Editorial: Graduation Time of the Year

Forty-four years ago I was privileged to graduate from the University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Pharmacy. In the 60s at OU, it was customary for the pharmaceutical companies to provide small gifts to the pharmacy graduates, which were picked up at the College immediately after the graduation ceremonies. A gift that was also provided that year (1966) to pharmacy graduates by the Dean of the OU college was a framed document "My Creed", which has hung in my various offices over the years and still hangs there today. I would like to share the gift from Dean Loyd E. Harris (BS Pharmacy-OU, PhD Pharmaceutical Chemistry-Ohio State University) with you today.

MY CREED

"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon - if I can. I seek opportunity - not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk: to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence: the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid, to think and act for myself, to worship as I please, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, 'this I have done'. All this is what it means to be an AMERICAN."

Thank you Dean Harris!

Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

Metronidazole Injection 500 mg/100 mL: Voluntary Recall Due to Nonsterility
Sagent Pharmaceuticals has announced a voluntary nationwide recall of all lots of metronidazole injection, USP 500 mg/100 mL manufactured by Claris Lifesciences and distributed by Sagent. The recall is due to the discovery of nonsterility in two lots of metronidazole injection. The nonsterile injection has the potential to result in infections, which could be fatal, especially in patients who are immunocompromised. No adverse patient events resulting from this product have been reported and the company is continuing its diligent investigation of the situation.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/
SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm212311.htm

Hylenex (Baxter) Recalled Due To Glass Particles
Baxter International has recalled all lots of its Hylenex recombinant [hyaluronidase human injection] because of glass particles found in vials of the product. The product was launched in 2009 for use in pediatric rehydration. It has been reported that there are roughly 3,500 vials in the marketplace and Baxter will be contacting customers to request they return the product. The company reports that there have been no Hylenex-related medical events or customer complaints to date and the FDA has been notified.

Hylenex production depends upon Halozyme technology, and the San Diego-based biotech firm providing this technology has announced that it had given Baxter "notice of breach" for failing to follow certain terms in their supply and development contracts. Halozyme has given Baxter 120 days to address the problems, or their relationship would be terminated.
http://www.suntimes.com/business/2282770,Baxter-recalls-Hylenex.article

9.7% Increase in Brand-Name Drug Prices Last Year
Manufacturer prices for brand-name prescription drugs commonly used by people on Medicare rose 9.7% for the year ending in March-the biggest annual jump since the group started tracking prices in 2002 says AARP. Specialty drugs pricing like biologics and injectables rose 9.2%. Meanwhile, generic drug prices dropped 9.7%. These changes occurred while general inflation hovered around 0.3%.

All of the top 25 brand-name prescription drugs had higher prices in the last year, as illustrated by this list of the top 10, with percent change in manufacturer's price:

• Nexium - 7.4%
• Plavix - 10.5%
• Prevacid - 8.1%
• Protonix - 9.3%
• Lipitor (20mg) - 5.5%
• Lipitor (10mg) - 5.5%
• Aricept - 13.9%
• Fosamax - 6.7%
• Norvasc -5.0%
• Advair - 7.0%

PhRMA stated that the report was "misleading" because it ignores discounts and rebates generally negotiated between drug manufacturers and payers. This report follows one from Express Scripts saying brand-name drugs registered a 9.1% price increase last year, with an 11.5% jump for specialty drugs.
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/05/17/brand-name-drug-prices-rose-97-last-year-aarp-says/

�that it appears the shortage of pharmacists is now either over or rapidly disappearing? It might be wise to look at the future and make appropriate plans.

Imports and Inspections

Compounding chemicals purchased from abroad should ONLY be purchased from those companies that are REGISTERED with the FDA and have had a RECENT INSPECTION by the FDA. Be safe and protect yourself and patients by only purchasing from registered and licensed wholesalers here in the U.S.