FDA ACTIONS

First generic version of cholesterol-lowering Lipitor approved

FDA approved the first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium tablets). Ranbaxy Laboratories has gained approval to make generic atorvastatin calcium tablets in 10-mg, 20-mg, 40-mg, and 80-mg strengths. » More

FDA approves first drug to treat specific type of insomnia

FDA approved zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablets (Intermezzo, Transcept Pharmaceuticals) for use as needed to treat insomnia characterized by middle-of-the-night waking followed by difficulty returning to sleep. » More

FDA approves aflibercept for patients with wet AMD

FDA has approved aflibercept (Eylea Injection, Regeneron) for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration. » More

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Resource Center: Oral Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation afflicts more than 2.3 million persons in the United States and is expected to increase 2.5-fold by 2050. To find risk stratifying tools and articles on emerging oral anticoagulant therapies, click here.

CLINICAL NEWS

FDA advisory committee votes to extend use of pneumococcal vaccine to adults

FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologics Advisory Committee recently voted in favor of expanding the indication for the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13) for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults age 50 years and older, Pfizer Inc, the drug’s manufacturer, said in a statement. » More

Editor's Pick

FOCUS ON…

Crizotinib: A novel, targeted gene therapy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
» Click here.

Survey

With the recent introduction of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) as the second new branded oral anticoagulant alternative to warfarin (the other being Pradaxa), what do you see as the primary positioning of these products in the management of chronic atrial fibrillation?

a) Should be used as first-line therapy in all patients with this diagnosis
b) Reserved as first-line therapy for only those patients who are unable to take warfarin due to contraindications
c) Reserved for second-line use only in those patients who have failed warfarin due to unmanageable side effects, lack of efficacy, and/or inability to maintain adequate INRs
d) b & c
e) Leave it entirely up to discretion of the clinician based upon individual patient circumstances

Respond here and see what your colleagues think too.

Want to see the results of our last survey regarding specialty pharmacies and their service offerings?
Click here.

POLICY NEWS

Obama nominates new Medicare chief, Berwick steps down

A senior U.S. official who helped lead President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul will step down from the helm of the Medicare program after Republicans blocked his Senate confirmation for the job. » More

CLINICAL MEETING

Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy scheduled

The 12th Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy will be held July 7-9, 2012, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. » More

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