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Aripiprazole (Abilify®) Approved...
October 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Sang Hyo Kim, Section Editor – On April 28, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved aripiprazole, the generic of Abilify®.1 Aripiprazole tablets are used to treat patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.1 Although Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Abilify®, tried to block generic competition by requesting a temporary restraining order on one… |
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FDA Approves First Tissue Adhesive for Internal Use...
October 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Azia Tariq, Section Editor – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TissuGlu®, the first tissue adhesive approved for internal use. William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Director of Science at FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health states, “The FDA’s approval of the first synthetic adhesive for internal use will help some… |
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Should Pharmacists Provide Drugs for Lethal Injections?...
September 1, 2015 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Editor – This March, both the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) and American Pharmacists Association (APhA) updated their official positions regarding the pharmacist provision of drugs for lethal injections as part of executions.1,2 The IACP stated that “while the pharmacy profession recognizes an individual practitioner’s right to determine whether to… |
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Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate: A Novel Potassium Binde...
September 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Andrew Leong, Staff Writer – Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level of greater than 5.0 mmol/L.1 In a majority of cases, the cause is renal in nature with over half of all patients with hyperkalemia suffering from chronic kidney disease.2 Other causes include an increase in diet potassium, tumor lysis syndrome, and… |
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Stiolto™ Respimat® Enters Market...
September 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Sylva Ohanian, Staff Writer – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious yet treatable lung disease, which affects 210 million people worldwide and is expected to be the third leading cause of death in the world by 2030.1 Symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, can negatively impact breathing, especially during daily activities.1, 2… |
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Lidocaine Patch: A Topical Analgesic for Treatment for ...
September 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Irene Li, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common chronic complication of herpes zoster that affects one million people annually in the United States.1 It is defined as dermatomal pain lasting at least 90 days after the appearance of an acute herpes zoster rash. The rash is usually unilateral. Although… |
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Stem Cells May Halt Progression of Multiple Sclerosis...
August 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Nehali Parikh, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that results in interrupted neurotransmission throughout the body. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the insulating layer surrounding nerve cells, causing the formation of scar tissue, called sclerosis. Fatigue, numbness, tingling, difficulty in walking, and dizziness are… |
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Miltefosine (Impavido®) Approved to Treat Tropical Dis...
August 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Sang Hyo Kim, Staff Editor – On March 19, 2014, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved miltefosine (Impavido®) for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by leishmania, a parasite that is transmitted to humans through sand fly bites. Although the majority of people affected with leishmaniasis are from tropical… |
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Meet Corlanor®: A New Drug for Chronic Heart Failure...
August 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Editor – For years, the medications that have been the mainstay of therapy for chronic heart failure have been angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (or angiotensin receptor blockers), beta-blockers, loop diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists, with the occasional addition of digoxin or the hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate combination.1 Now, a novel medicine is trying… |
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FDA Approves Vorapaxar...
August 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Azia Tariq, Section Editor – Myocardial infarctions, more commonly known as heart attacks, are prevalent in the United States. Each year, approximately 720,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.1 The approval of vorapaxar by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) presents an additional treatment option for patients at high risk for myocardial infarction and stroke.1,2… |
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Treatment Options for Restless Legs Syndrome...
July 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Editor – Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS or Willis-Ekbom disease) is a condition that affects an estimated 2 to 3% of adults in the United States.1 Patients with RLS experience a strong urge to move the legs, which is more prevalent at rest and is usually alleviated by physical movement. Symptoms… |
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Illegal Sale of Drugs Online...
July 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Benedette Cuffari, BS Toxicology Candidate, ‘16 – “Initial Prescription Free,” “FDA Approved,” “Save Thousands!” and “Our Generic Drugs are Identical to Those Sold in the U.S.,” are some of the many advertising tools that thousands of websites around the world have been using to lure customers into buying illegal pharmaceuticals online. The U.S. Food… |
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A Link Between Genetics and the Treatment Prognosis of ...
July 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD [PGY-1 Resident at Gainesville VAMC in Florida] – Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, and an inability to experience pleasure in activities that were enjoyable in the past.1 Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent mental disorders among adults… |
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Pharmaceutical Fellowship Tips...
