Current Prescription-News News Results

Impact of adverse news media on prescriptions for osteoporosis: effect on fractures and mortality.

Med J Aust. 2010 Aug 2; 193(3): 154-6
Sambrook PN, Chen JS, Simpson JM, March LM

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a national current affairs television program about the association between osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonates on subsequent prescription use, fractures and deaths. DESIGN AND SETTING: National Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescription data for 9 months after the television program were used to estimate the impact of reduced bisphosphonate use on fractures and mortality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescription rates, fractures and deaths. RESULTS: The estimated reduction of 29 633 in the number of bisphosphonate prescriptions may have resulted in 70 hip fractures, 60 other fractures and 14 deaths that would otherwise have been prevented over the 9-month period of the study. CONCLUSION: Although it is important for patients to be informed of the risks of medication, media coverage that does not present a balanced view has the potential to do more harm than good.

Prescription: ask questions first. Don't take a drug unless you know why you're getting it--and the risks.

US News World Rep. 2010 Aug; 147(7): 38
Kotz D

Specialists question agency's proposal to time limit methadone prescribing.

BMJ. 2010; 341: c3998
Mayor S

New drugs should be judged on "willingness to pay" basis, says leading economist.

BMJ. 2010; 341: c3899
Wise J

Pharmaceutical trademarks: Navigating through the FDA's pilot program.

Drug News Perspect. 2010 Jun; 23(5): 333-6
Ferrer E

Creation and clearance of pharmaceutical trademarks continues to be one of the most difficult and challenging areas of trademark law. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently initiated a 2-year Pilot Program under Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) IV. The intent of the program is to enable participating pharmaceutical firms to evaluate proposed pharmaceutical marks and submit the data generated from those evaluations to the FDA for review. Submitting a trademark to the FDA warrants questions: What supporting data is needed and accepted when proposing a mark? What issues might arise, and how can they be averted? In a recent Thomson Reuters on-demand webinar (http://science.thomsonreuters.com/news/2010-02/8580404/), a group of renowned experts in the field of trademark development review the FDA pilot program, outline the requirements for submission and discuss what the changes will mean in clearing new pharmaceutical marks. They also present various approaches to trademark development and evaluation in light of the FDA's views.

New prescription for some leftover drugs.

Harv Heart Lett. 2010 Mar; 20(7): 6

Medication helps make therapy work for teens addicted to prescription opioids.

JAMA. 2010 Jun 16; 303(23): 2343-5
Kuehn BM

Pain management failing as fears of prescription drug abuse rise.

J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2010 Jun; 24(2): 182-3

FDA enlists doctors to help spot misleading drug advertisements.

BMJ. 2010; 340: c2594
Tanne JH

Aiding adherence: five approaches to following prescriptions.

Nat Med. 2010 May; 16(5): 504
May M

Influence of culture and discrimination on care-seeking behavior of elderly African Americans: a qualitative study.

Soc Work Public Health. 2010 May; 25(3): 311-26
Martin SS, Trask J, Peterson T, Martin BC, Baldwin J, Knapp M

In this study, the influence of culture and discrimination on care-seeking behavior of elderly African Americans was explored. This was a qualitative phenomenological study that involved in-depth interviews with 15 African American men and women aged 60 and older in Alabama. The sample size of 15 was adequate for the phenomenological method of this study. While this was a small exploratory study and was not intended for any generalizations, it did provide a unique opportunity to hear the voices, the concerns, and the stories of elderly African Americans, which have often been overlooked in the literature. The following themes emerged from the analysis of data: (1) perception of health as ability to be active, (2) reluctance toward prescription medicine use, (3) lack of trust in doctors, (4) avoidance of bad news, (5) race of doctors, (6) use of home remedies, and (7) importance of God and spirituality on health, illness, and healing.

Precompetitive research: a new prescription for drug development?

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010 May; 87(5): 521-3
Woodcock J

Evaluation, use, and usefulness of prescription drug information sources among Anglo and Hispanic Americans.

J Health Commun. 2010 Jan; 15(1): 18-38
Delorme DE, Huh J, Reid LN

This survey was conducted to determine and compare how Anglo and Hispanic Americans evaluate and use interpersonal, advertising, and mediated sources of prescription drug information. Findings suggest the following: (1) Hispanics rely on doctors, Internet advertising sources, and direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA), while Anglos frequently use health-related websites and health care professionals; (2) Anglos are more likely to use health-related websites such as WebMD, although Anglos and Hispanics do not appear significantly different in Internet source usefulness evaluation; (3) Hispanics rely on television (TV) and DTC TV advertising more than Anglos, and this tendency is stronger for strong than weak Hispanic identifiers; (4) Hispanics evaluate TV news stories and TV advertising as more useful than Anglos; (5) Hispanics evaluate DTCA more positively and with less skepticism than Anglos; and (6) Hispanic ethnic identification level is positively related to preferences for Spanish-language media and health care professionals.

Schemes that reward GPs for prescribing generics may breach EU law.

BMJ. 2010; 340: c1945
Dyer C

The prescription gender gap.

Time. 2010 Mar 29; 175(12): 44-5
Elton C

Defense Department sees results on outcomes research.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Apr 15; 67(8): 590, 592
Traynor K

Some early thoughts on Spring.

S D Med. 2010 Mar; 63(3): 79
Wellman G

Countries face "hidden problem" of prescription drug misuse.

BMJ. 2010; 340: c1109
Zarocostas J

Gaviscon maker is accused of rigging the market.

BMJ. 2010; 340: c1121
Kmietowicz Z

Psychiatrist accused of dishonesty for prescribing drugs to a patient under a false name.

BMJ. 2010; 340: c1036
Dyer C