Pharmacists are well aware that polypharmacy is a major issue among patients, especially older adults. Recent studies have estimated that approximately 36% of older adults take at least 5 prescription medications, and 67% take 5 or more medications or supplements, including OTCs.

To encourage the appropriate use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral drug nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) released an alert for dispensing pharmacists.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is alerting health care providers about potential confusion over new alternative packaging for casirivimab and imdevimab. These monoclonal antibodies, administered together as REGEN-COV, are used for treating COVID-19. ISMP recently received multiple reports about these types of errors.

Results of a Phase IV study published in The Lancet find no safety concerns with coadministration of the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine.

“Paul” was sick with COVID-19 and starting to have trouble breathing. But when he went to the local emergency department (ED) on a Friday evening, they turned him away because they didn’t have any more beds. As a last resort, he went to De Queen Health and Wellness Pharmacy in De Queen, AR, where he heard he could get treatment.