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The newest pharmacist job market data is here
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalAfter a long pause of nine months or so, the Pharmacy Workforce Center website with the latest job market data for pharmacists is back online. The gap has been related to several transitions going on, including turning the role of principal investigator over to Professor David Kreling and moving to new terminology and reporting methodology as well.
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Collaboration in Texas: Ensuring patient access to virtual visits
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThe Texas Medical Board has wrangled with telemedicine companies on policy covering virtual patient and practitioner visits. It came to a showdown in 2015 after the Medical Board adopted a policy requiring physicians to meet with patients in person prior to providing virtual medical care.
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Making sense of the political conflict surrounding healthcare
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThere are significant risks to crafting new legislation without bipartisan and public support. Former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation — the Affordable Care Act (ACA)— did not have bipartisan support, but it was passed when Democrats controlled the federal government. Now that power has swung to the Republican Party, we expect changes, if not an outright repeal of this legislation.
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US still lagging in future life expectancy
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareDespite incredible medical advancements, increased health knowledge and a higher mean income, the United States continues to lag behind other developed countries when it comes to the health of its citizens. In a new study published in The Lancet, researchers examined statistical data from 35 industrialized countries to forecast national age-specific mortality and life expectancy based on birth in 2030.
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Stiff penalties put pressure on drug distributors
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalIn recent years, the actions of pharmaceutical drug distributors have garnered mainstream attention. Whether it was the significant price hikes that were observed with Daraparim, EpiPen, insulin or specialty drugs, the public has felt the impact of these actions on their healthcare. Opponents of these practices were concerned that they would become the new standard and that not much could be done to properly regulate drug pricing and create meaningful consequences for those who were not compliant.
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New guidelines on lower back pain from a therapist’s point of view
Heidi Dawson Medical & Allied HealthcareLast week, the American College of Physicians updated its guidelines on the treatment of patients with "non-specific lower back pain." A review study was published online in The Annals of Internal Medicine that looked at research carried out up until November 2016 and included only randomized, controlled trials and systematic reviews. The findings led the ACP to promote the use of therapeutic aids and stress reduction techniques, more so than the prescription of painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications.
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The drug interaction debacle — Was it metrics or margins?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalA Dec. 15, 2016 article in the Chicago Tribune titled "Pharmacies miss half of dangerous drug combinations" is getting noticed. According to the investigative research conducted by Tribune staff, pharmacies overwhelmingly failed to notify physicians and patients about potentially serious drug interactions. The reporters visited 255 pharmacies and presented a pair of prescriptions with known drug interactions.
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Could marijuana be the key in curbing the opioid epidemic?
Katina Hernandez Medical & Allied HealthcareIt's no secret the legalization of medical marijuana has been a controversial subject as of late. But what if medical marijuana could help curb the epidemic of opioid addiction that affects more than 2.5 million Americans and was responsible for more than 30,000 overdose deaths in 2015? A growing number of experts in the medical community are starting believe medical marijuana has the potential to do just that — and their beliefs are increasingly being backed by science.
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Science needs to lead, not fear
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationAs the United States settles into a new era of policymaking under a new presidential administration, hot topics are sure to rise as advocates push to support their causes. One such fiery topic continues to be the link between autism and vaccinations.
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Irritable bowel syndrome: The current climate of management
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be one of the most commonly encountered gastrointestinal (GI) disorders around the world. About 20 percent of people in developed countries will have IBS symptoms during some point in their lives.
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