Formulary Watch |

FDA Approves Seizure Drug for Infants

Tablets, oral solution, and IV dosage forms are now approved as both monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients one month of age and older.

Drug Shortages Update—August 29, 2021

Genentech Withdraws Tecentriq Approval for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Tecentriq did not meet the primary end point in a postmarketing study as a first-line treatment.

FDA Updates Black Box Warning for Linzess

The update indicates there is a serious risk of dehydration and is contraindicated in children.

Healthcare Bluebook Launches Bluebook Rx

FDA Approves Tibsovo for Rare, Aggressive Cancer

Tibsovo is the first targeted therapy for IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts within and outside the liver.

FDA Approves Long-Acting Growth Hormone

Developed by Ascendis Pharma, this is the first therapy that delivers growth hormone over one week.

Class Review: Atopic Dermatitis

New Dosing Options are Available for Tirosint-SOL

The liquid therapy to treat hypothyroidism now comes in 15 different dosage strengths in single-use packaging.

FDA Approves Expanded Indication for Xarelto

Xarelto is now indicated to help reduce the risks of major cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and major thrombotic vascular events.

Antiplatelet Drug Shows Potential as Heart Failure Therapy Treatment

FDA’s Full Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine Expected to Hike Vaccination Rates

BMS Seeks Approval of Orencia for Graft Versus Host Disease

The FDA has set a PDUFA date of December 23, 2021.

Drug Shortage Tracker for August 22, 2021

Recent Generic Approvals and Launches

Generics of Chantix, Durezol, Eliquis, and injection potassium/sodium are approved while generics of Tegretol and Levophed are launched.

Onco360 Chosen as Specialty Pharmacy for Welireg

The therapy is the first approved for patients with tumors associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

ICER Releases Draft Report on Mavacamten in Cardiomyopathy

Study: Libtayo is a Cost-effective Treatment in Advanced Skin Cancer vs. Keytruda

These results can be used to inform health care decisions, but investigators caution there hasn’t been head-to-head trials of the two therapies.

Study: Health Plans Don’t Seek Patient Input in Drug Coverage Decisions

Genentech Warns of Shortage of Actemra Due to Spike in COVID-19

Prime Therapeutics Removes Perforomist from Medicare Formulary

Pfizer Recalls More Lots of its Smoking Cessation Drug Chantix

A total of 16 lots have been recalled.

Merck’s Welireg Cleared for Rare Tumors

Blue Cross of Massachusetts to Change Pharmacy Providers

Effective January 2023, the organization will switch from Express Scripts to CVS Caremark.

FDA Approves Pfizer’s Ticovac

This vaccine protects against tick-borne encephalitis in people over the age of 1 year.

CMS Provides Billing Code for Pepaxto

The multiple myeloma therapy now has a permanent J code under Medicare Part B.

FDA Approves Lyumjev for Use with Insulin Pump

Trials result show that Lyumjev compares favorably to Humalog.

Study: Utilization Management Efforts Add Billions to Health Care Costs

Drug Shortages Update

FDA Approves Generic of Chantix, Pfizer's Smoking Cessation Drug