July 1, 2015 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions By: Sean Caltabiano, Ramya Mathew & Praneeta Nagraj – Timeline Overview 5th Year: Start thinking about recommendations Your preceptors on rotations and faculty you have worked with are great people to ask for letters of recommendation July–October (or sooner): Research Start thinking about areas that you would be interested in pursuing (e.g., Regulatory Affairs, Medical… |
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When Technology and Medicine Unite...
July 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Tyler Valente, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – A growing trend within our progressive society is the advancement of technology. Over the past few years, inventions that were mere fantasies just a decade or two ago have become a reality. Within the medical field, progress can be seen particularly in the development of medical devices.… |
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Immunizations and College Gameday: A Collaboration of O...
June 1, 2015 - Events , Featured By: Jordan Kelley, Rachel Strait, Andrew Smelser, Kelsey Stephens, Trey Warnock, Tia Collier BSPS and PharmD Candidates c/o 2017, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy; email: [email protected] – Adult Vaccination Rates and Statistics Mississippi is ranked the number one state regarding childhood vaccination rates due to a Mississippi state law stating that children are not exempt… |
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Assessing Risks versus Benefits in Initiating Triple An...
June 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Jacqueline Chirico, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – A dilemma that many clinicians face when treating patients with cardiac problems is determining the appropriateness of initiating triple antithrombotic therapy. While this is appropriate in a select patient population, it is important to understand which patients fall in this category and what risks and benefits should… |
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New FDA Approved Treatment in Patients With Hypoparathy...
June 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Dimitrios Savva, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease that affects approximately 60,000 people in the United States.1 People diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism are characterized as having insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH).2 A person with this disease does not produce or secrete enough of PTH, leading to a decreased level of… |
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Seeing is Believing: A Look at VEGF Inhibitors for Diab...
June 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Editor, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Diabetes is one of the biggest health problems in the United States, with the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report stating that 9.3% of the population, or over 29 million people, has the disease.1 One of the major complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is diabetic retinopathy,… |
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Is SAM-E an Effective Treatment for Fibromyalgia?...
June 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD [PGY-1 Resident at Gainesville VAMC in Florida] – Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of chronic pain that affects the musculoskeletal system. Typical symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, insomnia, and tenderness over specific areas. Active depression is seen in one-third of patients with fibromyalgia, and a lifetime history of depression is seen in… |
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Magic Mushrooms: The Future of Smoking Cessation?...
May 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Maximilian Magun, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – While the harm in smoking is well known, quitting is easier said than done. Prescription and over-the counter nicotine replacement therapies (e.g. nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, nasal spray, lozenge), as well as oral tablets (e.g. Zyban™, Chantix®) have mediated success for some. In fact, when used correctly,… |
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Understanding and Managing Diabetic Peripheral Neuropat...
May 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Tamara Yunusova, Senior Staff Editor – Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes, burdening almost 50% of the diabetic population.1 While diabetic neuropathy is a broad term that may refer to a spectrum of autonomic, focal, proximal and peripheral neuropathies, it is generally characterized by poor gait and abnormal cold/heat sensations.… |
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An Aspirin a Day? New Study Assesses Rate of Inappropri...
May 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Writer – Aspirin 81 mg, or “baby” aspirin, has become almost ubiquitously known as being “heart-healthy” and for playing a role in preventing heart attacks and strokes. With cardiovascular disease reigning as the number one cause of death worldwide, more than 50 million adults in the United States currently take daily… |
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Great Promise for Factor Xa Inhibitor Antidote: Andexan...
May 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Galina Perel, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 – Andexanet alfa’s has achieved great advancement in part one of the Phase 3 ANNEXA-A study conducted by Portola Pharmaceuticals. The study demonstrated the effects of andexanet alfa being the proposed antidote to the oral anticoagulant Factor Xa inhibitor: apixaban (Eliquis©).1 Apixaban received FDA approval in late 2012… |
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Smartphone Applications for Pharmacy Students...
May 1, 2015 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions By: Hayeon Na, PharmD, Co-Copy Editor [Content-focused] – Going through the PharmD curriculum and working as a student pharmacist, I often wished that I could somehow connect my brain to all the wonderful pharmacy resources I had at home or in my bag. I don’t doubt that you’ve also had a variation of this idea… |
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The 2015 Rho Chi Annual Meeting...
April 1, 2015 - Events , Featured By: Tasnima Nabi, Editor-in-Chief – On Sunday, March 29th, the 2014 Executive Board of the Beta Delta Chapter at St. John’s University attended the National Rho Chi Annual Meeting at the Hilton Bayfront in San Diego, CA. The National Meeting is held during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition, where thousands of pharmacists, student pharmacists,… |
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Working Towards an Artificial Pancreas...
