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Eltrombopag (Promacta): Thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist approved for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

New molecular entity: Eltrombopag (Promacta), a TPO receptor agonist, was approved on November 20, 2008, for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic ITP.

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Sugammadex: A selective relaxant binding agent for neuromuscular block reversal

Sugammadex is a novel, first-in-class, selective relaxant binding agent that encapsulates the nondepolarizing aminosteroid muscle relaxants rocuronium and vecuronium, reversing and preventing their neuromuscular block (NMB) action. Clinical trials have demonstrated that sugammadex is effective in reversing both rocuronium- and vecuronium-induced NMB, and the agent has been well tolerated in studies.

IMS v Ayotte: NH's Prescription Information Law is constitutional

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The Federal Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in a 2 to 1 decision held that New Hampshire's Prescription Information Law "that among other things prohibited certain transfer of physicians' prescribing histories for use in detailing" regulates conduct, not speech, thereby removing "the challenged portions of the statute from the proscriptions of the First Amendment."

Tinzaparin increases mortality risk in elderly patients

FDA announced that the agency is evaluating data from a clinical study in which all-cause mortality was increased among patients treated with tinzaparin (Innohep, Celgene) versus patients treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH).

Phenytoin, fosphenytoin associated with serious skin reactions in patient subset

FDA informed healthcare professionals that the agency is evaluating data regarding a potentially increased risk of serious skin reactions, including Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, in association with phenytoin (Dilantin, Pfizer; Phenytek, Mylan; generic phenytoin) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx, Pfizer; generic fosphenytoin) treatment in Asian patients who are positive for the human leukocyte antigen allele HLA-B*1502.

Rosiglitazone associated with higher mortality rate versus pioglitazone

Rosiglitazone was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and congestive heart failure (CHF) compared with pioglitazone in an inception cohort study of patients aged >65 years. Patients treated with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone demonstrated similar rates of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. These results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Peginterferon maintenance therapy does not improve progression in HCV

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have not responded to previous treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (peginterferon) and ribavirin do not demonstrate a reduced rate of disease progression when they undergo long-term treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a compared with untreated patients. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Generic CV drugs are clinically equivalent to brand-name drugs

Evidence supports the clinical equivalence of generic and brand-name cardiovascular drugs, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Despite this evidence, more than half of the editorials discussing the issue of generic interchangeability that were assessed in this analysis do not support generic substitution for brand-name cardiovascular drugs.

Formulary Digital Edition December 2008

Clinical news updates from the 2008 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Second-generation antidepressants similar in efficacy

Second-generation antidepressants generally have equivalent efficacy, according to a review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Although these agents demonstrate similar response rates, differences in onset of action or side effects may affect prescribing decisions.

Economic crisis will challenge Obama's health coverage expansion plans

ByJill Wechsler

During his campaign for the presidency, President-elect Barack Obama stated that all Americans have a right to healthcare and that he will expand coverage for the uninsured. Many voters cited healthcare as a key election issue; however, the need to address a rising unemployment rate and low economic growth may force Obama to seek more limited changes in the near future.

Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military population

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In 2003, the Canadian Forces (CF) drug benefit plan used preferential listing to control costs associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); however, significant expenditures for nonbenefit PPIs continued. A database review was thus conducted to explain this anomalous usage pattern. This study provides further information regarding the effectiveness of preferred listing as a cost-saving measure, noting that adherence to such policies may be less than projected.