Formulary Watch |

Trends in statin prescribing in a 4,000-member physician-hospital organization

A look at the statin prescription trends in the Advocate Physician Partners organization.

Perampanel: A highly selective, non-competitive AMPA-type glutamate receptor antagonist for adjunctive treatment of refractory partial-onset seizures

Perampanel is a selective, non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist that is used as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures and was approved by the FDA on October 22, 2012.

Bariatric surgery can help, but not cure, diabetes

Gastric bypass surgery can improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, but doesn't cure diabetes, according to the largest community-based study of long-term diabetes outcomes after bariatric surgery, published online ahead of print in Obesity Surgery.

Linzess (Linaclotide)

New molecular entity: FDA approved linaclotide (Linzess, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Forest Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation in adults.

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Recent FDA action (through December 2012) related to, Rabeprazole sodium delayed-release sprinkle capsules, CXA-201, CB-215, Buprenorphine subdermal implant, LX1033, ISIS-TTR Rx, Digoxin Immune Fab, Glucagon, AAV1-FS344, Trans sodium crocetinate, Betamethasone valerate foam 0.12%

African-Americans more likely to die at first coronary event

African-American men and women continue to have higher risks of dying at the first presentation of heart disease compared with their white counterparts, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Low back pain may be difficult to self-manage, study says

Self-management has small effects on pain and disability in people with low back pain, according to a study published online in Arthritis Care & Research.

FDA Actions in Brief December 2012

Recent FDA Approvals (through December 2012) related to (Bedaquiline, Janssen, Oseltamivir, Genetech, Apixaban, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lomitapide, Aegerion, Varicella zoster immune globulin preparation, Cangene, Teduglutide, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Pasireotide diaspartate, Novartis, Ponatinib, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Influenza virus vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline, Raxibacumab, Crofelemer, Salix, Cabozantinib, Exelixis)

FDA updates safety review for smoking-cessation drug

The smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) may increase the risk of cardiovascular adverse events, according to an updated safety review from FDA.

NABP with state boards create action plan to help enforce compounding regulations

Last week, NABP Executive Director Carmen Catizone, MS, RPh, unveiled an action plan to inspect nonresident compounding pharmacies and create a database to share regulatory information about these pharmacies with the state boards of pharmacy nationwide. This was in response to the fungal meningitis outbreak that took the lives of 37 individuals and injured 590.

Lower copays, use of mail order can reduce disparities in hypertension medication adherence

Making prescription refills more affordable and easier to get may reduce disparities among hypertension patients, according to a study online in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Longer-duration treatment for male UTI not advantageous

When men are treated for a longer-duration antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infection (UTI), there is no decrease in early recurrence compared with those treated for a shorter duration, according to a study online in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Medication adherence efforts demonstrate quantifiable impact

Half of the 3.2 billion prescriptions dispensed annually are not taken as prescribed. Pharmacy benefit leaders must reconsider the financial context of medication adherence and medication possession, according to industry leaders presenting at a recent online seminar for the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

FDA expands Zytiga's use for late-stage prostate cancer

FDA expanded the approved use of abiraterone acetate (Zytiga, Jannsen Bioech) to treat men with late-stage castration-resistant prostate cancer prior to receiving chemotherapy.

Qualitest recalls hydrocodone/acetaminophen tablets 10 mg/500 mg

Qualitest, a subsidiary of Endo Health Solutions, issued a voluntary nationwide recall Dec. 6 for 101 lots of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets, USP 10 mg/500 mg, due to the potential for oversized tablets.

FDA: Heparin container labels must clearly state the total drug strength

Heparin container and carton labels must now clearly state the total drug strength, according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication.

Common diabetes drug may treat ovarian cancer

Diabetic patients with ovarian cancer who took the drug metformin for their diabetes had a better survival rate than patients who did not take it, according to a study from Mayo Clinic, published early online in Cancer.

Men may benefit from osteoporosis drug

Osteoporosis medication is also effective in men, according to a large-scale, international study, published in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

FDA updated Safety Communication: Ondansetron (Zofran) 32-mg, single IV dose pulled due to potential for serious cardiac risks

The 32-mg, single intravenous (IV) dose of the anti-nausea drug Zofran (ondansetron hydrochloride) will no longer be marketed because of the potential for serious cardiac risk, according to an updated Safety Communication from FDA.

Probiotics can considerably minimize C difficile in hospitals

Medical use of probiotics could be significant in minimizing Clostridium difficile (C difficile) infection among hospitalized patients taking antibiotics, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

SSRIs risky during pregnancy and affect neonatal health

There is evidence of risk with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and to neonatal health and beyond, according to a study published in Human Reproduction.

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Recent FDA action (through November 2012) related to, H5N1 adjuvanted influenza vaccine, Pasireotide, Digoxin immune fab, Etirinotecan pegol, OBI-1, beclomethasone 17, 21-dipropionate, Regorafenib, Trastuzumab emtansine, A4250, Sildenafil

Medication-related adverse events tied to ED visits in the elderly

Adverse drug events in the elderly can be prevented with appropriate monitoring, according to CDC.

From the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2012 Educational Conference: MS specialty drug treatment costs climb to two-thirds of total MS treatment cost

Multiple sclerosis (MS) specialty drug costs now account for more than two-thirds of MS patients' total cost of care, according to a new study presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2012 Educational Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October.

From the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2012 Educational Conference: Patients who adhere to statin regimens are healthier, but higher drug spending makes overall care more costly

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 presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2012 Education Conference, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in October.

Escitalopram reduces the risk of depression in patients with HCV treated with interferon alpha

Pre-emptive therapy with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram in patients initiating interferon therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) without psychiatric risk factors reduced the risk of depression, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

FDA Actions in Brief November 2012

Recent FDA Approvals (through November 2012) related to (Tofacitinib, Pfizer, Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, Teva, rivaroxaban, Janssen, darunavir)

Invermectin lotion eliminates head lice with 1 application

Topical ivermectin provided a good degree of cure in patients with head lice infection with 1 simple and easy-to-use application, according to a study published in the November 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Aubagio (Teriflunomide)

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).

Analgesics linked to hearing loss in women

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.