Drug Topics

Obesity-Fertility Program Significantly Improved Women’s Lifestyle Behavior | Drug Topics A secondary analysis of the Obesity-Fertility lifestyle intervention program explored how it impacted the behavior of women with obesity and subfertility.

The obesity-fertility lifestyle intervention program led to significant improvements in the lifestyle behaviors of women with obesity and subfertility after six months. #obesity #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/49NsS96

Investigators Evaluate Decline in Percentage of Patients With COPD Using Inhaled Corticosteroids | Drug Topics A study reveals a significant decline in inhaled corticosteroid use among COPD patients, highlighting the need for careful management and monitoring.

A large majority (90.5%) of patients who successfully stopped ICS reported positive withdrawal experiences. #COPD #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/47KTGo9

White House Announces Action to Increase Competition, Decrease Cost of Biosimilar Development | Drug Topics Leaders of the FDA, the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announce new guidelines and a framework for less expensive biosimilar development.

The FDA plans to issue new draft guidance that would allow companies developing biosimilars to potentially forego large, expensive human trials. #biosimilar #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4orc9gg

Pharmacies Should Be Proactive in Expanding Clinical Services, Reimbursement Pathways | NCPA 2025 | Drug Topics Jennifer Griffin, PharmD, MS, clinical pharmacist at Harps Food Stores, Inc, discusses the basis of having reimbursement pathways in community pharmacy that consistently generate revenue.

As the greater health care community begins to recognize the pharmacist's value and more clinical services become available, securing billing for these services is crucial for managing an independent business. #NCPA2025

Read More: bit.ly/4oDkbCL

Gaps Between Expectations and Effects on Long COVID Contribute to Trust in Vaccines | Drug Topics Investigators explore how long COVID impacts trust in vaccines, revealing diverse patient experiences and the need for better communication in public health.

A study published in Health Expectations explored how patients with long COVID reconciled their trust in future vaccination after having unexpected responses to the COVID-19 vaccines. #COVID #vaccination

Read More: bit.ly/3JkOkYf

American Pharmacists Month: Pharmacies Expanding Clinical Services Amid Network, Access Challenges | Drug Topics Steve Moore, PharmD, owner of Condo Pharmacy in Plattsburgh, New York, discusses his pharmacy’s ability to provide clinical services and the common roadblocks his team encounters.

Pharmacies are actively expanding their clinical service offerings, but they face significant roadblocks from state regulations and network access challenges. #pharmacy #APhM2025

Read More: bit.ly/4o3FcXn

Severe COVID-19 Increases Stroke Risk for Patients With Asthma | Drug Topics A recent study reveals a heightened stroke risk in asthma patients recovering from severe COVID-19, emphasizing the need for proactive monitoring and management.

Investigators find a significant association between severe COVID-19 infection and an increased risk of stroke for adults with pre-existing asthma. #asthma #pharmacy #COVID

Read More: bit.ly/4qiSWyV

Provider Judgment On Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Causes Patient Mistrust | Drug Topics Through interviews with pregnant and new mothers, researchers explore patient perspectives regarding interactions with providers on cannabis use during pregnancy.

Lack of trust often leads to non-disclosure of #cannabis use, limiting person-focused discussions and hindering safe, effective patient care during #pregnancy. #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4hm2JjO

American Pharmacists Month: Students Seeking Both Common, Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers | Drug Topics Brad Phillips, PharmD, BCACP, discusses the evolution of pharmacy students’ career desires and how industry-wide developments have impacted future career choices.

A growing number of students are shifting from traditional roles to specialized, clinical environments like ambulatory care, specialty pharmacy, and health informatics. #pharmacy #pharmacystudent #APhM2025

Read More: bit.ly/4nOPNFb

Independent Pharmacy Organizations Call for Support of Iowa PBM Bill | Drug Topics A collection of 4 major independent pharmacy groups filed an amicus brief urging Iowa representatives to shut down a recent challenge to proposed PBM legislation.

