Formulary Watch |
All News - Page 86
Parkinson’s disease: Unmet needs to be fulfilled by novel therapies and reformulations
July 23, 2015
The current global Parkinson’s disease market is characterized by a number of unmet needs, which include addressing the motor complications of dyskinesia and off-episodes. The recent approval of novel therapies and reformulations of existing drugs has the potential to fulfill some of these unmet needs, particularly in patients with advanced disease.
FDA grants first-ever CLIA waiver to herpes test, system
July 22, 2015
FDA has granted CLIA waiver to Theranos for herpes simplex virus test and test system.
Rheumatoid arthritis drug may benefit atopic dermatitis patients
July 22, 2015
Patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD)-or eczema-may be successfully treated using a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug recently shown to reverse 2 other skin conditions, vitiligo and alopecia areata, according to findings published early online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
[BLOG]: 5 reasons biosimilars must have distinguishable names
July 21, 2015
In this blog response to the July 13 article "5 reasons to keep biosimilar names the same," Louis Tharp, executive director or Global Healthy Living Foundation, lists 5 reasons biosimilars must have distinguishable names.
Top 9 current drug shortages
July 20, 2015
On July 7, the FDA updated its list of drugs that are in short supply. Some of the drugs – such as Sodium Chloride 0.9 percent Injection Bags – have been in short supply for months, while others have become more problematic recently.
Rexulti approved for schizophrenia, MDD
July 20, 2015
The FDA last week approved Rexulti (brexpiprazole) for schizophrenia and as an add-on treatment to an antidepressant medication to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).
[BLOG]: Obesity drug safety review
July 20, 2015
In this blog post, Robert Kyle of AdverseEvents compares the results of a postmarket survey of 3 obesity drugs.
Antidepressant use during pregnancy: 5 things to remember
July 20, 2015
Pregnant women who use antidepressants to manage depression should talk with their doctors for a personalized recommendation on how the antidepressants may affect the pregnancy.
Major safety concerns with top-selling prescription drugs
July 20, 2015
Major safety concerns exist for many top-selling prescription drugs including benzodiazepines/prescription sleep aids, anticoagulants, cholesterol-lowering statins, oxycodone and hydrocodone, and stimulants. The following provides an overview of these classes and issues.
FDA warns about problems with Proglycem in infants
July 19, 2015
FDA is warning that diazoxide (Proglycem) for low blood sugar has caused pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs) in infants and newborns.
Why new lung cancer drug approval is important
July 19, 2015
FDA’s approval last week of AstraZeneca's Iressa (gefitinib) for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important tool in fighting the disease.
FDA approves first ULS drug in 5 years
July 19, 2015
FDA approved Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals’ supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) for the treatment of upper limb spasticity (ULS).
5 reasons to keep biosimilar names the same
July 10, 2015
The Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA), the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), and other healthcare stakeholders are calling on FDA to institute a clear policy for biologics and biosimilars.
Lutera is latest birth control recall
July 8, 2015
Actavis is voluntarily recalling more than half a million boxes of Lutera birth control pills because of packaging problems.
FDA approves new heart failure drug
July 8, 2015
The FDA this week approved Novartis’s sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) tablets to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
5 reasons to watch the new cystic fibrosis drug
July 7, 2015
FDA’s approval last week of Vertex Pharmaceutical’s groundbreaking drug lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi) for cystic fibrosis is certainly good news, but formulary managers need to be aware of the high cost of the drug and other factors.
Investigational drug reverses anticoagulant effect of dabigatran in minutes: Study
July 6, 2015
Use of investigational reversal agent idarucizumab can allow physicians to focus on other vital aspects of emergency management beyond anticoagulant reversal in dabigatran-treated patients, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Illinois pharmacists to lock painkiller scripts
July 6, 2015
Illinois legislators recently approved a pilot program that would place locking devices on some prescription painkillers.
5 prescription drug overdose stats
July 6, 2015
A surprising 50 percent of U.S. drug overdoses are caused by prescription drugs – 22,000 annually – according to a new report, The Facts Hurt: A State-By-State Injury Prevention Policy.
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.
