�In the News� � March 1 � 14, 2008

“In the News” – March 1 – 14, 2008 – Drug- and Pharmacyrelated News Brought to You by the Pharmacy Library People Allergies Dibbern DA Jr, Montanaro A. Allergies to sulfonamide antibiotics and sulfur-containing drugs. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 Feb;100(2):91-100; quiz 100-3, 111. Antidepressants Rate Their Own Category! Hirschler, B. UK to tighten drug law, Glaxo escapes prosecution. Reuters Health. March 6, 2008. Turner EH, Rosenthal R. Efficacy of antidepressants. BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):516-7. Lenzer J, Brownlee S. An untold story? BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):532-4. Kirsch I, Deacon BJ et al. Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: A meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS Med. 2008 Feb;5(2):e45. Simon G. Antidepressants and suicide. BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):515-6. Turner EH, Matthews AM, Linardatos E, Tell RA, Rosenthal R. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jan 17;358(3):252-60. A news report followed by the basic sciences research that it highlights: Flight MH. Research highlights: Pharmacogenetics: Predicting antidepressant response. Nat Med Drug Discov. 2008 Mar;7(3):204. Uhr M, Tontsch A, Namendorf C, et al. Polymorphisms in the drug transporter gene ABCB1 predict antidepressant treatment response in depression. Neuron. 2008 Jan 24;57(2):203-9. Cardiology Phillips SA, Jurva JW, Syed AQ et al. Benefit of low-fat over low-carbohydrate diet on endothelial health in obesity. Hypertension. 2008 Feb;51(2):376-82. Prinz V, Laufs U, Gertz K, et al. Intravenous rosuvastatin for acute stroke treatment: An animal study. Stroke. 2008 Feb;39(2):433-8. Epub 2007 Dec 27. 1 Frolov RV, Berim IG, Singh S. Inhibition of delayed rectifier potassium channels and induction of arrhythmia: A novel effect of celecoxib and the mechanism underlying it. J Biol Chem. 2008 Jan 18;283(3):1518-24. Greenland P, Lloyd-Jones D. Critical lessons from the ENHANCE trial. JAMA. 2008 Feb 27;299(8):953-5. Related commentary: Mitka M. Controversies surround heart drug study: Questions about Vytorin and trial sponsors' conduct. JAMA. 2008 Feb 27;299(8):885-7. Chen L, Davey Smith G, Harbord RM et al. Alcohol intake and blood pressure: A systematic review implementing a Mendelian randomization approach. PLoS Med. 2008 Mar 4;5(3):e52 Tapson VF. Acute pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 6;358(10):1037-52. Smith DH, Kramer JM, Perrin N et al. A randomized trial of direct-to-patient communication to enhance adherence to β-blocker therapy following myocardial infarction. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Mar 10;168(5):477-83. The following two articles are related: Tissot AC, Maurer P, Nussberger J et al. Effect of immunisation against angiotensin II with CYT006-AngQb on ambulatory blood pressure: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase IIa study. Lancet. 2008 Mar 8;371(9615):821-7. Samuelsson O, Herlitz H. Vaccination against high blood pressure: A new strategy. Lancet. 2008 Mar 8;371(9615):788-9. Smith DH, Kramer JM, Perrin N et al. A randomized trial of direct-to-patient communication to enhance adherence to {beta}-blocker therapy following myocardial infarction. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Mar 10;168(5):477-83. Daugherty SL, Ho PM, Spertus JA et al. Association of early follow-up after acute myocardial infarction with higher rates of medication use. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Mar 10;168(5):485-91. Lee JH, O'Keefe JH, Lavie CJ et al. Omega3 fatty acids for cardioprotection. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008 Mar;83(3):324-32. Cerebrovascular Conditions Uyttenboogaart M, Koch MW, Koopman K, Vroomen PC, De Keyser J, Luijckx GJ. Safety of antiplatelet therapy prior to intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. Arch Neurol. 2008 Mar 10. 2 CNS BMJ Group. Treating depression in alcohol misuse. Drug Ther Bull. 2008 Feb;46(2):11-4. Brody JE. Some with MS put their hopes in a diet. New York Times. March 11, 2008. Kumra S, Kranzler H, Gerbino-Rosen G et al. Clozapine and "high-dose" olanzapine in refractory early-onset schizophrenia: A 12-week randomized and double-blind comparison. Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Mar 1;63(5):524-9.. Lenzer J, Brownlee S. An untold story? BMJ. 2008 Feb 29. Brent D, Emslie G, Clarke G, et al. Switching to another SSRI or to venlafaxine with or without cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with SSRI-resistant depression: The TORDIA randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Feb 27;299(8):901-913. Almeida OP, Yeap BB, Hankey GJ, Jamrozik K, Flicker L. Low free testosterone concentration as a potentially treatable cause of depressive symptoms in older men. