News

FDA has approved mirabegron (Myrbetriq, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.) to treat adults with overactive bladder, a condition in which the bladder muscle cannot be controlled, squeezes too often, or squeezes without warning.

FDA has approved lorcaserin (Belviq, Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients who are overweight or obese and have at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition. It is the first prescription weight-loss treatment approved by FDA in 13 years.

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy strongly favors the revisions of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) that the US House of Representatives and the US Senate conference committee negotiated earlier this week and the House passed by voice vote on Wednesday.

Label prescribing information for dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) capsules has been updated to affirm that the 150-mg twice-daily dose is superior to warfarin in reducing ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

As the Supreme Court debates the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, some states are taking a wait-and-see attitude on health insurance exchange implementation, while others are forging ahead. Meanwhile, private exchanges are gaining some traction.