Drug Formulary Review Archives – October 1, 2006
October 1, 2006
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Hospitals changing in response to USP Chapter 797
A mail survey of 600 hospital pharmacy directors found that United States Pharmacopeia Chapter 797 has influenced hospital pharmacy compounding practices nationwide, including a drop in the compounding of high-risk preparations, an increase in budget allocations, and implementation of better quality assurance practices. -
Pharmacists unaware they dispense unapproved drugs
Some 91% of retail pharmacists surveyed by Medical Marketing Research Inc., believe that all medications available for dispensing with a doctor's prescription have been FDA-approved, the researchers report. In fact, FDA estimates that as many as several thousand drug products are marketed illegally without required FDA approval. -
Revised meds management standards took effect 7/1
As of July 1, Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) surveyors have expected hospitals to be compliant with changes to four medication management standards, some of which have caught them by surprise, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). -
News Briefs
FDA approves 2006-2007 flu vaccines; Conscience compromise for Washington pharmacists; ValiMed systems in Texas Children's Hospital -
New FDA Approvals
FDA recently approved these drugs: Over-the-counter access to Barr Pharmaceuticals' Plan B emergency contraceptive was approved for women ages 18 and older. It remains a prescription-only product for those ages 17 and younger. -
Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Sleep for Sale: An Evaluation of Sedative Hypnotics for the Treatment of Insomnia
Last year, 42 million prescriptions were filled for sleeping medications, more than doubling the number filled in the year 2000.