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Each issue will include an editorial on a topic that is important for the profession of pharmacy, as well as a review of a new drug that includes a comparison of the new drug with previously marketed drugs that are most similar in activity, and a New Drug Comparison Rating (NDCR) for the new drug. Read on for this month's issue.


December 2009 Issue
FeatureCongratulations and Appreciation!Editor's Note
New therapeutic agents marketed in the United States in 2009
The Top 10 New Drugs of the Decade (Millenium)
Index for Volume 4, 2009

Click Here to download PDF format

No Vacancy*
[To Top]

The weary transient
the prospering merchant
the pious priest
the strident, bitter, hopeless slaves;
-each well-engrossed within himself
preparing for the night.

Few noticed.
None cared
for the dusty, worried carpenter and
his pain-bewildered wife.

Thus it was the Creator came down-
oxen, donkeys, perhaps a stable-hand
beheld the birth
of the Prince of Peace.
God's Witnesses

The players change
-new names appear, and yet
men earn
and learn
and strive
and serve
and grimly long for peace.

While the Prince of Peace still waits
arms full of gifts for suffering men
whose wants
needs
works
piety
leave little room or time for Him whose
rule alone
can bring peace
to soul
or home
or world

But still He waits and knocks
beneath a glowing sign
NO VACANCY

*by Carlyle L. Saylor


Congratulations and Appreciation!
[To Top]

For many years pharmacists ranked first in the annual Gallup polls in which participants were asked to rate individuals in various professions/vocations with respect to honesty and ethical standards. When nurses were added to the professionals being rated, pharmacists have consistently ranked second to nurses. The results of the 2009 Gallup poll have recently been announced. Pharmacists ranked second, following nurses, among the 22 professions/vocations identified in the survey. Approximately two-thirds of respondents rated pharmacists "very high" or "high" when asked about their honesty and ethical standards.

It is the pharmacists who are on the "front-lines" of practice who have the visibility and are known to those responding in such a positive manner in these polls. All of us in the profession of pharmacy are the beneficiaries of their excellent example and services to their patients and communities. We congratulate them and express our appreciation for their commitment to the highest professional and personal standards that has brought this recognition to our profession!

A recent example illustrates this commitment so well. Henrietta (Henny) and Dave Cole have owned a Medicine Shoppe in a Philadelphia suburb for 32 years. In a letter that he sent me that accompanied a gift in support of our White Coat Ceremony for our students, Dave made the following observations: "Recently, an oncologist from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania called Henny and told her that he has never had a pharmacy treat his patients with such professionalism and caring. One of these patients who is dying from pancreatic cancer brought her roses for her efforts in helping him cope with his disease. That makes it all worthwhile."

Daniel A. Hussar


Editor's Note [To Top]

With this issue we mark the completion of the fourth year of publication of The Pharmacist Activist (all issues are available on the website, www.pharmacistactivist.com). The comments I receive from readers have been very gratifying and informative, and my only regret is that I am not able to respond to all of them on an individual basis. If you know pharmacists and pharmacy students who are not presently receiving this publication, please encourage them to go on the website and sign up to receive it.

NEWS-Line Publishing produces this newsletter at its cost, and I do not receive compensation for my responsibility as author/editor. However, there are considerable expenses in producing it and I wish to express my appreciation to my friend who is committed to the provision of editorial commentary that will stimulate discussion/debate, as well as objective information on new drugs, and who has provided financial support. I also wish to express my personal appreciation to Jeff Zajac, Chris Polli, Patrick Polli, John Buck, and Joe Monte for their expertise and enthusiasm in publishing The Pharmacist Activist.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas season and a healthy and enjoyable new year!

Daniel A. Hussar


New therapeutic agents marketed in the United States in 2009 [To Top]

Click here to view New therapeutic agents marketed in the United States in 2009



The Top 10 New Drugs of the Decade (Millenium) [To Top]

During the first decade (2000-2009) of the new millennium, there were 246 new therapeutic agents marketed in the United States. Some of the new drugs are the first and only medications for the treatment of rare disorders and are, therefore, of great value for the patients who have experienced these conditions. However, in developing the following list of the top 10 new drugs of the decade, primary emphasis is given to medications that are used more often and are of significant benefit for a large number of patients. The drugs are listed in alphabetical order.

Click here to view The Top 10 New Drugs of the Decade (Millenium)


Daniel A. Hussar


Index for Volume 4, 2009 [To Top]

January (No. 1) A New Year, an Old Theme: Can our National Pharmacy Associations Reach Nome?
New Drug Review: Fesoterodine fumarate (Toviaz)
February (No. 2) Pfizer Should Not be Permitted to Acquire Wyeth
New Drug Review: Milnacipran hydrochloride (Savella)
March (No. 3) Coupons, $4 Generics, and Free Generic Antibiotics - Disservices to Patients and Insults to Pharmacists
New Drug Review: Silodosin (Rapaflo)
April (No. 4) Dear Legislator:
New Drug Review: Febuxostat (Uloric)
May (No. 5) CVS Caremark - An Alliance that Must be Broken
New Drug Review: Golimumab (Simponi)
June (No. 6) Prescription Benefit Programs - A New Model is Needed
New Drug Review: Besifloxacin hydrochloride (Besivance)
July (No. 7) The Acetaminophen Challenge (and Recommendations)
New Drug Review: Lacosamide (Vimpat)
August (No. 8) Addiction - Pharmacy Should Assume a Leadership Role in Addressing this Devastating Problem
New Drug Review: Tapentadol hydrochloride (Nucynta)
September (No. 9) Prescription Benefit Programs - Classes of Pharmacies Should be Established
New Drug Review: Prasugrel hydrochloride (Effient)
October (No. 10) The Influenza Follies
New Drug Review: Saxagliptin hydrochloride (Onglyza)
November (No. 11) What are They Doing to our Profession? - And Who Cares?
New Drug Review: Dronedarone (Multaq)
December (No. 12) No Vacancy
Congratulations and Appreciation!
Editor's Note
New Therapeutic Agents Marketed in the United States in 2009
The Top 10 New Drugs of the Decade (Millenium)
Index


Editor's Note: All issues of Volumes 1 (2006), 2 (2007), 3 (2008), and 4 (2009) of The Pharmacist Activist are available without charge at www.pharmacistactivist.com.