Sorry, folks, time got a way from me this week, I haven’t had a chance to be really active. Look for more news on the blog this week, and a new podcast next week.
Edit: BTW, if you’re interested in helping with either the blog or the podcast (or both.) Please, PLEASE, PLEASE click on the contact link above, or send me an email to andrew [at] chronolink [dot] net. I’d love to have someone else help.
I’m going to be talking with Chad over at pharmacyit.net in the next few days about some possibilities (Thanks for the link on your site Chad 
) Don’t miss out! 
This is another short one. There hasn’t been a huge amount of news this week, except for the Federal Meth law and Flonase. At the end of the show, I talk a little about the future of the pharmacy industry. Enjoy!
Get the Podcast!
Show Notes:
Flonase
CFC-to-HFA Inhalers
Federal Meth Law
Faster Drug Approval
Parkinson’s and gambling. (I lost the link to the article mentioned in the show, so here’s a link from MSN news)
Pharmacy OneSource Poll
Hope you enjoyed the show. I’ll talk to you again next week.
On Thursday, President Bush signed the renewal of the Patriot act into law. Included in the renewal, is a provision that will restrict pseudoephedrine sales nationwide, in an attempt to combat the spread of crystal meth usage.
The law will limit purchases of PSE products to 9 grams per month (the average package of Sudafed contains about 1.5 grams) and require the products to be kept behind the pharmacy counter. Pharmacies will also be required to keep a purchase log of PSE products.
Read More at Drug Store News
Sudafed, PSE, meth, Patriot Act
If you’ve been having trouble getting albuterol or other MDI inhalers, you’re not alone. Many inhalers are currently on backorder at pharmacy suppliers across the country, due to the switch between CFC-containing inhalers and HFA inhalers.
It seems manufacturers didn’t anticipate the high demand for HFA inhalers, but have stopped or greatly reduced production of the CFC inhalers. The FDA says more supplies of the drugs should be available in the coming weeks.
The FDA has said it will ban all CFC inhalers by 2008.
ASHP article
Albuterol, MDI, CFC, HFA
Par Pharmaceuticals and Roxane Labs have resumed shipments of generic Flonase (inhaled fluticasone propionate), following a restraining order obtained by GlaxoSmithKline.
A Federal judge, monday, said he would not block further sales of the FDA-approved generic versions of the drug. Until Monday, pharmacies that had already received the medication, had to keep it in “quarantine” until the restraining order was lifted.
Via Reuters.
generics, Flonase, FDA, GlaxoSmithKline
The ABC series “Miracle Workers” focuses on doctors who perform miracles surgeries. CVS, which just announced a sponsoring deal with the show, will have one of its pharmacists discuss patients’ pharmacotherapy with them, as well as giving them presents from a local CVS store.
Seems like it might be an interesting show, especially if you like ABC’s other inspirational show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
Via: Drug Store News
ABC, Miracle Workers, CVS
Xodol, made by Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., is essentially a new formulation of Vicodin, with a lower amount of APAP. This allows patients to take more of the medication in a single day, since APAP use should be limited to 4000 mg/day.
The new formulation, which contains 10 mg of hydrocodone and 300 mg of APAP per tablet, (The most common form of Vicodin is 5/500.), will help patients to take more advantage of the pain relieving properties of the hydrocodone, without having to worry about APAP intake.
Reed the article at PharmacyOneSource.com. (Free subscription required.
Pain Relief, Xodol, Vicodin, FDA Approval
Well, here it is, not as long as I’d have liked, but still a good inaugural show, i think.
Get the Podcast!
Show Notes:
Walmart selling Plan B (note: NY Times requires free online subscription)
Plan B OTC?
Celebrex and Vioxx
Byetta and weight loss (same as above for NY Times)
Open Source Healthcare
Medicare reimbursing states
Road for a Generic Drug (same as above for NY Times)
Generic Flonase Halted
Federal Meth Law?
FDA Approvals 1 and 2
Wow, quite a few articles from the Times. Maybe I need a subscription.
That’s all for now. I’ll talk to you again next week. Comments are welcome!
Hey, everybody. I know it’s been a while since I posted. Work’s been a killer, but there is some good news on the horizon. (No I didn’t save money on car insurance…I don’t even own a car.) I’ve been offered a team lead position (like a manager) at Target pharmacy. It’s in another suburb of DC, though, so my commute is long.
Also, coming later tonight, probably by 8pm 9pm eastern, will be the first PharmCountry podcast, hosted by, who else, yours truly.
As soon as it’s available, I hope you’ll download it and here the latest pharmacy news.
