Selection of essential medicines at country level – World Health Organization

News Release: New WHO Guide to help countries expand access to essential medicines – World Health Organization

Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: A revised consensus guideline and review by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists – American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (free)

Impetigo: antimicrobial prescribing – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (free)

Commentary: Antiseptic not antibiotic should be considered for impetigo – PharmaField (free)

Related: NICE Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines (resource covering many common conditions) AND NICE Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance – managing common infections (free PDF)

Principles of Vaccine Licensure, Approval, and Recommendations for Use – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free)

Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2020 – Pediatrics (free)

Table 1. Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2020 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (free)

Table 2. Catch-up immunization schedule for persons aged 4 months–18 years who start late or who are more than 1 month behind, United States, 2020 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (free)

Table 3. Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Medical Indication, United States, 2020 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (free)

Leg ulcer infection: antimicrobial prescribing – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (free)

Related: NICE Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines (resource covering many common conditions) AND NICE Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance – managing common infections (free PDF)

Related Commentary on Twitter

Using antibiotics when they're not needed means they may not work as well in the future.

Today, we've published final guidance that sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for adults with leg ulcer infection.https://t.co/4UIa6VcHr8 pic.twitter.com/Wk3V93Ycp7

— NICE (@NICEComms) February 11, 2020

Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2020 – Annals of Internal Medicine (free)

Commentary: ACIP releases updated vaccination schedule with several changes – ACP Hospitalist (free)

Related Commentary on Twitter

Just out in @AnnalsofIM

New Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (#ACIP) Adult #Immunization Schedule recommends changes to several vaccineshttps://t.co/wa31QMpWct

Nice simplified tables, too. 👇#vaccines pic.twitter.com/u2EoD1gNbe

— Chris Hendel (@chrishendel) February 3, 2020

Laboratory diagnosis of G6PD deficiency. A British Society for Haematology Guideline – British Journal of Haematology (free)

Bone Health and Bone-Targeted Therapies for Prostate Cancer: ASCO Endorsement of a Cancer Care Ontario Guideline – Journal of Clinical Oncology (free)

Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action Plan – Lown Institute (free PDF)

Press Release: Millions of Older Americans Harmed by Too Many Medications – Lown Institute (free)

Commentary: ‘Small’ tactics to counter Big Pharma’s influence on medication overload – STAT (free)

Related: Reducing Inappropriate Medication Use & Polypharmacy (several articles and commentaries on the subject)

Related Commentary on Twitter

After a year of collaboration and hard work, our comprehensive action plan to eliminate medication overload is published! Find out how you can help reduce harm from multiple #medication use here: https://t.co/pHjKbpVsIY

— Lown Institute (@lowninstitute) January 28, 2020

EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update – Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (free)

A review of cancer immunotherapy toxicity – CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (free)

Related: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities (free guidelines and reviews on the subject)

New Oral Anti-Cancer Drugs and Medication Safety – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)

The Use of Medication in Pregnancy – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)

Guideline Homepage: ADA 2020 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – American Diabetes Association (free supplement)

Commentaries: ADA 2020 Standards of Care Incorporate CVD Risk Stratification, New Medications – Endocrinology Advisor (free) AND ADA releases 2020 standards of medical care in diabetes – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (free)

See also: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020 Abridged for Primary Care Providers – American Diabetes Association (free PDF) AND 2019 update to: Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes, 2018. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) – Diabetologia (free)

See ADA 2020 Guideline topics below:

Introduction: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020

Summary of Revisions: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020

1. Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
3. Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
4. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
5. Facilitating Behavior Change and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
7. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
8. Obesity Management for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
9. Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
10. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
11. Microvascular Complications and Foot Care: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes−2020
12. Older Adults: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
13. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes−2020
14. Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020
15. Diabetes Care in the Hospital: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020

Related Commentary on Twitter

ADA's "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020" is finally here! Featuring American Diabetes Association's latest clinical practice recommendations, the global standard for diabetes care. #ADASOC2020

READ NOW (OPEN ACCESS): https://t.co/CCArNKXi9D pic.twitter.com/Yj9gExpVdG

— DiabetesJournals.org (@ADA_Journals) December 20, 2019

The Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: 2019 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (free PDF)

CDC Page: Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (free resources)

Commentary: CDC updates ‘core’ antibiotic stewardship elements for hospitals – CIDRAP (free)

Pulmonary complications of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer – European Respiratory Review (free)

Related: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities (free guidelines and reviews on the subject)

Over-the-Counter Access to Hormonal Contraception – American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (free)

Summary: Over-the-Counter Access to Hormonal Contraception (free)

News Release: ACOG Updates Guidance on Over-the-Counter Access to Hormonal Contraception (free)

Commentaries: Hormonal Contraceptives Should Be Available OTC, ACOG Recommends – NEJM Journal Watch (free) AND All hormonal birth control should be available over the counter, OB-GYN group says – NBC News (free)

Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–related Pneumonitis. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement – American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (free)

Related: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities (guidelines and reviews on the subject)

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid-Use Disorder – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free for a limited period)

Updated good practice recommendations for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in adults and children in the UK – JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance (free)

Commentary: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: updated recommendations from the UK – Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (free)

Related: IDSA Guideline: Management of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (free)

Use of Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update – Journal of Clinical Oncology (free)

Related: USPSTF Recommendation Statement: Medication Use to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (free)

Medication Use to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement – JAMA (free)

Recommendation Summary: Medication Use to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (free)

Editorials: Medications to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk: Promise and Limitations (free for a limited period) AND Breast Cancer Chemoprevention—Can We Make a Case for Precision Medicine? (free for a limited period)

Evidence Report and Systematic Review: Medication Use for the Risk Reduction of Primary Breast Cancer in Women – US Preventive Services Task Force (free)

Author Interview: USPSTF Recommendation: Medication Use to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (free audio)

Commentaries: Medication can lower some women’s risk of breast cancer – Reuters (free) AND USPSTF: Aromatase Inhibitors Recommended to Help Prevent Breast Cancer – NEJM Journal Watch (free)

Cardiovascular Adverse Events Associated With BRAF and MEK Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis – JAMA Network Open (free)

Commentary: Risk of Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Patients With Melanoma Treated With Combined BRAF and MEK Inhibition vs BRAF Inhibition Alone – The ASCO Post (free)

Cardiovascular toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A review when cardiology meets immuno-oncology – Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (free)

Related: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities (free guidelines and reviews on the subject)

Redefining Medication Management in Dialysis: A Kidney Pharmacy Quality Pyramid – Kidney Medicine (free)

Related: Drug Management in the Elderly Adult With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review for the Primary Care Physician – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free) AND Medication Reconciliation and Therapy Management in Dialysis-Dependent Patients: Need for a Systematic Approach – Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (free)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association – Circulation (free PDF)

News Release: Prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications effectively lower high triglycerides – American Heart Association (free)

Related: Omega-3 Supplements Do Not Reduce the Risk of Cancer or Cardiovascular Disease (randomized trial and systematic reviews on the subject)

American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Perioperative Opioid Minimization in Opioid-Naïve Patients – Anesthesia & Analgesia (free)

Related Position Statements on Perioperative Opioid Therapy: American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Perioperative Management of Patients on Preoperative Opioid Therapy (free) AND American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative-4 Joint Consensus Statement on Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use: Definition, Incidence, Risk Factors, and Health Care System Initiatives (free)

See also: American Society of Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) joint consensus statements (free) AND Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society Guidelines (free articles)

Practice guideline update summary: Pharmacologic treatment for pediatric migraine prevention – Neurology (fee PDF)

See also: Practice guideline update summary: Acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents – Neurology (free PDF)

Commentaries: AAN issues guidelines for treatment of migraine in children and teens – American Academy of Neurology (free) AND Guidelines Updated on Preventing and Treating Migraine in Children and Teens – NEJM Journal Watch (free)

Update on the contraceptive contraindications – Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction (free)

Related Guidelines: WHO Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (free PDF) AND US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (free) AND UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (free)

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients With Cancer: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update – Journal of Clinical Oncology (free)

See also: Summary of Recommendations (free PDF) AND Visual Abstract (free PDF)

Clinical Pharmacology Considerations in Pain Management in Patients with Advanced Kidney Failure – Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (free)

