FDA NEWS

FDA warns of increased risk of muscle injury with co-administration of statins and protease inhibitors

Thursday, FDA updated its recommendations concerning drug-drug interactions between protease inhibitors and statins, warning of an increased risk of muscle injury (myopathy). The most serious form of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, can damage kidneys and lead to kidney failure,which can be fatal. » More

MASE gives FDA 'next generation' of safety assessment technology

MolecularHealth recently announced a 5-year collaboration with FDA that will allow FDA access to Molecular Analysis of Side Effects, the company’s flagship drug safety assessment tool. » More

FDA approves autoinjector pen, dosing regimen for treating MS

FDA has approved 2 separate dosing innovations, including an autoinjector pen, designed to improve the treatment experience for patients receiving once-a-week interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen Idec) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. » More

Editor's Pick

Health reform promises expanded drug coverage through ACOs, exchanges, value-based initiatives

Earlier this year, economists in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported a big slow-down in healthcare spending for 2010. Outlays rose only 3.9% to $2.6 trillion, largely because the recession and unemployment reduced healthcare coverage and prompted people to skip doctor visits. Spending on prescription drugs increased at a record low 1.2% to $259.1 billion, as utilization stagnated, more generics replaced old blockbusters, and fewer new drugs came on the market. » Click here.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Cardiometabolic disease: The pharmacist’s role in managing weight loss and medication adherence

Pharmacists can help with the management of weight loss through nutrition education, exercise counseling, and strategies for medication adherence.

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CLINICAL NEWS

DRAGON scores help predict stroke patients’ response to IV alteplase

Researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland have designed and validated a scoring system to support clinical decision-making for which ischemic stroke patients may respond well to alteplase and those who might benefit from add-on rescue strategies. » More

ACCP includes blood-thinner ticagrelor in therapy recommendations for ACS

The American College of Chest Physicians has included the oral antiplatelet medication ticagrelor (Brilinta, AstraZeneca) in its updated guidelines for treating patients with acute coronary syndrome, according to the drug’s manufacturer. » More

Study: IM injections more effective than IVs for stopping seizures

Intramuscular injections with midazolam may be more effective than the intravenous administrations used by paramedics to stop prolonged seizures, according to a study published February 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine. » More

Better access to naloxone, training could reduce opioid overdose deaths

Better access to the opioid antagonist naloxone and better training on how to administer it could help reduce the increasing number of deaths from opioid overdoses, a new report suggests. » More

Gonococcus becoming impervious to antimicrobial treatments

Researchers said it was “time to sound the alarm” after determining that gonococcus has become less susceptible to the last line of antimicrobial defense over the past 3 years. » More

Acellular pertussis vaccinations increase risk of febrile seizures, study finds

The risk of febrile seizure was higher the first 2 of 3 times that a combination shot containing acellular pertussis vaccine was administered to infants, although the absolute risk remained low, according to a Danish study that appeared in the February 22/29 issue of JAMA. » More

Survey

In the online New England Journal of Medicine, 2 Canadian doctors disagree with Medicare's 3-year coverage police of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation because the annual cost of immunosuppressive therapy is $15,000 to $20,000 but the cost of dialysis after graft failure is substantially higher at $75,000. Should Medicare change its policy of 3-year coverage of immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation to lifelong coverage?

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