Diana Ernst, RPh

Editorial Director

Diana Ernst, RPh, is the Editorial Director for MPR, part of the Haymarket Medical Network. Since 2003, Diana has worked to provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date drug information through MPR's print and digital offerings. She is a graduate of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University.

All articles by Diana Ernst, RPh

Practice Management

Update on REMS-Required Testing During COVID-19 Pandemic

Diana Ernst, RPh

March 23, 2020

For patients suspected of having COVID-19, undergoing REMS-required testing to obtain a medication may put others at risk.

Acute Pain

FDA Approves Meloxicam Injection for Moderate to Severe Pain

Diana Ernst, RPh

February 25, 2020

The FDA has approved Anjeso (meloxicam injection; Baudax Bio) for the management of moderate to severe pain, alone or in combination with NSAIDs in adult patients.

Acute Pain

FDA Approves OTC Switch of Diclofenac Topical Gel

Diana Ernst, RPh

February 20, 2020

Diclofenac sodium topical gel and olopatadine HCl ophthalmic drops will soon be available over-the-counter (OTC) after the the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) switched the status of these products from prescription to nonprescription.

Chronic Pain

Strontium89 Now Available for Relief of Metastatic Bone Pain

Diana Ernst, RPh

February 14, 2020

Strontium89 (Strontium Chloride Sr-89 injection), a radiopharmaceutical indicated for the relief of bone pain in patients with painful skeletal metastases, has been made available by Q BioMed.

General Pain

ACIP: 2020 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Updates

Diana Ernst, RPh

February 13, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released an updated version of the child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years and younger in the United States.

General Pain

FDA Panel Votes on Posimir for Postsurgical Analgesia

Diana Ernst, RPh

January 24, 2020

The FDA’s Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee (AADPAC) was split (6 to 6) on its decision as to whether Posimir (bupivacaine extended-release solution; Durect) should be approved for post-surgical analgesia.

Opioid Addiction

FDA Panels Vote “No” on the Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Aximris XR

Diana Ernst, RPh

January 21, 2020

The FDA’s Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee voted against (2 “yes”, 24 “no”) the approval of Aximris XR

Opioid Addiction

FDA Committees Vote on Novel Opioid for Chronic Low Back Pain

Diana Ernst, RPh

January 17, 2020

As a result of the vote, Nektar has decided to withdraw the New Drug Application for oxycodegol and to cease further development of the product.

Acute Pain

Ibuprofen Injection Now Available in Ready-to-Use Bags for Pain Relief

Diana Ernst, RPh

January 10, 2020

A ready-to-use formulation of Caldolor (ibuprofen injection) has been made available by Cumberland Pharmaceuticals.

General Pain

NASEM Report Provides Framework for Developing Opioid Prescribing Guidelines

Diana Ernst, RPh

December 26, 2019

In an effort to further address the current opioid crisis, the FDA contracted the NASEM to examine existing opioid prescribing guidelines and to help outline the type of research needed to fill the gaps in evidence.

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