FDA Approves First Nonprescription Daily Oral Contraceptive: A Game-Change For Pharmacists & Patients
In a landmark decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Opill® (norgestrel) tablets for nonprescription use, making it the first daily oral contraceptive available without a prescription in the United States. This approval marks a significant advancement in women’s healthcare and reproductive rights, providing millions of people with increased access to oral […]
Florida Pharmacists: Complete your CE Requirements with free CE
As September 30 draws near, Florida pharmacists are gearing up for their license renewal deadline. Continuing Education (CE) is an essential aspect of the healthcare profession, ensuring that pharmacists stay updated with the latest advancements, best practices, and regulatory changes in the industry. Pharmacists can turn to freeCE, a leading provider of high-quality continuing education […]
Defining Functional Pharmacy
What is functional pharmacy? In recent years, there has been a growing interest in functional pharmacy as a holistic approach to health and wellness. This innovative paradigm goes beyond the traditional model of symptom-based treatment by focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues. Table of Contents Functional pharmacy considers various factors, […]
What is the pharmacy technician’s role in the pharmacy?
When we think about a pharmacy, the first person that comes to mind is often the pharmacist. However, there is a dedicated group of healthcare professionals working diligently behind the counter to ensure the smooth operation of the pharmacy – the pharmacy technicians. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in the healthcare system, bridging […]
5 Historically Significant People & Their Impacts on The Modern Pharmacy
The field of pharmacy has had a significant impact on the world, from the discovery of life-saving drugs to the establishment of global pharmacy chains. However, pharmacy isn’t limited to these areas. Here are five notable individuals, all with experience in the pharmacy and medical fields, who have made a lasting impact on the world […]
Decongestants Overview: Pseudoephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Phenylephrine and Oxymetazoline
My first exposure to rhinitis medicamentosa was as a student pharmacist. One of the pharmacists I worked with was “hooked” on Afrin®. Back in those days, the Schering representative dropped off boxes of 12 samples with about 5 ml in a bottle. He had the sample bottles sitting around the pharmacy, and about every 2 […]
Nasal Corticosteroids and Antihistamines Overview
Neti pots were the rage a few years back. We could not keep them on the shelves! I can’t imagine using something that gives me the sensation of waterboarding. Like every other pharmacy, we dispense boatloads of fluticasone from the prescription department. I make sure my patients know exactly how to use this product. I […]
Overview of Cough Management
How well I remember back in the 1980’s buying Robitussin AC®, Robitussin DAC®, Phenergan with codeine® and Phenergan VC with codeine® in GALLON jugs! Dispensing 8 oz of these codeine containing cough suppressants was typical during flu season. Pediatricians would even prescribe Tussionex ® to stop the nighttime coughing! How the landscape has changed! I […]
What Pharmacy Personnel Need To Know About Non-Sterile Compounding
What is Non-Sterile Compounding? Non-sterile compounding refers to pharmacy personnel’s preparation of customized medications such as oral products, creams, ointments, and suppositories. The compounding process refers to the manipulation and combining of medications to create specific formulations for individual patient needs. For pharmacy technicians, this practice requires specialized training and adherence to quality control measures […]
Antimicrobial Shortages: What Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians can do to Manage and Mitigate Drug Shortages
Drug shortages remain a persistent concern in the United States. The annual labor cost of managing a drug shortage in the healthcare setting is approximately $360 million which accounts for 8.6 million hours of additional labor.1 What is the reason behind all of these recent drug shortages? Drug shortages can happen due to various factors […]