Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 126
FDA warns of counterfeit cancer drug Avastin
February 7, 2013
FDA has alerted healthcare professionals that a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin was distributed in the United States.
ISMP warns of potential errors when emergency compounding Tamiflu
February 4, 2013
Because Tamiflu has been in short supply recently, pharmacists and other healthcare providers are being warned about confusion over emergency compounding of the drug.
AAP publishes guidelines for managing pediatric C difficile infections
February 4, 2013
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a policy statement to provide pediatricians with recommendations for assessing and treating Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in children.
FDA approval of generic Doxil could help alleviate shortages
February 4, 2013
FDA’s approval of the first generic version of the cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection) could help alleviate shortages.
Two-thirds of pharmacists believe in disclosing source of high-risk compounded sterile preparations to prescribers
February 4, 2013
A majority of pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners believe that pharmacists need to disclose the source of high-risk compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) to prescribers, according to a recent survey.
Canagliflozin: An emerging treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus
January 31, 2013
Canagliflozin is a sodium glucose co-transporter inhibitor under review for FDA approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Blood pressure agents, NSAID combo linked to kidney risks
January 31, 2013
Patients who take a combination of diuretics and either angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and add NSAIDs, have an increased risk of acute kidney injury, according to a study online in BMJ.
Lack of coordination, copious prescribing drive polypharmacy challenges
January 31, 2013
Polypharmacy screening has the significant potential to improve medication safety.
FDA warns company over flu inhaler
January 31, 2013
FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning letter to Flu and Cold Defense LLC (Boca Raton, Fla.) for making misleading, unproven claims about its GermBullet inhaler, and said the company has been marketing an untested inhaled formula as a flu remedy in violation of drug safety regulations.
FDA approves mipomersen sodium for HoFH
January 31, 2013
FDA has approved mipomersen sodium (Kynamro, Genzyme and Isis Pharmaceuticals) once-a-week injection as an addition to lipid-lowering medications and diet to treat patients with a rare type of high cholesterol called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The addition of Kynamro helps to reduce low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, and non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non HDL-C).
Global cancer survey: More investment, faster access to drugs needed
January 31, 2013
The public is generally satisfied with cancer research progress over the past 20 years. However, they believe it takes too long for new cancer drugs to reach patients and that their countries invest too little in fighting cancer, according a global survey.
Pipeline Preview
January 31, 2013
Recent FDA action (through January 2013) related to, IPX066, Afatinib, Enobosam, GTx-024, Elafin, Ezatiostat HCL, Tranexamic acid tablets, Lamotrigine extended-release tablets
Onfi (Clobazam tablets)
January 31, 2013
New molecular entity: A benzodiazepine indicated for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients age 2 years or older.
FDA Actions in Brief January 2013
January 31, 2013
Recent FDA Approvals (through January 2013) related to (Deferasirox, Exjade, Novartis, bevacizumab, Avastin, Roche Group, trivalent influenza vaccine, Flublok, Protein Sciences, Budesonide, Uceris, Santarus, pooled plasma blood product, Octaplas, Octapharma, Sumatriptan iontophoretic transdermal system, Zecuity, NuPathe, onabotulinumtoxinA, Botox, Allergan
Prenatal vitamins: A review of the literature on benefits and risks of various nutrient supplements
January 31, 2013
A look at the evidence in support of supplemental vitamin use during pregnancy.
Type 2 diabetes: A focus on new guidelines
January 31, 2013
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose that occurs as a result of impaired insulin action or production. This article focuses on current recommendations for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and methods of controlling co-occurring conditions.
New nonprofit represents specialty pharmacy
January 31, 2013
The specialty pharmaceutical market is currently fragmented with extreme variation in knowledge/education, patient care management, service, and outcomes.
Optum, Mayo Clinic partner to promote better patient care
January 31, 2013
Optum and Mayo Clinic have partnered to launch Optum Labs, an open facility designed to enable collaborative research and innovation focused on better patient care.
Kidney cancer treatment requires focus, consideration of treatment-associated events
January 31, 2013
Treatment of advance kidney cancer has evolved considerably over the last decade, and multiple agents are available.
Synthetic stool substitute eradicates refractive C difficile
January 31, 2013
A stool substitute therapy has promise as an approach to eradication of refractive Clostridium difficile (C difficile) in a proof-of-principle study published January 9 in the inaugural issue of Microbiome.
Probiotics can considerably minimize C difficile in hospitals
January 31, 2013
Medical used of probiotics could be significant in minimizing Clostridium difficile (C difficile) infection among hospitalized patients taking antibiotics.
Lower copays, use of mail order can reduce disparities in hypertension, medication adherence
January 31, 2013
Making prescription refills more affordable and easier to get may reduce disparities among hypertension patients, according to a study.
High cost, renal complications in diabetes management
January 31, 2013
The cost of managing diabetes patients is extremely high, and many patients still experience poor glycemic control and renal complications, according to results of a study.
FDA: Guidance on development of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations
January 31, 2013
FDA issued a draft guidance last month to help the industry in the development of opioid drug formulations with abuse-deterrent properties, saying it considers development of these products a high public health priority.
Clarithromycin may increase miscarriage risk
January 29, 2013
The use of clarithromycin in the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, according to researchers in Denmark. However, the researchers did not find a link between exposure to clarithromycin and major congenital malformations.
Flu epidemic continues, encourage preventive measures
January 29, 2013
Influenza activity remains elevated in most of the country, according to the latest FluView report from the CDC for the week of January 13-19.
High cost, renal complications in diabetes management
January 28, 2013
The cost of managing diabetes patients is extremely high, and many patients still experience poor glycemic control and renal complications, according to results of a study published online in the journal Diabetes Care.
Erectile dysfunction associated with CV events, all-cause mortality
January 28, 2013
Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) have a 44% increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, according to a study, published online in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Industry relationships influence MD prescribing behavior
January 28, 2013
Social ties to industry appear to influence physician prescribing behaviors, according to a recent study published online January 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine (formerly Archives of Internal Medicine).
FDA panel seeks tighter controls on hydrocodone-containing products
January 28, 2013
An FDA advisory committee voted 19 to 10 in favor of moving hydrocodone combination drugs such as Vicodin, Lortab, and Norco into the more restrictive Schedule II category of controlled substances, MedPage Today reported.
