Should feds limit coverage of antianemia agents?
May 21st 2007CMS proposes paying for darbepoetin (Aranesp, Amgen) and epoetin alfa (Epogen, Amgen; Procrit, Ortho Biotech) only to treat anemia in certain cancer patients. Still to be considered is the use of the antianemia drugs among patients with kidney failure.
Electronic network simplifies oncology drug procurement
May 21st 2007The benefits OneOncology brings to community oncology practices include: lowering costs by letting the open market set drug prices through a completely transparent negotiation that ensures the lowest possible price on a product line-item basis; freeing up staff time spent on drug shopping, drug ordering, and administrative tasks; and eliminating market basket and bundled contracts to give physicians greater freedom of choice in making treatment decisions and optimizing therapies.
New long-acting beta agonist for nebulizer approved
May 21st 2007Formoterol fumarate (Perforomist Inhalation Solution, Dey L.P.), a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), has been approved by the FDA as a twice-daily maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, or COPD.
Feds endorse use of antialcoholism injection
May 21st 2007SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, has recognized the use of naltrexone extended-release injectable suspension (Vivitrol, Cephalon/Alkermes) for the treatment of alcohol dependence as part of its Spring 2007 Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory.
Shark cartilage capsules recalled because of possible health risk
May 21st 2007The FDA and NBTY of Bohemia, N.Y., have informed consumers and healthcare professionals of a nationwide recall of three lots of shark cartilage capsules the company manufactured in 2004 and distributed to consumers through mail and Internet orders and through retail stores in the U.S. The product was recalled because of possible contamination with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Profile of a small-town pharmacy: Something old, something new
May 21st 2007The life of a small-town pharmacy is anything but ordinary. The days of soda fountains and bicycle delivery boys are long gone and have been replaced with bulky neon Coke machines and UPS. For one small-town pharmacy in Hazlehurst, Miss., the old way of life is exactly what this family wants to keep in place.
Latebreakers: States undecided on AMP
May 21st 2007A report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has found that most states have not decided whether to use average manufacturer price (AMP) data for Medicaid drug reimbursement due to concerns over the availability and quality of AMP data.
Flushing out bowel disorders: New therapies emerge for both IBS and IBD
May 21st 2007The differences between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are discussed along with emerging treatments for both conditions. The recent withdrawal of tegaserod (Zelnorm) for the treatment of IBS-c has left many searching for new therapies.