Drug Formulary Review Archives – May 1, 2003
May 1, 2003
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To reduce and prevent medication errors, the FDA turns to bar codes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally delivered on its promise to propose a mandatory bar code program for medications. Although pleased with the effort, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in Bethesda, MD, wishes the FDA had gone a bit further. -
Abbott puts bar codes on injectables, IV solutions
By the time the government has mandated the bar-coding of medications, at least one drug company already will have finished its own bar-coding program. -
Legislation targets patient safety, too
The bar code proposal of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isnt the only measure being lauded by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Huntingdon Valley, PA. The safety organization also praises two bills recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. -
Judge stays Medicaid discount drug program
In a move that will encourage such programs across the nation, a federal judge has ruled in favor of a Medicaid program that uses preferred drug lists and prior authorization. -
Study: HRT has little effect on quality of life
Research has indicated that women have risked their health by long-term use of hormone replacement therapy. Now new research says the therapy seems to have little benefit in aiding quality-of-life measures either. -
News Briefs
Screen smallpox vaccinees for cardiac factors; Unannounced surveys will be Joint Commissions norm; FDA warns of cancer drug misrepresentations; FDA revises warnings, recalls drug. -
New FDA Approvals
These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Frovatriptan formulary evaluation
The triptans are 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1B/1D receptor agonists. The major use for this class of drugs is for the acute treatment of migraines with or without an aura in adults. -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Off-label drug use: Etanercept (Enbrel) for Crohn’s disease?
Crohns disease, one major type of inflammatory bowel disease, has an incidence rate in the United States of approximately seven per 100,000. Advancing biotechnological knowledge regarding this idiopathic disease has led to the development of therapies aimed at specific targets in the disease pathway. -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: New FDA approvals
These drugs recently received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: In the pipeline
The following drugs are in various stages of clinical studies and trials.