin?s recent labeling change regarding its use in patients with prosthetic valves, clinicians may have several questions about appropriate anticoagulant selection. Specifically, what evidence prompted the labeling change, which patients are affected, what are the options and limitations for bridging patients, what?s the evidence supporting the role of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) in bridge therapy, and how can liability be limited should clinicians choose to use LMWH therapy? The authors of this commentary offer their insight on these issues.

Sisters of Mercy CEO Ron Ashworth cultivates an environment of personalas well as clinical service

Go beyond traditional medical coverage and offer your members services that save time, cost and effort

Ranked by total nursing homes owned and leased by these chains, Dec. 2001

The biggest challenge for consumer-driven plans is keeping members aware of healthcare costs.

Sisters of Mercy CEO Ron Ashworth optimizes his resources by centralizing IT

Staying healthy on the job is clearly beneficial to all. Learn how Kawasaki puts the power of wellness right in its employees& hands.

Staying healthy on the job is clearly beneficial to all. Learn how Kawasaki puts the power of wellness right in its employees& hands.

In late May, voriconazole (Vfend) received approval for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and as salvage therapy for treatment of Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium infections. In addition to these infections, voriconazole has excellent invitro activity against both Candida and Aspergillus species, including good activity against fluconazole- and itraconazole-resistant species. This Focus article reviews the antifungal's pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy in clinical trials, safety, dosing, price, and place in therapy.

Effective decision-making in benefit management requires an understanding of the economic burden of an illness - in this case, the economic burden and treatment of alcoholism. This article provides an understanding of the true costs of the disease, what has been found to be effective in its treatment, and what treatments may lessen the economic burden of the disease.

Finding optional ways to manage patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - the fourth leading cause of death in the US became a priority for this large mid-western collaborative of health care organizations. This this end, a guideline was developed to help clinicians identify, evaluate and manage COPD. This article provides an overview of the guideline development process and implementation approach, key guideline components, and the step-by-step pharmacologic treatment strategy.