New biologic: Radioimmunotherapeutic for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
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New biologic: Second interferon beta-1a product for relapsing multiple sclerosis
as reported April 1, 2002
(as reported April 1, 2002)
Prompted by a flurry of new evidence, two leading cardiology groups have revised their guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes just 18 months after the last revision.
An array of both existing and investigational biologic agents are showing efficacy in clearing psoriasis and may prove useful for long-term psoriasis management. So suggests a collection of studies presented at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held recently in New Orleans.
Three-year data have confirmed the effectiveness of a strategy that eliminated all third-generation cephalosporins from a formulary as a means to control the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).
Providing formulary information on PDA devices improves formulary compliance and is gaining in physician acceptance as well. These were the findings of a 4-month pilot program involving 104 Connecticut-based physicians conducted by ePocrates and AdvancePCS.
Stopping statins after the onset of symptoms completely negates the drugs'protective effect in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS). So concludes a new subgroup analysis of the PRISM trial.
Concerns about possible unintended consequences of reference pricing-atleast when applied to ACE inhibitors-appear to be unfounded, according toa new analysis of Canadian data.
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For the first time, a beta blocker has been surpassed by another classof antihypertensive drug for the prevention of cardiovascular events inpatients with hypertension.
Seldom are the attributes of drugs under formulary consideration conveniently measured on the same scale, and if they are, they typically do not carry the same weight in a decision. Fortunately, application of Multiattribute Utility Technology (MAUT) provides a way to incorporate several valued attributes of disparate weights into a unitary measure for the purpose of evaluating options. This month's column presents the core elements of MAUT and explores its use in the drug evaluation process through a mock formulary committee example.
Rosuvastatin is an investigational HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor expected to gain FDA approval later this year for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. It has significantly exceeded atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin in reducing LDL cholesterol in clinical trials. This Focus article reviews those trials as well as rosuvastatin's pharmacologic and safety profiles in an effort to delineate its likely role in cholesterol-reducing therapy.
These authors report on their literature search of studies assessing the impact of factors influencing the diffusion of new drug therapies and physicians' adoption and eventual relinquishment of those therapies. They specifically explore how their finds can help better align physician prescribing with formulary objectives.
Optimal management can raise health plans' generic utilization rates from the current average of 34.5% to 51%. So concludes a new study from Stanley Wallack, PhD, and other researchers from Brandeis University.
FDA actions in brief as reported March 1, 2002
as reported March 1, 2002
New dosage regimen: Single-dose and 3-day regimens for acute otitis media
New formulation: Monthly SC injection form of GnRH agonist for advanced prostate cancer
New indication: Oral cancer drug approved to treat rare gastrointestinal tumors
New indication: Biologic cleared for psoriatic arthritis
New indication: Broader allergy indication, new hives indication for nonsedating antihistamine
NME: Orphan drug for rare pediatric liver disease
New biologic: Pegylated form of filgrastim requiring less-frequent administration
New biologic: Factor Xa inhibitor for reducing risk of blood clotsafter orthopedic surgeries
A simple enhancement to Pyxis drug dispensing machines can drastically improve adverse drug event (ADE) capture.
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