Formulary Watch |

Tudorza Pressair (Aclidinium bromide)

New combination: FDA approved aclidinium bromide (Tudorza Pressair, Forest) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD.

2012: A year of novel pharmalogic agents in review

A look at the pharmacologic agents reviewed by Formulary in 2012.

Early therapy with basal insulin does not reduce cardiovascular outcomes in dysglycemic patients

Early initiation of basal insulin did not impact cardiovascular outcomes compared to standard management of glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes or elevated fasting glucose with cardiovascular risk factors.

From the American College of Obstetricians and gynecologists 60th Annual Clinic Meeting: Low-dose contraceptive patch comparable to combination oral contraceptive in safety, tolerability study

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.

Stroke decreases in elderly, but rises in younger patients

Stroke is declining in the elderly but increasing at younger ages, according to research published online in Neurology.

Social value of statins merits actions to broaden treatment, improve adherence, study finds

New evidence suggests that statins generate large survival and health benefits at the population level and shows that the social value of the survival gains are large and go predominantly to consumers, according to a study published in a recent issue of Health Affairs.

Clinical pharmacists' partnership with hospices drives an evolution in PBM services

A look at pharmacist involvement in hospice care.

P&T community ponders economic goals of healthcare reform and pharmacy

Finally, the grueling election is over and healthcare reform is here to stay.

Updated antiplatelet guideline highlights surgical bleeding risk

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has updated its clinical practice guideline on use of antiplatelet drugs during heart surgery.

FDA approves cabozantinib to treat rare type of thyroid cancer

FDA has approved cabozantinib (Cometriq, Exelixis and AstraZeneca) for the treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Study: Similar safety, efficacy with dabigatran versus warfarin in diabetic patients with Afib

Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who also have diabetes experienced similar safety and efficacy with dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa) 150 mg or dabigatran 110 mg relative to warfarin, in comparison to patients without diabetes who have NVAF, according to data presented at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012.

Antipsychotic drugs improve life expectancy for schizophrenia patients

Individuals with schizophrenia are significantly more likely to live longer if they take their antipsychotic drugs on schedule, avoid extremely high doses, and also regularly see a mental health professional, according to results of a Johns Hopkins study, published in Schizophrenia Bulletin.

FDA panel votes against making oxybutynin transdermal patch OTC

An FDA advisory panel voted against making oxybutynin transdermal patch (Oxytrol, Merck and Watson Pharma) available over-the-counter (OTC) for overactive bladder (OAB) in women, Medpage Today reported.

FDA approves first cell-culture vaccine for seasonal influenza

FDA approved Influenza Virus Vaccine (Flucelvax, Novartis Vaccines, the first cell-culture-derived vaccine, for individuals aged 18 years of age and older

No big surprises in ACA insurance regulations

The Obama administration moved ahead to implement provisions in the healthcare law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Other provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also would make it easier for consumers to compare health plans and easier for employers to promote and encourage employee wellness.

Best tocolytic therapy options outlined for preterm delivery

Prostaglandin inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex, Pfizer) and indomethacin (Indocin, Merck and Lundbeck) and calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine and nicardipine (Cardene, Cornerstone Therapeutics) had the highest probability of delaying premature labor by 48 hours and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, according to a systemic review and network meta-analysis published in a recent issue of BMJ.

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

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.

Direct renin inhibitor adjunct not helpful in T2DM patients at high risk for CV, renal events

The direct renin inhibitor aliskiren, added to standard therapy with renin-angiotensin system blockade, in patients with type 2 diabetes who are at risk for cardiovascular and renal adverse events was not useful at lowering these events and may even be harmful, according to an online study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Statins may lower risk of cancer-related mortality

Patients with cancer who use statins regularly may have a lower risk of cancer-related mortality, according to a study published November 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Study: Sleep deprivation may cause insulin resistance in adipocytes

Sleep restriction may contribute to poor health, including an increased risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. In addition, fewer hours of sleep can adversely affect molecular metabolic pathways in peripheral human adipocytes, according to a clinical study published in the October issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Medication use for normal aging conditions overtake costs of treating most chronic diseases

Prescription-drug treatment regimens for conditions are a normal part of aging are now costing the nation more than many serious and potentially life-threatening disease, according to new research from Express Scripts.

Testimony: FDA Commissioner says FDA has limited authority over compounding pharmacies to prevent meningitis outbreak

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg was asked if the fungal meningitis outbreak could have been prevented by FDA during a 4-hour hearing Nov. 14 headed by the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee. Her answer was that FDA had limited authority because the New England Compounding Center (NECC), Framingham, Mass., was a ?compounding pharmacy,? which is regulated by the state Board of Pharmacy.

Sanofi lowers price of Zaltrap after Sloan-Kettering refusal to use it

Sanofi is lowering the price of ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap) for previously treated colorectal cancer by half after physicians at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) said that they would not use the drug, according to The New York Times.

Updated antiplatelet guideline highlights surgical bleeding risk

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has updated its clinical practice guidelines on use of antiplatelet drugs during heart surgery. The new guideline, published in the November 2012 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, takes into account newly available antiplatelet therapies, new scientific information, and a broader use of antiplatelet drugs such as before lung and vascular procedures, according to Newswise.

FDA fast tracks drug for metastatic breast cancer

FDA has fast-tracked etirinotecan pegol (NKTR-102) (Nektar Therapeutics) for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer progressing after treatment with an anthracycline, a taxane, and capecitabine (ATC).

Mass. Board of Pharmacy director fired for not investigating complaint about NECC

James D. Coffey, RPh, director of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, has been removed from his position after allegedly failing to follow up on a complaint about the New England Compounding Pharmacy (NECC) from the Colorado Board of Pharmacy in July. In addition, Susan Manning, the Massachusett’s Board attorney has been placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Details illuminate start of fungal meningitis outbreak

Investigators from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an aggressive public health response following a single case of Aspergillus fumigatus meningitis in an immunocompetent adult who had received an epidural injection of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate at a clinic in Tennessee, according to a report published Nov. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Woe to those who don't consider Washington's influence

With President Obama’s re-election, implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will move forward, full speed ahead, according to one industry expert.

FDA approves agent for RA patients who do not respond to methotrexate

FDA has approved tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Pfizer) to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, methotrexate.

Web-based self-management program improves blood pressure control

An automated online self-management program may help employees with prehypertension or hypertension achieve adequate blood pressure control, according to a study published in the October issue of American Heart Journal.