Prescribing patterns in nursing homes may impact that of assisted living neighbors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 14, 2021
Antipsychotic and anti-anxiety prescribing in nursing homes may have an effect on prescribing in local and affiliated assisted living communities, investigators have found.
Drug diversion, a series: How to deal with it
By
Norris Cunningham
Angela Rinehart
John Myers
Aug 23, 2021
In the first part of this series, we discussed drug diversion: what it is, how to prevent it and how to spot it. This column will focus on how to conduct drug diversion investigations. When drug...
When less is more: The role of deprescribing and art of medication management
By
Kurt Merkelz, M.D.
Jul 28, 2021
More prescriptions do not necessarily mean better health outcomes. Deprescribing, which is the planned and supervised process of intentionally stopping a medication or reducing its dose, is a critically...
Drug diversion, a series: How to prevent and spot it
By
Norris Cunningham
Angela Rinehart
Jul 19, 2021
Drug diversion occurs when prescription medicines are obtained or used illegally. While diversion has always been a concern, without question, COVID-19 certainly increased personal stress and pressure...
Older adults often assume new prescriptions have no side effects
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 25, 2021
Clinicians may want to intentionally emphasize side effects when prescribing new medications to older patients, a new study suggests.
New rheumatoid arthritis guidelines: Minimize steroids, add biologics, synthetics
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 10, 2020
Forthcoming guidance from the American College of Rheumatology emphasizes starting RA patients on methotrexate and maximizing its use, instead of switching to other anti-rheumatics.
To sort, or not to sort? British pharmacists answer an important pill box question
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 08, 2019
In an odd twist of logic, seniors risk falls, sickness and even hospitalization when they switch to using a pill organizer. A new guide offers solutions.
Generic but not simple
By
John Hall
Oct 06, 2017
Pharmacists view new generics wave with caution, urge close look at regimens
Time to increase your dose of overprescribing education
By
Sep 19, 2017
It turns out seniors who might be victims of overprescribing recognize it an issue all too well, according to new research.
Dementia care, QAPI the focus of Dec. 1 provider call
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 19, 2015
Skilled nursing providers will have a rich agenda to soak up Dec. 1 when the MLN Connects National Provider Call features a doctor pointing out how to better manage high-risk medications and a pharmacist...