Pharmacy

Editor's Choice

Healthcare Reform: Drug Topics readers speak out

With the subject of healthcare reform on the front burner in Washington and across the country, Drug Topics invited members of its Frontline editorial advisory board to share their thoughts. A selection of their responses is presented here.

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Healthcare Reform: Drug Topics readers speak out

Practical Management of Asthma (CE)

More than 22 million patients in the United States are affected by asthma and collectively were admitted for approximately 444,000 hospitalizations in 2006. With appropriate assessment and treatment by patients and healthcare providers, hospitalizations and deaths from asthma exacerbations can be significantly reduced. This article reviews the role of available asthma medications and provides an overview of the NAEPP's recommendations for management of asthma for patients 12 years of age and older.

Integrating Late-Breaking Growth Factor Evidence, Guidelines, and Policy Into Clinical Practice

Metabolic syndrome throughout the life cycle (CE)

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults, as well as the increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity, has spurred research into how the condition may affect children and adolescents. Pharmacists should be able to define insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in children and adults according to national guidelines, list the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in children that may increase their risk as adults, describe the role of lifestyle modification in children and adults with metabolic syndrome, and identify the role of medical and surgical treatment for metabolic syndrome and/or obesity.

Mefloquine has a three-week half-life

The FDA recently alerted pharmacists to medication error reports about mefloquine (Lariam) prescriptions calling for 250 mg daily rather than the recommended dose of 250 mg weekly for malaria prophylaxis.