FDA OKs label update for etravirine
January 20th 2011FDA has approved a label update to include a 200-mg formulation of etravirine (Intelence, Tibotec Therapeutics), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 in adults resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents.
Generic competition on the horizon as many pharmaceutical companies face patent expirations
January 20th 2011The impact of generic drugs ? which now account for more than 70% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States ? will continue to increase as some of the world?s most-prescribed products lose their patent protection in 2011 and begin facing generic competition.
FDA approves head lice treatment for children and adults
January 19th 2011FDA approved spinosad (Natroba, ParaPRO LLC) Topical Suspension 0.9% for the treatment of head lice infestation in patients aged 4 years and older. Natroba is a topical drug product and should be applied only to the child's scalp or hair.
FDA: Severe liver injury associated with dronedarone use
January 18th 2011Severe liver injury, including 2 cases of acute liver failure leading to liver transplant in patients treated with the medication, has been associated with the use of dronedarone (Multaq), according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication announcement.
NCPA applauds BB&T Corporation for preserving employees' choice in filling maintenance prescriptions
January 18th 2011The National Community Pharmacists Association commended BB&T Corporation's recent decision to reemphasize and continue its employees' choice in filling their maintenance prescriptions, including at independent community pharmacies.
HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis trial shows promise
January 18th 2011The first trial to provide evidence that drugs used to treat HIV can also help to prevent HIV infection among men who have sex with men (when combined with other prevention strategies) was reported late November online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Longer oral contraceptive regimens containing a progestogen show higher effectiveness
January 18th 2011Compared with conventional 21-day regimens, 24-day oral contraceptive regimens containing a progestogen with a long half-life show higher contraceptive effectiveness under routine medical conditions, according to research published in the January 2011 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Oncology buy-and-bill evolving
January 15th 2011Oncology treatment and benefits are changing. Buy-and-bill, the traditional methodology that had physicians buying chemotherapeutic products, treating in the office, and billing the payer, is going the way of surgery by barbers. But no one is quite sure what will replace the one-time standard of payment.
E-tracking is the right prescription for U.S. meth problems
January 15th 2011The states that are looking for ways to stop illegal sales of pseudoephedrine should be commended. But a prescription requirement for cold and allergy medications that customers rely on every day is bad public policy that will have an unnecessary impact on many patients.
OTC drugs require prescriptions for account reimbursement
January 15th 2011Starting this month, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employees with tax-advantaged health accounts to have a prescription for an OTC drug to qualify for account reimbursement and preferred tax treatment. Insulin and OTC medical devices and supplies are exempt.
Medical marijuana and patient counseling
January 15th 2011Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is classified as Schedule I, a definition that gives it a high potential for abuse, with no current safe or medical use. Meanwhile, in 14 states, patients have access to medical marijuana upon physican recommendation.
For the wheezing, and the sneezing, and the sinus that's really a pip
January 15th 2011January is prime time for colds and other respiratory illnesses. Because people tend to equate January sniffles with colds and flu, they may go straight to the cough/cold area and bypass the allergy/sinus aisle, which is also of concern this time of year.