Motivational interviewing and specialty pharmacy.

It is well documented in substance abuse and health care literature that motivational interviewing is an evidenced-based and effective intervention for influencing patient behaviors and associated positive health outcomes. The introduction of motivational interviewing training in specialty pharmacy has great potential to increase patient and pharmacist satisfaction, maximize adherence rates, and improve health outcomes. This commentary examines the need for effective approaches for improving patient adherence and outcomes and briefly describes the history and efficacy of motivational interviewing.

Gender and age differences in medications dispensed from a national chain drugstore.

Objectives: Our objective was to compare sex and age differences in the medications dispensed in pharmacies from a large national drugstore chain.

Methods: Using a list for the 200 most commonly prescribed medicines, we assessed prescriptions dispensed by a large national chain drug store over 1 year (2002-2003). The analysis used U.

Withdrawal of COX-2 selective inhibitors rofecoxib and valdecoxib: impact on NSAID and gastroprotective drug prescribing and utilization.

Objective: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors rofecoxib and valdecoxib were withdrawn from the market because of their association with cardiovascular problems. There is a lack of information on the impact of the COX-2 inhibitors withdrawal on the prescribing and utilization of related drugs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate to what extent prescriptions of non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastroprotective drugs changed after the removal of the two COX-2 inhibitors.