April 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Maryam Ahmed and Tyler Valente, PharmD Candidates c/o 2016 – Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the body cannot properly maintain its blood glucose. There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Type 1 and Type 2, which vary greatly but each have at the crux an inability to transport glucose into the… |
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The Role of Pharmacists in the EVD Outbreak...
April 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Azia Tariq, Section Editor – Reported in March 2014, the current Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak has become the deadliest outbreak of its kind since the disease’s initial discovery in 1976. As of April 24, 2015, the epidemic has spread to numerous countries across West Africa including Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone resulting in… |
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The Dilemma of Using Beta-Blockers in Patients with COP...
April 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Syed Arafath, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, AMSCOP at LIU – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer.1 Many patients with COPD often present with multiple-organ dysfunction, especially cardiovascular disease.2,3 COPD and heart failure frequently coexist in approximately 30% of cases… |
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Injectable Naltrexone for Smoking Cessation...
April 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, University at Buffalo: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Extended release naltrexone (XR-NTX), marketed as once-monthly IM Vivitrol®, is currently FDA approved for use in treating both alcohol and opiate dependence. Naltrexone is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist that blocks the euphoric effect of heroin and prescription opioids. Naltrexone… |
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Fifth Time’s a Charm?...
March 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics Fifth Time’s a Charm? By: Sylva Ohanian, Staff Writer – Liraglutide (Saxenda®) has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic weight management in adult patients.1 The indication is specified for those with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in… |
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The Overmedication of Foster Care Children...
March 1, 2015 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions The Overmedication of Foster Care Children By: Andrew Leong, Staff Writer – There are over 510,000 children in foster care nationwide.1 They face tremendous emotional stress, affecting their behavior and mental health. To treat their symptoms, many are prescribed psychotropic medications. A study published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that… |
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Use of Thiamine for Wernicke’s Encephalopathy in Alco...
March 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, University at Buffalo: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Chronic alcohol consumption may lead to a deficiency in thiamine (Vitamin B1), which can lead to alcohol-induced brain damage. Since thiamine is a cofactor for essential pathways in the brain, decreased levels of thiamine in the body can… |
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Early Use of Antibiotics Tied to an Increased Risk of P...
March 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Fatima Elzin, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015 – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of asthma has risen dramatically in the past two to three decades.1 In the United States, 6.8 million children were diagnosed with asthma in 2012.1 Recent data suggests that this increase in children with asthma may… |
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How Many Drugs is Too Many?...
March 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics How Many Drugs is Too Many? By: Caitlyn Cummings, PharmD Candidate c/o 2016 and Ruby Lee, PharmD Candidate c/o 2017 – In Dina Spector’s Business Insider article, “The World’s 2nd-Smartest Man Reveals The ‘Brain Drugs’ That He Thinks Make Him Smarter,” the daily medications taken by Rick Rosner, said genius, are revealed.1 There are unsubstantial… |
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Harvoni™ – First Combination Pill to Treat Hepa...
February 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Sebanti Bhowmik and Elissa Tam, PharmD Candidates c/o 2015 – On October 10, 2014, the Food and Drug Administration approved ledipasvir-sofosbuvir (Harvoni™) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection in adults. Harvoni™, marketed by Gilead Sciences, consists of Gilead’s sofosbuvir (Sovaldi™) and a new drug, ledipasvir.1 Harvoni™ is the first combination… |
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Aspirin in High Risk CV Patients Using COX-2 Inhibitors...
February 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Nancy Rizkalla, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015 – NSAIDs are effective agents used in the management of several types of pain. They mitigate the negative effects of inflammation by inhibiting two key enzymes called cyclooxygenase (COX)—COX-1 and COX-2—and their subsequent products. However, the inhibition of these enzymes’ other beneficial functions is associated with negative side… |
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Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in the United State...
February 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, University at Buffalo: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Psychiatric disorders are common in the United States, as nearly half of all Americans will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder, mood disorder, impulse-control disorder or substance abuse disorder at some point in their lifetime. It is estimated… |
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Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Oncolo...
