Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 225
PBM shares strategy behind Prozac switch success
November 1, 2001
In less than 2 weeks after the launch of generic fluoxetine in August, Merck-Medco had switched 85% of its mail-order Prozac prescriptions to generic versions of the antidepressant. It says its generic switch rate for retail Prozac scripts was 69% over the same time period.
Federal protocols plus local follow-through is key to hospitals' terrorism readiness, experts say
November 1, 2001
The September 11 terrorist attacks and October's wave of anthrax cases have forced hospitals and health systems to examine their emergency preparedness from a new perspective. When it comes to planning for possible shortages of critical drugs and the need for biodefense, experts say the right mix of federal guidance and local implementation is key.
PEG-Intron (Peginterferon alfa-2b powder for injection) Schering
November 1, 2001
Combination use with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C
Practice setting, other variables determine success of preferred drug sample closet
November 1, 2001
Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, Wellesley, MA-It's well accepted that the provision of drug samples influences physician prescribing practices. Annually, the pharmaceutical industry provides billions of dollars worth of drug samples to physicians' offices and studies have shown the effectiveness of sample medications in shaping physician prescribing patterns.
NuvaRing (Etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) Organon
November 1, 2001
New Formulations/Combinations: Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring
Entocort EC (Budesonide capsules) AstraZeneca
November 1, 2001
New Formulations/Combinations: Oral form of corticosteroid for Tx of mild to moderate Crohn's disease
Foradil Aerolizer (Formoterol fumarate inhalation powder)
November 1, 2001
New Indication: Maintenance treatment of COPD
Epivir-HBV (Lamivudine tablets and oral solution) GlaxoSmithKline
November 1, 2001
New Indication: Hepatitis B indication expanded to pediatric patients
Spectracef (Cefditoren pivoxil tablets) TAP
November 1, 2001
NMEs/biologics:Cephalosporin for various infections
Aranesp (Darbepoetin alfa for injection) Amgen
November 1, 2001
NMEs/biologics: Longer-lasting erythropoietin product for anemia related to renal failure
Federal fraudbusters focus on drug pricing while quest for Rx discount card continues
November 1, 2001
With the government spending billions to fight terrorism at home and abroad, federal investigators are looking closely at all health care programs for opportunities to stymie abuses and collect big penalties.
Hepatitis B: An ssessment of current and future treatment options (PDF)
October 1, 2001
Interferon alfa-2b and the nucleoside analog lamivudine are the currently available options for treating chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This article reviews major efficacy findings with these agents, defines their role according to patients' clinical status, and provides the latest data on optimal duration of therapy, predictors of response, and long-term effects. The authors also explore the emergence of hepatitis B immune globulin for post-liver transplant HBV prophylaxis and offer a progress report on experimental therapies for chronic HBV infection.
Dalteparin for enoxaparin interchange: Chart review shows promising clinical, economic outcomes
October 1, 2001
University Hospital and Medical Center (Tamarac)/University of Florida (Gainesville)-Dalteparin appears to be at least as clinically effective as enoxaparin for the prevention or treatment of the consequences of venous and arterial thromboembolic diseases, say clinicians from these two facilities.
Ultracet (Tramadol HCl/acetaminophen tablets) Ortho-McNeil
October 1, 2001
New Formulations/Combinations: Fixed-dose analgesic combination for short-term acute pain management
Xeloda (Capecitabine tablets) Roche
October 1, 2001
New Indication: Combination use with docetaxel for breast cancer; new black box
Topamax (Topiramate tablets, sprinkle capsules) Ortho-Mcneil
October 1, 2001
New Indication: Antiepileptic cleared for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; glaucoma warning added
Estrostep (Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets) Pfizer
October 1, 2001
New Indication: Oral contraceptive approved for acne
Cathflo Activase (Alteplase) Genentech
October 1, 2001
New Indication: Low-dose t-PA for catheter clearance
Zometa (Zoledronic acid for injection) Novartis
October 1, 2001
NMEs/biologics:Short-infusion bisphosphonate for hypercalcemia of malignancy
Market share shift analysis identifies scenario allowing maximum number of ED patients to be treated
September 1, 2001
Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center-Decreasing or eliminating the use of alprostadil-based erectile dysfunction treatments and converting to 100% sildenafil use would save this VA medical center more than $101,000 annually. Furthermore, the projected savings would allow an additional 405 men with erectile dysfunction to be treated for an entire year, say clinicians at this facility.
Survey takes pulse of current HIV prescribing
September 1, 2001
Patients' adherence ability is by far the top patient factor guiding selection of a first-line antiretroviral regimen for HIV, according to a new physician survey.
Metformin prevents diabetes in high-risk subjects, but effect is trumped by lifestyle changes
September 1, 2001
For the first time, a large clinical trial has shown that a medication can help prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. At the same time, drug therapy emerged as a less effective preventive strategy than fairly modest diet and exercise changes.
Trio of new studies help clarify role of abciximab
September 1, 2001
Abciximab reduces nonfatal outcomes as part of a new reperfusion regimen for acute myocardial infarction (MI) but appears not to benefit patients with acute coronary syndromes who don't undergo early revascularization.
Florida-Pfizer deal charts new territory in overall cost control, but can it work?
September 1, 2001
The unprecedented Medicaid disease management deal struck between Florida and Pfizer this summer represents an important "move past unit cost control into total disease control," according to Perry Cohen, PharmD.
Political climate could shed new light on Medicare pharmacy benefit, related issues
September 1, 2001
A few weeks ago, it looked like the national economic slowdown, which was eroding the anticipated federal budget surplus, might put the costly Medicare pharmaceutical benefit on the endangered list. Congress was having trouble agreeing on a coverage plan, and interest groups were squabbling over how to craft a fair and effective pharmacy program for the elderly.
