Aliskiren (Rasilez, Novartis), a direct renin inhibitor and the first in a new class of antihypertensive drugs to be introduced in a decade, has been submitted for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In clinical trials presented at the American Society of Hypertension’s Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2006), aliskiren provided uninterrupted [...]

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SYMPOSIUM
Long-term efficacy data for glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Teva Pharmaceuticals), which is indicated for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), constituted a centerpiece among two days of presentations at the Fifth Teva and Sanofi-Aventis International Symposium on MS. Several hundred interested professionals attended the meeting, which took place from May 12-14, in Tenerife, Spain.

A first move toward pharmacy performance measures was scheduled to be taken on November 20, when the full membership of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) planned to meet for the first time. The PQA has flown under the radar since it was established last spring by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). But [...]

It Jefferson Medical College, our faculty’s practice plan, consist-A. -A. ing of 450 physicians, is on the road toward implementing an ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR) in the next two years. We embrace the important contribution that an EMR can make in decreasing medical errors and improving the quality of ambulatory care. We also are [...]

I try to stay abreast of the current literature on management, especially the topic of leadership training. I assiduously read the Harvard Business Review and keep tabs on my old Wharton professors (at the University of Pennsylvania) and their comings and goings. When possible, I also like to attend educational programs featuring nationally known leaders [...]

One study is available examining the efficacy of desipramine in the treatment of adult ADHD. The six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the differences in the reduction of ADHD symptoms in adults receiving desipramine or placebo. The research suggests that 68% of subjects receiving desipramine responded to treatment, compared with none of the subjects who received [...]

Atomoxetine (Strattera drug, Eli Lilly), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is indicated for the treatment of ADHD in children and specifically in adults. As one of the only drugs with FDA approval for adult ADHD, atomoxetine has the most evidence available in the literature to support such use.