Leadership and effective succession planning in health-system pharmacy departments.

Leadership succession planning is crucial to the continuity of the comprehensive vision of the hospital pharmacy department. Leadership development is arguably the main component of training and preparing pharmacists to assume managerial positions. Succession planning begins with a review of the organizational chart in the context of the institution's strategic plan.

IOM Review of FDA--approved biologics labeled or studied for pediatric use.

Background: Studies have examined the extent to which public policies such as the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act have increased pediatric information in drug labeling. Little attention has focused on pediatric labeling of biologics. This analysis examines the extent to which biologics are labeled for pediatric use or have been studied in children.

Efficacy of metformin and topiramate in prevention and treatment of second-generation antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

Objective: To review the literature describing the efficacy of metformin and topiramate for the treatment of second-generation antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

Data Sources: Articles were identified by searching the MEDLINE database (from 1949 through January 2010) using the key words metformin, topiramate, antipsychotic, weight, weight gain, and obesity.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: All randomized, placebo-controlled trials of metformin and topiramate were selected for review.