Ed Lamb

Nosocomial infections and hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia have been added to the agency's list of problems that should never occur and whose resolution will not be covered.

Citing evidence that intimidating and disruptive behavior by health care professionals is preventable and adversely affects patient care, the Joint Commission is adding professionalism elements to its Leadership standard.

A federal appeals court has temporarily suspended 10% reductions in Medi-Cal reimbursements for medications that had forced pharmacists to take losses or stop serving Medicaid beneficiaries.

Additionally, 2 new combination vaccines could make following CDC's immunization recommendations easier by reducing the number of shots children must receive.

With expansion in the generics market and fewer FDA drug approvals, growth in dollar sales for drugs was down in 2007, though the number of prescriptions dispensed increased slightly.

PBMs are realizing that encouraging the use of generic medications not only helps their patients save money, it helps them save as well.

Teaching patients about the benefits of generic replacements for their branded medications is a major step to improved adherence and cost savings.

Playing ball with foreign nations to obtain patent approval for much-needed medications can be more difficult when you're not the home team.

As patent expirations creep closer, blockbuster drugs face increasing competition, and the FDA faces increasing pressure.

Leading medications for allergies, heart failure, insomnia, and osteoporosis have recently lost or will soon lose patent protection.

Mr. Lamb is a freelance pharmacy writer living in Virginia Beach, Va, and president of Thorough Cursor Inc.

Mr. Lamb is a freelance pharmacy writer living in Virginia Beach, Va, and president of Thorough Cursor Inc.

Mr. Lamb is a freelance pharmacy writer living in Virginia Beach, Va and president of Thorough Cursor Inc.