Drugs

Messages Cut Inappropriate Antibiotic Scrips: Study

A study conducted by Medscape in collaboration with FDA found that short-form messaging combined with digital continuing medical education (CME) to clinicians reduced the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. The study examined whether short-form messages (e-mails, Web alerts, and mobile alerts) and digital CME could affect the volume of first-line fluoroquinolone prescriptions in conditions where they are contraindicated. It found that combining the two forms of messaging led to a 22% reduction in new prescription volume.

“Our findings show that effective and targeted digital communication and online education can have a powerful effect on clinical behaviors,” said lead study author John Whyte, who is WebMD chief medical officer. “In addition to reducing the inappropriate prescribing of fluroquinolones, these findings could prove highly relevant in the age of Covid-19, when changes in clinical data and guidance demand that clinicians receive swift and accurate dissemination of information to improve care and safeguard public health.”

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome