Survey

With several proton pump inhibitors now available OTC, what do you believe is the most appropriate coverage for this class of agents within managed care drug benefit programs?

1) No coverage should be provided for OTC or prescription products under the drug benefit.

2) Coverage of prescription products only under the drug benefit without restriction.

3) Coverage of prescription products only under the drug benefits with restrictions (eg, step therapy).

4) Coverage of both prescription and OTC products under the drug benefit without restriction.

5) Coverage of both prescription and OTC products under the drug benefit with restriction (eg, step therapy).

Digital Edition

NSAIDs unsafe for patients
with prior MI

FDA approves boceprevir
for hepatitis C

Phase 3 trial finds infliximab effective in pediatric UC

Pediatric patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis demonstrated a clinical response with infliximab (Remicade, Centocor Ortho Biotech), according to data from a phase 3 randomized, multicenter, open-label study. Read full article.

OIG report evaluates claims for atypical antipsychotic drugs prescribed to nursing home residents

More than half of Medicare claims for atypical antipsychotic drugs are erroneous, amounting to $116 million, according to a 48-page report released May 4 by the Office of the Inspector General. Read full article.

Proton pump inhibitors linked to fracture risk

Proton pump inhibitors are associated with a 29% increased risk of fracture, including a 31% increased risk of hip fracture and a 54% increased risk of vertebral fracture, according to a study published in the May/June 2011 issue of Annals of Family Medicine. Read full article.

Denosumab increases bone metastasis-free survival in men with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer

Denosumab (Xgeva, Amgen) significantly increased bone metastasis-free survival for more than 4 months in men with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer that had not yet spread to bone, according to results of a landmark study of Xgeva, presented at a late-breaking plenary session at the American Urological Association's 2011 annual meeting in Washington, DC. Read full article.

Linezolid, linked to neuropathy in adults, may affect children in similar ways

Last Updated: 2011-05-12 17:45:15 -0400 (Reuters Health)
By Rob Goodier

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In rare cases, the potent antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) is associated with nerve damage in children as well as adults. In adults, the side effect is well documented. Read full article.

Ending drug companies' addiction to price rises

Last Updated: 2011-05-12 16:08:15 -0400 (Reuters Health)
By Deena Beasley and Ben Hirschler

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drug companies are dosing up on price increases to prop up stagnant sales, but will soon need to break that addiction as more medicines face generic competition. Read full article.

Diabetes, specialty drugs continue to drive growth in drug spending

For the fourth consecutive year, diabetes therapy topped the list of contributors to drug use trends in therapeutic categories, contributing 16.1% to overall growth in drug spending in 2010 due to an increasing number of patients. In addition, last year specialty drugs accounted for 70% of spending growth and represented 18.1% of all pharmacy benefit plan spending, according to the recently released 2011 Medco Drug Trend Report, which tracks utilization and spending. Read full article.

Top 5 Web Stories

1. FDA Pipeline Preview, April 2011 (Salix, Protalix, Amyvid, indacaterol, Istodax, Mucin 1 targeting peptide GO-203-2c, Intercept plasma, Lomitapide, Liver cell therapy)
   
   
2. Metastatic breast cancer: A review of current and novel pharmacotherapy
   
   
3. Belimumab: A B-lymphocyte stimulator inhibitor for-systemic lupus erythemato
   
   
4. Health reform controversies pose new challenges for drug plans and healthcare providers
   
   
5. Intensive glycemic management leads to higher mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus patient