CDC Alerts Health Care Professionals to Risks of Ordering Prescription Medications Online
Individuals ordering what they believe to be prescription medications from online pharmacies are taking a potential public health risk, according to a new statement released by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The statement, aimed at public health officials, clinicians, and patients, mentioned a recent indictment against individuals orchestrating illegal online pharmacies. CDC also […]
Read More ›ISMP Safety Briefs: Inhalation Medication Entered Incorrectly Causes Error
This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate. A pharmacist reported that a medication was entered incorrectly into their pharmacy dispensing system from an electronic prescription. The prescriber had ordered “mometasone 100 mcg-formoterol 5 mcg inhalation.” However, the pharmacy technician entered “mometasone 100 mcg inhalation.” Fortunately, a pharmacist […]
Read More ›CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines (2024-2025 Formulas) for All Individuals Ages Six Months and Older
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is recommending the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older. Please see CDC’s website for details.
Read More ›About Half of Illegal Online Pharmacies Are Selling Semaglutide Products, According to Study
Out of 317 online pharmacies, about 42% are selling semaglutide illegally, according to a JAMA Network study. These pharmacies sold the product without a prescription and operated without a valid license. As part of the study, researchers purchased the semaglutide products from six online pharmacies that are listed on NABP’s Not Recommended List. These pharmacies […]
Read More ›FEND Off Fentanyl Act Signed Into Law
The Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act has been signed into law. This bill is a sanctions and anti-money laundering bill that is intended to strengthen United States government agencies to disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and punish those facilitating fentanyl trafficking. Specifically, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act would declare international trafficking […]
Read More ›DEA’s April Drug Take Back Day Collects 670,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications
More than 670,000 pounds (335 tons) of unneeded and expired medications were collected during Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Since 2010, about 18.6 million pounds of unneeded medications have been collected nationwide for proper and safe disposal as part of DEA’s Drug Take Back Days. In addition to disposing […]
Read More ›ISMP: Practitioners Can Reduce and Prevent Errors Involving ‘Look-Alike’ Bottles by Using Purchasing Decisions and Barcode Scanning
This column was prepared by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an ECRI affiliate. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has recently received multiple reports of different manufacturer bottles with similar appearances that have contributed to errors. In one case, a mix-up occurred between prasugrel 10 mg tablets and flecainide 100 mg tablets, […]
Read More ›ISMP Safety Brief: Prevent Additional Patient Harm and Deaths From Accidental Daily Methotrexate Dosing
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 […]
Read More ›Critical Truvada Stability Information Not Provided in Package Insert
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 […]
Read More ›ISMP Safety Brief: Changes In Dosing Frequency Not Matched by Dispensed Amounts
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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