FDA Actions in Brief January 2012 (Antares, Isentress, REMS)

Susvimo is also approved to treat diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration, and the medication, ranibizumab, is delivered through an ocular implant that is refilled every nine months.

In 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.

Bayer’s Jivi is a factor VIII replacement therapy that has been engineered with a compound that allows for less frequent dosing. It is now indicated for patients 7 years of age and older.

Zynyz is now FDA-approved as the first and only approved first line treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.

A new law in Iowa, if signed by the governor, will mandate 100% pass-through of rebates, increased financial transparency, and a minimal payment for pharmacies. Critics say it will be the most costly mandate in the state’s history.

It could improve access to community pharmacies and lower prices. Or it will limit access to critical drugs and impact payers’ ability to contract for a broad range of services. Industry leaders are unsure about the impact of Arkansas’ law banning PBMs from owning pharmacies.