When: Friday, March 11, 2011 12pm-4pm Where: Richland Lanes Why: To benefit our Wii Wonders consumer activity program Who: One representative from each dept. will be bowling, as well as any Wii Wonders consumers that are interested. This event is also open to any Board members willing to participate. What: We are having a penny a pin fundraiser. Each bowler will gather sponsors willing to donate one penny for every pin knocked down in the course of three games. For Example: If a bowler bowls a 125 for one game, each sponsor that pledged a penny would owe $1.25 for that game. If you are interested in participating in any ...Read More »

By Andrew N. Wilner, MD at Medscape Question: I have an adult patient who has been on antiepileptic drug therapy for many years and still has seizures. We have tried switching AEDs with no success. Is it time to talk about surgery? Response from Andrew N. Wilner, MD Neurohospitalist, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, New London, Connecticut Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Of the approximately 2 million people with epilepsy in the United States, 400,000 to 600,000 experience seizures despite antiepileptic therapy.[1] Drug resistance has recently been defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) as a "failure of ...Read More »

By Leslie Citrome, MD, MPH at Medscape National trends in the treatment for depression from 1998 to 2007 Marcus SC, Olfson M. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010;67:1265-1273. Summary This is a report of service utilization data from 2 large nationally representative surveys of the US population. The authors measured rates of depression treatment, use of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, and the number of outpatient treatment visits and expenditures. The authors found that the rate of outpatient treatment for depression increased from 2.37 per 100 persons in 1998 to 2.88 per 100 persons in 2007. The percentage of treated patients who used antidepressants changed ...Read More »

Matthew R. Lewin by Medscape Background Human scabies is a debilitating skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabei, known by several names such as "itch mite." At any given time, the worldwide burden of disease is about 300,000,000 people. It is an arthropod infestation primarily affecting impoverished populations. Ordinary scabies is treated with permethrin-based creams and shampoos while crusted "Norwegian" scabies is often treated with a combination of permethrin (5%) and oral ivermectin 200 µ/kg. Antibiotics are used when there is a secondary bacterial skin infection usually resulting from the excoriation of scratching and compromise of the integument by the mites ...Read More »

Abstract Nearly 70% of HIV-infected homeless or marginally housed individuals receiving tenofovir/FTC/efavirenz demonstrated virologic suppression at 6 months. Introduction Many HIV-infected populations, including the homeless, are thought to have less than optimal treatment adherence and to therefore be at increased risk for virologic failure and antiretroviral resistance. Such populations may benefit from simpler regimens, such as the once-daily single-pill regimen consisting of tenofovir/FTC/efavirenz (Atripla), but this hypothesis has not been well studied. In a recent observational study (partially funded by the makers of tenofovir/FTC/efavirenz), researchers evaluated rates of treatment adherence and virologic suppression among 118 homeless or marginally housed HIV-infected patients in San Francisco: ...Read More »

Providing long term care (LTC) pharmacy services can be a rewarding venture for the pharmacist, both financially and professionally. Community Aging, Assisted Living and Long Term Care (CAALLTC) Essentials is a 1.5 day live program that introduces attendees to the opportunities of providing long-term care services and the business efficiencies necessary for success. Supplying medications to LTC facilities and offering senior care services are not synonymous. Your services may initiate simply by supporting caregivers who need your assistance so their loved ones can remain independent and in their homes as long as they wish. Attendees will learn about senior care settings, useful ...Read More »

By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD at Medscape Abstract and Introduction Abstract Severe acne may increase risk for suicide, and isotretinoin might exacerbate the risk. Introduction Although isotretinoin has been anecdotally linked to suicide, observational studies have had inconsistent results. In other studies, severe acne itself increased risks for distress and suicide. In this retrospective cohort study of 5756 patients prescribed isotretinoin for severe acne in Sweden, researchers examined administrative data documenting suicides and hospitalizations for suicide attempts for 3 years before and up to 18 years after treatment (1980–2001). Isotretinoin treatment lasted a mean of 6 months. In the 21-year period, 128 patients attempted ...Read More »

ISMP Medication Safety Alert © 2011 Institute for Safe Medication Practices Abstract and Introduction Introduction All healthcare organizations have disaster plans in place that they practice and refine in preparation for an unexpected crisis. These plans are not developed "on the fly" because healthcare providers recognize the value of planning for the unexpected and the necessity of minimizing potentially life-saving interruptions in care. The ongoing problem with drug shortages in our nation is rising to the level of "disaster" status. Drug shortages continue to take an enormous toll on healthcare providers who must deal with the problem on a daily basis, and on patients who are ...Read More »

By John S. White, PhD; John P. Foreyt, PhD; Kathleen J. Melanson, PhD, RD, LD; Theodore J. Angelopoulos, PhD, MPHat Medscape Abstract and Introduction Abstract High-fructose corn syrup is often mischaracterized and misunderstood. This sweetener was introduced into the food supply in the United States in the late 1960s as a liquid sweetener alternative to sucrose and existed in relative obscurity for many years. It carries the designations "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) and "natural" from the US Food and Drug Administration. In 2004, several investigators suggested that high-fructose corn syrup might be linked to the increased prevalence of obesity ...Read More »

By Carol Eustice at About.com Since the book "The Arthritis Cure" was sold in bookstores across the country in 1997, physicians, pharmacists, and arthritis sufferers have frequently been asked their opinion of glucosamine as a treatment for arthritis. The word "cure" in the title of the book raised the hopes of many who suffer with the disease. How Glucosamine Works Glucosamine is found in high concentrations in the joints. It has been theorized that glucosamine stimulates the formation of cartilage that is essential for joint repair. In animal models, oral glucosamine sulfate has a beneficial effect on inflammation, mechanical arthritis, and ...Read More »