Drug Pipeline

FDA has approved Corifact (CSL Behring), the first product intended to prevent bleeding in people with the rare genetic defect congenital Factor XIII deficiency.

Zinc, in lozenge or syrup form, is beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people, when taken within at least 24 hours of onset of symptoms, according to a new report published in the Cochran Library.

FDA has issued a complete response letter for Orexigen?s and Takeda?s Contrave (naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl) extended-release tablets for the treatment of obesity, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss.

An increase in febrile seizures in children following vaccination with Fluzone warrants further investigation, according to a report from FDA.

Recent FDA action (through, January 2011) related to Afrezza, Nuvigil, Opana ER, Liprotamase, Erwinaze, Telaprevir, SNS01-T, XL184, QLT091001, Fidaxomicin.

Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) was approved by FDA for the prevention of stroke and thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation.

FDA released a safety communication to inform prescribers and patients about a possible increased risk of death in persons with certain kinds of short stature treated with recombinant human growth hormone (also known as somatropin).

New molecular entity: Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets (Atelvia) were approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The recently FDA-approved oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, may be cost-effective compared to the standard-of-care therapy of adjusted-dose warfarin in patients requiring anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, according to a pharmacoeconomic evaluation published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

With Republicans taking over the House last month and increasing their clout in the Senate, Congressional leaders are contemplating broad federal budget cuts and much more aggressive oversight of administration health policy and regulatory programs.

Recent FDA Approvals (through January 2011) related to Fortesta, Natroba, Abstral, Acetadote, Viibryd, Intelence

Individuals involved in formulary decision-making processes at US health plans were surveyed to determine their current and future use of health economic and outcomes research.

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through January 2011): Fentanyl buccal tablets

This review discusses current contraceptive options including recently approved, newer agents.

Intravenous dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet) should no longer be used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in adult or pediatric patients due to an associated dose-dependant increase in QTc prolongation, according to a recent FDA drug safety communication.

Different opioids had different safety profiles when administered to older adults for noncancer pain, according to results from a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

New indication: Recombinant HPV quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine (Gardasil) was approved for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions due to HPV in persons aged 9 to 26 years.

This article reviews the emerging class of peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists and provides insight on formulary considerations when evaluating these agents.

Severe liver injury, including 2 cases of acute liver failure leading to liver transplant in patients treated with the medication, has been associated with the use of dronedarone (Multaq), according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication announcement.

FDA is asking manufacturers of prescription combination products that contain acetaminophen to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 mg in each tablet or capsule.

A combination of lapatinib, trastuzumab, and paclitaxel significantly improved tumor response rates in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancers, according to a new study presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.

Recent FDA action (through, December 2010) related to Ezogabine, Ticagrelor, Naltrexone SR/bupropion, Clostridium difficile vaccine, Elacytarabine, Glycerol phenylbutyrate, Perifosine, Cladribine Tablets, Florbetapir, ALS-AVP-21D9, Cyclosporine, PRX-8066, QLT091001.

New indication: Denosumab (Xgeva) has been approved for prevention of skeletal-related events from bone metastases from solid tumors.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are seen by a rheumatologist within 12 weeks of symptom onset were likely to experience less joint destruction and have a higher chance of achieving disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug-free remission, according to a new study published December 2010 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Parkinson's disease, which decreases the amount of dopamine in the brain, affects about 1 million Americans. Available medical therapy cannot modify the progression of the disease; medications have only been shown to alleviate its symptoms.