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

IACs linked to increased risk of acute urinary retention in men with COPD

High dose ursodeoxycholic acid tied to neoplasia in UC

Third agents for type 2 diabetes are similar in efficacy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For patients with type 2 diabetes not controlled with metformin and a sulfonylurea, the choice of an additional agent should be based on individual clinical characteristics since improvements in glucose control are similar. Read full article.

Higher calcium intake may not lower risk of fracture or osteoporosis

Dietary calcium intake above 750 mg does not provide added benefit against risk of fractures or osteoporosis, according to the results of a large prospective longitudinal cohort study reported in the May 24 issue of the British Medical Journal. Read full article.

Lacosamide demonstrates potential cost savings as add-on seizure therapy

Lacosamide (Vimpat, UCB) appears both cost- and
utility-effective as an add-on therapy for adults with uncontrolled partial-onset seizure, according to a pharmacoeconomics analysis that was recently presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics Research. Read full article.

Lomitapide still looks promising
at 56 weeks

A 56-week phase 3 data for orphan drug lomitapide are consistent with 26-week data, showing that the drug significantly reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, according to the drug's manufacturer Aegerion Pharmaceuticals. Read full article.

For severe gouty arthritis, ACZ885 provides better pain relief and reduces risk of new attacks

An investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody called ACZ885 (canakinumab) provided better pain relief in treating severe gouty arthritis, and it reduced the risk of new attacks by up to 68% compared with an injectable steroid (triamcinolone acetonide), according to results of 2 phase 3 trials announced by Novartis, the drug's manufacturer. Read full article.

Declining coronary heart disease risk among diabetics

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The estimated 10-year risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) among adults with diabetes has declined significantly in the past decade, U.S. data show. Read full article.

Top 5 Web Stories

1. FDA Pipeline Preview, May 2011 (Eli Lilly, Vertex, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Nile Therapeutics, Provectus)
   
   
2. FDA Actions in Brief May 2011 (Actemra, Menactra, Zytiga, Rituxan, Invega, Vandetanib, Viramune XR, Horizant)
   
   
3. A review of systemic lupus erythematosus and current treatment options
   
   
4. Bazedoxifene: An investigational selective estrogen receptor modulator for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
   
   
5. FDA, NIH, pharma companies seek new strategies to spur drug development