Quadrivalent flu vaccine approved

FDA has approved the supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) for licensure of its 4-strain influenza vaccine, Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine (Sanofi Pasteur). » Full article

Hypoglycemia in elderly

Older adults with diabetes mellitus may be at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia following a hypoglycemic event, according to a study published online by JAMA Internal Medicine on June 10th. » Full article

Plan B restrictions lifted

The Obama administration on Monday abandoned its attempt to restrict access to the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step (Teva Women’s Health Inc.) as an over-the-counter medication—a decision that’s being celebrated by some groups. » Full article

PDP coverage and epilepsy drugs

Despite being considered a protected class of drugs, anticonvulsant medications for the treatment of epileptic seizures had lower levels of coverage for Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) than commercial health plans. » Full article

Continuing Education

Pain Management CPE: June activity available now

Welcome to our CPE series: Pain Management Considerations for Medication Therapy Management, which has been designed for pharmacists who take care of patients who need pain relief. You can earn up to 10 credits from April 2013 to August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies.

The June activity covers pharmacology and therapeutics of pain medications, focusing on opioid analgesics.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exams and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to log in.

Announcement: Welcome to the new user registration process. This new process requires all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide or update their NABP e-Profile ID in order to electronically keep track of CPE credits from ACPE-accredited providers. If you have not done so, you can obtain your NABP e-Profile ID now at www.MyCPEmonitor.net. This profile will enable you to have one login for all the NABP programs and services you will need throughout your career.

Underdosing in obesity—an epidemic: Focus on anticoagulation

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Currently, 68% of adult Americans are overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2). Of those, 35% are obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) and 6% are morbidly obese (BMI >40 kg/m2). It is estimated that by 2030, 51% of the population will be obese and 11% will be morbidly obese. We are often confronted with dosing drugs in an obese patient. Unfortunately, many clinical trials exclude or have limited overweight patients enrolled; thus, optimal dosing for both safety and efficacy in this population is lacking. Pharmacokinetic studies in obese patients have shown that the volumes of distribution of lipophilic drugs and the clearance of hydrophilic drugs can be increased. For this reason, dosing in obesity should be patient- and drug-specific. » Full article

• Seasonal flu vaccine approval

• Zoster vaccine in elderly

• FDA approves OTC Plan B for 15 and older

• FDA approves perampanel

SURVEY

With several anti-obesity drugs recently introduced, and others in the near-term pipeline, what is the most appropriate managed care coverage policy for these products?

— Should not be covered due to lack of long-term durability/safety data

— Should be covered from day 1 for those meeting pre-determined BMI thresholds

— Retroactively covered only for those sustaining a target weight loss at 1 yr

— They should be covered without restriction

Click Here to let us know.

RESOURCES

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