News

The results of a recent literature review suggest that only a high intake of vitamin D leads to a significant reduction in the risk of fracture.

FDA has approved once-daily phentermine and topiramate extended-release (Qsymia, Vivus) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater in the presence of at least 1 weight-related comorbidity.

FDA recently approved the first over-the-counter test for HIV, providing a confidential in-home testing option for the virus that causes AIDS, with results in as little as 20 minutes.

FDA is alerting healthcare professionals to the possibility that a 32-mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Zofran, ondansetron hydrochloride, and generics) could lead to QT interval prolongation, putting patients at risk for a potentially fatal heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes.

FDA has approved once-daily oral emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada, Gilead Sciences), in combination with safer sex practices, to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk.

FDA has approved Watson's generic diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets (Arthrotec, G.D. Searle, a subsidiary of Pfizer), indicated for treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers and their complications.

Innovation Health Plans, which will serve northern Virginia, will be jointly owned by the insurer and the health system.

Sale of plans in three Texas and Arkansas markets will help Humana satisfy its government-stipulated divestiture so that it can complete its acquisition of Arcadian Health.

If you move from three stars to four, you might be able to earn another $50 per member per month.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s provisions for states to implement health insurance exchanges, combined with employers shifting more responsibility for healthcare costs to employees, is expected to create a greater demand for healthcare cost transparency.

FDA issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.

A fixed-dose combination of azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone 40/25 mg (Edarbyclor, Takeda Pharmaceuticals) was statistically superior to a fixed-dose combination of olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide 40/25 mg for the treatment of stage 2 systolic hypertension, according to a study published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

Comorbidity from chronic diseases and severity of illness increased the likelihood of adverse drug reactions in senior patients, according to a new study published online June 26 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Annual global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.2 trillion by 2016, while U.S. spending growth is projected to soar to between $350 and $380 billion by 2016, according to a report issued recently by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Atheer Kaddis, PharmD, to senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Clearly this is WellPoint's vote of confidence in the future Medicaid market

Brightly colored prescription warning labels applied by pharmacies fail to adequately capture the attention of older patients, suggesting that current labeling standards should be reconsidered to make them more effective, according to a study published online June 14 in PLoS ONE.

Drug Watch: Lymphomas

A panel at AMCP's annual meeting discussed the need to improve MS medication adherence.

Recent FDA Approvals (through June 2012) related to (GlaxoSmithKline, XenoPort, Roche)

New molecular entity: FDA approved the soral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, avanafil (Stendra, Vivus) for the treatment of ED.

Forecasts from AMCP's annual meeting indicate a full pipeline for specialty medications.

Recent FDA action (through June 2012) related to, Darunavir, Prezista, Janssen Therapeutics, Ridaforolimus, Merck, Tafamidis meglumine, Pfizer, mechlorethamine, Ceptaris Therapeutics, AVP-923, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, NKTR-181, Nektar Therapeutics, EDI200, Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Galeterone, TOK-001, Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Butoconazole nitrate 2% vaginal cream, Gynazole-1, Perrigo

New molecular entity: FDA approved tafluprost 0.0015% (Zioptan, Merck) ophthalmic solution to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

A new study of patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease found that extended treatment with donepezil could improve cognition and function for even severe patients; however, experts caution that the benefits of the drug were modest.

Approximately half of drug labels don't have information on the medication's safety and proper dosing in children, according to a study from FDA researchers.

A review of drug therapies and research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association

While scientists and biomedical researchers at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) applauded encouraging data on dozens of breakthrough cancer therapies, analysts pondered strategies for convincing payers to cover the new life-saving drugs.

The rising cost of specialty drugs, challenges with medication adherence, and the utilizations of mail order are among the top trends impacting employers and other health plan sponsors, according to a recent report about prescription benefit management trends.

FDA issued a statement reminding healthcare professionals about the need to adjust the dosage of the antibacterial drug cefepime (Maxipime, Elan) in patients with renal impairment.