New diabetes treatment combines two drugs into one
September 4th 2006As the saying goes, two are better than one. And that's just what Takeda Pharmaceuticals is saying about its new combination drug recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration. Duetact takes pioglitazone (Actos, Takeda)-a thiazolidinedione-and adds glimepiride-a sulfonylurea-in an effort to offer Type 2 diabetes patients a new, once-daily alternative.
Medco employee found shot to death
September 4th 2006Paul Duncsak, a pharmacist who was employed by Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based Medco Health Solutions, was found shot to death in his Ramsey, N.J., home on Aug. 23. According to newspaper reports, Duncsak was involved in a bitter divorce and child-custody battle with his ex-wife.
Managing drug expenses through the Part D donut hole
September 4th 2006There are several important things that all Medicare Part D beneficiaries can do to avoid falling in the Medicare Part D "donut hole," according to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. Recommendations from the organization include make use of generic drugs whenever appropriate; talk to your doctor or pharmacist about alternative drugs; don't stop taking your medications to save money; talk to your doctor or pharmacist about cutting tablets in half; and remember to use your Medicare card each time you purchase drugs, whether or not you have reached the donut hole.
Study faults FDA approval process
September 4th 2006Seventy-nine percent of drugs and medical devices are approved by the FDA's outside advisory panels, according to a study conducted by National Research Center for Women & Families. The Washington-based nonprofit research group termed the committees as little more than "rubber stamps" for drug companies.
March of Dimes to FDA: Approve preterm birth drug
September 4th 2006The March of Dimes medical director, Nancy Green, has testified before the FDA Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee on the benefit of injectable progesterone for pregnant patients at risk of delivering premature infants. The drug, known as 17-P, or 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (Gestiva), is currently under priority review by the FDA for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a history of early delivery.
FDA warns of Canadian counterfeit drugs
September 4th 2006Consumers should not purchase medications from Web sites that have prescription orders filled by Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, warned the FDA. Apparently the sites are selling counterfeit drugs to U.S. consumers that include versions of Lipitor, Actonel, Nexium, Hyzaar, Ezetrol (sold as Zetia in the U.S.), Crestor, Celebrex, Arimidex, Propecia, and Diovan.
R.Ph.s: Sudafed replacement is ineffective
September 4th 2006Sudafed PE, Pfizer's OTC decongestant that replaced Sudafed on drugstore shelves, is not "sufficiently absorbed into the bloodstream to make it an effective oral medication," according to pharmacists at the University of Florida. A Pfizer spokesman said the drug is effective, but consumers also can ask for the original Sudafed, which is now kept behind pharmacy counters to prevent criminals from buying it to make methamphetamine.
California to pass drug discount program
September 4th 2006Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R, Calif.) is expected to sign a compromise bill passed by the Democrat-controlled state legislature that would create a prescription drug discount program for many residents lacking drug coverage or with inadequate drug coverage. The compromise allows the drug companies three years to negotiate discounts or risk exclusion from the Medi-Cal list of approved drugs.
R.Ph.s play key role in combating noncompliance
September 4th 2006Remember this bit of advice: "Take your medicine; it's good for you"? Well, it appears that a lot of people haven't been following that counsel. It is estimated that 80% of patients don't take their medications as prescribed, and about 20% of all prescriptions are never filled. Patient noncompliance not only poses serious health consequences but can also result in significant losses of revenue.
New paper outlines standards for Alzheimer's care
September 4th 2006The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) recently released a position paper to affirm that a minimal set of care principles now exists for those with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers, and to articulate these principles. "Principles of care for patients with dementia resulting from Alzheimer disease" was published in the July 2006 issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and on the AAGP Web site at http://www.aagponline.org/prof/position_caredmnalz.asp.
Novel contraceptive inserted as a single rod
September 4th 2006A subdermal implantation of a single etonogestrel-containing rod can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. Does this sound too simple to be true? The manufacturer of Implanon, Organon Inc., is hoping women will be intrigued. The Food & Drug Administration approved the new 68-mg implant just last month. It contains the same component that's in the company's vaginal contraceptive, NuvaRing.
FDA proposes new rule for conversion to electronic drug info list
August 28th 2006An Electronic Drug Registration and Listing System (EDRLS) has been proposed by the FDA that would include a complete list of drug products marketed in the U.S. A change from the current paper system, the new electronic list would be available to healthcare providers, government agencies, and healthcare payers and would include specifics such as dosage forms, ingredients, strengths, labeling, and manufacturing information.
FDA issues statement on ephedrine supplements
August 28th 2006On Aug. 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver upheld the FDA final rule declaring all dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated and, therefore, illegal for marketing in the U.S., reversing a decision by the District Court of Utah. Commenting on the Denver court's ruling, the FDA said, "The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling demonstrates the soundness of FDA's decision to ban dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, consistent with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
Arcadia opens walk-in clinics in Meijer stores
August 28th 2006Arcadia Resources, a provider of home care, staffing services, and related home care equipment, is opening health clinics in seven Meijer stores in Michigan. Arcadia announced in June that it will operate health clinics in nine Meijer stores in Indiana.
Warning added to ADHD-drug label
August 28th 2006"Misuse of amphetamines may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events" is the statement that's been added to GlaxoSmithKline's dextroamphetamine sulfate sustained-release capsules and tablets (Dexedrine Spansules) labeling. The revision comes in response to an FDA request to all manufacturers of CNS stimulants used to treat ADHD for additional and standardized language based on recommendations made by members of two different advisory committees, according to Glaxo.
N.Y. State Attorney General expands Web site
August 28th 2006New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is informing New Yorkers that his Web site has been expanded to enable consumers to search and compare the prices for 150 commonly prescribed drugs that state law requires pharmacies to disclose to them upon request.
N.J. pharmacies create on-line Rx drug registry
August 28th 2006Pharmacies in New Jersey will soon be required to submit price information for the 150 most frequently prescribed prescription drugs as part of the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry. The recently signed law calls for drug prices to be available on a state-run Web site and a toll-free hotline in English and Spanish.
Two pharmacy co-ops expand cooperation
August 21st 2006Independent pharmacy cooperatives United Drugs and Partners in Pharmacy Cooperative (PIPCo) recently announced a new agreement to expand cooperation between the two organizations. "This new relationship lets us continue to preserve and strengthen our members' independence but allows them to do business on a chain level," explained Gene Brah, executive director of PIPCo.
Once-daily single pill simplifies HIV cocktail
August 21st 2006With the Food & Drug Administration's approval of Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences), HIV patients will have access to a once-daily single-tablet regimen. The new product combines three agents from two classes of antiretrovirals: Efavirenz (600 mg) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI); and emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir (300 mg) are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). All three work by blocking reverse transcriptase, an enzyme required for HIV replication.