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Nucleic acid amplification (NAA) testing should be performed on at least one respiratory specimen from each patient with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB for whom a diagnosis of TB is being considered but has not yet been established, and for whom the test result would alter case management or TB control activities.
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The FDA is considering new tightened restrictions on use of opioid drugs. Manufacturers of these drugs will be required to have a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy to ensure that "the benefits of the drugs continue to outweigh the risks."
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Get used to the word "pharmacogenetics" — the discipline of studying genetic variation and its effect on responses to drugs.
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The FDA has issued a public health advisory regarding the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with use of efalizumab (Raptiva®) for the treatment of psoriasis.
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Rate control vs rhythm control for atrial fibrillation continues to be debated with most of the evidence falling on the side of rate control in recent years, primarily because of adverse effects from anti-arrhythmics. A new drug may change that however.
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I recall rounding on the oncology ward as a medical student. The prognosis in those days was bad for nearly every patient. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were expected to live less than one year. Adults with acute myeloblastic leukemia, less than three months. What a difference in the past three decades.
With longer survival, however, there are more patients presenting with life-threatening emergencies related to their treatment and tumor.
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In this issue: Individualization of therapy with pharmacogenetics; the rate vs rhythm debate; the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy; FDA actions.