June 17th 2021
The COX-2 inhibitor Anjeso, a faster-acting injectable formulation of meloxicam, reduces opioid use after surgery.
November 18th 2014
June 13th 2013
June 12th 2013
Specialty tier falls out of favor because of access issues
January 1st 2012Spending growth for specialty drugs rose 19.6% between 2009 and 2010, while growth of traditional drugs decreased by 1.4%, according to Express Scripts' 2010 Drug Specialty Report. Payers are struggling to appropriately manage high-cost drugs while ensuring their members get the care they need. One strategy is introducing a specialty drug tier to the formulary, which raises a red flag on access issues.
FDA advisory committee votes to extend use of pneumococcal vaccine to adults
December 2nd 2011FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologics Advisory Committee recently voted in favor of expanding the indication for the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13) for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults age 50 years and older, Pfizer Inc, the drug’s manufacturer, said in a statement.
NHLBI panel recommends universal pediatric screening for cholesterol
November 28th 2011All children and adolescents should be screened for high cholesterol, and children as young as aged 10 should be considered for treatment with statins, according to the latest update from an expert panel convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
AHA, ACC release updated guidelines on secondary prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease
November 28th 2011The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation have issued new guidelines for secondary prevention and risk reduction in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Drug shortages challenge the healthcare community, FDA, and pharmaceutical manufacturers
November 1st 2011The outcry from physicians, pharmacists, and patients over disruptions in supplies of vital medicines to treat cancer, pain, and other serious conditions is drawing attention from the White House, Congress and the broader healthcare system.
Creative contracting initiatives key for pharma as competition in RA market increases
November 1st 2011The rheumatoid arthritis payer market has experienced increasingly competitive forces, prompting RA drug manufacturers to experiment with new contracting initiatives to gain preferred formulary placement.
Crizotinib: A novel, targeted gene therapy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer
November 1st 2011Crizotinib is a new kinase inhibitor recently approved by FDA for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer who express the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene.
Generic inhaled corticosteroids: Current status and what to expect next
October 21st 2011Tracking and preparing for the approval of generic products is 1 of the key components of proactive formulary management. Unfortunately, forecasting FDA approval of the first generic inhaled corticosteroid products is difficult.