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

General Rheumatology

Severe Illness Reported With Nonpharmaceutical Chloroquine Misuse for COVID-19 Prevention

Diana Ernst, RPh

April 3, 2020

The product that sickened the couple was in powder form and was labeled “for Ornamental Fish Use Only.”

General Rheumatology

Abbott’s Point-of-Care COVID-19 Test Delivers Results Within Minutes

Diana Ernst, RPh

April 2, 2020

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Abbott ID Now™ COVID-19 test, a molecular point-of-care test that delivers results within minutes.

Mother preventing baby from eating pills on the floor at home

General Rheumatology

Certain Blister Packages of Cyclosporine Capsules May Not Be Child-Resistant

Diana Ernst, RPh

March 25, 2020

Certain blister packages of Sandimmune and Neoral may not meet child-resistant packaging requirements.

General Rheumatology

FDA: Thermo Fisher COVID-19 Test Gets Emergency Use Authorization

Diana Ernst, RPh

March 19, 2020

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization to Thermo Fisher for its TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, a diagnostic test that detects nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019.

Pain Management

FDA Approves OTC Switch of Diclofenac Gel, Olopatadine Eye Drops

Diana Ernst, RPh

February 19, 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.

Practice Management

NASEM Report Provides Framework for Developing Opioid Prescribing Guidelines

Diana Ernst, RPh

January 14, 2020

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.

Pediatric Rheumatology

Methotrexate Injection Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Psoriasis Treatment

Diana Ernst, RPh

December 13, 2019

The FDA has approved RediTrex (methotrexate injection; Cumberland) for the management of patients with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, who are intolerant of or had an inadequate response to first-line therapy.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Voclosporin Superior to Standard of Care in Lupus Nephritis Trial

Diana Ernst, RPh

December 12, 2019

Voclosporin was found to be superior to standard-of-care treatment in patients with lupus nephritis, according to data from the phase 3 AURORA trial.

General Rheumatology

Biosimilar for Adalimumab Gets FDA Approval

Diana Ernst, RPh

November 25, 2019

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb; Pfizer), a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab; AbbVie).

General Rheumatology

Interleukin Inhibitors Linked to Increased Infection, Cancer Risk in Rheumatologic Diseases

Diana Ernst, RPh

October 24, 2019

In patients with rheumatologic diseases, treatment with interleukin inhibitors may increase the risk of serious infections, opportunistic infections, and cancer, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open.

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