Modest Association of Long-Term ACE Inhibitor Treatment With Lung Cancer: The Promise and Pitfalls of Epidemiological Drug-Safety Analyses.

Results of the carefully executed Evaluation of Treatment with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and the Risk of Lung Cancer (ERACER) study, reported in this issue, echo those of several previous observational analyses of the association of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use with incident lung cancer. These epidemiological drug-safety analyses merit cautious interpretation. First, the number needed to harm (NNH) of 6667 reported in ERACER for ACE inhibitors compared with angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) after approximately 12 years of follow-up should be balanced against therapeutic benefits.

Meningoencephalitis, Vasculitis, and Abortions Caused by in a Herd of Cattle.

A cow dairy ( = 2000) in close proximity to a sheep flock had third-trimester abortions and fatalities in cows and calves over a 14-month period. Eighteen of 33 aborted fetuses (55%) had multifocal random suppurative or mononuclear meningoencephalitis with vasculitis. Seventeen of these affected fetuses had intracytoplasmic bacteria in endothelial cells, and 1 fetus with pericarditis had similar bacteria within mesothelial cells or macrophages.

Pharmacists' Perspectives on Prescribing and Expanding Access to Hormonal Contraception in Pharmacies in the United States.

Introduction: Pharmacist prescribing of contraception is becoming increasingly available in selected states. The objective of this study was to assess US community pharmacists' perspectives on expanding access, barriers, and facilitators since states have begun pharmacist scope of practice expansions for prescribing contraception.

Methods: A survey study of US community pharmacists' support for expanded access models, pharmacist prescribing practices and interest, and importance of safety, cost, and professional practice issues for prescribing was conducted.