The blockbuster drugs of the 1990s came off-patent, became generic, and now several of them have become available OTC. Others are expected to join the ranks in the next few years.
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A lower dose of the oral retinoid acitretin is effective for moderate-to-severe psoriasis and can minimize adverse effects, according to a study presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Francisco. Current practice is to administer the maximal tolerated dose of 25 mg to 50 mg acitretin daily.
CNTO 1275, an anti-IL12p40, maintains efficacy in clearing plaque psoriasis for up to 24 weeks after 1 dose, according to results of a phase 2 study presented by researchers at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Francisco. The subcutaneously injected agent targets both interleukin 12 and 23, two key cytokines in type 1 immune responses, said study author Gerald G. Krueger, MD, of the department of dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A phase 3 study evaluating the histologic and virologic improvement of hepatitis B antigen positive (HBeAg) patients randomized to either lamivudine or entecavir demonstrated that patients treated with entecavir had a significantly higher rate of histologic, virologic, and biochemical improvement. Researchers also observed less viral resistance with entecavir.
Tiotropium use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation led to decreased health resource utilization (HRU) and improved airflow limitation, according to a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel group study published in the European Respiratory Journal.
A cross-sectional study of the agendas and transcripts of FDA drug advisory committee meetings from 2001 to 2004 found that conflict of interest disclosures occurred at 73% of the meetings examined, but that the recusal of advisory committee members from decision-making as a result of those conflicts occurred only 1% of the time.
ACE inhibitors versus ARBs: comparison of practice guidelines and treatment selection considerations
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) play a role in the treatment of hypertension (HTN) and heart failure (HF). The literature shows that in patients with HTN with comorbidities, such as HF, myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and stroke, ACE inhibitors and ARBs appear to provide added benefit beyond solely lowering blood pressure. In addition, clinical trials have also demonstrated that ACE inhibitors and ARBs may be beneficial in the prevention of diabetes, atrial fibrillation (AF), and recurrent stroke. This review evaluates the practice guidelines and current literature to assess the implications for the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs in HTN and HF.
A meta-analysis of 9 randomized, placebo-controlled studies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with the anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents infliximab and adalimumab suggests an increased risk of malignancies dependent on dose and an increased risk of serious infections.
Varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) is a partial nicotine receptor agonist with a high affinity for the alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, modulating dopamine levels associated with nicotine addiction and aiding in smoking cessation. Clinical studies have demonstrated favorable cessation rates compared with placebo and sustained-release bupropion, with an encouraging safety profile. The most common adverse effect seen in clinical trials was mild-to-moderate nausea. In November 2005, a New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted for varenicline, and the drug was subsequently granted a 6-month priority review. On May 10, 2006, varenicline became the first oral medication approved for smoking cessation since bupropion, representing an agent with a novel mechanism of action for smoking cessation.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) (types 6, 11, 16, 18) vaccine (Gardasil, Merck) for female patients aged 9 years or older
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Thalidomide (Thalomid, Celgene) was approved in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Rasagiline is an irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor that is thought to exert its effect by specifically inhibiting MAO-B, thereby causing an increase in the extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum.
Terconazole vaginal supposit-ories 80 mg (equiv to Terazol 3 vaginal suppositories)
A review of selected antibiotics in late-stage development (May 2006).
A Kaiser Family Foundation study examined formularies, drug costs, and utilization management tools in drug plans offered by 14 national and near-national organizations, which encompass 35 unique prescription drug plans that account for 1,222 of the 1,429 packages available to Medicare beneficiaries.
As part of its Critical Path initiative, FDA has released a list reporting 76 high-priority research projects designed to modernize and advance medical product development. This program's goal is to bring medical innovations to patients more quickly and at a lower cost.
In response to ongoing industry and beneficiary concerns about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is clarifying the rules and reviewing the formularies of insurers who are applying to provide Part D coverage for next year. CMS is simultaneously crafting guidance and procedural improvements that aim to make the program operate more smoothly.
An analysis of data gathered from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) shows that Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) rapidly increased among patients at US hospitals from 2000 to 2003, particularly among patients aged ?65 years.
Early statin use was associated with a lower risk of congestiveheart failure (CHF) development and in-hospital death in patientstreated for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to arecent observational study published in the International Journalof Cardiology.
The 55th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) assembled from March 11 to March 14, 2006, in Atlanta, Ga, to exchange new and continuing research in cardiovascular disease. The program featured more than 1,600 oral and poster presentations of original research and hundreds of invited lectures and interactive sessions, with many offering the opportunity to update attendees' knowledge of available and investigational pharmaceuticals.
A matched-case control study comparing 378 Swedish patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom malignant lymphoma developed with a control group of 378 RA patients who did not develop lymphoma found no observed association between lymphoma risk and various methods of RA treatment, according to an article in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Full-length or intact parathyroid hormone [rDNA origin] for injection (PTH [1-84], Preos, NPS Pharmaceuticals) is currently under FDA review for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. If approved, parathyroid hormone (1-84) will join teriparatide (PTH [1-34], Forteo, Lilly), the truncated N-terminal (1-34) form of the hormone, as the only anabolic therapies available for osteoporosis treatment.
Terconazole vaginal supposit-ories 80 mg (equiv to Terazol 3 vaginal suppositories)
Approvable designations
Naltrexone extended-release injectable suspension (Vivitrol, Alkermes/Cephalon) was approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence in patients who can abstain from drinking in an outpatient setting and who are not actively drinking at the time treatment is initiated.
This central nervous system stimulant delivered via a transdermal patch is the first and only non-oral therapy to receive approval for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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