News

FDA has approved a new once-daily, long-acting basal insulin, Toujeo (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection, 300 U/mL, Sanofi) for the treatment of adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is described as a more potent follow-up to the manufacturer’s insulin product Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection, 100 U/mL).

FDA has approved ceftazidime-avibactam (Avycaz, Actavis and Forest), a new antibacterial drug product, to treat adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), in combination with metronidazole, and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including kidney infections (pyelonephritis), who have limited or no alternative treatment options.

The oral formulations of the antifungal medication ketoconazole should be removed from the market immediately, Public Citizen said this week in a petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Kaiser Permanente Southern California's population-based program for men with prostate cancer has led to improved outcomes, according to a study published in Urology Practice.

Most treatments for pain caused by knee osteoarthritis helped alleviate pain better than acetaminophen (Tylenol) – with one exception, according to a study published in the January 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine

The prostate cancer medication leuprolide acetate (Lupron Depot), used in conjunction with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), slowed memory loss in female Alzheimer’s patients, according to a new study.

Resistance to the malaria medication artemisinin extends across much of Myanmar in Southeast Asia, according a new study, published online February 19 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Patients who increased doses of opioid medicines to manage chronic pain were more likely to experience an increase in depression, according to a study published in the February issue of Pain.

The VenaSeal system is newly approved to permanently treat varicose veins by sealing the affected veins using an adhesive agent, known as n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, which polymerizes into solid material after being injected into the vein.

Actavis has received final approval from FDA on its Abbreviated New Drug Application for a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser's Subutex (buprenorphine 2 mg and 8 mg sublingual tablets) indicated for treatment of opioid dependence.

FDA approved Farydak (panobinostat) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, which is attributed to 10,710 deaths in the U.S. annually.

FDA has authorized marketing of Bloom Syndrome carrier test, a direct-to-consumer genetic test from 23andMe.The test is designed to identify healthy individuals who carry a gene that could cause Bloom Syndrome in their offspring.

The introduction of high-cost, high-use PCSK9 inhibitors (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) enzyme inhibitors to treat high cholesterol, takes the industry step closer to a future where “healthcare costs break the bank,” according to industry insiders.

FDA expanded approval of lenalidomide (Revlimid, Celgene) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Revlimid acts as an immunomodulating agent and inhibits the growth of myeloma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and cell death.

Individuals and families who were not aware of the tax implications of not having insurance will have an opportunity to obtain coverage during a special enrollment period.

In what is being called a first-of-its-kind joint effort, the Texas Medical Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas are launching a resource initiative to assist independent physicians with providing accountable care.

More than 11 million UnitedHealthcare members are enrolled in accountable care organizations (ACOs), and the nation's top insurer plans to contract with 250 more ACOs in 2015.

A study of more than 1,500 cigarette smokers who were not ready to quit smoking but were willing to cut back on cigarette consumption and combine their approach with varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) increased their long-term success of quitting smoking.

President Obama’s recent proposal to nearly double funding for antibiotic resistance programs to $1.2 billion in the 2016 federal budget confirms that the battle against “superbugs” is indeed moving up the government agenda.

Marketplace websites could be doing significantly more to help consumers make informed choices about their health plans, according to a new study.

Optima Health, which has seen a 500% increase in individual members since 2013, is using technology processes and platforms to monitor and automate the customer experience.

About 11.4 million Americans signed up for private health coverage under the Affordable Care Act's second open enrollment cycle, the White House announced.

Making sure its members get the right care at the right place and at the right time drove Independence Blue Cross to launch a two-year pilot program last fall with consumer engagement firm Accolade.

FDA has approved rufinamide (Banzel, Eisai) for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in pediatric patients.

New study findings suggest that an epigenetic test could be created to identify those individuals early in the process of developing diabetes mellitus, providing hope for preventing the disease.

Spurred on by the Affordable Care Act, retailers, health plans and providers are staking strong retail positions that are increasing coverage opportunities and access to care.

FDA has approved lenvatinib (Lenvima, Eisai) for the treatment of progressive, differentiated thyroid cancer.

FDA has granted priority review for LCZ696 (Novartis), an investigational drug for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

A low-fat plant-based vegan diet may help obese children lower their risk of heart disease, finds a new study from Cleveland Clinic.

Currently, the IBS treatment market is naïve and underpenetrated, with only 4 products indicated for IBS in the 7MM.