Formulary Watch |

Biosimilars pose problems for Medicare beneficiaries

Surprisingly, Medicare beneficiaries are likely to pay much more for biosimilars than the referenced brand medication, according to a new report.

Drugmaker commits to “responsible” prices

This diabetes drug is safer for the heart: Study

The generic metformin (Mallinkrodt) significantly reduced the risk of dying from heart attack and stroke compared to other common diabetes medications, according to a new study.

Why FDA pulled cholesterol drugs off market

FDA took the unusual step of withdrawing approval of two cholesterol-lowering drugs late last week.

Top 7 new facts about drug spending

As organizations and politicians continue to sound the alarm that drug prices are rising, another new report confirmed the trend. Total spending on medicines in the US reached $310 billion in 2015 on an estimated net price basis, up 8.5 percent from the previous year, according to a new report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

FDA committee recommends approving rare liver disease drug

FDA advisory committee recently voted to recommend approval of obeticholic acid (Ocaliva, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). If approved, Ocaliva would be the first new treatment for PBC in nearly 20 years.

New leukemia drug available

FDA recently approved venetoclax (Venclexta, AbbVie and Genentech) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have a chromosomal abnormality called 17p deletion and who have been treated with at least 1 prior therapy

Biosimilar approvals deemed “too slow”

While FDA’s approval last week of infliximab-dyyb (Inflectra, Celltrion and Hospira), a biosimilar to Remicade (Janssen Biotech) for rheumatoid arthritis, Chron’s disease and other conditions is positive, FDA’s approval pace for biosimilars is too slow, according to a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).

Diabetes drugs may be linked to heart failure, FDA warns

Type 2 diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease, according to FDA’s new Drug Safety Communication.

Controversy surrounds abortion pill access

Soon after FDA expanded access to the “abortion pill” or mifepristone (Mifeprex, Danco Laboratories), some states may be combating the decision.

5 facts to know about the new asthma drug

FDA recently approved reslizumab (Cinqair, Teva Pharmaceuticals), an injectable used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe asthma. Here are the top 5 facts to know about Cinqair.

First generic Nasonex available

FDA recently approved the first generic version of Nasonex nasal spray (mometasone furoate monohydrate, Apotex Corp).

National diabetes prevention program saves thousands

Diabetes prevention program found to improve quality and reduces healthcare costs. It will now be covered by Medicare in 2017.

FDA approves Bayer hemophilia A drug

FDA recently approved antihemophilic factor VIII (recombinant) (Kovaltry, Bayer) for the treatment of hemophilia A in children and adults.

6 facts to know about the new psoriasis drug

FDA approved ixekizumab (Taltz, Eli Lilly and Co.) injection 80 mg/mL for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

New anthrax injection available

FDA this week approved obiltoxaximab injection, (Anthim, Elusys Therapeutics), to treat inhalational anthrax.

How FDA aims to support generic opioids

FDA issued a draft guidance to support industry in their development of generic versions of approved opioids with abuse-deterrent formulations (ADF), while ensuring that generic ADF opioids are no less abuse-deterrent than the brand-name drug.

FDA expands drug to treat NSCLC

FDA has extended approval of crizotinib (Xalkori, Pfizer) for the treatment of certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

FDA requires warning on opioids

A month after FDA announced several measures aimed at curbing opioid abuse, the agency said it would require a new boxed warning addressing the serious risk of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose and death on immediate-release (IR) opioid pain medications.

Walgreens, OptumRx form pharmacy partnership

The new partnership between Walgreens Boots Alliance and OptumRx may signal that Walgreens is not looking to buy another PBM.

Brand and specialty drug spending spikes

Spending on brand name drugs spiked 16.2% in 2015 and 98.2% since 2011, according to a new report from pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts. Plus, a third of branded products experienced price increases greater than 20% in 2015, according to Express Scripts’ annual Drug Trend Report.

6 facts about the new hemophilia B drug

FDA recently approved Idelvion [Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant), Albumin Fusion Protein] for the treatment of hemophilia B. Here are the top 6 facts to know about Idelvion.

CDC issues opioid prescribing guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new voluntary guidelines this week for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain, excluding cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care.

Study: Shorter hospital stays with Xarelto

US hospitals using rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) instead of warfarin (Coumadin, Bristol-Myers Squibb) to treat patients diagnosed with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) may save nearly $2,000 per patient and shorten a patient’s hospital stay by approximately 1.5 days, according to a new study.

FDA expands use for breast cancer drug

FDA has approved expanded indication for the use of fulvestrant (Faslodex, AstraZeneca) in combination with another therapy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Why generic Viagra will have to wait

While FDA just approved the first generic version of sildenafil citrate (Viagra, Pfizer), the new product won’t be on the market until late 2017.

Hospital admissions slashed with diabetes software

The use of insulin management software in hospital emergency departments can decrease hospital admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by 45%, according to a new study.

Top 7 facts to know about new HIV drug

FDA has approved Odefsey (Gilead Sciences, Inc.) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in certain patients. Here are the top 7 facts to know about Odefsey.

Leukemia drug gets US okay, struggles in UK

While FDA recently approved ibrutinib (Imbruvica, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Pharmacyclics LLC) to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), United Kingdom’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will not yet recommend the medication.

Major diabetes drug cuts heart attack risk

New data from Novo Nordisk will help its Victoza (liraglutide) for type 2 diabetes better compete against Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim’s Jardiance (empagliflozin). Victoza significantly reduced the combined incidence of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in high-risk Type 2 diabetes patients, according to Novo Nordisk