Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 173
Dirucotide trials for secondary progressive MS discontinued for lack of efficacy
August 18, 2009
Lilly and BioMS Medical reported that their investigational agent dirucotide did not meet the primary end point of delaying disease progression in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) in the phase 3 MAESTRO-01 trial.
Alpha-blocker use in men associated with decreased incidence of sexual dysfunction
August 18, 2009
A study published in Urology demonstrated that alpha-blocker use is associated with a lower risk of sexual dysfunction in men aged >40 years.
Initiation of antipsychotic therapy associated with hyperglycemia in older diabetic patients
August 18, 2009
Initiation of antipsychotic therapy associated with hyperglycemia in older diabetic patients
Healthcare reform to shape drug coverage, costs, and R&D
August 18, 2009
With healthcare-reform legislation moving forward, insurers, providers, and pharmaceutical companies are keeping a sharp eye on policy proposals likely to affect coverage, costs, and benefits. Various constituencies in the healthcare community are supporting initiatives that will increase access to healthcare and make the nation's costly healthcare system more efficient and effective.
Formulary Digital Edition August 2009
August 1, 2009
Emerging risk factors and risk markers for CV disease; Focus on rivaroxaban; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of osteoarthritis and acute/chronic pain
IVIg treatment associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease
August 1, 2009
In a retrospective analysis published in the journal Neurology, investigators demonstrated that previous treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was associated with a reduced risk of the development of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) in patients aged at least 65 years.
Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP III
August 1, 2009
This review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.
FDA actions in brief, August 2009 (Ozurdex, Cambia, Ilaris, Feraheme, Plan B One-Step, Alimta, Isentress)
August 1, 2009
Recent FDA approvals (through August 2009) related to Ozurdex, Cambia, Ilaris, Feraheme, Plan B One-Step, Alimta, and Isentress
Rivaroxaban: A direct factor Xa inhibitor for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement surgery
August 1, 2009
Rivaroxaban is a highly potent direct factor Xa inhibitor that is pending FDA approval for the indication of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee replacement or total hip replacement surgery.
FDA Pipeline preview, August 2009 (trazodone, casopitant, sertindole, alogliptin, bepotastine, trabectedin, velaglucerase alfa)
August 1, 2009
Recent FDA action (through August 2009) related to trazodone, casopitant, sertindole, alogliptin, bepotastine, trabectedin, and velaglucerase alfa
First-time generic drug approval, August 2009
August 1, 2009
Generic drug approved by FDA (through August 2009): ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate tablets
Dronedarone (Multaq): Benzofuran derivative approved to reduce the risk of CV hospitalization in patients with AF
August 1, 2009
New molecular entity: Dronedarone (Multaq), a benzofuran derivative, was approved on July 1, 2009, to reduce the risk of CV hospitalization in patients with AF
Prasugrel (Effient): Platelet activation and aggregation inhibitor approved to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI
August 1, 2009
New molecular entity: Prasugrel (Effient), a platelet activation and aggregation inhibitor, was approved on July 10, 2009, to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI
Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of osteoarthritis and acute/chronic pain (August 2009) (PDF)
August 1, 2009
Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of osteoarthritis and acute/chronic pain
ADHD medications may be linked to sudden unexplained death
July 1, 2009
A matched, case-control analysis demonstrated an association between the use of stimulant medications (used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) and sudden unexplained death in children and adolescents.
FDA actions in brief, July 2009 (Besivance, Taxus Liberte Atom Stent System, Risperdal Consta, Prograf, Zipsor, Sprycel, Axert, Caldolor, Lamictal XR)
July 1, 2009
Recent FDA approvals (through July 2009) related to Besivance, Taxus Liberte Atom Stent System, Risperdal Consta, Prograf, Zipsor, Sprycel, Axert, Caldolor, and Lamictal XR
First-time generic drug approval, July 2009
July 1, 2009
Generic drug approved by FDA (through July 2009): melphalan injection
Therapeutic considerations in managing multiple myeloma
July 1, 2009
This review highlights treatment guidelines, disease staging criteria, and new therapeutic approaches to MM, including an overview of supportive care and emerging pipeline agents.
Tadalafil (Adcirca): Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group I)
July 1, 2009
New indication: Tadalafil (Adcirca), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, was approved on May 22, 2009, for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group I)
Tolvaptan (Samsca): Vasopressin receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of clinically significant hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia
July 1, 2009
New molecular entity: Tolvaptan (Samsca), a vasopressin receptor antagonist, was approved on May 19, 2009, for the treatment of clinically significant hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia
FDA Pipeline preview, July 2009 (bucindolol, botulinum toxin type A, rivaroxaban, quetiapine, olanzapine, ziprasidone, ofatumumab, pegloticase, pralatrexate, melphalan, paclitaxel)
July 1, 2009
Recent FDA action (through July 2009) related to bucindolol, botulinum toxin type A, rivaroxaban, quetiapine, olanzapine, ziprasidone, ofatumumab, pegloticase, pralatrexate, melphalan, and paclitaxel
Milnacipran: A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome
July 1, 2009
Milnacipran was recently approved by FDA for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. Clinical trials have demonstrated that this agent may be a reasonable alternative or adjunct therapy for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome who are unable to tolerate first-line tricyclic antidepressant therapy.
Zoledronic acid (Reclast): Bisphosphonate approved for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
July 1, 2009
New indication: Zoledronic acid (Reclast), a bisphosphonate, was approved on May 29, 2009, for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Dutasteride reduces prostate cancer incidence in men at high risk
June 15, 2009
Dutasteride reduces the risk of biopsy-detectable prostate cancer by approximately one-fourth in men at high risk for the disease without increasing the risk of high-grade cancers, said Gerald L. Andriole, Jr, MD, at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2009 Annual Meeting.
Trial of sunitinib plus paclitaxel for advanced breast cancer discontinued
June 15, 2009
Pfizer is discontinuing a phase 3 study of sunitinib plus paclitaxel versus bevacizumab plus paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer.
Propylthiouracil associated with increased risk of serious liver injury
June 15, 2009
FDA has notified healthcare professionals that there is a risk of serious liver injury, including liver failure or death, with the use of propylthiouracil in both adult and pediatric patients.
Golimumab associated with risk of serious fungal infections
June 15, 2009
Centocor Ortho Biotech has issued a Dear Healthcare Professionals letter to remind healthcare providers that golimumab (Simponi), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blocker, is associated with a risk of serious fungal infections.
Immunotherapy improves survival in advanced prostate cancer
June 15, 2009
Sipuleucel-T represents the "first active immunotherapy to demonstrate improvement in overall survival for advanced prostate cancer," said David Penson, MD, MPH, who announced the results of a phase 3 study known as Immunotherapy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Treatment (IMPACT), at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2009 Annual Meeting.
Acid-suppressive medications associated with increased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia
June 15, 2009
A prospective pharmacoepidemiologic cohort study published in JAMA demonstrated that hospitalized patients treated with acid-suppressive medications were 30% more likely to develop hospital-acquired pneumonia than those who were not treated with acid-suppressive medications.
Inconsistent communication within CPOE poses significant safety risks
June 15, 2009
A prospective study published in Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrated that despite standardization of data entry within the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system in a specific healthcare facility, inconsistent communication in orders entered into the CPOE posed a significant safety risk.
