pharmacists

In the latest evidence that the Food and Drug Administration is ratcheting up its enforcement posture, the agency announced that it will require all patients taking the acne drug Accutane to enroll in a computer registry so that health officials can track their progress and watch for any potential side effects of the drug. Critics allege the drug, which is made by Hoffman LaRoche, carries a risk of increased suicidal behavior and can in some cases lead to birth …

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has vetoed a bill which would have given women in his state easier access to the controversial "Morning After" pill. The bill would have given the Plan B contraceptive near over-the-counter status, allowing pharmacists to dispense it without a prescription. However, the bill passed with veto-proof majorities, so it will likely become law anyway. The stand represents a shift for Romney, who a decade ago said he was in favor of allowing access to emergency …

Cardinal Health will be marketing a "talking pill bottle" designed to prevent prescription drug errors. The novel sounding idea was developed by MedivoxRx, which FierceHealthcare reported on several months ago. Doctors and pharmacists will able to record messages for patients who might need specialized instructions, particularly those who they think might be easily confused by labeling. "Rex: The Talking Prescription Bottle System" will now compete with "Talking Rx," a rival …

A new study finds that prescription drug abuse may be a much more pressing problem than had been thought. The research by a team at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University describes the abuse of prescription drugs as an "epidemic." Researchers say 15.1 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, a number that is higher than the combined total of those using cocaine, heroin or inhalants. The Washington Post notes that the study was funded …