U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News

January 6, 2023

DOACs More Effective Overall Than LMWH for Cancer-Related Thrombosis

For many years, the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been considered the gold standard in the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. A new analysis might change that, however. Researchers determined that direct oral anticoagulants were not only more cost-effective, but the medications also appeared to be more clinically beneficial. Here is more information.

Rapid Influenza and COVID-19 Testing Offered by Large Drugstore Chain

Pharmacies are scrambling to respond to this year’s tripledemic of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. To that end, Walgreens now is offering rapid flu testing, along with rapid testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with results available within 2 hours. Find out how that will work.

Poll Suggests Expanded Pharmacist Role Is Popular With Public

Rolling back broader pandemic practices should not mean that access to more services at pharmacies should end. That is according to a new poll from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The group is using the data to urge the Biden Administration and Congress to keep pharmacies as involved as they have been during the pandemic. Here are more details.

Metformin: No Role in Treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Some retrospective studies have raised the possibility that the common diabetes drug metformin might have a role to play in treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or even protecting against progression to late AMD. Find out how researchers demonstrated that is likely not the case and why there does not appear to be any association with the use of metformin and the prevalence of AMD.