Denise Myshko

AstraZeneca gets FDA nod for Saphnelo, BMS pulls indication for Istodax, Merck to seek another use for Keytruda, Tecentriq is granted priority review for NSCLC and COVID-19 cocktail gets expanded EUA.

A single application targets the infection without entering the circulatory system.

The sickle cell disease therapy will now be on the Preferred Drug List.

Newly approved drugs put the brakes on particular “driver mutations,” that when unimpeded, rev up the runaway cell growth and division that characterizes cancer.

This is the first new approval for lupus in a decade.

Pharmacies will need to obtain pre-dispense authorization for clozapine.

Approval of the first interchangeable biosimilar; new indications for Keytruda, Botox, and Nucala; Shingrix label's expanded to a new patient population; and Ardelyx’s Complete Response Letter round out this week's FDA news.

Some fatal cases of ketoacidosis have occurred, and high-risk patients should be monitored when starting treatment.

Drugs that provide only incremental benefit may not be included on clinical pathways.

The approval allows for substitution at the pharmacy counter for Lantus, its reference product.

The findings were similar in people with or without diabetes.

Competition among branded products did not substantially curb annual spending increases.

A substantial discount would be needed to meet cost-effectiveness thresholds.

The FDA would like to see additional data on clinical benefit for patients with anal cancer.

Current drug shortages based on FDA data, prepared by Formulary Watch.

Keytruda gets a full approval in endometrial cancer; while Xeljanz will miss another PDUFDA date.

New vaccine for pneumococcal disease, an sNDA approved based on real-world data, a new therapy for skin and muscle disease, Keytruda combination receives full approval in endometrial cancer, a new diabetes therapy is approved, and another JAK inhibitor misses PDUFA date round out this week’s FDA news.

When Medicare D plans do provide coverage for first generics, they are often placed on non-generic tiers.

The FDA had approved Kadmon's therapy for graft-versus-host disease July 16.

The therapy is approved for both adults and children.

Azstarys is approved to treat patients 6 years and older.

The company’s stock began dropping on Tuesday with analyst expectation the FDA will issue a Complete Response Letter for tenapanor, its chronic kidney disease therapy.

Eight out of 10 covered U.S. commercial lives now have access to the H. pylori therapy.

Current drug shortages based on FDA data, prepared by Formulary Watch.

FDA staff raised safety concerns ahead of the advisory panel hearing.

An advisory committee recommends against approving an anemia drug. Darzalex Faspro receives another indication, Bayer receives approval for Kerendia for chronic kidney disease, and FDA delays its decision on sNDAs for JAK inhibitor therapies for atopic dermatitis.

Merck has submitted the data from the study KEYNOTE-522 to the FDA for review.

Committee members raised safety concerns about FibroGen/AstraZeneca’s oral therapy roxadustat.

After generic entry, Zytiga’s market share fell to about 14% and monthly net sales across the entire market fell 85%.

New analysis suggests that even with rebates, the new Alzheimer’s therapy could have implications for Medicaid drug spending.