News

Recent FDA Approvals (through October 2012) related to (Perampanel, Eisai, Ocriplasmin, ThromboGenics, Paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension, Celgene, tocilizumab, Genentech, Cysteamine ophthalmic solution, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, APTIMA HPV 16 18/45 Genotype Assay, Hologic, Adalimumab, Abbott, Regorafenib, Bayer HealthCare, Onyx)

Vascepa (Icosapent ethyl)

New molecular entity: FDA approved icosapent ethyl (Vascepa, Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited), an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Checklist: Census Report

A recent Census report shows how healthcare reform has started to affect healthcare coverage.

Big data is a big deal

Centene's Glendon Schuster recommends the top ways plans can put data to good use

Almost all health coverage plans are expected to see trend increases below 10% in 2013. HDHPs show a projected 9.1% trend, higher than HMOs, PPOs and POS plans.

FDA has approved omacetaxine mepesuccinate (Synribo, Teva) to treat adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease. An estimated 5,430 people will be diagnosed with CML in 2012, according to the National Institutes of Health. Synribo is intended to be used in patients whose cancer progressed after treatment with at least 2 drugs from a class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), also used to treat CML.

The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the use of Meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus b Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine (MenHibrix, GlaxoSmithKline) in infants at increased risk for bacterial meningitis.