A coalition of 4 major independent pharmacy organizations filed an amicus brief urging the US Court of Appeals to reject a challenge against Iowa's new law regulating pharmacy benefit managers (#PBMs).

Read More: bit.ly/48UsAgc

Patient-Centered Care Balances Pain and Addiction Concerns | Drug Topics Balancing opioid use with compassion and clinical best practices ensures safe and patient-centered care, supporting pain management and addiction.

If a patient in recovery is experiencing pain, it must be addressed beyond their MOUD. Pharmacological considerations may include increasing the MOUD dosage or adding a lipophilic opioid to manage the pain effectively. #opioid #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/46WiHMp

Pharmacist-Led Community Health Interventions Provide Practical, Effective Treatment for Older Adults | Drug Topics Researchers conduct a pilot study that assesses clinical pharmacists’ interventions and management of chronic diseases for older adults living in senior housing facilities.

Research suggests corticosteroids, particularly hydrocortisone, may have a potential role in managing severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP), especially for patients with associated septic shock. #pneumococcal #pneumonia

Read More: bit.ly/3KCrnAb

The Pharmacist’s Ability to Overcome Barriers, Expand Contraceptive Services As contraceptive care services remain fragmented across many US states, pharmacists are seemingly rising as key touch points for women’s health management and various types of reproductive care.

Pharmacists are rising as crucial touch points for reproductive and contraceptive care. #pharmacist #Pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4mJcR6X

Pharmacists' Role in Education About Menstrual Pain Shows Value of Profession in Women’s Health Pharmacists are on the front line for patients looking to self-manage their menstrual pain, making their role invaluable in women’s health.

Pharmacists are on the front lines for patients seeking to self-manage #dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), highlighting the profession's invaluable and evolving role in women's health care. #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4nZHy92

White House Strikes Deal with Pfizer for Lower Drug Prices, Online DTC Website Amid ongoing approaches to lower drug prices for US patients, like the Most-Favored-Nation policy, this is another partnership the Trump Administration believes will improve access challenges.

The White House will team up with Pfizer to lower the prices of a large majority of the manufacturer’s primary care and specialty brand-name drugs. #pharmacy #pharmacists

Read More: bit.ly/4nw4rRT

Gabapentin Rises to Fifth Most Prescribed Medication in Community Pharmacy Since 2016, the rate of gabapentin prescribing slowed but is still increasing, especially for women and older adults.

Since 2016, the rate of gabapentin prescribing slowed but is still increasing, especially for women and older adults. #pain #gabapentin #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/42OGjkU

Vaping During Pregnancy Could Be Associated With Increased Risk of Adverse Events Amid the prominent use of vaping in today’s society, researchers assess how it impacts pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, and small-for-gestational-age.

While the impacts of vaping during pregnancy are still being explored in clinical settings, previous research has been significant regarding the potential risks mothers that vape can pass down to their children. #vaping

Read More: bit.ly/4pGzZWv

Introduction of PCV10 Reduces Vaccine-Type Pneumococcal Strains Further, after the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 10, investigators note a decrease of infections caused by multidrug resistance infection.

While the vaccine led to a decrease in the strains it covers, there was an increase in the prevalence of non-vaccine serotypes, which are included in newer vaccines like PCV13 and PCV20. #immunization #pneumococcal

Read More: bit.ly/4pDA3q0

Q&A: The Pharmacist’s Burden Associated With Dispensing GLP-1s Through her work as senior vice president of payor solutions at Prescryptive Health, Rae McMahan shares insights into how increased GLP-1 popularity and costs impact pharmacies.

