Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 82
FDA warns about OTC antacids, antidiarrheal med
June 8, 2016
FDA is warning consumers about the risk of serious bleeding when using over-the-counter aspirin-containing antacid products to treat heartburn. The agency also issued a separate warning about loperamide (Imodium, Johnson & Johnson), saying that abuse or misuse of the product can cause serious heart problems that can lead to death.
New hypertension drug gets FDA approval
June 7, 2016
The first and only fixed-dose combination of a beta blocker beta blocker (BB) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for hypertension will be available in the US in the second half of the year. FDA approved nebivolol and valsartan (Byvalson, Allergan) 5 mg/80 mg tablets in early June.
FDA approves Zinbryta to treat multiple sclerosis
June 6, 2016
FDA recently approved daclizumab (Zinbryta, Biogen and AbbVie), a once-monthly, self-administered, subcutaneous treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS).
Top 5 facts about cancer drug costs
June 3, 2016
The global oncology market was worth $107 billion in 2015, and global annual cancer drug costs surged by 11.5% from 2011 to 2015, according to a new report.
First 4-strain flu vaccine available
June 1, 2016
FDA recently approved the first 4-strain, cell culture-derived, inactivated seasonal flu vaccine available in the United States. Flucelvax Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (Seqirus) helps protect against the 2 influenza A viruses and two B viruses recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FDA for the current influenza season.
New diabetes drug enters competitive market
June 1, 2016
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
May 31, 2016
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
May 31, 2016
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
May 27, 2016
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
May 25, 2016
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
May 25, 2016
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
May 18, 2016
Nivolumab (Opdivo, Bristol-Myers Squibb) received two new approvals from FDA to treat two different cancers.
Valeant offers discounts on heart drugs
May 17, 2016
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
May 17, 2016
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
May 17, 2016
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
May 13, 2016
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
May 11, 2016
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
May 6, 2016
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
May 5, 2016
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
May 4, 2016
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
May 3, 2016
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 approves new indication for Gilotrif
May 2, 2016
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
April 27, 2016
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
April 25, 2016
Surprisingly, Medicare beneficiaries are likely to pay much more for biosimilars than the referenced brand medication, according to a new report.
This diabetes drug is safer for the heart: Study
April 20, 2016
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
April 19, 2016
FDA took the unusual step of withdrawing approval of two cholesterol-lowering drugs late last week.
Top 7 new facts about drug spending
April 15, 2016
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
April 13, 2016
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.
