February 22 Pharmacy Week in Review: Blood Glucose Test Strips Prove Accurate, Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Linked to Cancer

This weekly video program provides our readers with an in-depth review of the latest news, product approvals, FDA rulings, and more. Our Week in Review is a can't miss for the busy pharmacy professional.

Nicole Grassano, Host: Hello and welcome to the Pharmacy Times News Network. I’m Nicole Grassano your host for our Pharmacy Week in Review.

FDA officials have approved Xellia Pharmaceuticals’ Premixed Vancomycin Injection in a ready-to-use bag, according to the company, Pharmacy Times reported. Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients, age 1 month and older, to treat skin, bone, and lower respiratory tract infections.

Vancomycin Injection Ready-to-Use is provided as a premixed solution in single-dose flexible bags, stable at room temperature, up to 25 °C, for 16 months. This product is provided as a 100-, 200-, 300- or 400-mL solution.

A study published recently in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology evaluated the accuracy of commercial blood glucose test strip platforms for patients with diabetes, Contemporary Clinic reported. In the report, the authors highlighted the clinical accuracy of OneTouch Select Plus blood glucose test strips.

The study used about 21,000 data points from more than 200 different OneTouch Select Plus test strip batches, regularly and routinely sampling across 3 years of production to assess product accuracy, according to the manufacturer's statement. Investigators evaluated the test strips with a minimum of 100 subjects with diabetes, and then compared the readings with capillary blood samples collected at the same time.

The study found that 97.6% of the batches met the accuracy criterion of 97.1%-98.1% by year. The product also demonstrated clinical accuracy across all 7 glucose ranges. Under combined conditions of hematocrit and glucose extremes, 97.7% of values were clinically accurate.

New research has identified an interaction between immune factors that may trigger chronic, cancer-promoting inflammation, according to a new report published in PNAS, Specialty Pharmacy Times reported. Chronic inflammatory diseases account for up to 20% of all cancer deaths worldwide, according to the report.

For the study, investigators aimed to identify the mechanism that initiates the development of a cancer-promoting immune environment in chronic inflammation. In the report, the study authors found that elevated levels of the immune factor interleukin-33 and regulatory T cells may lead to the development of skin cancer associated with chronic dermatitis and colorectal cancer in patients with colitis.

Pharmacists may get more questions about Cold EEZE if their patients have seen a new commercial for the OTC product. In the spot, called “Medifacts: Shorten Your Cold,” a pharmacist recommends Cold EEZE and says it can shorten the duration of a cold by 42%. According to the commercial, Cold EEZE releases zinc ions that may prevent cold viruses from replicating.

For more great coverage and practical information for today’s pharmacist, visit our website and sign up for our Daily eNews. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.