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Objective: Wyeth's Global Medical Communications Department provides written standard responses to unsolicited requests for medical information related to Wyeth Products. A survey was conducted to evaluate the satisfaction of healthcare professionals with the written information provided and to assess the impact of satisfaction with the information on prescribing behavior. Methods: A business reply card containing seven qualitative questions with all standard response letters was mailed from September 1, 2000 to November 30, 2000. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between physician satisfaction and prescribing behavior based on data collected through October 31, 2000. Results: Ninety-four percent of responders were satisfied with Wyeth standard response letters. The relationship between physician satisfaction and increased prescribing was positively correlated (ρ = 0.314, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Wyeth customers overall were satisfied with standard response letters provided by Wyeth's Global Medical Communications Department and the information provided had a positive impact on prescribing of Wyeth products.

This review focuses on new developments in the pathophysiology and treatment of von Willebrand disease (vWd). New aspects of the cell biology, gene control, and structure-function correlates of von Willebrand factor (vWf) are reviewed. vWd is more prevalent than previously recognized, affecting up to 1% of the population; this is particularly evident in women's health. Blood group is an important determinant of von Willebrand factor levels; individuals of blood group O tend to have lower plasma levels of vWf than those in other blood groups. Currently available blood tests of vWf quantity and function are discussed, in addition to newer tests undergoing validation. Treatment of classical vWd with desmopressin acetate and plasma derivatives is discussed, as is the potential for intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids in acquired vWd. Special situations, such as the management of vWd in pregnancy, are also discussed.

Purpose The stability of aprepitant injectable emulsion is evaluated in various admixture bags and solutions, under different storage conditions, and when combined with other antiemetics. Methods A volume of 18 mL aprepitant injectable emulsion was added to infusion bags (either non-di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [DEHP], polyvinyl chloride [PVC]-containing bags or non-DEHP, non-PVC bags) containing 100, 130, or 250 mL of 0.9% normal saline solution (NSS) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W). Bags were stored at controlled room temperature (20–25°C) for up to 12 hours or refrigerated (2–8°C) for up to 72 hours. Compatibility/stability was also assessed in admixtures combined with either dexamethasone or palonosetron. At specified time points, bags were tested for appearance, pH, assay for aprepitant (ie, percent label claim of aprepitant) and aprepitant-related substances, Z-average particle size, globule size distribution, particulate matter, and DEHP content (PVC bags). In separate analyses to assess microbial burden, bags containing aprepitant were inoculated with seven different organisms and assessed for microbial growth. Results There was no detectable impact on the physicochemical properties or potential to promote microbial growth of aprepitant when diluted with various amounts of either NSS or D5W and when admixed with either dexamethasone or palonosetron at room temperature for at least 6 hours or during refrigeration for up to 72 hours in either PVC- or non-PVC-containing bags. Conclusion Aprepitant-containing admixtures are stable under these conditions, a finding that may improve patient and provider convenience and reduce medication wastage.

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