Management of Severe Bleeding in Patients Treated With Oral Anticoagulants – Critical Pathways in Cardiology (free)

Related: 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Management of Bleeding in Patients on Oral Anticoagulants (free guideline and summary)

Pharmacologic Considerations Surrounding Sedation, Delirium, and Sleep in Critically Ill Adults: A Narrative Review – Journal of Pharmacology Practice (free)

Related: Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption in Adult Patients in the ICU – Critical Care Medicine (free)

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, the Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology for the safe management of antineoplastic medication in cancer patients – Clinical and Translational Oncology (free)

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: MASCC/ISOO/ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline – Journal of Clinical Oncology (free)

Clinical use of lithium salts: guide for users and prescribers – International Journal of Bipolar Disorders (free)

Diversion of Controlled Drugs in Hospitals: A Scoping Review of Contributors and Safeguards – Journal of Hospital Medicine (free)

Drug-induced endocrinopathies and diabetes: a combo-endocrinology overview – European Journal of Endocrinology (free)

News Release: WHO updates global guidance on medicines and diagnostic tests to address health challenges, prioritize highly effective therapeutics, and improve affordable access – World Health Organization (free)

Guidance: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019 (free PDF) AND Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019 (free PDF) AND World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019 (free PDF) AND Second WHO Model List of Essential In Vitro Diagnostics (free PDF)

Commentaries: WHO List of Essential Tests Gets An Upgrade – Forbes (free) AND WHO adds new antibiotics to essential medicines list – CIDRAP (free)

Guideline for the Antibiotic Use in Acute Gastroenteritis – Infection & Chemotherapy (free)

Related: ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Acute Diarrheal Infections in Adults – American Journal of Gastroenterology (free)

The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia recommendations for the use of opioids in children during the perioperative period – Pediatric Anesthesia (free)

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities – Mayo Clinic Proceedings (free)

Related Guidelines: Management of Immune-Related Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline (free) AND Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities, Version 1.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (free) AND Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: consensus recommendations from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Toxicity Management Working Group (free)

Related Reviews: New drugs, new toxicities: severe side effects of modern targeted and immunotherapy of cancer and their management – Critical Care (free) AND Severe toxicity from checkpoint protein inhibitors: What intensive care physicians need to know? – Annals of Intensive Care (free) AND Checkpoint Inhibitors: The diagnosis and treatment of side effects – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)

Estimation of Kidney Function in Oncology: Implications for Anticancer Drug Selection and Dosing – Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (free)

“In one retrospective study, approximately one half of kidney function–impaired patients with solid tumors who were receiving a drug that necessitated dose adjustments for kidney function received almost 50% of their prescriptions at standard doses”.

The Use of Activated Charcoal to Treat Intoxications – Deutsches Arzteblatt International (free)

Higher doses of antidepressants “not optimal”, according to new review – The Mental Elf (free)

Original Article: Meta-analysis: Optimal Dose of Antidepressants in Major Depression (free study and commentaries)

Management of targeted therapies in cancer patients with chronic kidney disease, or on haemodialysis: An Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM)/Societa’ Italiana di Nefrologia (SIN) multidisciplinary consensus position paper – Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology (free)

Reversal of direct oral anticoagulants: Guidance from the Anticoagulation Forum – American Journal of Hematology (free)

Commentary: Reversal of Direct Oral Anticoagulants – NEJM Journal Watch (free for a limited period)

The Serotonin Syndrome: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Practice – International Journal of Molecular Sciences (free)

A Review of Novel Antidepressants: A Guide for Clinicians – Cureus (free)

Anticoagulation in chronic kidney disease: from guidelines to clinical practice – Clinical Cardiology (free PDF)

PANLAR consensus statement on biosimilars – Clinical Rheumatology (free)

Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities, Version 1.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (free)

Related Guidelines: Management of Immune-Related Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline (free) AND Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: consensus recommendations from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Toxicity Management Working Group (free)

Related Reviews: New drugs, new toxicities: severe side effects of modern targeted and immunotherapy of cancer and their management – Critical Care (free) AND Severe toxicity from checkpoint protein inhibitors: What intensive care physicians need to know? – Annals of Intensive Care (free) AND Checkpoint Inhibitors: The diagnosis and treatment of side effects – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: Drug-induced liver injury – Journal of Hepatology (free)

