News

FDA’s recent approval of crofelemer (Fulyzaq, Salix Pharmaceuticals, under license from Napo Pharmaceuticals), 125 mg delayed-release tablets, the first anti-diarrheal drug for HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), is a significant step forward in addressing the unmet medical need of people with HIV/AIDS on ART who experience noninfectious diarrhea, which often can lead to reduced treatment compliance.

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluate existing national quality health measures before implementing quality metrics in state health insurance Exchanges starting in 2016.

FDA approved the first trivalent influenza vaccine (Flublok, Protein Sciences) made using an insect virus (baculovirus) expression system and recombinant DNA technology for the prevention of seasonal influenza disease in people aged 18 to 49 years.

FDA has approved budesonide (Uceris, Santarus and Cosmo Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA) extended-release tablets for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Merck is halting sales of its cholesterol drug-extended-release niacin/laropiprant (Tredaptive)-after preliminary data from a study showed that it did not achieve its primary end point of reduction of major vascular events and also raised safety concerns.

A new web-based program aims to help clinical pharmacists and other healthcare professionals achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients on antithrombotic medications.

Forty percent of consumers believe insurers should be more regulated then they are now.

Fiscal cliff deal shuts down loan program meant to launch state-based co-op health plans; 26 states will miss out.

The new State Health Care Cost Containment Commission aims to create practical solutions for states to manage today’s crushing healthcare costs.

New findings could help physicians to selectively use acid-suppressive medications when needed, and avoid using them when there is no indication that patients are at risk

Patients with acute coronary artery syndrome and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention should be maintained on low-dose aspirin therapy, a recent study demonstrates.

The smoking cessation aid varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) may increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with cardiovascular disease, according to a recent FDA safety announcement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced its endorsement of the World Health Organization?s (WHO) recommendation that thimerosal not be banned from vaccines.

Canagliflozin (Janssen Research & Development), developed as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, raised the level of bad cholesterol in patients during clinical trials and may post heart risks, according to FDA and reported by Reuters.

In 2012, FDA was able to achieve milestone and make groundbreaking strides through the approval of 39 innovative and cutting-edge drug therapies to populations in need.

Pharmacological resistance to aspirin is rare. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia said they could not identify one case of true drug resistance, according to the study published online Dec. 4 in the journal Circulation.

Industry-sponsored studies are more likely to report favorable findings on the sponsor’s drug or device, according to a recent literature review. Healthcare professionals who rely on systematic reviews to aid decision-making should be aware of this industry influence on conclusions.

National campaign aims to get 80% of patients under control

Daniel J. Loepp, CEO, discusses how this large plan has realized cost savings with a provider-driven approach

Women who regularly took the analgesics ibuprofen or acetaminophen 2 more days per week had an increased risk of hearing loss, according to a recent study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are being implemented in a variety of settings to assist with the challenges associated with the management of infectious diseases. Here's a review of ASPs from the perspective of a formulary decision-maker.

With limited treatments available, the discovery of mutations in Janus kinase 2 (JAK 2) in 2005 was a major step forward for scientists in search of new therapies for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced its endorsement of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation that thimerosal not be banned from vaccines.

Benzodiazepines, which have been associated with an increased incidence of infections in the critically ill, also may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia, according to a recent report published in Thorax.

Adverse drug events in the elderly can be prevented with appropriate monitoring, according to CDC.

A study of 1.7 million patients with diabetes indicates that reducing inflammation of the mouth can produce improvement in other health measures.

A look at the statin prescription trends in the Advocate Physician Partners organization.

Perampanel is a selective, non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist that is used as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures and was approved by the FDA on October 22, 2012.