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;65(3):283-9 Biederman J, Monuteaux MC, Spencer T, et al. Stimulant therapy and risk for subsequent substance use disorders in male adults with ADHD: A naturalistic controlled 10-year follow-up study. Am J Psychiatry. 2008 Mar 3. Klein DF. The loss of serendipity in psychopharmacology. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1063-5. The following two Clinical Guidelines and Summary for patients are related: Qaseem A, Snow V, Cross JT Jr et al; for the American College of Physicians/American Academy of Family Physicians Panel on Dementia. Current pharmacologic treatment of dementia: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Mar 4;148(5):370-8. Raina P, Santaguida P, Ismaila A et al. Effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for treating dementia: Evidence review for a clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Mar 4;148(5):379-97. Summaries for patients. Drug treatment for patients with dementia: American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians recommendations. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Mar 4;148(5):I41. The following Commentary and Article are related: Tohen M. Clinical trials in bipolar mania: Implications in study design and drug development. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;65(3):252-3. Yildiz A, Guleryuz S, Ankerst DP et al. Protein kinase C inhibition in the treatment of mania: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tamoxifen. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Mar;65(3):25563. 3 Chronic heart failure: Overview of diagnosis and treatment in primary care. MeReC Bulletin [UK NHS]. 2008Feb;18(3):1-9. (You can subscribe to receive MeReC email alerts.) Jeste DV, Blazer D, Casey D et al. ACNP white paper: Update on use of antipsychotic drugs in elderly persons with dementia. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2008 Apr;33(5):957-70. Sahakian B, Morein-Zamir S. Professor's little helper. Nature. 2007 Dec 20;450(7173):1157-9. Strine TW, Mokdad AH, Dube SR et al. The association of depression and anxiety with obesity and unhealthy behaviors among community-dwelling US adults. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008 Mar-Apr;30(2):127-37. Diabetes Goebel-Fabbri AE, Fikkan J, Franko DL, Pearson K, Anderson BJ, Weinger K. Insulin restriction and associated morbidity and mortality in women with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008 Mar;31(3):415-9. Bakris GL, Berkwits M. Trials that matter: The effect of a fixed-dose combination of an Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and a diuretic on the complications of type 2 diabetes. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Mar 4;148(5):400-1. Rubino F. Is type 2 diabetes an operable intestinal disease? A provocative yet reasonable hypothesis. Diabetes Care. 2008 Feb;31 Suppl 2:S290-6. Three about inhaled insulin: News Release: Lilly announces termination of AIR insulin program. Indianapolis IN: Eli Lilly and Company; March7, 2008. Press release: MannKind Corporation response to recent market events. Valencia CA: MannKind Corporation; March 10, 2008. Opar A. News & analysis: Another blow for inhaled protein therapeutics: As Novo Nordisk joins Pfizer in abandoning an inhaled insulin product, what are the implications for the future of targeting the lung for delivering protein therapeutics? Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2008 Mar;7(3):18990. Drug Compounding Sasich LD, Sukkari SR. Unknown risks of pharmacy-compounded drugs. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2008 Feb;108(2):86. Cramer R, Williams W, Robbins S. Indocyanine green availability from compounding pharmacies. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008 Mar 15;65(6):506, 508. 4 Drug Safety Health Canada reminds Canadians not to use ephedra/ephedrine products. Information Update 2008-41. March 11, 2008. Health Canada endorsed important safety information on Sebivo (telbivudine): Risk of peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with telbivudine (Sebivo) and interferon. Dorval QC: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.; March 7, 2008. Press Release: Amgen announces update to U.S. prescribing information for Aranesp(R) and EPOGEN(R): Revised boxed warning applies to oncology indication for the class of approved ESAs. Thousand Oaks CA: Amgen Inc.; March 7,2008. Berenson A. In trial, Alaska says Lilly concealed risks of a schizophrenia drug. The New York Times. March 6, 2008. Berenson A. Lilly waited to long to warn about schizophrenia drug, doctor testifies. New York Times. March 8, 2008. Weeks C. Drug recall puts overseas inspections in spotlight: Experts question whether North American governments can ensure the safety of drugs made with ingredients from China. Globe and Mail. March 7, 2008. Harris G, Bogdanich W. German authorities report problems with blood thinner. New York Times. March 7, 2008. Dougherty C, Rosenthal E. Germans seek China tie to blood thinner heparin. New York Times. March 8, 2008. New York Times. March 8, 2008. Health Canada endorsed important safety information on Exjade (deferasirox): Reports of hepatic failure with Exjade* (deferasirox). Health Canada. March 4, 2008. Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Brovana, Foradil, Serevent Diskus, and Symbicort information (long acting beta agonists). US FDA. March 5, 2008. The next two items are related: Associated Press. Analysis: Vaccine payment no landmark. New York Times. March 7, 2008. Press Release: Statement by the health resources and services administration on autism and the vaccine injury program. HRSA News. March 3, 2008. Dunham W. Still no autism-vaccine link, say health officials. Reuters. March 6, 2008. Review determines measles, mumps and rubella vaccine lots can be released for use. Information Update [Health Canada]. 2008 Mar 3;2008-35. 5 Public health advisory: Important information on the correct use of Spiriva and Foradil capsules. US FDA. February 29, 2008. Vandenberg LN, Hauser R, Marcus M, Olea N, Welshons WV. Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). Reprod Toxicol. 2007 Aug-Sep;24(2):139-77. Harris G, Bogdanich W. Drug tied to China had contaminant, F.D.A. says. The New York Times. March 6, 2008. Pye SM, Cortes J, Ault P et al. The effects of imatinib on pregnancy outcome. Blood. 2008 Mar 5; News report. FDA to increase warnings, advisories on side effects. The Wall Street Journal. February 29, 2008. Press release: FDA issues alert on Tussionex, a long-acting prescription cough medicine containing hydrocodone: Agency gives new safety information on proper use of Tussionex as a cough suppressant. FDA News; March 11, 2008. Environmental Concerns Henderson J, Sherriff A, Farrow A, Ayres JG. Household chemicals, persistent wheezing and lung function: Effect modification by atopy? Eur Respir J. 2008 Mar;31(3):547-54. Doon J., Mendoza M, Pritchard J. AP probe finds drugs in drinking water. Yahoo! News. March 9, 2008. Mittelstaedt M. Are alternatives any safer than plastics? You may want to avoid the polycarbonates in bottles and food containers, but some of the substitutes haven’t been tested for safety. Globe and Mail. March 11, 2008. Golomb BA. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and Gulf War illnesses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 10. Genetics Yao L, Rzhetsky A. Quantitative systems-level determinants of human genes targeted by successful drugs. Genome Res. 2008 Feb;18(2):206-13. Geriatrics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Self-reported falls and fall-related injuries among persons aged > or =65 years--United States, 2006. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008 Mar 7;57(9):225-9. 6 Shurin SB, Nabel EG. Pharmacogenomics--ready for prime time? N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 6;358(10):1061-3. Schwarz UI, Ritchie MD, Bradford Y, et al. Genetic determinants of response to warfarin during initial anticoagulation. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 6;358(10):999-1008. Rudolph JL, Salow MJ, Angelini MC, McGlinchey RE. The anticholinergic risk scale and anticholinergic adverse effects in older persons. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Mar 10;168(5):508-13. Infectious Diseases Greer A, Ng V, Fisman D. Climate change and infectious diseases in North America: The road ahead. CMAJ. 2008 Mar 11;178(6):715-22. Dugger CW. Rift over AIDS treatment lingers in South Africa. New York Times. March 9, 2008. Peterson J, Kaul S, Khashab M, Fisher AC, Kahn JB. A double-blind, randomized comparison of levofloxacin 750 mg once-daily for five days with ciprofloxacin 400/500 mg twice-daily for 10 days for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis. Urology. 2008 Jan;71(1):17-22. Study plus related editorial: Harbarth S, Fankhauser C, Schrenzel J et al. Universal screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at hospital admission and nosocomial infection in surgical patients. JAMA. 2008 Mar 12;299(10):1149-57. Diekema DJ, Climo M. Editorial: Preventing MRSA infections: Finding it is not enough. JAMA. 2008 Mar 12;299(10):1190-2. Bright RA, Carter DM, Crevar CJ, et al. Cross-clade protective immune responses to influenza viruses with H5N1 HA and NA elicited by an influenza virus-like particle. PLoS ONE. 2008 Jan 30;3(1):e1501. Preist L. After the beep, please record your hand hygiene. Globe and Mail. March 3, 2008. Malaria [No authors listed]. Time to take control. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1030. Maher B. Malaria: The end of the beginning. