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All News - Page 85
Cosentyx demonstrates benefit over 1 year in psoriatic arthritis patients
July 6, 2015
Novartis’ new injectable drug secukinumab (Cosentyx) showed significant improvements in treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to a new study.
FDA approves Orkambi for treatment of cystic fibrosis
July 6, 2015
FDA has approved lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi, Vertex) for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients 12 years and older.
Aetna, Humana may form huge PBM
July 6, 2015
After its proposed acquisition of Humana, Aetna is considering bringing its prescription drug management business in-house, which would mean an end to its contract with CVS Health in 2019.
Studies: Zykadia shrank tumors in patients with ALK+ NSCLC
July 6, 2015
New data from two phase 2 studies showed ceritinib (Zykadia) shrank tumors in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received previous treatment with an ALK inhibitor and in those receiving an ALK inhibitor for the first time.
Over-prescribing antibiotics to nursing home residents dangerous for all
July 2, 2015
Antibiotics are frequently and often inappropriately prescribed to nursing home residents, according to a new study in JAMA Internal Medicine. These antibiotics pose direct risks to recipients and indirect risks to others residents.
‘Beyond the pill’: Novartis eyes new pricing model for heart failure drug
July 2, 2015
Drug maker Novartis plans to try a new pricing model with some healthcare customers when it launches its heart failure drug LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI).
US alleges Novartis paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies
July 2, 2015
In a new lawsuit, the U.S. government alleges Novartis paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies to increase sales of deferasirox (Exjade), which removes excess iron from the blood of patients who receive transfusions, and mycophenolic acid (Myfortic), to prevent rejection of kidney transplants.
ASCO set to compare value of cancer drugs
July 2, 2015
The American Society of Clinical Oncology is asking for comments on its ASCO Value Framework, which compares the value of new cancer therapies with established treatments.
Cancer drug: Are the high benefits worth the high risks?
July 1, 2015
Patients with previously-treated metastic colorectal cancer (mCRC) taking regorafenib (Stivarga) experienced progression-free survival of 2.7 months, according to new data presented at the recent ESMO 17th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2015 in Barcelona.
First-in-class therapy promising for Parkinson's disease psychosis
July 1, 2015
A first-in-class antipsychotic that is a selective serotonin inverse agonist (with no dopaminergic, histaminergic, adrenergic, or muscarinic activity) potentially targeting 5-HT2A receptors, improved Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) with demonstrated safety and tolerability, and without worsening motor Parkinson’s, according to data presented in two posters at the 19th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS), in San Diego.
Fighting superbugs: 4 recommendations from Consumer Reports
June 30, 2015
According to the August issue of Consumer Reports, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics is leading to the strengthening and spread of dangerous infections that are becoming resistant to these drugs. Here are four recommendations Consumer Reports has for the medical community.
5 reasons antibiotic resistance is a health crisis
June 29, 2015
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics has led to a public health crisis-a crisis we must pay attention to now, according to a report that will be published in the August issue of Consumer Reports.
FDA approves generic Comtan tablets for Parkinson's
June 29, 2015
FDA has approved Aurobindo’s entacapone tablets USP, 200 mg, the generic equivalent to Novartis’ Comtan tablets 200 mg.
New study to evaluate lipid management in clinical practice
June 25, 2015
As lipid management in the United States under goes transition in response to new guideline recommendations and expanding lipid-lowering therapy options, the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) announced a new study to better understand contemporary lipid management as well as the beliefs and attitudes of patient and providers regarding cholesterol, cardiovascular risk assessment, and options for lipid treatments.
Top 5 reasons Harvoni and Sovaldi may be in trouble
June 24, 2015
While sales of Gilead Science’s popular hepatitis C drug, Harvoni, had been performing well for several months, the trend has reversed of late. Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, also from Gilead, has also hit some bumps in the road – in both the U.S. and China.
FDA OKs antiplatelet for use during heart procedure
June 24, 2015
FDA has approved cangrelor (Kengreal, The Medicines Company) for reducing the risk of periprocedural thrombotic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Top 5 ways bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics
June 24, 2015
Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem, both in the United States and across the world. The main driving factors behind antibiotic resistance are the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
5 drug categories having the biggest impact on pharma spending
June 24, 2015
Here are 5 drug categories that may command the most impact on pharma spending in the near future.
4 ways the FAST Generics Act will help healthcare
June 23, 2015
Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have re-introduced the Fair Access for Safe and Timely (FAST) Generics Act to what they say will increase consumer access to generic drugs, boost market competition and ultimately save consumers money.
"Smart" patch may eliminate need for insulin shots in diabetics
June 23, 2015
A new, painless “smart insulin patch” lowered blood glucose in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes for up to 9 hours, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Adults surpass kids for ADHD scripts
June 22, 2015
More adults than children in the United States now take medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new data.
6 ways to avoid fluorouracil medication errors: ISMP
June 19, 2015
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is cautioning hospital pharmacists and other healthcare professionals about the intravenous cancer medication fluorouracil.
5 drugs headed for $1B or more in sales by 2020
June 19, 2015
Global prescription drug sales should reach nearly $1 trillion by 2020, thanks in part to FDA approvals of breakthrough drugs for cancer, hepatitis C and other diseases, a new report finds.
FDA, PatientsLikeMe partner on drug safety data
June 18, 2015
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and PatientsLikeMe will work together to determine how patient-reported data can give new insights into drug safety.
Acid-reducing meds up risk of C diff infection in kids: Study
June 18, 2015
Infants and children who are given prescription acid-reducing medications face a substantially higher risk of developing Clostridium difficile infection, according to a study published recently in the online edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Synergy Pharmaceutical's constipation drug garners positive results
June 18, 2015
Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ drug for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) has garnered very positive results in a phase 3 clinical trial, the company reported this week.
GLP-1 receptor more beneficial in reducing blood sugar compared to injectable therapy in Japanese patients
June 17, 2015
Once-weekly dulaglutide is an effective treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes who need to advance to injectable therapy, according to results from a Japanese study presented at the 2015 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in Boston
PCSK-9 inhibitors achieve next milestone, plus 4 more FDA actions
June 17, 2015
A summary of five FDA actions taken within the last few weeks.
FDA panel backs approval of GSK's mepolizumab for severe asthma
June 17, 2015
The FDA’s Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee recently recommended approval of GlaxoSmithKline Plc's drug mepolizumab (Nucala) for severe asthma patients 18 and older.
FDA follow-up confirms low risk of long-term vision loss secondary to ezogabine pigment changes
June 16, 2015
FDA has issued a drug safety communication on GlaxoSmithKline's anti-seizure drug ezogabine (Potiga). Side effects of the the drug, which may include vision loss due to eye pigment change and skip discoloration, can be "adequately managed" by following the label, reports the FDA.