February 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Nicollette Pacheco, Staff Editor [Graphics-focused] – With an increase in the use of alternative medicine in the United States, the field of oncology is seeing a rise in the use of unconventional methods to treat symptoms in a wide range of cancers. Since 1990, it has been found that an increasing number of patients… |
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The Rho Chi Induction Ceremony: Class of 2015...
January 1, 2015 - Events , Featured By: Davidta Brown, Copy Editor [Content-focused] – On February 10th, the Beta Delta chapter of Rho Chi Society granted membership to a new class of students; 52 fourth year pharmacy, fifth year pharmacy, and Ph.D. students from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences were inducted in a simple and elegant ceremony in Whitestone, Queens.… |
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A Word From The Immediate Past Editor-in-Chief – Pass...
January 1, 2015 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions By: Katharine Cimmino, Co-Copy Editor [Content-Focused] – Dear Readers, Working on the Rho Chi Post has been an amazing opportunity. Entering a science heavy program, I truly thought I would be putting my love for reading and writing on the back burner. The Rho Chi Post has allowed me to combine my passion for reading… |
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Case Report: Correlation between the Use of Weight Loss...
January 1, 2015 - Clinical , Featured By: Luxi Wang, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, Lev Gurevich, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, and Gladys El-Chaar, PharmD, Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Case Presentation A 17-year-old female presented to the ED after experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure with loss of consciousness lasting 5 minutes… |
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Usage of Codeine in Pediatric Patients...
January 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Azia Tariq, Section Editor – With the deaths of thirteen pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy occurring post operation between 1969 to 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the safety of codeine in children in its August 2012 Drug Safety Communication. The FDA subsequently issued a black box warning and a contraindication… |
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No More ABCs: FDA Issues Final Rule on Pregnancy and La...
January 1, 2015 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Svetlana Akbasheva, Staff Writer – Pregnancy categories in drug labeling were created in order to facilitate decisions on a medication’s use during pregnancy. With only five possibilities – A, B, C, D, or X – they provided a quick and simple reference regarding a medication’s teratogenic potential. However, in practice this grading system has… |
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The Difference in Guanfacine Formulations for ADHD...
December 1, 2014 - Clinical , Featured By: Katharine Cimmino, Editor-in-Chief – Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common pediatric psychiatric disorder, and it affects the education, social interactions, and over-all wellbeing of both children and adolescents.1 Symptoms of ADHD can persist into adulthood, and those with this disorder are more likely to suffer from other mental health co-morbidities.2 According to guidelines… |
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Using Bacteriophage Enzymes to Stay One Step Ahead of M...
December 1, 2014 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Davidta Brown, Copy Editor [Content-Focused] – It’s difficult to have a discussion about antibiotics without mentioning the developing crisis of antibiotic-resistance. Pathogens like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) have become a part of the general public’s consciousness – a household name and a community-acquired “superbug.” With the last new class of antibiotics developed in the… |
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Interview: Med Ed 101: Dr. Eric Christianson...
December 1, 2014 - Featured , Professional Advice / Opinions By: Tasnima Nabi, Copy Editor [Content-Focused] – Social media is a powerful platform, allowing for the quick and easy exchange of ideas. Although the Internet has facilitated universal access, for many, it can be difficult to find reliable information. By combining the power of the Internet with his dedication to the pharmacy profession, Eric Christianson,… |
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Recombinant Factor IX (Alprolix) Brings Hope for Hemoph...
December 1, 2014 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Benedette Cuffari, BS Toxicology Candidate c/o 2015 – Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder that is caused by a substantially reduced or complete lack of blood clotting factor IX. Therefore, people suffering from hemophilia B experience bleeding episodes that cause pain, irreversible joint damage, and life threatening hemorrhages. Approximately 28,000 people are currently… |
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FDA Defends Generic Drug Labeling Plan...
December 1, 2014 - Featured , In the News / Politics By: Nancy Simon, PharmD c/o 2016 – Last November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted a proposal for a Generic Drug Labeling Plan. This new plan will allow generic drug companies to use the same process as the one used by brand drug companies to update their medication labels to reflect new safety information.1… |
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Off-Label Antidepressant Use in Pediatric Patients with...
November 1, 2014 - Clinical , Featured By: Jacqueline Meaney, PharmD Candidate c/o 2015, University at Buffalo: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences — Psychotropic medications are typically used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy to treat behavioral problems that affect children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Symptoms of ASD typically include a need for routines (change intolerance), difficulty with verbal and… |
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