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Finasteride not associated with increased risk of hip fracture in men

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that use of finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), does not appear to be associated with an increased incidence of hip fractures in men; in fact, the agent appears to decrease the risk of hip fracture.

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Spotlight on pharmaceutical pipeline database products: A useful resource for PBMs and MCOs

To effectively gauge the potential clinical and economic impact of drug and biologic therapies that are pending FDA approval, the monitoring of pharmaceutical pipelines has become an essential function of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies and managed care organizations (MCOs); one source of pharmaceutical pipeline information is subscription-based pharmaceutical pipeline databases. Examples of some of these databases, along with the types of information provided and advantages and disadvantages of such products, are presented.

Prasugrel: A novel thienopyridine prodrug for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome

Prasugrel is a thienopyridine prodrug under FDA review for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical trials have demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of platelet aggregation with prasugrel relative to placebo and clopidogrel; however, this improved efficacy outcome entails a significantly increased rate of bleeding.

Formulary Digital Edition November 2008

Year-end "Focus on": News and updates on the novel pharmacologic agents reviewed over the past 12 months; Focus on prasugrel; Pharmaceutical pipeline database products

Development of taranabant for obesity discontinued

Merck has announced that they are discontinuing development of taranabant, an investigational selective blocker of the cannabinoid-1 (CB-1) receptor that was being studied for the treatment of obesity.

Tibolone reduces fracture and breast CA risk, increases stroke risk

The Long-Term Intervention on Fractures with Tibolone (LIFT) study demonstrated a reduced risk of vertebral fracture, breast cancer, and possibly colon cancer but a significantly increased risk of stroke in older postmenopausal women treated with tibolone versus those treated with placebo.

FDA posts quarterly drug safety report

FDA announced that the agency has posted on its website a report listing drugs that are being investigated for potential safety concerns.

Case of PML reported in efalizumab-treated patient

Genentech informed healthcare professionals that a 70-year-old patient who has been treated with efalizumab (Raptiva) for chronic psoriasis for >4 years has developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, progressive disease of the central nervous system that is usually fatal.

Tiotropium improves long-term lung function in COPD

In the Understanding Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) trial, tiotropium therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was associated with long-term improvements in lung function, quality of life, and COPD exacerbations. The therapy did not, however, significantly reduce the rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) compared with placebo.

Formulary Digital Edition October 2008

Rational approaches to the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia; Focus on eltrombopag; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of hepatitis B and C virus infections

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Congress to consider changes to Medicare Part D drug plans

Even though the Medicare prescription drug benefit has provided access to medications at less-than-anticipated cost to the government-and lower out-of-pocket spending for seniors-many Democrats and consumer advocates want to overhaul the program. Critics contend that the federal government can negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies that are lower than those obtained by private insurers operating prescription drug plans (PDPs), and some reformers charge that the program is too complex and confusing for elderly beneficiaries, pointing particularly to the infamous "donut hole" that is affecting more Medicare patients than anticipated.

ARBs demonstrate no beneficial effect on mortality in patients with heart failure

A systematic search of the literature published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice demonstrated that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used as monotherapy or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are not associated with a beneficial effect on mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).