Thank You For Participating!
This e-newsletter will wrap up our 2009 nationwide educational series which featured cutting-edge programming in venous thromboembolism (VTE), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and national anticoagulation performance measures. Throughout 2009, nationally-recognized experts from across the United States presented live educational activities related to safe and effective anticoagulant therapy. These activities are available to you on this website in web-based format for home-study credit.
IN THE NEWS
Change in Heparin USP Monograph (effective October 1, 2009)
The manufacturing and testing requirements under the new monograph will lessen the potential for contamination of heparin and enhance the production of a high quality drug. However, harmonization of the standard will result in approximately a 10% reduction in the potency of the heparin marketed in the United States. Read more on the FDA Public Health Alert.
Anticoagulation Experts Assess Practical Effects on New Heparin Potency Assay
When an FDA official announced October 1 that health care providers should prepare for the arrival of heparin products that may be about 10% less potent than what was already in use, the message lacked explicit instructions. View PDF of full AJHP article.
VTE Prevention Costs Cut with Enoxaparin
Costs were lower for patients who received preventive treatment for venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) with the anticoagulant enoxaparin, sold as Lovenox and Clexane, than patients treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH), a new industry-sponsored study found. Read the full story.
RESOURCES
Highlights From the XXII Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis: Noteworthy News for Pharmacists Managing Antithrombotic Therapy
Several presentations at the XXII Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) held in Boston, Massachusetts July 11-16, 2009, have important implications and are of interest to clinicians who manage antithrombotic therapy in patients with or at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially patients with cancer. If you missed the live CPE webinars featuring highlights from this meeting, download a summary of breaking research for your reference or review the archived web-based CPE activity. Featured topics include new antithrombotic strategies, anticoagulant management issues, and more. An online CPE activity featuring highlights from the American College of Cardiology's 58th Scientific Session is also available.
HOME-STUDY EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Web-based Case Study CPE Activities on ACS and VTE
Three web-based, interactive activities are available to help practitioners apply clinical practice guidelines and recent research to acute coronary syndrome and venous thromboembolism patient cases. They are designed to challenge participants to apply practical concepts to a variety of patient cases. Interactive questions enable participants to see the correct response along with how others responded, making these popular practice-based learning activities:
This web site offers over 20 hours of online programming on safe and effective anticoagulation use. This online portal features web-based CPE activities, evidence-based guidelines and resources, as well as a self-assessment CE tool.
We want your feedback. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for topics in future newsletters, please e-mail us.
The American Society of Health–System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.