MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SENIOR CARE

From Janssen Pharmaceutica

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to emergency departments in the United States and often are associated with significant morbidity.  The mortality rate for falls increases dramatically with age, accounting for 70% of accidental deaths in adults aged 75 years and residents in long-term care (LTC) settings fall at twice the annual rate of older adults living in the community.  Various strategies can be used to reduce falls and fall-related injuries among older adults, including appropriate choice of medications to minimize adverse drug reactions (ADRs).  Because interventions such as conversion to alternative agents can reduce the incidence of falls, the ADR profile should be carefully considered when choosing an antipsychotic agent for LTC residents.  In addition, antipsychotics used to treat LTC residents can have a dramatic positive or negative effect on the quality indicators of LTC facilities and on the likelihood of financial and regulatory penalties and legal liability.

 An interdisciplinary team of clinicians practicing in senior-care settings, we understand that improving the management of antipsychotic medications in older adults is critical to avoiding drug-related adverse effects.  Additional information on management of antipsychotic medications in older adults is available at falls.seniorcaremeds.com.  We thank Janssen Pharmaceutica for it generous support of this program.

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March 2002  ADVAIR DISKUS From: GloaxoSmithKline

On March 4, 2002, GlaxoSmithKline will launch a promotional campaign for ADVAIR DISKUS.  ADVAIR is the first and only medication approved by the FDA to effective treat the two main components of asthma, constriction and inflammation.  ADVAIR is a long-term maintenance treatment for asthma in patients 12 years and older.  ADVAIR DISKUS does not replace fast-acting inhalers for acute symptoms.

The campaign is called "Promise Program from ADVAIR™ " and offers patients 12 years and older free VENTOLIN HFA inhalers (albuterol sulfate HFA inhalation aerosol) with prescriptions for ADVAIR DISKUS.  This program is intended to help patients understand the importance of maintenance medications and controlling asthma symptoms every day.  Please note that pharmacies will be reimbursed in full by GlaxoSmithKline for VENTOLIN HFA prescriptions used in conjunction with this program.

The Promise Program from ADVAIR will be announced through television promotions, direct mail advertising, as well as brochures that will be distributed to physicians and pharmacies.

Patients who participate will receive a card that can be redeemed for up to 4 VENTOLIN HFA inhalers within 1 year of activation of the card.  To receive their free VENTOLIN HFA, patients must have a current prescription for ADVAIR.

Your participation.  We feel it is important to make you aware of this program, we can answer patients questions and you know how to process the Promise Program cards for free VENTOLIN HFA.  Simply follow the instructions for processing on the back of the card.

You should be aware that anyone who is reimbursed under any federal health program, including Medicare and Medicaid or any similar federal or state program, including any state pharmaceutical assistance program, is not eligible to participate.  In addition, participation is restricted under the laws of Ohio, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Important safety information.  ADVAIR DISKUS should not be used for patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy.  Adrenal insufficiency may occur when patients have been transferred from sysmically active corticosteroids to inhaled corticosteroids (see WARNINGS in accompanying complete Prescribing Information).  ADVAIR DISKUS should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders.  Some patients may experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate.

VENTOLIN HFA is indicated for the prevention and relief of bronchospasm in patients 4 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.  VENTOLIN HFA can produce a paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life-threatening.  If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, VENTOLIN HFA should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.  It should be recognized that paradoxical bronchospasm when associated with inhaled formulations, frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister.  Please consult Prescribing Information regarding drug interactions between VENTOLIN HFA and oral sympathomimetics, beta-blockers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors of tricyclic antidepressants.  VENTOLI HFA should be used with caution in certain patients, Please see Prescribing Information.  The most commonly reported adverse events (3%) in clinical trials were throat irritation, (0%) viral respiratory infection (7%), upper respiratory infection (5%), cough and musculoskeletral pain (5%).  The adverse event profile in pediatrics was generally similar to that of adults.

For more information please contact your Sales Representative

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From:  LILLY

May 2002

Dear Pharmacy Professional,

We would like to bring to your attention a situation involving tampering with Zyprexa® (olanzapine), indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute bipolar mania.  Lilly has been made aware of a small number of tampering incidents in which pharmacists in the United States have found Zyprexa 10 and 15 mg bottles which have had all of the Zyprexa tablets removed and replaced with white tablets marked, "aspirin."  The reports, thus far, have been confined to 60 count 10 mg and 15 mg bottles of Zyprexa.  We have been in contact with the United States Food and Drug Administration and are continuing together additional information through a diligent investigation of this situation.

From what we know at this time, these incidents appear to be isolated and limited in scope and no injuries or adverse effects related to the tampering have been reported to date.

Zyprexa 10 mg tablets are round and white, similar to aspirin; however, they are clearly marked in blue with the word, "Lilly" and the number, "4117" on one side, and no markings on the other side.  Zyprexa 15 mg tablets are oval-shaped and blue and are embossed with the word, "Lilly" and the number, "4415."  If you discover a bottle of Zyprexa that contains white tablets marked "aspirin," or any markings other than "Lilly" and the four-digit Lilly identification number, please notify NNC Group at 1-800-668-4391.

At Lilly, patient safety is our first priority.  We appreciate your assistance in helping us to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.  Lilly and the United States Food and Drug Administration are investigating this matter.  Lilly is taking all possible steps to protect the quality and integrity of its products.  If you have any additional questions, please contact us at 1-800-LILLY-RX.