Authors


Diane Dong, BSN, MS

Latest:

Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucoma

In August 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract for prostaglandin ophthalmic agents with travoprost as the agent of choice. Although there was no national mandate to switch patients from existing therapy, many VA facilities had agreements from their local ophthalmology and optometry departments to conduct a therapeutic interchange of patients from existing prostaglandins (eg, latanoprost) to travoprost.


Kathy Tortorice, PharmD, BCPS

Latest:

Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucoma

In August 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract for prostaglandin ophthalmic agents with travoprost as the agent of choice. Although there was no national mandate to switch patients from existing therapy, many VA facilities had agreements from their local ophthalmology and optometry departments to conduct a therapeutic interchange of patients from existing prostaglandins (eg, latanoprost) to travoprost.


Mark Burlingame, PharmD, BCPS

Latest:

Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucoma

In August 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract for prostaglandin ophthalmic agents with travoprost as the agent of choice. Although there was no national mandate to switch patients from existing therapy, many VA facilities had agreements from their local ophthalmology and optometry departments to conduct a therapeutic interchange of patients from existing prostaglandins (eg, latanoprost) to travoprost.


Traci C. Brooks, PharmD

Latest:

Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucoma

In August 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract for prostaglandin ophthalmic agents with travoprost as the agent of choice. Although there was no national mandate to switch patients from existing therapy, many VA facilities had agreements from their local ophthalmology and optometry departments to conduct a therapeutic interchange of patients from existing prostaglandins (eg, latanoprost) to travoprost.


Muriel Burk, PharmD

Latest:

Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucoma

In August 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract for prostaglandin ophthalmic agents with travoprost as the agent of choice. Although there was no national mandate to switch patients from existing therapy, many VA facilities had agreements from their local ophthalmology and optometry departments to conduct a therapeutic interchange of patients from existing prostaglandins (eg, latanoprost) to travoprost.


Formulary staff

Latest:

Gingko biloba does not stop incidence of Alzheimer's disease, Lancet reports

The long-term use of gingko biloba extract does not lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a report published September 6 online for The Lancet.


William L. Baker, PharmD

Latest:

Dronedarone: An antiarrhythmic agent for the management of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter

Dronedarone, an investigational antiarrhythmic agent being studied for the management of AF and atrial flutter, has a pharmacologic mechanism of action that is similar to that of amiodarone, but dronedarone lacks an iodine moiety, which may result in less thyroid and pulmonary toxicity. Dronedarone is currently pending FDA approval; the agent was granted priority review in August 2008.


Anela Stanic, PharmD

Latest:

Review of antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection

The challenge of controlling HIV in patients with resistance to antiretrovirals has contributed to accelerated research into treatments with novel antiretroviral activity.


Julie C. Grana, PharmD

Latest:

Review of antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection

The challenge of controlling HIV in patients with resistance to antiretrovirals has contributed to accelerated research into treatments with novel antiretroviral activity.



Ripple Talati, PharmD

Latest:

Eslicarbazepine: A novel antiepileptic agent designed for improved efficacy and safety

Eslicarbazepine acetate (eslicarbazepine, or ESL) is a new antiepileptic agent awaiting FDA approval.


Olivia J. Phung, PharmD

Latest:

Golimumab: A human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody for the treatment of autoimmune joint diseases

Golimumab is a human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha monoclonal antibody that was recently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.


Christine Blank

Latest:

FDA Oks First Oral Blood Thinner for Children

The longstanding medicine for adults is now approved to treat children 3 months to less than 12 years old with venous thromboembolism.


Diana M. Sobieraj, PharmD, BCPS

Latest:

Drugs in Perspective: Oxytrol goes over-the-counter

Anti-muscarinic drugs are an option in the treatment of overactive bladder which is defined as urinary urgency with or without urge incontinence, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, in the absence of a urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology.Oral oxybutynin has been available by prescription for over 40 years, initially marketed as Ditropan® and Ditropan XL® although now generically availably, in addition to the transdermal patch Oxytrol and transdermal gel Gelnique. As an antagonist at muscarinic receptors, oxybutynin leads to relaxation of the smooth muscle of the bladder which leads to increased bladder capacity, decreased involuntary contractions and decreased urgency and frequency of both voluntary and incontinent episodes. The suggested dose is one patch applied for 4 consecutive days, after which the patch should be removed and a new one applied.


