Comparison of Medication Therapy Management Services and Their Effects on Health Care Utilization and Medication Adherence.

Background: Medication therapy management (MTM) programs are designed to improve clinical outcomes and enhance appropriate medication use. Comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) and targeted medication reviews (TMRs) are 2 broad interventions defined within MTM services. While MTM services have been extensively researched, there are few comparisons of CMR versus non-CMR interventions.

Diabetes care practice patterns of recent pharmacy graduates.

Purpose: The objective of this project was to determine the amount and type of clinical skills and diabetes education provided by recent pharmacy school graduates.

Methods: Six hundred and one graduates were e-mailed a link to an online survey. Subjects were asked to report how frequently they either educate patients on diabetes self-care activities or perform diabetes-related patient care skills and to rate their ability to do so as poor, fair, good, or excellent.

The impact of diabetes concentration programs on pharmacy graduates' provision of diabetes care services.

Objective: To determine practice outcomes associated with doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates from 2 universities who completed a diabetes-concentration.

Methods: An online survey instrument was sent to 93 PharmD graduates who completed a concentration in diabetes and 94 control graduates to determine their knowledge of and skills in providing diabetes care and how frequently they provided diabetes care services.

Results: Ninety-seven graduates (52%) responded.

Risk perception and cigar smoking behavior.

Objective: To examine the cigar smoking perceptions and behaviors of US adults.

Methods: A national sample of 1,012 adults was interviewed by telephone.

Results: Current cigar smokers differed from nonsmokers in perceptions of personal risk for cancer and views about cigar smoking as a cancer cause.

Health risks associated with cigar smoking.

This article summarizes principal findings from a conference convened by the American Cancer Society in June 1998 to examine the health risks of cigar smoking. State-of-the-science reports were presented and 120 attendees (representing government and private agencies, academia, health educators, and tobacco control experts) participated in panels and summary development discussions. The following conclusions were reached by consensus: (1) rates of cigar smoking are rising among both adults and adolescents; (2) smoking cigars instead of cigarettes does not reduce the risk of nicotine addiction; (3) as the number of cigars smoked and the amount of smoke inhaled increases, the risk of death related to cigar smoking approaches that of cigarette smoking; (4) cigar smoke contains higher concentrations of toxic and carcinogenic compounds than cigarettes and is a major source of fine-particle and carbon monoxide indoor air pollution; and (5) cigar smoking is known to cause cancers of the lung and upper aerodigestive tract.

Economic impact of cost-containment strategies in third party programmes in the US. Part II.

This is the second article in a 2-part series that examines the economic impact of several different strategies used to control costs in third party programmes. This article investigates 5 different methods: (a) formularies; (b) capitation; (c) drug utilisation review; (d) prior approval; and (e) drug product selection. The published literature indicates that use of formularies decreases drug expenditures, but these savings may be offset by expenditures in other areas of healthcare programmes.