Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 114
Strep throat risk score brings together patient data and big data to potentially reduce unnecessary doctors' visits
November 8, 2013
A new risk measure called a "home score" could potentially prevent 230,000 trips to US doctors' offices every year for suspected strep throat, according to a study online in Annals of Internal Medicine.
A prescription for specialty pharmaceuticals: Transparency and collaboration for improving drug and diagnosis coding on medical claims
November 8, 2013
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, the explosive growth in molecular diagnostics and specialty pharmaceuticals is outpacing the growth seen in any prior era, raising serious concerns about clinical quality and cost. According to an industry survey conducted earlier this year by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), more than 900 medicines and vaccines have been identified in various stages of development. To keep pace, the strategies that were adequate for the “empty pipeline” scenarios of a few years ago-to code each agent, communicate clinical evidence and clinical guideline developments, and update reimbursement methodologies-must now be enhanced.
Emerging therapies for treating type 2 diabetes
November 8, 2013
Type 2 diabetes mellitus presents multiple treatment dilemmas for prescribers and healthcare clinicians. The number of oral agents for treating diabetes has increased over the past decade, and the best treatment regimen for each patient often varies based on comorbid conditions and treatment goals. Hence, understanding the risks and benefits of each agent is vital. While the number of agents for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to increase, prescribers and clinicians may struggle with the need to individualize care as a means to improve treatment outcomes.
Data from HCV clinical trials presented at Liver Meeting in D.C.
November 8, 2013
New data evaluating the investigational protease inhibitor faldaprevir in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV), studied in genotype 1 (GT1) patients with hepatitis C (HCV), were presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), also known as The Liver Meeting, in Washington, DC.
Investigational tiotropium reduces exacerbations in severe asthma cases
November 6, 2013
Once-daily dosing of the investigational drug tiotropium helped to improve lung function over 24 hours in individuals with severe asthma, according to data presented at the 2013 American College of Chest Physicians annual meeting (CHEST 2013) in Chicago.
Statins may lower prostate cancer-related mortality risk
November 6, 2013
Patients with prostate cancer who use statins may have a lower risk of death from their disease, according to a study published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
J&J fined $2.2 billion for fraudulently marketing Risperdal, Invega
November 5, 2013
Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion to settle charges it fraudulently promoted drugs and used kickbacks to spur sales, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.
Anti-seizure drug gets boxed warning of potential vision loss
November 5, 2013
FDA has approved a new boxed warning for the anti-seizure drug ezogabine (Potiga) because of the potential risk of vision loss, retinal abnormalities, as well as skin, nail, mucous membrane, and sclera discoloration. The agency recommends that ezogabine use be limited to individuals who have not responded to alternative therapies for seizure control, and when the benefits of treatment are greater than the risks.
Sales of leukemia chemotherapy drug suspended
November 5, 2013
Citing the risk of life-threatening blood clots and severe narrowing of blood vessels, FDA has asked Ariad Pharmaceuticals to suspend marketing and sales of ponatinib (Iclusig).
Under breakthrough therapy designation, FDA approves chronic lymphocytic leukemia drug
November 1, 2013
FDA has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group), also known as GA101, in combination with chlorambucil chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
BLOG: Optimize antibiotic stewardship
November 1, 2013
Now is the time to dedicate resources in the inpatient and outpatient world to optimize antimicrobial stewardship.
Allopurinol alone found inadequate for gout control
October 31, 2013
Allopurinol, considered the standard of care for gout, may be inadequate to lower uric acid levels in patients with gout, according to new safety and efficacy data from a large study presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2013 annual meeting recently in San Diego, Calif.
New once-daily COPD Rx now available in US pharmacies
October 31, 2013
Fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder (Breo Ellipta, GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance) once-daily for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is now available to pharmacies throughout the United States.
FDA approves extended-release, single-entity hydrocodone product; first to have updated labeling required for all ER/LA opioid analgesics
October 29, 2013
FDA has approved hydrocodone bitartrate extended-release capsules (Zohydro ER, Zogenix) for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.
GSK, Community Care of North Carolina team to improve medication adherence
October 29, 2013
GlaxoSmithKline and Community Care North Carolina team up to put medication data to good use “What we found with small data is there are still a lot of barriers to being able to apply data,” says John Easter, senior director in the public policy department at GSK. “Providers may not have right data set or may be using legacy systems that can’t integrate with each other. What this group was able to do is create these models in a lightweight way so they only needed a small amount of data to predict the correct outcomes.”
FDA calls for reclassification of hydrocodone products to Schedule II
October 28, 2013
The FDA is recommending to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that hydrodone combination products, such as Vicodin, be reclassified as a Schedule II product, placing tighter controls on the pain medications. Hydrocodone is currently a Schedule III drug, according to an FDA announcement.
Study highlights need to address anaphylaxis prevention
October 24, 2013
Severe life-threatening allergic reactions are more common than many thought. Anaphylaxis very likely occurs in nearly 1 in 50 Americans (1.6%), and the rate is probably higher, close to 1 in 20 (5.1%), according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Cosmetic filler approved for adults with volume loss in cheeks
October 23, 2013
FDA has approved Juvederm Voluma XC, a cosmetic filler by Allergan, to temporarily correct age-related volume loss in the cheek area in adults who are older than 21 years. The product is expected to be available this fall, the manufacturer said.
FDA approves NSAID to address dose-related safety concerns
October 22, 2013
FDA has approved diclofenac (Zorvolex, Iroko Pharmaceuticals) capsules, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acute pain in adults.
Rave reviews for 2-dose varicella program
October 22, 2013
Five years of the now recommended 2-dose varicella vaccine has dramatically reduced the incidence of chicken pox among all age groups, including among infants too young to be vaccinated.
Opsumit approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
October 21, 2013
FDA approved macitentan (Opsumit, Actelion Pharmaceuticals) to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a chronic, progressive and debilitating disease that can lead to death or lung transplantation.
FDA issues final guidance on mobile medical apps
October 18, 2013
FDA issued final guidance for developers of mobile medical applications (“apps”) that outlines FDA’s tailored approach to mobile apps.
Falls linked to postoperative complications in elderly
October 18, 2013
A history of 1 or more falls in the 6 months prior to an operation forecasts increased postoperative complications, need for discharge institutionalization, and 30-day readmission across surgical specialties, according to a study published in JAMA Surgery online October 9, 2013.
Secukinumab superior to etanercept in plaque psoriasis
October 17, 2013
Secukinumab (AIN457), an interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor, was more effective in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis than the anti-tumor necrosis factor etanercept and current standard of care, according to a head-to-head phase 3 study.Data from the presented at the 22nd Congress of the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) in Istanbul showed that secukinumab was effective in treating psoriasis, with rapid onset and durable responses, and may represent a new treatment alternative for patients.
Anti-fungal eradicates HIV from infected cells
October 17, 2013
The topical anti-fungal agent ciclopirox causes HIV-infected cells to commit suicide by jamming up the cells’ powerhouse, the mitochondria, according to a recent study.The study, published in PLoS One, found that unlike currently available anti-HIV drugs, ciclopirox eradicates infectious HIV from cell cultures, with no rebound of virus when the drug is stopped.
Rivaroxaban reduced hospitalization by 1 day in pulmonary embolism cases
October 15, 2013
In the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) in North American patients, rivaroxaban (Xarelto) reduced length of hospital stay by 1 full day compared to conventional dual therapy, according to data presented at the American College of Emergency Physicians scientific assembly, October 14-17, in Seattle.
