Formulary Watch |

New diabetes drug enters competitive market

In a major new entry in the diabetes market, FDA just approved linagliptin and metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets (Jentadueto XR, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company) to treat type 2 diabetes.

Pharma company keeps pace with rise of diabetes

Novo Nordisk’s new diabetes drug production facility in Clayton, N.C., will ensure production capacity for these drugs in the United States for the decade ahead.

3 ways to improve diabetes med adherence

A systemic review highlights studies that improved medication adherence and patient outcomes using strategies that could be effective if employed in real-world healthcare settings.

Why new bladder cancer drug is novel

FDA recently granted accelerated approval for atezolizumab (Tecentriq, Genentech), the first drug for bladder cancer that utilizes the body’s immune system. The drug will be available by early June.

New treatment for kidney cancer gets OK

FDA has approved lenvatinib (Lenvima, Eisai Inc.) in combination with everolimus for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

FDA warns about popular diabetes drugs

In alarming news for diabetic patients taking canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet) medications, FDA is warning that interim safety results from an ongoing clinical trial found an increase in foot and leg amputations with the drugs.

Opdivo snags two new cancer approvals

Nivolumab (Opdivo, Bristol-Myers Squibb) received two new approvals from FDA to treat two different cancers.

Valeant offers discounts on heart drugs

After heavy criticism by Congress, presidential candidates and others, Valeant Pharmaceuticals is offering a discount program on its heart drugs Nitropress and Isuprel.

Opioid patients lack access to treatment

There's a growing need for improved access to medication-assisted treatment among patients with opioid use disorder, according to a new study presented at the American Society of Addiction Medicine 47th Annual Conference.

How Vermont aims to cut drug spending

If a proposed Vermont bill is successful, drug companies would have to explain why they hiked prices on certain drugs.

FDA warns about Cipro, other antibacterials

FDA issued a new warning about potentially serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs. Affected brands include Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Factive and Moxaflaxacin injection, as well as the generic Ofloxacin.

Antipsychotic can cause serious reaction: FDA

FDA is warning that the antipsychotic medicine olanzapine can cause a rare but serious skin reaction that can progress to affect other parts of the body.

Top 5 facts about new cancer drug

FDA recently fast-tracked approval of cabozantinib (Cabometyx, Exelixis, Inc.) to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma. Here are the top 5 facts to know about Cabometyx.

PBM expands pay for value to RA drugs

Express Scripts will implement more programs that pay for drugs based on their effectiveness, according to the PBM’s chief medical officer Steve Miller, MD. Simultaneously, the PBM plans to implement a spending cap on diabetes medications.

First drug approved for hallucinations in Parkinson’s

FDA approved the first drug to hallucinations and delusions associated with psychosis experienced by some people with Parkinson’s disease.

First Zika test on market

The first US test for the Zika virus is available after Quest Diagnostics received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its Zika Virus RNA Qualitative Real-Time RT-PCR test (Zika RT-PCR test).

FDA warns about Diflucan during pregnancy

FDA approves new indication for Gilotrif

FDA recently approved a new indication for afatinib (Gilotrif, Boehringer Ingelheim) for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The once-daily tablets are now indicated for the treatment of patients with the lung cancer, whose disease has progressed after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. Here are the top 6 facts to know about Gilotrif.

AbbVie to profit from new Viekira Pak uses

FDA expanded the use of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets without ribavirin (Viekira Pak, AbbVie) this week to treat patients with genotype 1b (GT1b) chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A).

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.