FDA Updates

The drug treats amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene (SOD1-ALS).

Ruxolitinib (Opzelura) cream is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for patients with vitiligo.

From medication to legislation, multiple developments have advanced the pharmacy profession this year.

Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics have announced their submission of an EUA application to the FDA for an oral antiviral medication for the treatment of COVID-19.

Five medications are currently approved by the FDA for chronic weight management.

Sol-Gel Technologies has created a single-application acne treatment cream, combining 2 commonly used ingredients: tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide.

The FDA has approved the AstraZeneca once-weekly injectable therapy for use in children aged 10 to 17 years.

On June 2,2021, ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme; Scynexis, Inc) was approved by the FDA for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in adult women and girls who have begun menstruating.

The FDA has approved OTC azelastine HCl .15% (Astepro Allergy; Bayer).

The FDA approved Cosentyx (secukinumab) to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in children aged 6 years and older.

In a session from the PDS 2021 Virtual Super-Conference, experts discussed how POC testing capabilities enhance patient services and address antimicrobial resistance.

Melphalan flufenamide (Pepaxto; Oncopeptides AB) in combination with dexamethasone was granted accelerated approval on February 26, 2021, by the FDA for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response.

Nextstellis (drospirenone; estetrol) now is approved as a combined oral contraceptive for birth control.

AstraZeneca is preparing to submit its COVID-19 vaccine data to the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks.

The FDA has granted emergency use authorization status for the first single-dose vaccine for COVID-19 in the United States.

Novartis’ sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) is now indicated for use in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Belantamab mafodotin-blmf is now indicated for adult patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma who have received at least 4 prior therapies.

Officials with the FDA have approved cabotegravir and rilpivirine, injectable formulation (Cabenuva; ViiV Healthcare) as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

On October 22, 2020, the FDA approved remdesivir (Veklury; Gilead) as the first treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The market for acute lymphocytic leukemia and bladder cancer drug therapies is expected to soar over the next few years, thanks in part to new and innovative medications.

Here are some of the top-read FDA approvals covered by Drug Topics® from this year.

Acetaminophen injection, 1000 mg/100 mL, is an FDA-approved generic to Ofirmev.

The FDA approved azacitidine tablets (Onureg; Celgene Corporation) on September 1, 2020

Omalizumab (Xolair; Genentech and Novartis) is the first biologic approved for the treatment of nasal polyps that targets and blocks immunoglobulin E.

Tim Suther, senior vice president of data solutions at Change Healthcare, discusses a new Social Determinants of Health Analytics resource.

Lumasiran (Oxlumo; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals) is the first drug approved for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1, a rare genetic disorder.

SingleCare, in partnership with GeniusRx, launched the delivery service with the goal of improving access to and affordability of popular medications.