First human MAb offers RA patients effective option
January 20th 2003Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) now have a first-of-its-kind therapeutic option that is safe, convenient, and effective. The FDA recently approved adalimumab (Humira, Abbott Laboratories) for reducing the signs and symptoms and inhibiting the progression of structural damage in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The approval of adalimumab comes just nine months after regulatory submission. Adalimumab will be available in pharmacies by mid-January.
There's no simple route to compliance, study finds
January 20th 2003Keeping patients on long term therapy requires multifaceted interventions but even complex approaches don't lead to big improvements in adherence or improved outcomes, according to researchers from the McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences in Ontario.
New osteoporosis drug is first to form bone
January 6th 2003The FDA recently approved teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection [Forteo, Eli Lilly], a recombinant form of human parathyroid hormone, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at increased risk for fracture. Teriparatide is also indicated to increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture.
Pharmacy leaders offer new practice paradigm--PCT
December 16th 2002To comply with state practice acts and OBRA '90, pharmacacy practice must include clincial technology, such as devices and instruments, not just drugs, according to a group of leading scientists, educators, and attorneys who have issued a manifesto.
Single-pill combinations: New therapy for Type 2 diabetes
December 16th 2002Patients with type II diabetes now have therapeutic options that combine two medications in one convenient pill. Persons following complex treatment regimens can take fewer pills, and may incur lower copay costs. The FDA approved Metaglip (glipizide/metformin, Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Avandamet (rosiglitazone/metformin, GlaxoSmithKline) two months ago.
New schizophrenia drug has good side-effect profile
December 16th 2002Patients with schizophrenia now have a therapeutic option with a novel mechanism of action and favorable adverse effect profile. Last month, the FDA approved aripiprazole (Abilify, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole is currently available in pharmacies.
Inciting change for the sake of pharmacy means getting involved
November 18th 2002In order for things to evolve, they must change, and hopefully for the better. This is certainly true of pharmacy. Although there have been many changes in the way pharmacists are reimbursed for their services, marking their increased acceptance as healthcare providers, many more changes need to happen.
New drug for enlarged prostate to hit pharmacies next month
November 18th 2002Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) will soon have a therapeutic option that will reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for BPH-related surgery, and improve the symptoms of BPH. On October 10, the FDA approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for dutasteride (Avodart, GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride will be available in pharmacies in December.