Breaking News:

Pharmacies now required by CMS to e-submit Part D prescriptions
A final rule requiring pharmacies participating in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program to electronically submit their Part D prescriptions to patients’ Medicare plan sponsors or their intermediaries was published by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Federal Register, reported Health Data Management. More...

FDA News:

Report analyzes how FDA can use REMS most effectively
Following the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 that enabled the agency to mandate REMS for drugs and biologics that pose greater risks, a new document finds that REMS may be effective if FDA uses the proper approach and incorporates new technologies (e.g., genetic testing, electronic medical records). More...

Global TB collaboration pushes to generate more effective disease-fighting regimens
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, addressed health leaders worldwide who represent industry, academia, government, and advocacy to help kick off a global consortium to fight tuberculosis (TB). She recently spoke at a press conference in Washington. More...

FDA approvals:

Drug approved as adjunctive therapy for treatment of elevated blood ammonia levels
Carglumic acid tablets (Carbaglu, Orphan Europe) for treatment of a rare genetic condition characterized by excess ammonia in the blood have received FDA approval. More...

Galderma gains FDA approval for retinoid in lotion form
Galderma Laboratories has received FDA approval for adapalene lotion, 0.1% (Differin), a first-of-its-kind lotion formulation of the retinoid adapalene for treating acne. More...

Diabetes treatment:

Liraglutide may improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Patients taking oral antidiabetes drugs who switched from exenatide twice daily to liraglutide once daily experienced further reductions in hemoglobin A1c and weight loss, according to the results of a clinical study. More...

New indication/formulation:

Rosuvastatin’s expanded indication draws criticism
Following FDA’s expanded indication for rosuvastatin (Crestor, AstraZeneca) in February, the drug’s producer now plans to extend the market for the drug by offering it as a preventive measure to people who do not have cholesterol issues. More....

OxyContin’s new formulation approved by FDA
A reformulation of controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin, Purdue Pharma), designed to curb misuse and abuse of the drug, has received FDA approval. More...

Discontinuation:

Inhalers filled with ozone-depleting ingredients will be off market soon
Seven metered-dose inhalers for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will soon be phased out, according to FDA. The move goes along with U.S. commitments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. More...

Meetings:

May 2-6 National Council for Prescription Drug Programs
Scottsdale, AZ
Contact:
9240 East Raintree Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260-7518
Phone: 480-477-1000 ext. 110
Fax: 480-222-7555

May 10-12 NCPA National Legislation & Government Affairs Conference
Washington, D.C.
Contact:
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-8200 voice 800-544-7447
Fax: 703-683-3619

May 22-25 NABP Annual Meeting
Anaheim, CA
Contact:
1600 Feehanville Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Phone: 847-391-4406
Fax: 847-391-4502

May 26-28 ASCP Midyear Conference
Phoenix, AZ
Contact:
1321 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3563
Phone: 703-739-1300

June 5-8 NACDS Marketplace Conference
San Diego, CA
Contact:
413 North Lee Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-837-4300

June 6-9 ASHP 2010 Summer Meeting
Tampa, FL
Contact:
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 866-279-0681
Fax: 301-657-1251