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1042-6. Hopkin M. Malaria: The big push. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1047-9. Grabowsky M. The billion-dollar malaria moment. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1051-2. 7 Press release: Update on GSK's malaria treatments: Dacart and Lapdap. London: GlaxoSmithKline; February 29, 2008. McNeil DG Jr. Eradicate malaria? Doubters fuel debate. New York Times. March 4, 2008. Medical Mysteries Provides a clue to why patients from the Southwestern US are allergic to Erbitux®: Chung CH, Mirakhur B, Chan E et al. Cetuximab-induced anaphylaxis and IgE specific for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 13;358(11):1109-17. Men’s Health Jaret P. First come ertile ills, then heart troubles. The New York Times. March 1,2008. NICE Gov't warns parliament over NICE early drug evaluations. PharmaTimes. March 11, 2008. The UK NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published many “guidances” (guidelines) of interest in February 2008. Topics include IBS, osteoarthritis and smoking cessation programs. Oncology Press release: FDA grants accelerated approval of Avastin in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced HER2-negative breast cancer. South San Francisco CA: Genentech, Inc.; February 22, 2008. Agrawal A, Fentiman IS. NSAIDs and breast cancer: A possible prevention and treatment strategy. Int J Clin Pract. 2008 Feb 1;62(3):444-449. Ciardiello F, Tortora G. EGFR antagonists in cancer treatment. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 13;358(11):1160-74. Slatore CG, Littman AJ, Au DH et al. Long-term use of supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate does not reduce the risk of lung cancer. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Mar 1;177(5):524-30. Munday R, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Munday CM, et al. Inhibition of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by broccoli sprouts. Cancer Res. 2008 Feb 29; [Epub ahead of print]. 8 Bennett CL, Silver SM, Djulbegovic B, et al. Venous thromboembolism and mortality associated with recombinant erythropoietin and darbepoetin administration for the treatment of cancerassociated anemia. JAMA. 2008 Feb 27;299(8):914-24. Dang C, Fornier M, Sugarman S et al. The safety of dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel with trastuzumab in HER-2/neu overexpressed/amplified breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Mar 10;26(8):1216-22. Rock CL, Flatt SW, Laughlin GA, et al; for the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study Group. Reproductive steroid hormones and recurrence-free survival in women with a history of breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Mar 6; [Epub ahead of print] Lin NU, Winer EP. Optimizing endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: Treating the right patients for the right length of time. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Mar 10 [Epub ahead of print] Muss HB, Tu D, Ingle JN et al. Efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life in older women with earlystage breast cancer treated with letrozole or placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen: NCIC CTG Intergroup Trial MA.17. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Mar 10 [Epub ahead of print] Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pater JL et al. Late extended adjuvant treatment with letrozole Improves outcome in women with early-stage breast cancer who complete 5 years of tamoxifen. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Mar 10 [Epub ahead of print] Mamounas EP, Jeong JH, Wickerham DL et al. Benefit from exemestane as extended adjuvant therapy after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen: Intention-to-treat. Analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-33 Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Mar 10 [Epub ahead of print] OTCs, Nutrition, NHPs, Life Style, etc. Svetkey LP, Stevens VJ, Brantley PJ et al for the Weight Loss Maintenance Collaborative Research Group. Comparison of strategies for sustaining weight loss: The weight loss maintenance randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Mar 12;299(10):1139-48. Mittelstaedt M. The vitamin D Miracle: The claims have been sensational. Martin Mittelstaedt checks up on the research behind the hype. Globe and Mail. March 8, 2008. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Graham JE, Malarkey WB et al. Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008 Apr;33(3):328-39. (. . . investigating the scientific basis of aromatherapy.) Muennig P, Jia H, Lee R et al. I think therefore I am: Perceived ideal weight as a determinant of health. Am J Public Health. 2008 Mar;98(3):501-6.. 