Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 140
Antioxidants may not benefit patients with Alzheimer's disease
March 30, 2012
Daily supplementation with antioxidants, vitamins E and C, and alpha acid, did not improve memory function in patients with Alzheimer?s disease, according to a new study.
Enhanced pharmacist care improves LDL in patients with dyslipidemia
March 30, 2012
Enhanced pharmacist care for patients with dyslipidemia improves low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the March issue of Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy.
Study: Texting enhances HIV therapy compliance
March 30, 2012
Weekly mobile phone text messaging may help patients with human immunodeficiency virus adhere to antiretroviral therapy that is often associated with difficult side effects, according to a study published online March 14 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Community pharmacies file suit to block merger of Express Scripts, Medco
March 29, 2012
he National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and 9 retail pharmacy companies filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit manager giants Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.
Express Scripts, Medco merger may close as early as next week
March 28, 2012
Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions may be able to close the transaction of its merger as early as next week, according to an announcement Wednesday by Express Scripts.
FDA adds new label warnings for antidepressant citalopram
March 28, 2012
FDA added new label warnings for the antidepressant citalopram (Celexa, Forest Laboratories), discouraging patients with certain conditions from using the drug and lowering the dosage recommendations to 20 mg daily for patients aged 60 and older. The warning is also applicable to generic versions of Celexa.
FDA approves once-monthly treatment for anemic adults on dialysis
March 27, 2012
FDA has approved peginesatide (Omontys, Affymax) to treat anemia in adult dialysis patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD).
FDA issues CRL for orally inhaled migraine treatment
March 27, 2012
FDA has issued a complete response letter (CRL) to dihydroergotamine (Levadex inhalation aerosol, MAP Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of acute treatment of migraine in adults.
FDA approves 'dry' nasal aerosol to treat allergy symptoms
March 26, 2012
FDA has approved beclomethasone dipropionate (QNASL Nasal Aerosol, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries), a ?dry? nasal aerosol corticosteroid that treats year-round and seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in people aged 12 years and older.
Amneal launches first generic equivalent to Lexapro in liquid form
March 23, 2012
Amneal Pharmaceuticals has launched escitalopram oxalate oral solution in 5 mg/5 mL strength, the first generic of antianxiety/antidepressant Lexapro (Forest) in liquid form on the market
FDA approves first Boniva generics to treat or prevent osteoporosis
March 23, 2012
FDA approved the first generic versions of Boniva (ibandronate) tablets, a once-monthly product to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause
Ingenol mebutate gel is effective treatment for actinic keratosis, study shows
March 23, 2012
Ingenol mebutate topical gel (0.015% for face and scalp and 0.05% for trunk and extremities) was effective for treating actinic keratoses, a common precursor to sun-related, squamous cell carcinoma, according to a new study.
Heroin may be more effective than methadone for relapsing addicts
March 23, 2012
Diacetylmorphine, or heroin, may be a more effective treatment than methadone for people with relapsing chronic opioid dependence, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Alzheimer’s drugs donepezil, memantine show some benefits in study
March 23, 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.
Clinical pharmacists can help reduce discrepancies in patient medication histories
March 23, 2012
Clinical pharmacists were instrumental in reducing errors in patients' physician-acquired medication histories, according to a study published online on March 13 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Study highlights need to treat female nursing-home patients for vitamin D deficiency
March 23, 2012
The majority of older women in nursing homes are likely to be deficient in vitamin D during winter months, and those with the lowest levels are at a significantly increased risk of death, according to a study published online February 8, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.
AMCP pleased FDA exploring benefits of expanding availability of OTC drugs
March 22, 2012
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is pleased that FDA is exploring the public health benefit of approving certain drugs that would otherwise require a prescription for nonprescription use under conditions of safe use, an AMCP official said in written testimony Thursday.
FDA approves first Boniva generics to treat or prevent osteoporosis
March 19, 2012
FDA approved the first generic versions of Boniva (ibandronate) tablets, a once-monthly product to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause.
Final rule released for Medicaid improvements under ACA
March 16, 2012
The final rule for Medicaid eligibility in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will ensure health coverage for millions of Americans, according to Friday's announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
FDA releases draft of guidance on drug-safety issues
March 16, 2012
The FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research released a new draft guidance on how it develops and classifies drug-safety issues.
Study shows CNS drugs take longer than others to develop, receive approval
March 16, 2012
The time from investigational new drug application filing to NDA/BLA approval by FDA of drugs for central nervous system disorders and the subsequent regulatory approval can take 35% longer than other therapeutic categories, according to a recent analysis published in the March/April Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development Impact Report.
Study: Adding prednisone to rheumatoid arthritis treatment improves symptoms
March 16, 2012
Patients' rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improved after adding prednisone at the start of a methotrexate-based treatment strategy, according to research published in the March 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Aspirin may reduce incidence of strokes in postmenopausal women with high trans-fat intake
March 16, 2012
Postmenopausal women with a higher intake of trans fat have a higher incidence of ischemic stroke, but aspirin may reduce the adverse effects of trans fat, according to a new study.
Soldiers with PTSD, other mental health issues, more likely to get high-risk opioids
March 16, 2012
Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq with mental health issues, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were more likely to receive high-risk opioids for pain, and those with PTSD were more likely to suffer adverse clinical outcomes, according to a new study.
TAK-875 controls blood sugar, reduces hypoglycemia risk
March 16, 2012
An experimental diabetes drug, TAK-875, demonstrated its ability to improve blood-sugar control with a low risk of hypoglycemia, according to phase 2 study results published online February 27 in The Lancet.
MALD model helps predict death versus recovery for APAP overdose
March 16, 2012
A mathematical model that uses laboratory values commonly available on admission can help physicians estimate acetaminophen (APAP: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) overdose amount, time elapsed since overdose, and potential outcome, according to a study published online February 13 in Hepatology.
FDA approves first oral contraceptive to treat heavy menstrual bleeding
March 15, 2012
FDA has approved a new indication for estradiol valerate and estradiol valerate/dienogest (Natazia, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals) tablets for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) that is not caused by any diagnosed conditions of the uterus.
FDA approves first effervescent osteoporosis treatment in a buffered solution
March 14, 2012
FDA has approved alendronate sodium (Binosto, EffRx Pharmaceuticals) effervescent tablets, the first effervescent osteoporosis treatment in a buffered solution.
FDA approves first generic Lexapro to treat depression, anxiety disorder
March 14, 2012
Teva/IVAX Pharmaceuticals gained FDA approval for the first generic version of Lexapro (Forest) to treat both depression and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. The company will have 180 days to exclusively sell the product.
FDA approves first cell-based product to treat oral mucogingival conditions in adults
March 9, 2012
FDA approved the first cell-based product made from allogeneic human cells and bovine collagen (Gintuit, Organogenesis) for in the treatment of mucogingival conditions in adults, the agency announced Friday.
