News

Ziprasidone (Geodon, Pfizer) and risperidone (Risperdal, Janssen) are equally efficacious in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, with ziprasidone demonstrating a lower movement disorder burden and less effect on prolactin concentrations and weight than risperidone.

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of osteoporosis (March 2005)

A number of clinical approaches are utilized in managing the overlapping aspects of poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Exenatide (Amylin/Lilly), a novel drug in a new medication class known as the incretin mimetic agents, offers a new mechanism to achieve glycemic control.

A new dosage strength of the fentanyl transdermal system (Duragesic, Alza) was approved for the management of persistent, moderate-to-severe chronic pain requiring continuous opioid administration for an extended period of time that cannot be managed by other drugs. The new patch will deliver 12 mcg of fentanyl per hour.

President George W. Bush recently nominated Lester M. Crawford, DVM, PhD, to take the permanent role of FDA commissioner after serving as acting or deputy administrator since February 2002.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Stanford University, and several rheumatology clinics across the United States found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who do not receive sufficient benefit with etanercept may experience improved disease control by switching to infliximab.

Ziprasidone (Geodon, Pfizer) and risperidone (Risperdal, Janssen) are equally efficacious in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, with ziprasidone demonstrating a lower movement disorder burden and less effect on prolactin concentrations and weight than risperidone.

Researchers have found that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) appear to reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in elderly patients with hypertension.

A meta-analysis demonstrates that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors provide a survival benefit in patients with diabetic nephropathy, whereas no such evidence exists for angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs).

Evidence-based medicine is the driving philosophy for pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee decision-making. When the available evidence is incomplete or unclear, the decision-making process becomes complex. Evaluation of the published literature to make sound decisions regarding appropriate medication use can be a time-consuming process. The use of expert panels or subcommittees may facilitate decision-making; however, this process is often limited by the schedules and time constraints of busy clinicians. This article describes the creation and utilization of a "virtual" panel of experts utilizing anonymous electronic communications to assist the P&T committee at a university-based teaching hospital in making medication use policy. The article includes a detailed description of the P&T committee's experience in the selection of virtual panel members, methods used, advantages, potential pitfalls, and the outcomes of a virtual committee used to evaluate the appropriateness of the off-label use of nesiritide (Natrecor, Scios).

Surfactant replacement therapy (Surfaxin, Discovery Laboratories) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants

Potassium iodide oral solution 65 mg/mL

March DTR Analysis: Drug Coverage

One physician practice gains advantages through an EMR implementation

A new e-learning initiative succeeds more often when upper management supports it.

Hold on to your hats, because healthcare's about to tip. The driving force? Consumerism, and it's transforming the way Americans think about, pay for, and manage their healthcare.

Managed care coverage for specific drug classes

BREAST CANCER is the most common cancer found in women, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. More than 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, approximately 77% of them in women over 50 years of age.

WHEN HUMANS WALKED on the moon during the Apollo era, visionaries were foretelling the development of colonies in outer space. Meanwhile, Earthbound communities experienced explosive growth, producing the modern suburb with its housing developments and urban sprawl.

You don't have to be in the healthcare industry for long before it becomes obvious that change is the only constant. Late in 2004, Christopher Koller conducted an interview with MANAGED HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE and talked about his job as CEO of Providence-based Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI), which was created in 1993 by the state's 14 Community Health Centers.

LAST FALL, THE CENTERS for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), published a memorandum providing guidance to state regulators regarding the licensure and regulation of Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations.

EVERY SO OFTEN, something in healthcare really captures my imagination. I am frequently amazed by the innovation, intelligence and dedication of the people who work in this industry, but once in a while something special will happen and I'll think, "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life."

First prescription sleep aid not limited to short-term use

First inhaled prostacyclin approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension

If approved, cilansetron (Calmactin, Solvay Pharmaceuticals) would be the second selective 5-HT3 antagonist introduced for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Based on 2 main clinical trials, cilansetron 2 mg orally 3 times daily appears to be effective in the relief of IBS-D symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort) and abnormal bowel habits in both male and female patients. Adverse effects were minor, with constipation being the most commonly reported adverse effect. No information is currently available on cilansetron's potential for drug interactions, need for dose adjustments in renal or hepatic insufficiency, long-term safety, or cost. Cilansetron was granted priority review status by FDA on September 1, 2004, for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant IBS in men and women. Currently marketed agents for the treatment of IBS are only approved for use in female patients.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic disease, with the incidence of BPH increasing with age. Histopathologic features are present in almost half of all men aged >60 years. The disease can have a profoundly negative impact on patients' quality of life, often causing them to limit or avoid basic activities of daily living. Many patients who develop BPH will seek treatment for bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Medicaid: Top 20 States by Enrollment

Recent Acquisitions of companies specializing in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) may lead to further product innovation and competition in the managed care market.