FDA Releases DQSA Compounding Rules and Guidance Documents
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released several policy documents related to compounding as part of the agency’s implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA). The documents include: Draft interim guidance (PDF) describing FDA’s expectations for compliance with current good manufacturing practice requirements for compounding facilities registered as outsourcing facilities with FDA A […]
Read More ›Buyers Should Be Wary of Sites Claiming to be Legitimate Internet Pharmacies from Other Countries, Consumer Reports Advises
Buying medications online from other countries is dangerous since many websites claiming to be an Internet pharmacy from a particular country are not located in that country and are in fact operating illegally, as reflected in an article from Consumer Reports. “Most Internet pharmacies claiming to be Canadian are not,” Carmen A. Catizone, MS, RPh, […]
Read More ›Ohio Pharmacists May Now Administer MMR Vaccines
As cases of measles and mumps rise in Ohio, Governor John Kasich signed an emergency order that allows pharmacists to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to patients age 18 or older. In order to administer MMR vaccines, pharmacists must meet training criteria required by rule 4729-5-36 of the Ohio Revised Code, and […]
Read More ›Amazon Accused of Enabling Prescription Drug Diversion
Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is enabling unlawful sales of steroids, muscle relaxants, prescription antibiotics, and other dangerous, often illicit substances, an investigative report from Slate alleges. Among the drugs illegally sold on Amazon’s website, the report identifies prescription medications such as the antibiotics clindamycin and norfloxacin, and the muscle relaxant methocarbamol as being […]
Read More ›ASHP and ACPE Announce New Commissioners for the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) have announced the first commissioners for the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC). PTAC is the product of a cooperative effort to accredit pharmacy technician education and training programs that will conduct reviews and site surveys. Beginning in the fall of […]
Read More ›Unapproved Drugs Seized by US Marshals at Request of FDA
At the request of FDA and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, US Marshals have seized more than $11 million worth of unapproved drugs, indicates an FDA press release. The drugs were marketed by Ascend Laboratories of Montvale, NJ and held by Masters Pharmaceuticals, Inc, of Cincinnati, OH. The products include pramoxine-HC […]
Read More ›New Study Highlights Key Quality Standards for Large-Scale Sterile Compounding
A new study comparing safety measures used by pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities with those used by compounding facilities highlights the quality standards that are needed by all compounding facilities, including those engaged in large-scale compounding. Quality Standards for Large-Scale Sterile Compounding Facilities (PDF), authored by Clinical IQ, LLC, and commissioned by Pew Charitable Trusts, provides information […]
Read More ›Senior Prescription Drug Abuse A Growing Problem, USA Today Reports
While efforts to curb high rates of prescription drug abuse continue, prescription painkiller abuse and misuse is increasing among seniors. In fact, the number of seniors who were misusing or dependent on prescription pain medications climbed from 132,000 in 2002 to more than 330,000 in 2012, according to a USA Today report. Further, the number […]
Read More ›New Educational Video for Pharmacists Addresses Prescription Drug Abuse
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and Anti-Diversion Industry Working Group Educate on “Red Flags” that May Be Difficult to Detect The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) and the Anti-Diversion Industry Working Group (ADIWG), a consortium of pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, has released an educational video for pharmacists to help them identify the […]
Read More ›Pennsylvania Bill Would Expand the State’s PMP to Include All CS Prescriptions
Aimed to help fight prescription drug abuse, proposed legislation in Pennsylvania would establish a comprehensive prescription monitoring program (PMP). Currently, the PMP overseen by the state’s attorney general monitors only Schedule II controlled substances (CS). SB 1180, sponsored by Senator Patricia Vance (R-31), would expand the program to include all Schedule II through V CS, […]
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