Formulary Watch |

Improved management of severe epilepsy may reduce treatment costs

Improved treatment of severe epilepsy could reduce the overall cost of the condition, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic Outcomes Research, in Atlanta.

Social networking helpful for patients, but may need to be vetted

Many social media sites exist, but healthcare professionals may not know that social media also exists in their realm. It ranges from online medical advice to actual patient-physician appointments.

Interventions can help curb adverse drug events

Overall, 70% of adverse drug events are considered preventable. Since managed care companies are always looking to improve patient care and prevent adverse outcomes, it is no wonder that patient safety is a concern in this healthcare environment.

Specialty pharmacy management strategies continually updated

Costs for specialty pharmaceuticals continue to increase at double-digit rates. Therefore key stakeholders such as pharmacy benefit management companies, health plans, specialty pharmacies, employers/groups, and physician specialists, are looking for ways to most efficiently manage these products for patients.

Novo Nordisk, international scientific community to conduct outcomes trial for liraglutide

Novo Nordisk announced details of the company?s cardiovascular outcomes trial for liraglutide (rDNA origin) injection (Victoza), which is set to start this autumn.

Drug Watch: Vaccine agents in late-stage development (PDF) (June 2010)

Vaccine agents in late-stage development.

Formulary Digital Edition, June 2010

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Bridging the gap between efficacy, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness; Lorcaserin: A novel, selective 5-HT2C-receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity; Vaccine agents in late-stage development.

FDA to revise all PPI labels to warn about possible fracture risk

Labeling for all prescription and over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors will have to include wording about a possible increased risk of hip, wrist, and/or spine fractures with their use.

GnRH agonists' safety profile under FDA review for diabetes, CVD risks

FDA notified providers and patients that they are continuing to review available data suggesting an increase in the risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death in men treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists as androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Extension of REMS requirements by FDA raises provider, manufacturer concerns

FDA appears to be requesting some kind of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy on most new drug products.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Bridging the gap between efficacy, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive condition characterized by abnormal proliferation and remodeling, vasoconstriction, and thrombosis of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, increases in peripheral vascular resistance, and ultimately to right heart failure and death. Recently, the therapeutic armamentarium for PAH has expanded.

Lorcaserin: A novel, selective 5-HT2C-receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity

Obesity is a prevalent disease that has reached epidemic proportions in both the developed and developing world. In the United States, it is estimated that 66% of the adult population is overweight or obese. There are several available pharmacologic treatments for obesity used as an adjunct to diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy. However, weight loss with these agents is modest and usually reversible when the drug is discontinued, and novel, more-effective anti-obesity agents are desperately needed.

FDA Actions in Brief June 2010 (Vimovo, CIP-Tramadol ER, Zymaxid, Lumizyme, Rapamune, Sprix)

Recent FDA Approvals (through May 2010) related to Vimovo, CIP-Tramadol ER, Zymaxid, Lumizyme, Rapamune, Sprix

Estradiol valerate/dienogest (Natazia): The first 4-phasic oral contraceptive tablets for the prevention of pregnancy

New Molecular Entity: Estradiol valerate/dienogest (Natazia) was approved in May 2010 for the prevention of pregnancy.

FDA Pipeline Preview, June 2010 (BMS-224818, Roflumilast, Prostvac, Naltrexone, IL13-PE38QQR/IL13-PE, Prochymal, AEZS-108, SBC-102, Pralatrexate, RG2833)

Recent FDA action (through, May 2010) related to BMS-224818, Roflumilast, Prostvac, Naltrexone, IL13-PE38QQR/IL13-PE, Prochymal, AEZS-108, SBC-102, Pralatrexate, RG2833

AMCP eDossier system helps evaluate product value and aids in formulary decision making

According to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and software partner Dymaxium Healthcare Innovations, the AMCP eDossier System is catching on among decision makers and drug companies alike.

Miconazole buccal tablets (Oravig): An –azole antifungal indicated for the local treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in adults

New Formulation: Miconazole buccal tablets (Oravig) was approved in April 2010 for the local treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in adults.

Low-dose colchicine found to be as effective as high-dose regimen for early gout flares

Low-dose oral colchicine is just as effective as high-dose colchicine in reducing pain associated with early acute gout flare, but with a safety profile statistically indistinguishable from placebo, according to a study published in the April issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the official journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Some anticonvulsants may raise suicide risk

Anticonvulsant agents have important therapeutic benefits. However, both the healthcare provider and patient need to remain cognizant of associated risks, according to results of a study published in the April 13, 2010, edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

FMCP tabs winners of P&T and poster competition

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy (FMCP), the educational and philanthropic arm of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), announced the winners in the 10th Annual AMCP/FMCP National Student Pharmacist Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Competition, and FMCP Best Student Pharmacist and Best Resident or Fellow Poster Contests.

Niacin superior to ezetimibe in decreasing CIMT

Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD equivalent on stable statin monotherapy treated with the addition of extended-release niacin have significant decreases in carotid intima-media thickness compared with those who had ezetimibe added to their stable statin treatment, according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, as reported by HealthDay News.

Lamotrigine may be most effective antiepileptic drug

Of 10 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) studied in older adults with epilepsy, lamotrigine closely followed by levetiracetam is the most effective, as measured by 12-month retention and freedom from seizures, while oxcarbazepine is consistently less effective than other AEDs, according to research published in the April issue of the Archives of Neurology, as reported by HealthDay News.

Cotrimoxazole tied to bleeding in older patients on warfarin

In older patients treated with warfarin, the use of cotrimoxazole is associated with a higher risk of upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage than other common antibiotics, according to research published in the April 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, as reported by HealthDay News.

Liraglutide found superior to sitagliptin for reduction of HbA1c in type 2 diabetics

Liraglutide offered superior glycemic control to sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycemic control on metformin, according to a recent report in The Lancet.

Your response to healthcare reform

Since Congress passed healthcare reform legislation in March, Formulary has continued to ask for your feedback. Here is your response.

Guideline-specific management of atrial fibrillation

Each pharmacologic management strategy for atrial fibrillation has limitations and more research is needed to determine which agents are equally effective, yet safer alternatives. Providing thromboprophylaxis to decrease risk of ischemic stroke is a well-validated approach. However, deciding between rhythm or rate control may not be as straightforward.

FDA panel recommends continued use of Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines despite viral DNA contamination

Despite known contamination with porcine circovirus type 1, an FDA advisory panel recently agreed that Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline) and RotaTeq (Merck), two approved vaccines to prevent rotavirus infection, should continue to be used.

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of epilepsy/seizure disorders (PDF) (May 2010)

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of epilepsy/seizure disorders.

Stakeholder collaboration can aid REMS implementation

FDA Amendments Act of 2007 included provisions for sponsors to submit Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for select pharmaceuticals, if FDA considered it necessary to ensure that its benefits outweigh its risks.

FDA not ready to declare link between oral bisphosphonates and atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures

On March 10, 2010, FDA announced that its review of data requested in June 2008 from all bisphosphonate drug manufacturers did not suggest an increased risk of subtrochanteric femur fractures (bone breaks just below the hip) in those receiving oral bisphosphonates.