Survey

This month we would like to know...

With the recent introduction of 2 new protease inhibitors as adjunctive therapies for the management of hepatitis C, what do you envision your organization's approach will be to managing the use of these products?

a) Selection of 1 preferred product only

b) Maintain both agents on formulary and allow providers to choose

c) Employ prior authorization to validate clinical appropriateness before coverage

d) a & c

e) b & c

Digital Edition

Study demonstrates increased cardiovascular risk associated
with varenicline

A recent study raises safety concerns associated with the use of varenicline among tobacco users. Use of the drug was associated with a 72% increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events and deserves further investigation, according to results of the study, which was published July 4 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Read full article.

Everolimus breast cancer trial halted early with primary end point met

Novartis announced that it has stopped early its phase 3 trial of everolimus (Afinitor) plus exemestane in women with estrogen receptor-positive locally-advanced or metastatic breast cancer after an interim analysis showed that the primary end point of progression-free survival was met. Read full article.

Study links medications with anticholinergic activity to cognitive decline

Medications with anticholinergic activity increase the cumulative risk of cognitive impairment and death, according to findings from a study published online June 24 in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. Read full article.

CDC recommends dual therapy
to combat gonorrhea resistance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned about the increasing potential in gonorrhea patients for resistance to cephalosporin. Read full article.

Use of nesiritide doesn't help
or hinder, study shows

Nesiritide cannot be recommended in the broad population of patients with acute decompensated heart failure, according to the results of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read full article.

Tamiflu for oral suspension label revised, reflects new concentration

The concentration of the influenza drug oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu, Genentech) for oral suspension has been reduced from 12 mg/mL to 6 mg/mL to reduce the possibility of prescribing and dosing confusion that can lead to medication errors, according to FDA. Read full article.

FDA seeks input on proposed
policy for diagnostic tests used
with targeted drug therapies

FDA has issued a new draft guidance to facilitate the development and review of companion diagnostics — tests used to help healthcare professionals determine whether a patient with a particular disease or condition should receive a particular drug therapy or how much of the drug to give. The draft document is intended to provide companies with guidance on the agency's policy for reviewing a companion diagnostic and the corresponding therapy. Read full article.

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