
Flu season has arrived once again, and pharmacists across the country are gearing up to provide patients with vaccines to prevent influenza and medications to treat it.

Flu season has arrived once again, and pharmacists across the country are gearing up to provide patients with vaccines to prevent influenza and medications to treat it.

Top news of the week from Specialty Pharmacy Times.

A antiviral has been FDA-approved, just in time for flu season.

The approval marks the first new antiviral flu treatment with a novel mechanism of action backed by the agency in nearly 20 years.

Officials with the FDA have approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza, Shionogi) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients aged 12 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours.

Pharmacists have traditionally played a role in the frontline fight against influenza, but in recent years, that role has become even more important.

Offering immunizations (and making sure to carefully assess immunizations are up to date), medication therapy management (MTM), medication synchrnonization, and point of care testing are all ways, Kneeland explained, that pharmacists can carve out a niche for themselves.

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

The CDC suggests that providers can better inform women about the recommended maternal vaccines.

A recent survey concluded that strategies to increase workplace immunization, such as requiring vaccination or promoting free onsite vaccines, lead to increased vaccination rates.

We all dread the signs every flu season: runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, and fever.

What should these pharmacists do?

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

Edward Jenner created the first vaccine to protect against smallpox in the 1790s.1 Since then, the pathway to effective and safe vaccines has not been direct or easy, yet millions of lives have been saved, proving that vaccines, in general, are powerful medical interventions.1

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

The most common strains of influenza start to emerge in epidemics a full 6 to 9 months ahead of European and North American outbreaks

With flu season around the corner, hospitals and other health care facilities will soon be encouraging staff members to protect themselves from the virus with an annual vaccine.

The phase 3 CAPSTONE-2 study of the safety and efficacy of baloxavir marboxil in patients at high risk of complications due to influenza (flu) has met the primary objective of efficacy of a single dose of baloxavir marboxil compared to placebo.

The phase 3 randomized, double-blind study evaluated a single dose of baloxavir marboxil compared with placebo and oseltamivir in individuals aged 12 and older.

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape.

Top news of the day from across the health care landscape

The 2017-2018 flu season was severe, resulting in 172 pediatric deaths across the country.

Point-of-care testing (POTC) increase patients' access to care and treatment. In 2 areas—influenza and streptococcal pharyngitis—POCT is available, but not used as often as it could be.

The Walgreens Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza each week, based on Index methodology.