Cinacalcet: The first calcimimetic approved for secondary hyperparathyroidism
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common sequelae of chronic kidney disease. Treatment of this condition with traditional agents such as phosphate binders and vitamin D analogs is often complicated by the development of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Cinacalcet (Sensipar, Amgen) is the first agent in a new class of drugs called calcimimetics. The agent sensitizes the calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland to extracellular calcium and directly lowers arathyroid hormone levels. Cinacalcet is FDA-approved for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. In this patient population, cinacalcet reduces plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and the calcium-phosphorus product without associated hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Cinacalcet appears to be well-tolerated, with nausea, vomiting, and hypocalcemia as the main adverse events. The drug is also approved for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma and holds promise for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.
David Calabrese of OptumRx Talks Top Three Drugs in Pipeline, Industry Trends in Q2
July 1st 2020In this week's episode of Tuning Into The C-Suite podcast, MHE's Briana Contreras chatted with David Calabrese, R.Ph, MHP, who is senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer of pharmacy care services company, OptumRx. David is also a member of Managed Healthcare Executives’ Editorial Advisory Board. During the discussion, he shared the OptumRx Quarter 2 Drug Pipeline Insights Report of 2020. Some of the information shared includes the three notable drugs currently being reviewed or those that have been recently approved by the FDA. Also discussed were any interesting industry trends to watch for.
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