Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 134
High-dose vitamin D recommended for elderly
July 20, 2012
The results of a recent literature review suggest that only a high intake of vitamin D leads to a significant reduction in the risk of fracture.
FDA approves once-daily phentermine and topiramate extended-release for weight management
July 20, 2012
FDA has approved once-daily phentermine and topiramate extended-release (Qsymia, Vivus) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater in the presence of at least 1 weight-related comorbidity.
FDA approves first at-home HIV test
July 20, 2012
FDA recently approved the first over-the-counter test for HIV, providing a confidential in-home testing option for the virus that causes AIDS, with results in as little as 20 minutes.
FDA: Label change for single IV dose of ondansetron
July 20, 2012
FDA is alerting healthcare professionals to the possibility that a 32-mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Zofran, ondansetron hydrochloride, and generics) could lead to QT interval prolongation, putting patients at risk for a potentially fatal heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes.
FDA approves once-daily oral agent for HIV prevention in uninfected adults
July 17, 2012
FDA has approved once-daily oral emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada, Gilead Sciences), in combination with safer sex practices, to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk.
FDA approves generic Arthrotec
July 16, 2012
FDA has approved Watson's generic diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets (Arthrotec, G.D. Searle, a subsidiary of Pfizer), indicated for treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers and their complications.
FDA: Reduce cefepime dose in patients with renal impairment
July 13, 2012
FDA issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.
Fixed-dose ARB combo superior treatment for hypertension
July 13, 2012
A fixed-dose combination of azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone 40/25 mg (Edarbyclor, Takeda Pharmaceuticals) was statistically superior to a fixed-dose combination of olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide 40/25 mg for the treatment of stage 2 systolic hypertension, according to a study published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.
Comorbidities increase likelihood of ADRs in elderly
July 13, 2012
Comorbidity from chronic diseases and severity of illness increased the likelihood of adverse drug reactions in senior patients, according to a new study published online June 26 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Global drug spend projected to reach more than $1 trillion by 2016
July 13, 2012
Annual global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.2 trillion by 2016, while U.S. spending growth is projected to soar to between $350 and $380 billion by 2016, according to a report issued recently by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy appoints senior vice president of sales and marketing
July 10, 2012
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Atheer Kaddis, PharmD, to senior vice president of sales and marketing.
FDA: No major safety concerns with compounded hydroxyprogesterone caproate
July 6, 2012
FDA recently released the results of an analysis of a limited number of samples of hydroxyprogesterone caproate active pharmaceutical ingredients and compounded hydroxyprogesterone caproate, finding no major safety concerns.
Study: Short-course antibiotic treatment effective for acute pyelonephritis
July 6, 2012
Older women with acute pyelonephritis can be successfully and safely treated with oral ciprofloxacin for 7 days, according to a study published online June 21 in The Lancet.
Olmesartan may increase risk of spruelike enteropathy, study suggests
July 6, 2012
Patients treated with olmesartan may be at risk of a severe form of spruelike enteropathy, which improves when the drug is discontinued, according to a case series study published online June 25 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Study: Older patients often ignore prescription warning labels
July 6, 2012
Brightly colored prescription warning labels applied by pharmacies fail to adequately capture the attention of older patients, suggesting that current labeling standards should be reconsidered to make them more effective, according to a study published online June 14 in PLoS ONE.
Study: Vitamin D plus calcium reduced mortality among elderly
July 6, 2012
Vitamin D plus calcium supplementation consistently reduced mortality among elderly patients compared with vitamin D supplementation alone, according to a study published online May 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 24th Annual Meeting and Showcase: Management of MS medications to improve adherence rates
By Mari Edlin
July 1, 2012
A panel at AMCP's annual meeting discussed the need to improve MS medication adherence.
FDA Actions in Brief June 2012
July 1, 2012
Recent FDA Approvals (through June 2012) related to (GlaxoSmithKline, XenoPort, Roche)
Stendra (Avanafil): A new oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of ED
July 1, 2012
New molecular entity: FDA approved the soral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, avanafil (Stendra, Vivus) for the treatment of ED.
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 24th Annual Meeting and Showcase: Specialty pharmaceutical pipeline rich with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, cancer agents
July 1, 2012
Forecasts from AMCP's annual meeting indicate a full pipeline for specialty medications.
Pipeline Preview
July 1, 2012
Recent FDA action (through June 2012) related to, Darunavir, Prezista, Janssen Therapeutics, Ridaforolimus, Merck, Tafamidis meglumine, Pfizer, mechlorethamine, Ceptaris Therapeutics, AVP-923, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, NKTR-181, Nektar Therapeutics, EDI200, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Galeterone, TOK-001, Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Butoconazole nitrate 2% vaginal cream, Gynazole-1, Perrigo
Zioptan (Tafluprost 0.0015% ophthalmic solution): An opthalmic solution to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
July 1, 2012
New molecular entity: FDA approved tafluprost 0.0015% (Zioptan, Merck) ophthalmic solution to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Extended treatment with Alzheimer's drugs may provide modest cognitive benefit, study shows
July 1, 2012
A new study of patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease found that extended treatment with donepezil could improve cognition and function for even severe patients; however, experts caution that the benefits of the drug were modest.
Many drug labels missing safety, dosing information for children
July 1, 2012
Approximately half of drug labels don't have information on the medication's safety and proper dosing in children, according to a study from FDA researchers.
American Psychiatric Association 2012 Annual Meeting: Clinical updates review findings on long-acting levomilnacipran in major depressive disorder, depot versus oral antipsychotics for schizophrenia
July 1, 2012
A review of drug therapies and research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association
Payers seek more comparative research documenting value and affordability of high-cost therapies
July 1, 2012
While scientists and biomedical researchers at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) applauded encouraging data on dozens of breakthrough cancer therapies, analysts pondered strategies for convincing payers to cover the new life-saving drugs.
Rising costs due to behavior-driven conditions significantly impact health plan costs, report says
July 1, 2012
The rising cost of specialty drugs, challenges with medication adherence, and the utilizations of mail order are among the top trends impacting employers and other health plan sponsors, according to a recent report about prescription benefit management trends.
