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Latest:
Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucomaIn 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.
Latest:
Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucomaIn 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.
Latest:
Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucomaIn 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.
Latest:
Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucomaIn 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.
Latest:
Travoprost: A prostaglandin analogue for the treatment of glaucomaIn 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.
Latest:
Gingko biloba does not stop incidence of Alzheimer's disease, Lancet reportsThe 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.
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Dronedarone: An antiarrhythmic agent for the management of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutterDronedarone, 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.
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Review of antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infectionThe challenge of controlling HIV in patients with resistance to antiretrovirals has contributed to accelerated research into treatments with novel antiretroviral activity.
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Review of antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infectionThe challenge of controlling HIV in patients with resistance to antiretrovirals has contributed to accelerated research into treatments with novel antiretroviral activity.
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The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 24th Annual Meeting and Showcase: Specialty pharmaceutical pipeline rich with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, cancer agentsForecasts from AMCP's annual meeting indicate a full pipeline for specialty medications.
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Eslicarbazepine: A novel antiepileptic agent designed for improved efficacy and safetyEslicarbazepine acetate (eslicarbazepine, or ESL) is a new antiepileptic agent awaiting FDA approval.
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Golimumab: A human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody for the treatment of autoimmune joint diseasesGolimumab 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.
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FDA Oks First Oral Blood Thinner for ChildrenThe longstanding medicine for adults is now approved to treat children 3 months to less than 12 years old with venous thromboembolism.
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Drugs in Perspective: Oxytrol goes over-the-counterAnti-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.
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Specialty pharmacy's role in REMS, FDA's new drug safety programSpecialty pharmacies are uniquely positioned to play a key role in the implementation of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS).
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Carflizomib: A second-generation proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of myelomaThe introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
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A prescription for specialty pharmaceuticals: Transparency and collaboration for improving drug and diagnosis coding on medical claimsSince 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.
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Rivaroxaban: A direct factor Xa inhibitor for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement surgeryRivaroxaban 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.
Latest:
Rivaroxaban: A direct factor Xa inhibitor for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement surgeryRivaroxaban 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.
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Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP IIIThis review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.
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Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP IIIThis review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.
Latest:
Emerging risk factors and risk markers for cardiovascular disease: Looking beyond NCEP ATP IIIThis review discusses emerging risk factors for CVD, including hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and coronary artery calcification.
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Sales of leukemia chemotherapy drug suspendedCiting 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).
Latest:
Carflizomib: A second-generation proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of myelomaThe introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has dramatically improved outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
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P&T considerations in fashioning a knowledge base, action plan for cardiometabolic disorders and weightThe P&T committee is positioned to provide knowledge, strategies to improve treatment of patients with cardiometabolic disorders.
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Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military populationIn 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.
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New oral anticoagulants: Their impact on efficacy and safety in patients undergoing total hip and total knee replacement and their influence on postoperative managementWith 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.
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Report blames FDA for drug shortage crisis; FDA defends its enforcement actionsRepublicans in the House of Representatives have published a report blaming the current increase in drug shortages mostly on FDA under the current administrator.
Latest:
Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military populationIn 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.
Latest:
Preferential formulary listing of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI): Compliance with policy in a Canadian military populationIn 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.
