This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate.  Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist that was originally approved to treat a variety of cancers. Used for oncologic indications, methotrexate is administered in cyclical frequencies and in variable doses based on body surface area and the type of cancer […]

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This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is used to prevent HIV infection in an HIV-negative person who has had a recent high-risk exposure to HIV. PEP is classified as nonoccupational (eg, sexual contact, injection drug use) or occupational (eg, needlestick injury). Centers for […]

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A specialty pharmacy was preparing a refill for Entyvio® (vedolizumab) 300 mg vial for intravenous (IV) injection. Entyvio is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. During pre-verification for the refill, the pharmacist noticed the dispensed quantity was two, with the directions to inject 300 mg (1 vial) […]

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared a shortage of Adderall® as pharmacies across the nation are struggling to fill patients’ prescriptions. FDA published a list of the manufacturers and product strengths that are still available and will continue to monitor the supply. With this ongoing issue, the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) warns patients […]

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This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate. A specialty pharmacy filled a prescription for Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) 5 mg tablets with 15 mg tablets by mistake and shipped it to the patient. Jakafi is a kinase inhibitor used to treat myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera in adults, and graft-versus-host […]

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain (2022 Clinical Practice Guideline) as part of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This clinical tool includes new recommendations to help clinicians and patients weigh the benefits and risks of tapering or continuing opioids, additional […]

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of a draft guidance aimed at increasing the amount of safety information the agency has about the dietary supplement marketplace by providing the industry an opportunity to submit late new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications. The agency intends to exercise enforcement discretion, for a limited time and in […]

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Older adults are more likely to be taking medications that interact with Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), according to a new study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that has been approved for treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 to prevent severe disease, should not be taken with certain medications, such as […]

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released their second publication of Medicaid data to help policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders better target substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment efforts. The publication, the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) based Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Data Book, includes 2018 data on Medicaid beneficiaries treated for […]

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The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of their new treatment-focused Overdose Prevention Strategy in response to the rising trends in drug overdoses. The Overdose Prevention Strategy is designed to increase access to care and services for individuals who use substances that put them at risk for overdoses, and […]

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