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All News - Page 136
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.
FDA: Reduce cefepime dose in patients with renal impairment
July 1, 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.
New agents offer promise for patients with hepatitis C, real-world study indicates
July 1, 2012
A study indicates that new drugs offer real promise to hepatitis C patients.
Gain a solid understanding of compendia and its impact on patient access
July 1, 2012
The current compendia landscape, through constantly in flux, impacts everything from payer approval of off-label use to manufacturer patient access initiatives. Drug compendia, defined as summaries of drug information, affects coverage and reimbursement decisions for pharmaceuticals products, and as a result, it's important for pharmaceitucal manufacturers and healthcare providers to understand the role and impact of compendia off-label uses.
Humana, Novo Nordisk partner for diabetes care
June 29, 2012
Humana Inc. and Novo Nordisk have announced a 1-year partnership aimed at identifying ways to improve the care and treatment of patients with diabetes.
FDA approves mirabegron for overactive bladder
June 29, 2012
FDA has approved mirabegron (Myrbetriq, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.) to treat adults with overactive bladder, a condition in which the bladder muscle cannot be controlled, squeezes too often, or squeezes without warning.
Health reform survives
June 28, 2012
In a complex decision, a slim majority of the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
FDA approves first weight-loss treatment in over a decade
June 28, 2012
FDA has approved lorcaserin (Belviq, Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients who are overweight or obese and have at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition. It is the first prescription weight-loss treatment approved by FDA in 13 years.
FDA issues complete response letter for stroke indication for apixaban
June 25, 2012
FDA issued a complete response letter for a New Drug Application for apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
FDA issues complete response letter for ACS indication for rivaroxaban
June 22, 2012
FDA issued a complete response letter regarding a supplemental New Drug Application for rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen Research & Development) for the reduction of the risk of secondary cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
AMCP pleased with revised PDUFA
June 22, 2012
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy strongly favors the revisions of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) that the US House of Representatives and the US Senate conference committee negotiated earlier this week and the House passed by voice vote on Wednesday.
Dabigatran prescribing information is updated
June 22, 2012
Label prescribing information for dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) capsules has been updated to affirm that the 150-mg twice-daily dose is superior to warfarin in reducing ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
