Formulary Watch |

Patients who think they are allergic to penicillin probably are not

Many people who report an allergy to penicillin actually are not allergic to penicillin, according to a study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting, in Atlanta.

Compounding may not be best option during saline shortage

The shortage of saline solution among hospitals is ongoing and doesn’t appear to be resolving anytime soon, according to a quality executive with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). In addition, safety concerns make it prohibitive for hospitals to compound their own solutions.

Newly approved blood test predicts organ transplant rejection in children

FDA has approved a first-of-its-kind, personalized blood test to predict the likelihood of organ rejection in children with liver or intestine transplants (Pleximmune). The test was developed by researchers at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC to determine a personalized rejection-risk index with cell-based technology.

FDA approves Cyramza in combination with paclitaxel for advanced gastric cancer after prior chemotherapy

FDA has approved ramucirumab (Cyramza, Eli Lilly) in combination with paclitaxel (a type of chemotherapy) as a treatment for people with advanced or metastatic gastric (stomach) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose cancer has progressed on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy.

FDA analysis of dabigatran versus warfarin for nonvalvular AF questioned

A new study has found a greater bleeding risk associated with the use of dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) than that cited on initial FDA approval of the drug.

Olysio indication expanded for combo use with Sovaldi in hepatitis C

FDA has approved simeprevir (Olysio, Janssen) in combination with sofosbuvir (Sovaldi, Gilead) as an oral, interferon- and ribavirin-free treatment option for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis infection in adults.

Cholesterol-lowering agent leads list of most-prescribed drugs

Rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca), a cholesterol-lowering agent, is currently the most-prescribed drug among the 100 most-prescribed and best-selling drugs in the United States. In the past 12 months, new prescriptions and refills for rosuvastatin have been estimated to amount to 23.7 million.

Risk of exacerbations of COPD not increased in patients discontinuing inhaled glucocorticoids

The risk of moderate or severe exacerbations in patients with severe but stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who receive tiotropium plus salmeterol has been found to be similar among subjects discontinuing inhaled glucocorticoids and subjects continuing their use. Nevertheless, in making decisions about maintenance therapy for these patients the effect of withdrawal of glucocorticoids on their symptoms and pulmonary function should be carefully considered.

Specialty drug spending up considerably, but reforms limit out-of-pocket burden

Specialty drug spending per user has increased considerably in recent years, but still represents a small portion of overall drug spending per beneficiary, according to a study published recently in Health Affairs.

Drugs in Perspective: Otezla (apremilast)

Otezla (apremilast), a small-molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), was approved by FDA on March 21, 2014, for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. On September 23, 2014, it was approved for a second indication, the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy

Flublok influenza vaccine now approved for adults 18 and older

FDA has approved Flublok (Protein Sciences) recombinant influenza vaccine for all adults aged 18 years and older. Previously, Flublok was indicated for adults aged 18 to 49 years.

FDA drug approvals-November 2014

FDA drug approvals, fast-track designations

FDA approves combo pill for adults with type 2 diabetes

FDA has approved once-daily dapagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride extended-release (Xigduo, AstraZeneca) (XR) for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. Xigduo XR is indicated as an adjunct therapy to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with both dapagliflozin and metformin is appropriate.

Ibuprofen safe, effective in children discharged home with bone fractures

In children discharged home with a fracture, both ibuprofen and oral morphine were effective at relieving pain. However, there were no significant differences in efficacy between the 2 agents and oral morphine was associated with more side effects, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

FDA: Limit use of anticoagulant edoxaban

FDA advisors have recommended approval of a 60-mg dose of edoxaban (Daiichi Sankyo), a once-daily anticoagulant that inhibits Factor Xa, for some atrial fibrillation patients, but suggested limiting its use to those with abnormal kidney function.

FDA approves first vaccine for preventing serogroup B meningococcal disease

Meningococcal group B vaccine (Trumenba, Pfizer) has been granted accelerated approval by FDA as the first vaccine licensed in the United States for active immunization to prevent invasive meningococcal B disease from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

New antiarrhythmic agent gets FDA approval

FDA has approved sotalol hydrochloride oral solution (Sotylize, Arbor Pharamceuticals) for the treatment of documented life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with a history of highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation/flutter.

[BLOG]: How to position your hospital pharmacy as a strategic asset

Hospital pharmacies play an essential role in the nation’s healthcare system, and these days, are expected to add value to every aspect of a hospital's strategic agenda.

Ebola clinical activity heats up with vaccine candidates in works

The Ebola outbreak has taught us that the health systems in West Africa are under-resourced and vulnerable. Scaling up capability of local healthcare provision is an important consideration for control of this virus, and drug makers are gearing up to expedite development of Ebola vaccines.

FDA approves Obizur for acquired hemophilia A

FDA has approved Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Porcine Sequence] (Obizur, Baxter) for the treatment of bleeding episodes in adults with acquired hemophilia A.

[BLOG]: Emerging targets in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents just under 15% of all breast cancer (BC) cases, according to IMS’ epidemiologic analysis. It carries a bleaker prognosis than other forms of BC. These facts are well-known. Much else about the disease is unknown, however; indeed, it’s probably a mistake to think of TNBC cancer as “a” disease at all.

FDA approves abuse-deterrent labeling for Embeda

FDA has approved an updated labeling of morphine sulfate/naltrexone hydrochloride (Embeda, Pfizer) extended release capsules, CII, to include abuse-deterrent properties

FDA: Keep boxed warning on Chantix

An FDA advisory committee has voted to keep the boxed warning for varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) that states that the drug may cause serious neuropsychiatric events.

Unprecedented efficacy of latest HER2-targeting agents can extend life but at significant cost

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world, and the most common cancer in women. In 2013, approximately 261,000 women were diagnosed with this disease in the United States alone.1 When diagnosed in the earliest stages, such as ductal carcinoma in situ and stage 1, the 5-year survival rate is almost 100%. If diagnosed later, or if the disease progresses to advanced breast cancer, survival rapidly decreases. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer represents about 20% of cases, and before the introduction of HER2-targeting therapies, had the worst prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes.

[BLOG]: Providers and payers share responsibility in making antimicrobial stewardship programs a priority

The number of antibiotic-resistant strains continues to rise rapidly. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) point to alarming trends that are exacerbated by fewer new antibiotics coming into the market and high costs.

Welcome to the newly redesigned ModernMedicine Network

It is with great excitement that we unveil our network-wide redesign. Please read further to learn more about a few of our new features, and browse around to explore the new site!

Study: Pneumococcal vaccine can decrease antibiotic-resistant infections in kids by 62%

The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) not only prevents pneumococcal illness and death, but also dramatically decreases antibiotic-resistant infections in children by as much as 62%, according to a new study presented at IDWeek 2014

Public-private partnerships in advancing Ebola treatment pipeline

The spread of the Ebola virus (EVD) continues to capture world headlines. It has also become of great concern in the United States where 3 cases have now been confirmed.

Positive results found for biosimilar in treating psoriasis patients

The biosimilar candidate ABP 501 (Amgen) has proved to be successful in treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, according to results from an initial phase 3 study. ABP 501 met its primary end point for efficacy.

FDA approves antiemetic agent for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

FDA has approved netupitant/palonosetron (Akynzeo, Eisai Inc.) to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).