Formulary Watch |

[BLOG]: Examining US prescription opiates utilization trends

The findings of a new research report from Express Scripts on the use of prescription opiates in the United States indicate that physicians are being more cautious about prescribing pain medications.1 The report shows both a drop in the short-term use of opioids and stabilization in the number of patients using these medications longer term.

CDC: Flu reaches “epidemic” level

After 15 children died from complications associated with the flu this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the illness an “epidemic.”

Experience Brief: Desert Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy partnering with hospital to reduce readmissions among CHF patients

Desert Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy inside Desert Regional Medical Center, a 387-bed tertiary acute care hospital located in Palm Springs, California. Desert Regional Medical Center, which has attained the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its congestive heart failure program, has reduced readmission rates by 17% among congestive heart failure (CHF) patients through a close partnership with Desert Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy.

Non-opioid painkiller gets FDA approval

FDA's approval of a new non-opioid painkiller injection expected to help in the fight against prescription painkiller abuse.

FDA approves new Alzheimer’s drug

FDA approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for a new treatment for moderate to severe dementia in Alzheimer’s patients.

Emergency Ebola test authorized for use

FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for LightMix Ebola Zaire rRT-PCR Test for Ebola disease. The test can be used in West Africa and the United States.

Phase 3 results show significant pathological complete response for nab-paclitaxel in neoadjuvant breast cancer

The German Breast Group (GBG) said nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) demonstrated significant benefit for patients with early high risk breast cancer when compared to conventional solvent-based paclitaxel, according to data presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, December 9-13 in San Antonio, Texas.

What is new in the anticoagulant antidote market?

The use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) continues to increase. Over the past 4 quarters, rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Bayer/Johnson & Johnson) and apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer) were in the top 20 of fastest-growing drugs in the United States. They offer advantages compared to warfarin such as a rapid onset of action, no dietary modifications, fewer drug–drug interactions, and do not require routine coagulation monitoring.

FDA grants approval to Novo Nordisk chronic weight management drug

FDA has approved the new drug application (NDA) for liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk) , the first once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for chronic weight management.

Study: Many opioid users are taking Rx drugs in potentially harmful combinations; education needed

A majority of opioid users are taking the painkillers concurrently with other prescription drugs, according to a report from Express Scripts that analyzed US opioid trends.

New treatment for advanced melanoma approved by FDA

Accelerated approval has been granted by FDA to nivolumab (Opdivo, Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the treatment of patients who have unresectable or metastatic melanoma not responding to treatment with other drugs.

Proposed rule from FDA requires electronic prescription drug labeling

According to a rule proposed by FDA in the Federal Register (December 18, 2014), healthcare providers would receive prescription drug and biologics product labeling information via an electronic system, thus replacing the use of paper to provide such information on the safety and effectiveness of human prescription drugs.

FDA approves first IV flu medication

FDA approved the first intravenous influenza treatment, peramivir (Rapivab, BioCryst).

Some anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce skin cancer risk

Some anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen have the potential to prevent the second most common type of skin cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Despite risks in elderly, benzodiazepine use increases with age

Despite known risks of confusion and falls associated with benzodiazepine use in elderly patients, a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, finds that prescription of benzodiazepines increases as people age. The research offers the first estimates of use patterns in the United States.

Link between Rx drugs and teen drug abuse: Study

One medical center is urging parents to seek non-medical solutions for their children’s anxiety or insomnia, after a recent study found that teens prescribed anti-anxiety or sleep medications are up to 12 times more likely to abuse prescription drugs than those who had never been prescribed them.

Class action suit latest problem with Sovaldi

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently filed a class action suit in federal court against Gilead Sciences, Inc. over the high cost of its hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi.

FDA green lights combination antibiotic

FDA approved ceftolozane/tazobactam (Zerbaxa, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by designated susceptible Gram-negative bacteria.

Xtoro approved for swimmer's ear

FDA has approved finafloxacin (Xtoro, Alcon) otic suspension for the treatment of otitis externa.

Lynparza approved to treat advanced ovarian cancer

FDA has approved olaparib (Lynparza, AstraZeneca) for the treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancer associated with defective BRCA genes, as determined by an FDA-approved test.

FDA allows marketing of first newborn screening test to help detect Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

FDA has allowed marketing of the EnLite Neonatal TREC kit (PerkinElmer), the first newborn screening test for detection of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

FDA approves Viekira Pak to treat hepatitis C

FDA has approved ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir tablets co-packaged with dasabuvir tablets (Viekira Pak, AbbVie) to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection, including those with a type of advanced liver disease called cirrhosis.

FDA approves first therapy for treating patients with GEP-NETs

FDA has approved lanreotide (Somatuline Depot, Ipsen) Injection, 120 mg (referred to as Somatuline) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, well- or moderately-differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).

FDA grants Lucentis breakthrough therapy for diabetic retinopathy

The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation for Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Novel new drugs approved in 2014

FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) reports that it has approved 35 novel new drugs in 2014. These 35 drugs include new molecular entities (NMEs) submitted to CDER in new drug applications (NDAs) and new therapeutic biologics submitted in biologics license applications (BLAs).

New screening test predicts risk of future coronary heart disease

FDA has cleared a new screening test for the prediction of future coronary heart disease (CHD) events, such as myocardial infarction. It is cleared for use in all adults who have no history of CHD.

FDA grants first-ever CLIA waiver of rapid syphilis test

FDA has granted the first-ever CLIA waiver for the Syphilis Health Check test, a rapid screening test for syphilis.

Common osteoporosis drugs may prevent breast, lung, colon cancers

Bisphosphonates, the most commonly used drugs for osteoporosis may be able to reduce the growth of certain cancers by inhibiting the activity of a cancer-producing family of receptor called the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER), according to 2 studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Naloxone price increases may threaten public safety

A price increase for a popular form of the medication, naloxone, threatens the ability of non-profit programs and organizations, including police departments around the country, to provide a medical antidote for drug overdoses.

Eli Lilly's Cyramza approved for lung cancer

FDA has approved Cyramza (ramucirumab, Eli Lilly) in combination with docetaxel to treat aggressive non-small cell lung cancer.