The increasing popularity and high cost of GLP-1 medications have created significant administrative challenges for pharmacists. #GLP1 #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/42H2UQl

Trump Administration Claims Link Between Autism and Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy As part of this announcement, the administration launches initiatives across the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

As part of this announcement, the administration launches initiatives across the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. #autism #acetaminophen #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/3IDpFhg

FDA Approves Bumetanide Nasal Spray for Edema Associated With Heart Failure, Liver Disease Bumetanide nasal spray is available in 0.5 mg, which is an alternative to traditional oral and intravenous formulations for outpatient therapies.

The FDA has approved a new bumetanide nasal spray, Enbumyst, for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure and hepatic and renal diseases. #pharmacy #heartfailure

Read More: bit.ly/46eyXte

Weekly GLP-1s Significantly Reduce Cardiovascular Risks In an exploration of cardiovascular outcomes, health care utilization, and patient costs, researchers compare glucagon-like peptide-1s with alternative noninsulin glucose-lowering therapies.

A study has shown that weekly GLP-1 RAs significantly reduce cardiovascular (CV) risks in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. #cardiovascular #GLP1 #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4nbqtJj

Q&A: Using Data, Addressing Patient Barriers Can Effectively Improve Medication Adherence In part 3 of our interview with Andrew Maiorini, PharmD, FAHM, vice president of clinical programs at PerformRx, he discusses the ways in which his company is helping patients stay adherent on their m...

Medication nonadherence is a widespread issue, and pharmacists can combat it by using a proactive, data-driven approach. #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/3VW0xp2

One in 6 Parents in US Delay or Skip Routine Vaccination for Children However, a large majority of parents in the US believe routine childhood vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and polio vaccine, are safe and important.

While a large majority of parents view long-standing vaccines like MMR and polio as safe and important, confidence is lower for seasonal vaccines. #pediatrics #immunization #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/4nx8psO

Pharmacy Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Most Favored Nation Drug Policy The panel discussion features pharmacy leaders, policy experts, and well-known legal minds discussing the Most Favored Nation drug policy and its overarching implications.

A panel of industry leaders discussed the potential impacts of the Most Favored Nation drug policy, including its effects on industry pricing, research and development, and patient access to medications. #pharmacy

Read More: bit.ly/47P5Lu9

HHS and American Academy of Pediatrics Differ on COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation As the 2025-2026 respiratory season approaches, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not met and voted on guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines.

Pharmacists play an essential role in educating patients on guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. #pharmacy #COVID

Read More: bit.ly/4nuJRkr

NCPA: More Than 125 Groups Urge Congress to Pass PBM Reform Along with additional bills to further bolster PBM reform, the organizations are aiming to pass the PBM Reform Act for improved medication costs and community pharmacy sustainability.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and over 125 other organizations have urged Congress to pass PBM reform legislation. #pharmacy #PBM

Read More: bit.ly/3VJ7Pwe

Diabetes Care Significantly Lacking For People With HIV Among individuals with both diabetes and HIV, researchers determine patients’ adherence to comprehensive diabetes care interventions.

A study found that diabetes care is significantly lacking in people with HIV (PWH), who are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. #HIV #diabetes

Read More: bit.ly/4njp5Uz

FDA Approves Medtronic’s MiniMed System for Type 2 Diabetes Medtronic’s diabetes management technology reached 2 milestones upon FDA approval, allowing integration of continuous glucose monitoring for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The FDA has approved the Medtronic MiniMed 780G system for use in adults with type 2 diabetes, a significant expansion of its previous indication. #CGM #diabetes

Read More: bit.ly/4mWpQ6q

Q&A: Pharmacist Advocates for Evidence-Based Immunization Guidelines For COVID-19 Vaccines Pharmacists navigate complex immunization challenges and address parental concerns and misinformation while advocating for streamlined vaccine access and adherence to evolving guidelines.

"It's good to provide reputable sites like @ameracadpeds.bsky.social's healthychildren.org … to make sure they're getting that accurate information."

Dr. Laura Knockel (University of Iowa) on navigating the challenges of today’s immunization environment, in @drugtopics.bsky.social.