Drug Pipeline

New molecular entity: FDA approved teriflunomide (Aubagio, Genzyme, a Sanofi-Aventis company), a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Women who regularly took the analgesics ibuprofen or acetaminophen 2 more days per week had an increased risk of hearing loss, according to a recent study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

New combination: FDA approved aclidinium bromide (Tudorza Pressair, Forest) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD.

A look at the pharmacologic agents reviewed by Formulary in 2012.

Early initiation of basal insulin did not impact cardiovascular outcomes compared to standard management of glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes or elevated fasting glucose with cardiovascular risk factors.

A low-dose contraceptive patch is comparable to combination oral contraceptive in a comparative study, according to phase 3 data presented at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) 60th Annual Clinical Meeting.

Stroke is declining in the elderly but increasing at younger ages, according to research published online in Neurology.

New evidence suggests that statins generate large survival and health benefits at the population level and shows that the social value of the survival gains are large and go predominantly to consumers, according to a study published in a recent issue of Health Affairs.

A look at pharmacist involvement in hospice care.

Finally, the grueling election is over and healthcare reform is here to stay.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has updated its clinical practice guideline on use of antiplatelet drugs during heart surgery.

Patients taking long-term warfarin who had GI bleeding should probably resume warfarin once the bleeding episode is under control to reduce their risk of thrombosis.

Recent FDA action (through October 2012) related to, Treprostinil diethanolamine extended release tablets, Lomitapide, Mipomersen sodium, Xilonix, Ponatinib, Trospium chloride extended-release capsules

Bariatric surgery reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes, according to a recent observational study.

Dimethyl fumarate is an investigational drug being studied for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

FDA has warned patients of TTP, a serious blood disorder that results from misuse of Opana ER.

New combination: FDA approved the combination tablet of emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg (Truvada, Gilead Sciences) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually-acquired HIV-1 in adults at high-risk in combination with safer sex practices.

Recent FDA Approvals (through October 2012) related to (Perampanel, Eisai, Ocriplasmin, ThromboGenics, Paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension, Celgene, tocilizumab, Genentech, Cysteamine ophthalmic solution, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, APTIMA HPV 16 18/45 Genotype Assay, Hologic, Adalimumab, Abbott, Regorafenib, Bayer HealthCare, Onyx)

Health system payment reform is on the minds of just about everyone involved in healthcare delivery, financing, and analysis.

New data demonstrating the safety and tolerability profile of tivozanib versus sorafenib in the first-line setting for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), was presented at ESMO's 2012 Congress.

Although general guidance exists for medication reconciliation, there is a need for more thorough studies and stronger guidelines.

Depressive symptoms are associated with use of opioids for non-pain symptoms, according to researchers

A study of Medicare data suggests there is substantial variation in the use of antibiotics across regions after adjusting for population characteristics.

The world of formulary management is changing and organizations must work on education initiatives.

Screening practices for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs) vary widely from hospital to hospital, according to a study published in October.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic disorder of chronic inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Several additional agents, including oral products, are now under investigation for the future treatment of MS.

New molecular entity: FDA approved icosapent ethyl (Vascepa, Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited), an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

A recent study indicates that hospitals can reduce readmission rates if they work on medication reconciliation.

In the quest to adopt personalized medicine approaches, optimizing antiplatelet therapy based on platelet function testing is controversial.

Tofacitinib is a novel JAK inhibitor, selective for JAK 1 and JAK 3.