Public Citizen requests bans on Arava, Meridia
From Consumer Advocy Groups:Public Citizen urges ban on Arava. . . According to Public Citizen, 130 cases of severe liver toxicity-including 56 hospitalizations and 12 deaths-have been reported to the FDA since the 1998 introduction of rheumatoid arthritis agent leflunomide (Arava). This equates to six times the number of cases of fatal liver toxicity seen with methotrexate, although 5.5 times more prescriptions for methotrexate were filled over the 3-year comparative period. Public Citizen also says that leflunomide has been associated with 12 cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (compared with none reported with methotrexate) and more reports of lymphoma and hypertension.
Navitus to Offer Unbranded Stelara Biosimilar, Remove Stelara from Formulary
March 13th 2025Lumicera Health Services, Navitus’ specialty pharmacy, has made a deal with Teva to offer an unbranded biosimilar that they estimate will save $112,000 and $336,000 per patient per year. Navitus will remove Stelara from formulary on July 1, 2025.
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FDA Approves Neffy 1 mg Nasal Spray for Pediatric Patients
March 6th 2025Neffy 1 mg is now approved by the FDA to treat pediatric patients who weigh 33 to 65 lbs. Neffy was first FDA-approved as a 2 mg dose in August 2024 for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in children and adults weighing at least 66 lbs.
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