September 23, 2023

Self-regulation of pharma industry marketing is unsustainable and failing patients – new analysis

Healthcare professionals and organisations need to respond more forcefully to unethical marketing from the pharmaceutical industry by holding offending companies to greater account and by supporting stronger regulation, according to the authors of a new British Medical Journal (BMJ) study. Research by Dr Piotr Ozieranski of the University of Bath, and Dr Shai Mulinari of Lund University in Sweden, suggests that much […]

admin Health 0 3 min read
September 20, 2023

Pharmacy discount card programs like Amazon Prime and GoodRx gold could save patients millions of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for commonly prescribed generic medications

A nationally representative study found that at least one out of five prescriptions for commonly prescribed generic medications were cheaper through Amazon Prime or GoodRx Gold discount cards compared to actual out-of-pocket (OOP) payments made by patients. The authors also highlight the disproportionately higher frequency of OOP payments exceeding discount card pricing for various vulnerable subgroups like the uninsured and […]

admin Health 0 1 min read
September 13, 2023

How should clinicians prescribe opioids for cancer-related pain in patients who use cocaine or methamphetamines?

Clinicians treating cancer-related pain must consider whether and how to prescribe opioids to patients who use nonmedical stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines; however, no guidelines exist related to these common and challenging situations. In a new study, palliative care and addiction experts deemed it appropriate to continue opioids, increase monitoring, and avoid opioid tapering in such patients. The results […]

admin Health 0 1 min read
September 11, 2023

A free online tool can help prostate cancer patients save on out-of-pocket drug costs

A free online tool could potentially save some prostate cancer patients more than $9,000 in out-of-pocket drug costs, a new study finds. For patients enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, out of pocket costs can vary significantly. But by using an online Medicare plan finder tool, patients can compare pricing among all Part D drug plans offered in […]

admin Health 0 2 min read
September 9, 2023

Taxpayers should foot the bill if EU demands efficient removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewaters

Public sector should pay if EU demands efficient removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewaters, according to researchers at the Centre for Antibiotic Research, CARe, at the University of Gothenburg. Their argumentation analysis, published in the journal Public Health Ethics, raises important questions of responsibility. As the use of medication increases, the problem of pollution and associated environmental impact grows as well. Pharmaceutical residues […]

admin Health 0 2 min read
September 8, 2023

Are antipsychotic drugs being appropriately prescribed to homebound patients with dementia?

New research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society indicates that antipsychotics are likely overprescribed and used inappropriately among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) receiving home health care, and such use is linked to worse patient outcomes. Antipsychotic drugs are not approved for the treatment of dementia—they are mostly used off-label to manage the symptoms that many […]

admin Health 0 1 min read
July 29, 2023

Pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine in practice

Pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine are increasingly becoming a part of mainstream healthcare and it is an area where pharmacists have a major part to play. In this series of short videos, Raliat Onatade, Chief Pharmacist for North Thames Genomic Medicines Service Alliance, describes what has already been done and the opportunities and challenges for further development. The added value of […]

admin Health 0 2 min read
July 28, 2023

The challenges of developing pharmacogenomic services

Recent research has demonstrated the value of pharmacogenomics-guided prescribing but this is a far cry from the implementation of routine services. Dr Raliate Onatade Chief Pharmacist for North Thames Genomics Medicine Service Alliance, explains what is required and the challenges that need to be addressed. [embedded content] The PREPARE (PREemptive Pharmacogenomic Testing for Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions) study assessed the […]

admin Health 0 4 min read
July 27, 2023

How does pharmacogenomics work in day-to-day practice?

A number of examples show how pharmacogenetic testing is being integrated into day-to-day practice and helping to improve the safe and effective use of medicines, Raliat Onatade, Chief Pharmacist for North Thames Genomics Medicine Service Alliance, explains. [embedded content] Mitochondrial mutation The mitochondrial mutation m.1555A>G is often associated with maternally-transmitted deafness. People who carry this mutation are more likely to […]

admin Health 0 2 min read

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