Formulary Watch |

Naloxone dispensing, education for pharmacists available in new guide from CPNP

Naloxone is a lifesaving antidote for reversing opioid overdose symptoms and the pharmacist’s role has quickly expanded in managing this population. NALOXONE ACCESS: A Practical Guideline for Pharmacists is designed to educate pharmacists on naloxone use and administration with the goal of providing increased patient access to this life-saving medication for opioid overdose.

ACO model saves Medicare $384 million

An innovative payment model created as a pilot project by the Affordable Care Act generated more than $384 million in savings for Medicare in its first two years, according to an independent evaluation report conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Oncology drug spending soars

Total global spending on oncology medicines – including therapeutic treatments and supportive care – reached the $100 billion threshold in 2014, while spending on oncology drugs in the U.S. increased 5.3 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in 2014 to reach $42.4 billion, according to a new report.

Community initiative aims to improve type 2 diabetes care in Hispanic adults

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has launched a multifaceted initiative designed to support healthcare professionals who treat the culturally-unique needs of Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes.

FDA approves first spray-dried sealant to stop bleeding

The FDA approved Raplixa (fibrin sealant [human]), used to help control bleeding during surgery, on April 30.

Patient-controlled pain drug device approved by FDA

Patients who are recovering from surgery in the hospital now have the opportunity to control their analgesic dosing. Ionsys (fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system) from The Medicines Company has just been approved by FDA for this use.

FDA approves cough, cold drug

FDA has approved codeine polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex (Tuzistra XR, Vernalis plc and Tris Pharma) extended-release oral suspension, CIII (DEA Schedule III).

FDA approves Breo Ellipta for treatment for asthma in adults

FDA has approved fluticasone furoate/ vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) for the treatment of asthma in adults. Breo Ellipta is a fixed-dose combination of fluticasone furoate, which is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and vilanterol, which is a long-acting beta 2 agonist (LABA). The fluticasone reduces inflammation while the vilanterol acts to open the airways. Breo Ellipta is administered using the Ellipta dry powder inhaler and comes in two strengths, 100/25 mcg and 200/25 mcg.

Hydrocodone prescribed most to Medicare beneficiaries

Generic Vicodin (hydrocodone acetaminophen) was the most widely-prescribed drug to Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2013, according to new data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week.

PCORI approves trial to determine best aspirin dose to help heart disease patients

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors this week approved a 3-year, $14 million clinical trial designed to determine the best dose of aspirin to use to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease.

FDA warns supplement firms over unapproved ingredient

The FDA issued warning letters to 14 dietary supplement manufacturers because they are using an ingredient not approved for use.The ingredient in question is 4-Amino-2-Methylpentane Citrate, also known as 1,3-Dimethylbutylamine, 2-amino-4-methylpentane, AMP citrate, and 4-methyl-2-pentanamine, or DMBA.

FDA issues biosimilar final guidance

FDA has issued 3 final biosimilar guidances for industry: Scientific Considerations in Demonstrating Biosimilarity to a Reference Product; Quality Considerations in Demonstrating Biosimilarity of a Therapeutic Protein Product to a Reference Product; and Biosimilars: Questions and Answers Regarding Implementation of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009.

Nonsurgical double-chin treatment wins FDA approval

FDA’s approval of Kybella (deoxycholic acid), a less-invasive, non-surgical option for adults with moderate-to-severe fat below the chin, known as submental fat, or double chin, bodes well for the future of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals.

Personalized treatments for lung cancer underused: International survey

Despite the majority of newly diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients being tested for genetic mutations, a gap still exists for providing a personalized treatment plan for patients. An international survey, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, found that 60% of US oncologists do not determine their treatment decision based on patient’s genetic mutation subtype, compared with 50% in Canada and 23% in Asia.

Medicare Part D scripts reach $103 billion

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday released new data on Medicare Part D prescription drugs prescribed by physicians and other health care professionals in 2013.

[BLOG]: Big pharma and the new trend of acquisitions

Biologic and pharmaceutical companies, along with their financial advisors or venture capital partners, have used mergers and acquisitions over the years to create value to keep their leading positions in a changing market. The era of pharmaceutical companies relying on blockbusters for their growth is over as more and more of these drugs have faced patent expiration, with no indication that new medicinal discoveries will emerge to take their place.

Opioid addiction treatment in the ED better than referrals

Emergency department (ED) patients with opioid dependence who receive a brief intervention and ED-initiated treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone and referral to primary care for 10-week follow up, are twice as likely to be engaged in addiction treatment at 30 days compared with standard referral and a brief intervention with a facilitated referral, according to a study published in JAMA.

FDA approves Cyramza for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

FDA has approved Cyramza (ramucirumab, Eli Lilly) injection for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with disease progression on or after prior therapy.

AbbVie hopes to advance HCV treatment for genotype 4

AbbVie’s investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) cocktail has been granted FDA priority review April 23 for the treatment of adult patients with chronic genotype 4 (GT4) HCV infection-the first investigational drug combination for GT4 infection, which accounts for about 6% of HCV cases in the United States.

FDA approves first generic Abilify

The FDA approved the first generic versions of Abilify (aripiprazole), an antipsychotic drug approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, on April 28.

Chronically ill patients fearful of unreported drug switching by insurers, PBMs

Insurers and pharmacists should not switch effective therapies without patient and physician notification, according to a national survey of stabilized autoimmune patients that explored their perspectives on switching prescribed biological medicines.

New data: Hospital readmission among NVAF hospitalized patients treated with new oral anticoagulants

Data from a real-world analysis provided an early view of hospital readmissions among hospitalized nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated with new oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Statins cost-effective in elderly patients: Study

Statins could be a cost-effective tool for preventing heart attacks and other cardiovascular incidents in adults over aged 75 years, but the benefits would need to be weighed against potential side effects, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Study finds liposomal bupivacaine improves patient, cost outcomes after knee replacement

Use of bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension (Exparel) was associated with im-proved clinical outcomes and a favorable cost savings per patient compared to the standard of care, according to data presented at the 27th annual meeting and expo of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy in San Diego.

Generic drug prices rise, but may slow

While generic drug prices continue to rise, analysts say they may not continue their rapid growth rate.

Americans want drug pricing reform

Soaring prescription drug prices is quickly becoming a hot-button political topic, as American consumers are saying that pricing is out-of-control.

Teva’s Mylan bid set to shake up industry

Teva Pharmaceutical’s unsolicited $40 billion offer to acquire Mylan N.V. is expected to shake up the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the areas of generic and specialty drugs. A Teva acquisition of Mylan would be the biggest health care deal of the year so far and the largest acquisition ever proposed by an Israeli company, according to S.&P. Capital IQ, The New York Times reported.

Children with cerebral palsy, epilepsy need flu vaccine but don’t always get it

Children who have neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy are no more likely to be vaccinated against influenza than children without these conditions, despite the increased risk for complications from flu these children experience, according to a study published online April 9 in Vaccine. Moreover, healthcare providers may not be familiar with the increased risk among these patients to effectively recommend influenza vaccine.

Drop in opioid Rx, overdoses linked to pharmacy changes

The introduction of abuse-deterrent OxyContin, couple with the removal of propoxyphene from the US prescription marketplace may have played a role in decreasing opioid prescribing and overdoses, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

PPIs linked to risk of acute kidney injury in elderly

Older adults taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were more likely to have an increased risk of acute kidney injury and acute interstitial nephritis, according to a study published in CMAJ Open.