Retail clinics on the rise

While in-store clinics are providing a convenient, affordable way for consumers to receive some medical services, challenges abound for the formats, one speaker told attendees at the recent Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Annual Meeting & Showcase.

NACDS 2009: State of the association address

NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson tells 2009 annual meeting attendees that the days of pharmacists serving as an easy target are over.

NACDS 2009: State of the industry

NACDS Chairman Andrew A. Giancamilli told attendees at the 2009 opening business session that the association went through a self-assessment and rebirth well before the recession and is primed to move the industry forward in 2009 and beyond.

American Society of Clinical Oncology, Feb. 26-28, 2009

The Genitourinary Cancers Symposium -- co-sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and the Society of Urologic Oncology — took place Feb. 26 to 28 in Orlando. Among the abstract topics addressed were:

• In radical cystectomy cases, overall survival and bladder cancer-specific survival are higher among those whose surgeons perform a high volume of the operations.
• Statin use in men is linked to a 50 percent or greater reduced risk of death from prostate cancer.
• Healthy men should discuss with their physician whether to take a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) to reduce risk of prostate cancer

ASCO-GU: Prostate Cancer Prevention Talk Advised

Healthy men should talk to their doctors about taking a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) to reduce their risk of prostate cancer, according to a joint guideline published online Feb. 24 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association, and released to coincide with the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Genitourinary Cancers Symposium held Feb. 26 to 28 in Orlando.

American Stroke Association, Feb. 18-20, 2009

The American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference took place Feb. 18 to 20 in San Diego. Conference highlights included:

• JUPITER study showed that rosuvastatin may lower risk of stroke.
• Low-radiation infrared laser therapy failed to significantly reduce stroke disability in another study.
• Caution may be warranted when performing carotid endarterectomy in very elderly patients.
• Early menopause may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke.
• Substantial tea or coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke.
• In stroke patients, adherence to recommended therapy could be associated with improved clinical outcomes.
• Younger patients with stroke-like symptoms may be misdiagnosed.
• In middle age, people are significantly more likely to have a silent cerebral infarction than a clinical stroke.

ASA: Most U.S. Hospitals Don't Offer tPA Therapy

Nearly two-thirds of the nation's hospitals do not report treating acute ischemic stroke patients with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, leaving many Americans without access to the brain-saving therapy, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference held Feb. 17 to 20 in San Diego.

ASA: Most U.S. Hospitals Don't Offer tPA Therapy

Nearly two-thirds of the nation's hospitals do not report treating acute ischemic stroke patients with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, leaving many Americans without access to the brain-saving therapy, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference held Feb. 17 to 20 in San Diego.

ASA: Tea or Coffee May Help Prevent Ischemic Stroke

Increased consumption of tea or coffee is associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference held Feb. 17 to 20 in San Diego.