Task Force Recommends Against Common Supplements for Healthy Americans

Pharmacists often are asked by customers if vitamin D and calcium supplements should be used to improve health and protect against fractures. A United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against those supplements for healthy older women. Here’s why that recommendation may not be the last word on the topic, however.

TNF Antagonists Don’t Raise Shingles Risk in Inflammatory Disease Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher risk of developing herpes zoster, but a new study says there is no indication that is affected by use of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies. Find out what risk factors were found to be related.

Quadrivalent Flu Vaccines Will Be Available for
2013-14 Season

As pharmacists prepare to order influenza vaccine for next season, they need to be aware of some important new recommended products, including quadrivalent vaccines. What will be available and how will that affect lower-than-expected vaccine protection rates for the elderly?

Researchers: Thrombolytics Should Be Used With Pulmonary Embolisms

Thrombolytic therapy can save the lives of patients with massive pulmonary embolisms but also can cause life-threatening bleeding. A new study offers evidence that might make for an easier decision on whether to use them. Here’s what researchers found.