Drug Pipeline

A New York federal judge has struck down the restrictions on levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives and ordered the FDA to make the drugs available without a prescription and without point-of-sale or age restrictions within 30 days, according to an April 4th memorandum and order

In an examination of a type of treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma that is used in Europe but not approved by FDA, researchers found moderate strength in the evidence from previous studies to support the use of sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of these conditions, according to a review article in the March 27 issue of JAMA.

Med Prep Consulting, Inc., a compounding pharmacy in Tinton Falls, NJ, is voluntarily recalling all lots of compounded products from its facility for fear of mold contamination, according to an FDA press release.

Almost 98% of primary care physicians (PCPs), nurse practitioners, and pharmacists trust and recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to their patients, according to a new survey released by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).

A recent study shows how much physician dispensing is costing states.

New molecular entity: Late last year FDA approved bedaquiline tablets for the treatment of pulmonary multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Allergy season is almost upon us and anti-histamine agents remain the top choice. However, researchers are looking for new medications to help patients with different needs.

A high calcium intake, from diet or the combination of diet and supplements may raise the rate of mortality, especially cardiovascular (CV) mortality.

Individuals with high cholesterol who stay on their statin medications over a 2-year period are healthier than comparable nonadherent individuals, but the overall cost of their care is slightly higher, according to a new study.

For patients with sexual disorders, there's been very little help, but a review of the pipeline indicates that help might soon be on the way.

Recent FDA action (through February 2013) related to, rintatolimod, insulin degludec, insulin degludec/insulin aspart, dolutegravir, Radium-223 dichloride, APG101, LG631-CD34, Placental eXpanded, buprenorphine hydrochloride, naloxone HCI dihydrate, doxorubicin hydrochloride, clindamycin in 5% dextrose, Adderall

Regular use of aspirin was associated with a 2-fold greater risk of developing the neovascular subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than in non-users.

Recent FDA Approvals (through February 2013) related to (Ado-trastuzumab, Kadcyla, Genentech, Everolimus, Zortress, Novartis, Adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, Epiquo, Galderma, pomalidomide, Pomalyst, Celgene, alogliptin, Nesina, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Kazano, Oseni, imatinib, Gleevec, mesalamine, Delzicol, Warner Chilcott, mipomersen sodium, Kynamro, Genzyme, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Oxutrol for Women, glycerol phenylbutyrate, Ravicti, Hyperion Therapeutics, pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine, Prevnar 13, Pfizer

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.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) specialty drug costs no account for more than two-thirds or MS patients' total cost of care, according to a new study.

Gonorrhea continues to be a major US public health problem in terms of its prevalence as week as the lack of effective treatments available.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in children. New formulations of stimulants and nonstimulants allow for individualization of therapy for patients to receive the maximum benefit while minimizing side effects.

Partnering in healthcare seems to be the prevailing wind while achieving access, cost effectiveness, and high quality remains the aim of the industry.

In the study of communities in Massachusetts with high numbers of opioid overdose deaths, implementation of overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) were associated with a significant reduction in opioid overdose death rates.

A new Institutes of Medicine (IOM) report addresses growing concerns in the global community surrounding the public safety matters of fake and substandard drugs.

The potency of vitamin D in compounded and over-the-counter (OTC) supplements varied widely, according to a recent research letter published in the February 11 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.

Processing a prescription through an electronic ordering system decreases the likelihood of error on that order by 48%, and averts more than 17 million such incidents in US hospitals in 1 year alone.

Among US adolescents and young adults, HbA1c levels, central obesity, and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dying before 55 years of age.

The economic implications of HE are numerous and marked altered as based upon direct and indirect costs, worsening of patient's and patient's family members quality of life, employment status, and autonomy.

Use of statins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients may be associated with prolonged overall survival.

Use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs may be beneficial in patients with neovascular glaucoma and to control complications after filtration surgeries.

Recent advances in treatments of allergic ocular disease are available to help relieve the signs and symptoms in pediatric patients.

Dabigatran used beyond the initial 3 months of treatment at a dose of 150 mg twice daily reduced the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published February 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) issued its final recommendation on vitamin D and calcium supplements for the prevention of fractures, of which there are several individual recommendations for people who do not live in assisted living or nursing homes.