9 Ashar BH, Rowland-Seymour A. Advising patients who use dietary supplements. Am J Med. 2008 Feb;121(2):91-7. Rhodes KS, Weintraub MS, Biesemeier CK, Rubenfire M. The lipid management nutrition outcomes project: Perspectives from a national experience in protocol implementation and nutrition outcomes tracking. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008 Feb;108(2):332-9. Strine TW, Mokdad AH, Dube SR, et al. The association of depression and anxiety with obesity and unhealthy behaviors among community-dwelling US adults. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008 Mar-Apr;30(2):127-37. We happened upon this series of articles by accident; all are freely accessible on the publisher’s website; follow the links, which take you to the review with a link to the PDF located at the end: Seely D, Dugoua JJ, Perri D, et al. Safety and efficacy of panax ginseng during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Winter;15(1):e87-94.. Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, et al. Safety and efficacy of cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Winter;15(1):e80-6. Epub 2008 Jan 18. Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D et al. Safety and efficacy of chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Winter;15(1):e74-9.. Dugoua JJ, Perri D, Seely D et al. Safety and efficacy of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Winter;15(1):e66-73. Dugoua JJ, Mills E, Perri D et al. Safety and efficacy of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Fall;13(3):e277-84. Dugoua JJ, Mills E, Perri D et al. Safety and efficacy of St. John's wort (hypericum) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Fall;13(3):e268-76. Perri D, Dugoua JJ, Mills E et al. Safety and efficacy of echinacea (Echinacea angustafolia, e. purpurea and e.pallida) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Fall;13(3):e262-7. Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D et al. Safety and efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Fall;13(3):e257-61. Moskin J. Yes, MSG, the secret behind the savor. The New York Times. March 5, 2008. King DE, Mainous AG 3rd, Geesey ME. Adopting moderate alcohol consumption in middle age: Subsequent cardiovascular events. Am J Med. 2008 Mar;121(3):201-6. Beck L. Don’t be afraid to take a stroll in the pasta aisle: Made from whole grains and enriched with omega-3 fats, this high-carb food has made a comeback. Globe and Mail. March 12, 2008. 10 Pain Ramage-Morin PL. Chronic pain in Canadian seniors. Health Reports [Statistics Canada] 2008 Mar;19(1):1-17. Mandel JE, Tanner JW, Lichtenstein GR et al. A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of patient-controlled sedation with propofol/remifentanil versus midazolam/fentanyl for colonoscopy. Anesth Analg. 2008 Feb;106(2):434-9. Obermann M, Yoon MS, Sensen K et al. Efficacy of pregabalin in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Cephalalgia. 2008 Feb;28(2):174-81. Two new and freely accessible publications are available from Pain Treatment Topics: Toombs JD. Oral methadone dosing for chronic pain: A practitioner’s guide. Pain Treatment Topics. March 12, 2008. Leavitt SB. Methadone safety handout for patients. Pain Treatment Topics. Updated March 2008 (Originally released October 2006). Parasitic Conditions Strycharz JP, Yoon KS, Clark JM. A new ivermectin formulation topically kills permethrinresistant human head lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae). J Med Entomol. 2008 Jan;45(1):75-81. Pediatrics Harris G. Deal in an autism case fuels debate on vaccine. New York Times. March 8, 2008. Hatfield LA, Gusic ME, Dyer AM et al. Analgesic properties of oral sucrose during routine immunizations at 2 and 4 months of age. Pediatrics. 2008 Feb;121(2):e327-34. Gonder-Frederick L, Zrebiec J, Bauchowitz A et al. Detection of hypoglycemia by children with type 1 diabetes 6 to 11 years of age and their parents: A field study. Pediatrics. 2008 Mar;121(3):e489-95. Zipitis CS, Akobeng AK. Vitamin D supplementation in early childhood and risk of type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2008 Mar 13; [Epub ahead of print] Peripheral Neuropathy Torpy JM, Kincaid JL, Glass RM. JAMA patient page. Peripheral neuropathy. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1096. 11 Rare Diseases Press release: FDA approves Regeneron's Aracalyst(TM) (rilonacept) for treatment of cryopyrinassociated periodic syndromes (CAPS). First therapy approved for this rare, hereditary, inflammatory disease. Tarrytown NY: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: February 27, 2008. Respiratory Disorders Kurth T, Barr RG, Gaziano JM, Buring J. Randomised Aspirin assignment and risk of adult-onset asthma in the women's health study. Thorax. 2008 Mar 13; [Epub ahead of print] Rheumatology Naranjo A, Sokka T, Descalzo MA, et al. Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the QUEST-RA study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2008 Mar 6;10(2):R30 [Epub ahead of print] Socioeconomic Topics Nystrom JS. Time to respond to in-store clinics. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2008 Feb;108(2):52-3. Calvert JF Jr, Hollander-Rodriguez J, Atlas M, Johnson KE. Clinical inquiries. What are the repercussions of disclosing a medical error? J Fam Pract. 2008 Feb;57(2):124-5. Werdigier J. Combining grocery shopping with doctors’ appointments. New York Times. March 3, 2008. Hampton T. Experts debate need to improve quality and oversight of continuing education. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1003-4. Steinbrook R. Financial support of continuing medical education. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1060-2. Waber RL, Shiv B, Carmon Z et al. Commercial features of placebo and therapeutic efficacy. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1016-7. Pollack A. A bug rises, and with it a company. The New York Times. March 4, 2008. Zuger A. Drug pitchmen: Actor, doctor or Pfizer’s option. The New York Times. March 4, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2007 national healthcare quality report. Rockville,MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; February 2008. AHRQ Pub. No. 08-0040. 12 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2007 national healthcare disparities report. Rockville MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; February 2008. AHRQ Pub. No. 08-0041. Waber RL, Shiv B, Carmon Z, Ariely D. Commercial features of placebo and therapeutic efficacy. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1016-7. Dixon K. U.S. court dismisses suit on Barr’s Plan B pill. Reuters. March 4, 2008. O’Connor A. The claim: Caffeine causes dehydration. The New York Times. March 4, 2008. Brody JE. From multiple sclerosis, a multiplicity of challenges. The New York Times. March 4, 2008. USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health. The public on prescription drugs and pharmaceutical companies: Summary and chartpack. Menlo Park CA/Boston MA: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health; March 2008. McNish J. As patent cases clog courts, drugs are a lawyer’s best friend. Globe and Mail. March 12, 2008. Robinson S, Delongeas JL, Donald E et al. A European pharmaceutical company initiative challenging the regulatory requirement for acute toxicity studies in pharmaceutical drug development. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Dec 5. Substance Use Disorders Drug treatment of opiate dependence in primary care – an update. MeReC Bulletin [Uk NHS]. 2008 Jan;18(2):1-9. and . . . Appendix: Evidence to support the use of drug treatment in opiate dependence. MeReC Bulletin [UK NHS]. 2008 Jan;18(2):1-4. (You can subscribe to receive MeReC email alerts.) Surgery-Related Topics Press release: Back to basics: Aspirin after knee surgery: New study finds common drug a possible treatment option to prevent blood clots in knee replacement patients. Rosemont IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; March 6, 2008. Women’s Health Forsmo S, Fjeldbo SK, Langhammer A. Childhood cod liver oil consumption and bone mineral density in a population-based cohort of peri- and postmenopausal women: The Nord-Trondelag Health Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Feb 15;167(4):406-11. 13 Heiss G, Wallace R, Anderson GL et al; WHI Investigators. Health risks and benefits 3 years after stopping randomized treatment with estrogen and progestin. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):103645. Meendering JR, Torgrimson BN et al. Estrogen, medroxyprogesterone acetate, endothelial function and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in young women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Feb 15; Rogers RG. Clinical practice. Urinary stress incontinence in women. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 6;358(10):1029-36. Heiss G, Wallace R, Anderson GL et al. Health risks and benefits 3 years after stopping randomized treatment with estrogen and progestin. JAMA. 2008 Mar 5;299(9):1036-45. Men’s Health Jaret P. First come erectile ills, then heart troubles. The New York Times. March 1,2008. About Faculty Smolkin S. Employer-funded test project educates doctors on Rx costs. EmployeeBenefit News Canada. @008 Jan/Feb;5(1):1.,16. (. . . about the PEI-based pilot project “Prescribe the Solution” in which Neil MacKinnon is involved.) Yeung P, Ding L, Casley WL. HPLC assay with UV detection for determination of RBC purine nucleotide concentrations and application for biomarker study in vivo. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2008 Jan 19 [Epub ahead of print]. The End Until Next Time!!! 14