Posted today in Medical

Sunscreen Delays Melanoma in Mice, Researchers Say

Applying 30 SPF sunscreen to mice before they were exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation delayed the development of melanoma, researchers report. The study results suggest that mice can be used to identify and develop new and more effective ways to prevent the most dangerous of skin cancers, the investigators said. "Over the past 40 years, the melanoma...

Posted 2 days ago in FDA Alerts

Sterile Drug Products from Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals, Inc: CDER Statement - FDA alerts health care professionals not to use due to a lack of sterility assurance and other quality issues

[Posted 04/16/2016]  Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 [04/16/2016 - CDER Alert – FDA]...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Only Half of Rectal Cancer Patients Get Recommended Treatment: Study

Despite the increasing use of a standard therapy for rectal cancer in the United States, only slightly more than half of patients receive it, a new study finds. Chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery is recognized as the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer because it offers patients the best outcomes, according to the researchers. The...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Health Tip: Stop Eating When You're Full

-- Kids' activities -- from sports to parties --- often are centered around snack times. But is there anything you can do to prevent overeating? The American Council on Exercise suggests: Teaching children to pay attention to their hunger and fullness cues. If your child isn't hungry when a snack is offered, teach the child to politely decline. The...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Pair Gamblers Anonymous With Other Treatments for Best Results

Gamblers Anonymous helps people with gambling problems, and it's even more effective when used along with other treatments, researchers report. In a new review, investigators analyzed data from 17 studies published between 2002 and 2015 that examined problem gambling. The research included data on various aspects of problem gambling, and on treatments...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

The Keys to an Effective Apology

Simply saying "I'm sorry" isn't always enough, researchers report. For an apology to be effective, they say you need to include some of six components: expression of regret; explanation of what went wrong; acknowledgment of responsibility; declaration of repentance; offer of repair; and request for forgiveness. The more of these components, the better,...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Health Tip: Keep a Diabetes Diary

-- If you're diabetic, keeping track of blood sugar levels, food, weight and exercise can be overwhelming. That's when keeping a diary becomes a good idea. The American Diabetes Association suggests: Choosing the right journal. Consider whether you want paper or electronic, lined or unlined, thin or thick. Logging into your diary after every meal,...

Posted yesterday in Medical

Generic Hepatitis C Drugs as Effective as Pricey Brand Names: Study

Low-cost generic antiviral drugs are as effective and safe as more expensive brand-name drugs in treating people with hepatitis C, researchers report. In many countries, people don't have access to a course of brand-name direct-acting antiviral drugs due to the high cost -- as much as $94,000 a patient, the researchers explained. However, mass-produced...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Health Highlights: Recently...

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: FDA Approves Folic Acid Fortification of Corn Masa Flour Folic acid fortification for corn masa flour has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers will be allowed to add up to 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound of...

Posted 2 days ago in Medical

Early Stage Breast Cancer Does Need Treatment, Study Finds

Early stage breast cancers known as DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) should be treated with surgery, not a "wait-and-watch" approach, according to new research. Experts have debated whether to treat early DCIS or simply monitor it to see if it progresses. The new study suggests excision of DCIS -- cancer confined to the milk ducts in the breast -- is...

Recently added consumer and prescribing information: Venclexta, Descovy, Cinqair, Taltz, Odefsey, Briviact, Zepatier, Zurampic, Uptravi, Alecensa

Posted in Blog

Can the U.S. Win the War On Opioids?

Remember the “War on Drugs”? This may conjure images of Mexican drug lords, packages of smuggled cocaine, or clandestine DEA agents. But now we all know that the real bandit is found right in our own home — in our bathroom medicine cabinets. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 44 people in the […]

Posted in Blog

FDA Flashback: The Top Five New Drug Approvals From 2015

This past year close to 100 new drugs were FDA-approved, so it’s encouraging to look back and see the progress that’s been made as 2015 ends. In fact, more than 40 novel drugs, including a new drug class for patients with high cholesterol, a first-time biosimilar, a life-saving heart failure drug, and a controversial agent to […]

Posted in Blog

The Search for an Affordable Drug: 3 Practices To Outlaw

It may come as a surprise that as a pharmacist I am as mad as anyone about the ongoing trend of prescription drug price gouging. The real tragedy is that this gouging is often occurring with older prescription drugs for rare diseases that have limited manufacturer availability. It’s not that they can’t be made inexpensively; […]