Formulary Watch |

Drugs in Perspective: Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

Antidiabetic drugs are considered to be first-line treatment options for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is estimated that type 2 diabetes affects about 24 million persons in the United States. Over time high blood levels can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, or blindness.1 When it comes to the treatment of type 2 diabetes individuals have the option of using oral hypoglycemic agents, compared to individuals with type 1 diabetes that requires insulin therapy.

FDA approves first naloxone treatment to be given by caregivers to reverse opioid overdose

FDA has approved naloxone hydrochloride injection (Evzio; Kaléo, formerly Intelliject) for emergency treatment when opioid overdose is known or suspected because of respiratory and/or central nervous system depression.

FDA approves Pradaxa for treatment, reduction in risk of recurrence of DVT, PE

FDA approved dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals) for treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5 to 10 days, and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE in patients who have been previously treated.

USPSTF: Some pregnant women should take low-dose aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found that pregnant women who are at high risk for developing pre-eclampsia can take a low dosage of aspirin daily to help prevent the condition, and this can result in better health outcomes for both the mother and the baby.

Increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses seen following ICU admission

Critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) may be at increased risk of a new psychiatric illness and medication use following hospital release, according to a report published March 19 in JAMA.

Belief in link between autism and vaccines persists despite studies

Adult Americans lack sufficient information about the safety of vaccines and the risks of failing to vaccinate for highly contagious diseases, according to a survey released by the National Consumers League.

ACC: Bivalirudin associated with reductions in cardiac death, major bleeding in STEMI patients undergoing PCI

Compared to a combination of heparin and a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor, use of bivalirudin (Angiomax) is associated with significant absolute reductions in risk for cardiac death and major non-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) bleeding, according to data presented at the American College of Cardiology 63rd Annual Scientific Session (ACC.14), in Washington, D.C.

ACC: Evolocumab may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels

Results of 5 phase 3 studies evaluating evolocumab (AMG 145), an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits PCSK9, a protein that reduces the liver’s ability to remove low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or “bad” cholesterol, from the blood, were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual Scientific Session (ACC.14), in Washington, D.C

Generic Talconex now available

Sandoz this week introduced its calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the United States. It will be the first generic version of Leo Pharma’s Taclonex ointment in the market.

FDA approves OTC Nexium

FDA has approved non-prescription esomeprazole 20mg (Nexium 24HR, Pfizer).

New study shows warfarin weekly self-testers achieve better control with management by exception protocol

In a study recently published in Nursing 2014, atrial fibrillation patients on warfarin therapy who self-tested their coagulation (via international normalized ratio [INR]) and were remanaged by their clinicians using a “Management by Exception” protocol had better warfarin control than traditional self-testers.1 The protocol, in which patients followed specific clinic-issued, written instructions for managing out-of-range INR self-test results within a predetermined safety range, also benefited clinics by reducing the need for telephone follow-up and related costs.

HIT and medication adherence: Aligning incentives

Poor adherence to prescription drug regimens has long been seen as a substantial roadblock to achieving better outcomes for patients. Data show that as many as half of all patients do not adhere faithfully to their prescriptions, and the result is more than $290 billion spent each year on avoidable medical treatment.

Formulary managers take aim at big-ticket brands

With total healthcare costs in the United States approaching $3 trillion, and costs for a wide range of drugs approaching nearly 15% of healthcare costs overall, or $450 billion, the industry is shifting toward a new emphasis focused on drug formularies.

FDA Drug Approvals: April 2014

CDC: Flu vaccine reduced kid’s risk of ICU flu admission by three-fourths

Influenza vaccination reduced children’s risk of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission for flu by three-fourths during 2010 to 2011 and 2011to 2012, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study published online March 26 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

ACC: New findings presented on dabigatran antidote

Idarucizumab (Fab, Boehringer Ingelheim), an investigational humanized antibody fragment being studied as a specific antidote for dabigatran (Pradaxa), reversed dabigatran anticoagulation, even in the presence of elevated dabigatran levels and life-threatening bleeding from severe trauma, in animals, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology 63rd Annual Scientific Session (ACC.14), Washington, D.C.

ACC: Investigational PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab shows promise in phase 3 monotherapy study

Data from a phase 3 study comparing the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLc)–lowering efficacy and safety of alirocumab, an investigational PCSK9 inhibitor, versus ezetemibe in patients not receiving statin or other lipid-lowering therapies was presented at the ACC.14, the American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual Scientific Session & Expo in Washington, D.C.

FDA approves first long-acting recombinant coagulation Factor IX concentrate for patients with Hemophilia B

FDA has approved Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant), Fc Fusion Protein (Alprolix, Biogen Idec), for use in adults and children who have hemophilia B; it also granted the product orphan-drug designation. Alprolix is the first hemophilia B treatment designed for less frequent injections when used to prevent or reduce bleeding frequency.

Lack of Rx drug coverage linked to financial decline in breast cancer survivors

Lack of substantial prescription drug coverage was found to be associated with financial decline in breast cancer survivors, according to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

6 key tips to help alleviate drug shortages

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and other healthcare groups have developed a number of long-term strategies to address drug shortages and released their recommendations in a report, ASHP announced last week.

Xartemis XR receives FDA approval: May reduce opioid abuse

Oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen (Xartemis XR, Mallinckrodt) Extended-Release Tablets (CII) were approved for the management of acute pain requiring opioid treatment. Xartemis XR has been specifically formulated to reduce abuse, according to the drug’s manufacturer.

First-oral therapy approved for adults with active psoriatic arthritis

FDA has approved apremilast (Otezla, Celgene), an oral, selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Serious side effects may be caused by OTC cold meds

Over-the-counter (OTC) sinus and pain drugs combining phenylephrine and acetaminophen-including Tylenol Sinus, Sudafed PE Sinus, Benadryl Allergy Plus Sinus, and Excedrin Sinus Headache-might cause serious side effects such as high blood pressure, dizziness, and tremors, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Financial hardship linked to medication underuse in chronically ill

Chronically ill adults don’t have consistent access to food due to lack of financial stability were significantly more likely to report cost-related medication underuse, according to a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine. Cost-related medication underuse refers to taking less medication than prescribed, or not taking it at all because of financial concerns.

Specialty drug pricing pushing envelope for hospital pharmacies

Specialty drug pricing and generic drug pricing, especially around single-source generics during their exclusivity period, should be on the radar screens of hospital and managed care decision-makers, according to Catamaran’s 2013 Drug Trend data, which represents 25 million consumers.

Skin abscesses with MRSA: How to manage

It has been more than a decade since the clinical battle began with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and physicians are still trying to figure out how to diagnose, treat, and prevent this virulent form of staph infection, which is immune to many antibiotics.

Hepatitis C screening recommended by CMS for some beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting public comments until April 3 on its new hepatitis C screening guidelines.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria on rise among US children

Infections caused by a specific type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in US children, according to study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. While still rare, the bacteria are increasingly found in children of all ages, especially those aged 1 to 5 years old, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options.

Study supports long-acting bupivacaine for postsurgical pain after joint replacement

Local infiltration with long-acting liposome bupivacaine (Exparel) as part of a non-narcotic multimodal pain management regimen for joint replacement surgeries, meaningfully improves patient and hospital economic outcomes, according to new data presented at the 81st annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Vaccine administration errors: How to avoid

Influenza, zoster, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed (DTaP) are among the most common vaccines involved in medication errors in the United States, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The other most common problematic vaccines include Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, Tdap, DTaP-IPV, human papillomavirus (HPV4), and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV).