July 2023
VOLUME XXXVII, NUMBER 4
By David J. Margraf, PharmD, PhD and Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD
The health care industry is faced with an alarming rate of drug shortages, posing significant challenges for physicians and patients alike. In July 2023, there were 309 drug products in shortage according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)—a record high for the last decade. A large share of these ongoing shortages are sterile injectable forms of critical acute drug products that are used in emergency situations. More drug shortages, however, are occurring for chronic and oral medications as well, such as metformin, ampicillin, liquid acetaminophen, and others.
By Jennifer A. Forbes, JD and Benjamin J. Kramer, JD
On July 1, Minnesota became one of an increasing number of states to ban noncompete covenants in employment agreements (joining states such as California, North Dakota, Illinois).
In May, Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) announced that a group of 10 rheumatologists, including myself, were joining the practice. As a rheumatologist for almost 12 years in the Twin Cities area, including serving as our department chair at our former practice for the past five years, this transition marked a significant and exciting personal milestone.
With a burgeoning senior population and longer life expectancies, new thought is needed for senior care models, none more so than in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A recent report from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 92% of primary care physicians (PCPs) find that patients and their caregivers consider them to be front-line advisors on dementia care, and so being conversant with best practices is essential.
AUGUST 2024
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