Clinical News

A new study suggests that the name of a biosimilar product could influence pharmacist confidence levels when dispensing a biosimilar in place of a reference biologic.

In patients with COPD who have a history of exacerbations, a once-daily treatment regimen of combined fluticasone furoate and vilanterol was associated with fewer exacerbations than usual care without a greater risk of serious adverse events

Patients with severe COPD are likely to suffer frequent disease exacerbations and a reduced quality of life.

Already, HHS has awarded around $433 million for Zika response and preparedness activities. In addition, the new Senate and House budget, passed in late September, contained $1.1 billion in Zika funding.

The number of pharmacists providing vaccinations – both in the U.S. and around the world – is growing significantly.

According to a recent report from the Institute of Safe Medication practices (ISMP), FDA received 34,765 adverse drug event reports for oral anticoagulants in 2015.

FDA approved Onzetra Xsail (Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc.)- a fast-acting, low-dose sumatriptan dry powder formulation for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.

Patients are willing to use antibiotics without contacting a medical professional, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

As bacterial meningitis spikes in certain regions of the U.S. and with more schools recommending vaccination, some pharmacy chains are helping to combat the disease.

New study finds that biosimilar medications for arthritis and other diseases areas safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts.

Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals are looking to the FDA for more guidance on biosimilars and interchangeability with their reference products.

Despite barriers to their adoption in the U.S. and Europe, biosimilars have produced healthcare savings in Europe. Similar savings are projected for the U.S. market.

Cancer treatments are expected to dominate much of the first wave of biosimilars in the U.S. This Q&A discussion looks at some of the questions pharmacists have about use of biosimilars in cancer treatment.

Biosimilars are the future of pharmacy. When they hit community pharmacy, issues that have been important in specialty settings are going to explode.

Pharmacists on P&T committees are going to face issues that range from biosimilar naming systems to challenges in dispensing and costs.

Anticoagulation briefs.

Brivaracetam provides another adjunctive treatment option for partial onset seizures in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy.

Glycopyrrolate bromide is a quick-onset long-acting muscarinic antagonist bronchodilator with FDA approval for use as maintenance treatment of COPD. Seebri Neohaler is approved for use at a dose of 15.6 ug inhaled twice daily.

There is a growing group of LAMA/LABA combination therapies in development. Investigations into the risks and benefits of LAMA/LABA therapy have demonstrated benefits.

The Pew Charitable Trusts took a look at antibiotic stewardship programs in 10 U.S. health systems. Here's the result.

Lonsurf is a new, orally administered cytotoxic drug for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Anticoagulation briefs.

Update: LABA/LAMA combo therapies

The results of a study indicated that only 36% of COPD patients were prescribed treatment according to the GOLD guidelines. The patients that were on GOLD-recommended pharmacological therapy had a moderate improvement in symptoms and health resource utilization.

Rolapitant is a novel NK1 receptor antagonist that maintains >90% receptor binding up to five days after a single 180-mg dose.

The guidelines, which update the group's 2007 and 2009 recommendations, are published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine."

A Danish study has found a possibility of increased risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who use oral fluconazole to treat yeast infections.

FDA approves a new indication, then issues strengthened warning about possible effects.