Related Review: Drug-induced liver injury: recent advances in diagnosis and risk assessment – Gut (free)

Related Commentary on Twitter

The @EASLedu guidelines on drug-induced liver injury are now available.
Including a special section on liver manifestations in cancer #Immunotherapy https://t.co/ptqeIRoFvO #liverdisease #DILI @EASLnews pic.twitter.com/SLrMGYsFQn

— Journal of Hepatology (@JHepatology) April 6, 2019

Checkpoint Inhibitors: The diagnosis and treatment of side effects – Deutsches Ärzteblatt international (free)

Related Guidelines: Management of Immune-Related Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline (free) AND Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: consensus recommendations from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Toxicity Management Working Group (free)

Related Reviews: New drugs, new toxicities: severe side effects of modern targeted and immunotherapy of cancer and their management – Critical Care (free) AND Severe toxicity from checkpoint protein inhibitors: What intensive care physicians need to know? – Annals of Intensive Care (free)

Unusual Effects of Common Antibiotics – Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine (free)

REPORT – Medication Overload: America’s Other Drug Problem – Lown Institute (free PDF)

Executive Summary: Medication Overload: America’s Other Drug Problem – Lown Institute (free PDF)

Press Release: Growing epidemic of medication overload impacting millions of older Americans (free)

Commentaries: Medication Overload: How the drive to prescribe is harming older Americans – Lown Institute (free) AND Overprescribed: High cost isn’t America’s only drug problem – STAT (free)

Related: Reducing Inappropriate Medication Use & Polypharmacy (several articles and commentaries on the subject)

Optimization of the treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients—guidelines from the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine – Critical Care (free)

Related: Pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics issues relevant for the clinical use of beta-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients – Critical Care (free) AND Extended antibiotic infusions could save lives: Here’s how to do it – PulmCCM (free) AND Mortality lower with prolonged vs. short-term IV infusion of antipseudomonal beta-lactams (link to abstract and commentary)

Cefazolin versus anti-staphylococcal penicillins for the treatment of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Clinical Microbiology and Infection (free)

Pharmacotherapy in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: Report from an American College of Cardiology, American Geriatrics Society, and National Institute on Aging Workshop – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (free)

Choosing Wisely Canada: Six Things Clinicians and Patients Should Question – Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (free)

See complete lists of low-value practices: Choosing Wisely U.S. / Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia AND Choosing Wisely Canada

Risk of Pneumonitis and Pneumonia Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Frontiers in Immunology (free)

Related: Severe Toxicity from Checkpoint Protein Inhibitors (free guidelines and reviews on the subject)

Medication adherence: Scope of the problem, ways to measure, ways to improve, and the role of the pharmacist – American College of Clinical Pharmacy (free)

A practical guide for pharmacists to successfully implement penicillin allergy skin testing – American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (free)

“Less than 10% of patients labeled as having a penicillin allergy are confirmed as present upon skin testing. This labeling results in use of alternative antibiotics and thus unwanted adverse consequences including potentiated antimicrobial resistance, increased costs, and worse clinical outcomes.”

American Geriatrics Society 2019 Updated AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults (free)

News Release: For older people, medications are common; AGS Beers Criteria aims to make them appropriate, too (free)

Commentary: AGS: Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Med Use in Older Adults Updated – MPR (free)

Related Commentary on Twitter

The #AGSBeersCriteria includes lists of medications that may be inappropriate or unsafe for older adults. See the latest updates for 2019: https://t.co/qGB5Y1cD7S pic.twitter.com/ow0xds2gN7

— American Geriatrics Society (@AmerGeriatrics) February 1, 2019

Polypharmacy: Getting our medicines right – Royal Pharmaceutical Society (free)

Shorter Version: Polypharmacy (free)

Commentary: Pharmacists call for regular reviews of medicines – BBC (free)

Related: Reducing Inappropriate Medication Use & Polypharmacy (several articles and commentaries on the subject)

Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs: ASCO Standards – Journal of Clinical Oncology (free)

Summary: Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs (free)

Editorial: ASCO Standards for Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs (free)

News Release: New Standards for Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs Focus on Developing Evidence-Based Measures (free)