Steven B. Russek, RPh

Latest:

Specialty pharmacy's role in REMS, FDA's new drug safety program

Specialty pharmacies are uniquely positioned to play a key role in the implementation of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS).


Randa Adib, PharmD, BCPS

Latest:

Carflizomib: A second-generation proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of myeloma

The introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.


Douglas Moeller, MD

Latest:

A prescription for specialty pharmaceuticals: Transparency and collaboration for improving drug and diagnosis coding on medical claims

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, the explosive growth in molecular diagnostics and specialty pharmaceuticals is outpacing the growth seen in any prior era, raising serious concerns about clinical quality and cost. According to an industry survey conducted earlier this year by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), more than 900 medicines and vaccines have been identified in various stages of development. To keep pace, the strategies that were adequate for the “empty pipeline” scenarios of a few years ago-to code each agent, communicate clinical evidence and clinical guideline developments, and update reimbursement methodologies-must now be enhanced.


Heather Wong, PharmD candidate

Latest:

Rivaroxaban: A direct factor Xa inhibitor for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement surgery

Rivaroxaban is a highly potent direct factor Xa inhibitor that is pending FDA approval for the indication of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee replacement or total hip replacement surgery.


Nikki Nunokawa, PharmD candidate

Latest:

Rivaroxaban: A direct factor Xa inhibitor for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement surgery

Rivaroxaban is a highly potent direct factor Xa inhibitor that is pending FDA approval for the indication of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee replacement or total hip replacement surgery.


Debra L. Parker, PharmD, CACP, CDE, CLS

Latest:

Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP III

This review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.


Mary Ann Tucker, PharmD

Latest:

Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP III

This review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.


Teresa K. Hoffmann, PharmD, CACP, CDE, CLS

Latest:

Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP III

This review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.


Mark Lowery

Latest:

Sales of leukemia chemotherapy drug suspended

Citing the risk of life-threatening blood clots and severe narrowing of blood vessels, FDA has asked Ariad Pharmaceuticals to suspend marketing and sales of ponatinib (Iclusig).


Kejal Patel, PharmD, MBA

Latest:

Carflizomib: A second-generation proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of myeloma

The introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.


Maude L. Campbell, Clinical Managing Editor

Latest:

P&T considerations in fashioning a knowledge base, action plan for cardiometabolic disorders and weight

The P&T committee is positioned to provide knowledge, strategies to improve treatment of patients with cardiometabolic disorders.


Julie Lanouette, RN

Latest:

Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military population

In 2003, the Canadian Forces (CF) drug benefit plan used preferential listing to control costs associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); however, significant expenditures for nonbenefit PPIs continued. A database review was thus conducted to explain this anomalous usage pattern. This study provides further information regarding the effectiveness of preferred listing as a cost-saving measure, noting that adherence to such policies may be less than projected.


William D. Fisher, MD

Latest:

New oral anticoagulants: Their impact on efficacy and safety in patients undergoing total hip and total knee replacement and their influence on postoperative management

With the aging of the US population, elective total hip and knee replacement operations have become more prevalent, and costs to the healthcare system for these procedures are increasing rapidly. This includes costs related to treatment of venous thromboembolism, which may be a consequence of these operations if appropriate postoperative thromboprophylaxis is not administered.


Kathryn Foxhall

Latest:

Report blames FDA for drug shortage crisis; FDA defends its enforcement actions

Republicans in the House of Representatives have published a report blaming the current increase in drug shortages mostly on FDA under the current administrator.


Alan Gervais, BSP

Latest:

Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military population

In 2003, the Canadian Forces (CF) drug benefit plan used preferential listing to control costs associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); however, significant expenditures for nonbenefit PPIs continued. A database review was thus conducted to explain this anomalous usage pattern. This study provides further information regarding the effectiveness of preferred listing as a cost-saving measure, noting that adherence to such policies may be less than projected.


Janice Ma, PharmD

Latest:

Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military population

In 2003, the Canadian Forces (CF) drug benefit plan used preferential listing to control costs associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); however, significant expenditures for nonbenefit PPIs continued. A database review was thus conducted to explain this anomalous usage pattern. This study provides further information regarding the effectiveness of preferred listing as a cost-saving measure, noting that adherence to such policies may be less than projected.

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.