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New program helps the chronically ill

To better serve the prescription drug needs of chronic-disease outpatient populations, one of the largest disease management companies is aligning its services with a pharmacy benefit manager in a 10-year collaboration. Medco Health Solutions, a PBM based in Franklin Lakes, N.J., and Nashville-based Healthways recently announced details of a newly formed alliance. The key advantage for patient members will be intervention by pharmacists and other clinical educators armed with more pertinent information earlier in the patient's plan of care. The companies project that the long-term results will be better compliance with clinical practice guidelines, a decreased risk of hospitalization, and ultimately a healthier lifestyle for each patient served by the program.

Part D's impact on PAPs

Prior to the implementation of Medicare Part D, many senior citizens depended on prescription assistance programs (PAPs) offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers. These programs provide free or low-cost prescription medicine to low-income people who meet the eligibility guidelines.

Growth hormone OK'd for adults and kids

After almost three years, the Food & Drug Administration has approved Omnitrope (somatropin, Sandoz) as a follow-on version of Pfizer's Genotropin. "Its approval is beneficial for everyone. It also increases competition in the growth hormone market, which will hopefully reduce the price of growth hormones," stated Anita Siu, Pharm.D. and clinical neonatal/ pediatric pharmacotherapy specialist and assistant clinical professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.

New vaccine reduces risk of shingles in seniors

Affecting an estimated one million Americans each year, herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox: the varicella-zoster virus. After an initial infection with chickenpox (varicella), the virus lies dormant in the dorsal root or cranial sensory ganglia; however, the virus can reactivate later in life, causing shingles. Shingles is estimated to affect one in every five persons during their lifetime. The frequency and severity of the infectious disease increase with advancing age.

New extended-use OC makes every pill count

Pharmacists can soon offer to women an extended-use oral contraceptive (OC) regimen that contains low-dose ethinyl estradiol tablets in place of placebo pills. The Food & Drug Administration recently approved levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol (Seasonique, Barr Laboratories) 0.15 mg/0.03 mg and 0.01 mg tablets for the prevention of pregnancy. Seasonique will be available through retail pharmacies and physicians' offices before the end of the summer.

MS drug will return to market with constraints

Recently, the Food & Drug Administration gave the green light to Biogen Idec and Elan's natalizumab (Tysabri) to return to the market through a restricted distribution program. It's been a long and bumpy road for the multiple sclerosis therapy that was withdrawn from the market only three months after its introduction due to a serious side effect that affected three patients and killed two of those three.

How will Rx pedigree law affect you?

The pharmacy community appears to be solidly behind the Food & Drug Administration's recent announcement that it is planning to enforce its long-dormant Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) regulations related to drug pedigrees.

Latebreakers

Walgreens to stop filling Rxs for Midwest Health

Eyedrop grows from second- to first-line Rx for glaucoma

Until now, Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% was used as a second-line treatment for glaucoma. Now the Allergan once-daily prescription eyedrop has been approved for first-line treatment of elevated intraocular pressure associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Late-stage cancer treatment approved

A new combination therapy for late-stage cervical cancer has been approved by the FDA. Topotecan (Hycamtin, GlaxoSmithKline) and cisplatin together can now be used for women in stage IV-B with incurable, recurrent, or persistent cancer of the cervix that has spread to other organs and is not likely to respond to surgery or radiation.

Avastin plus 5-FU regimen OK'd as second-line therapy

Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) has been approved by the FDA in combination with a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy regimen as a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. The phase III trial that led to the approval of the therapy evaluated 829 patients who received either bevacizumab plus FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin, 5-FU, leucovorin) or FOLFOX4 alone and who were previously treated with irinotecan (Camptosar, Pfizer) and 5-FU as their initial therapy for metastatic disease or as adjuvant therapy. Results showed a 33% improvement in survival for the combination regimen. Median survival was 13 months versus 10.8 months.

Pharmacy schools continue growth

A total of 46,527 students were enrolled in pharmacy schools last fall, compared with 43,908 in 2004, according to the 2005 Profile of Pharmacy Students compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. A total of 8,268 degrees were awarded, up from 8,158 in 2004.

Meet the new Humira Pen

Humira (adalimumab, Abbott) now comes in a pen form for easier one-touch administration by patients. Until now, patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis had to administer Humira as a subcutaneous injection via a prefilled syringe.

Clinics to open in select Meijer stores

Arcadia Resources, a provider of home care and staffing services and respiratory and durable medical equipment, has formed a partnership with Physicians' Organization of Western Michigan, a 570-member independent physicians' coalition based in the state. Through POWM's partnership with Meijer, plans are moving forward to open walk-in medical clinics inside select Meijer stores in Indiana.

Dispensing Solutions launches drug pedigree program

Dispensing Solutions Inc. (DSI), a Santa Ana, Calif.-based leader in repackaged pharmaceuticals, has launched a drug pedigree program. The program will be implemented nationally for all DSI product lines.

First drug OK'd to treat dementia of Parkinson's disease

Until now, Novartis Corp.'s Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) was approved to treat mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Now the drug has gained a new indication-to treat mild to moderate dementia related to Parkinson's disease.

HDMA partners with RxPatrol to prevent Rx theft

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) is partnering with RxPatrol to combat the theft and illegal trafficking of prescription medications and further enhance supply chain security. RxPatrol is an information clearinghouse designed to collect, analyze, and share information on pharmacy robberies, burglaries, and theft of controlled substances.

South Alabama pharmacy school back on agenda

After being shot down by the state commission on higher education last year, the University of South Alabama (USA) is reworking plans for a new pharmacy school. USA is in talks with Auburn University officials about some type of satellite collaboration on its campus in Mobile.

Rx sample distributor earns VAWD seal

Saddle River Marketing Concepts has earned the Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors accreditation offered by NABP to secure the integrity of the nation's drug supply. The New Jersey-based firm fulfills Rx samples to physicians and trade pack orders for patient assistance programs.

ASHP launches center for hospital pharmacy leadership

ASHP and the ASHP Research and Education Foundation unveiled plans to establish a center for health-system pharmacy leadership by the end of this year. The center will be a division of the ASHP Research and Educational Foundation and will be located in the organizations headquarters in Bethesda, MD.

Hazardous drugs guidelines revised by ASHP

ASHP has issued broad recommendations to protect healthcare workers and patients from exposure to known carcinogens and other hazardous substances. The guidelines can be used to develop and implement safety programs that cover all aspects of the handling of hazardous drugs, from receipt to disposal.

Kmart's pharmacy opens first Coumadin clinic

The pharmacy at a Kmart in Helena, Mont., is launching its first Coumadin (warfarin sodium, Bristol-Myers Squibb) clinic. Pharmacists at the store have been certified to test the blood of patients who are taking the blood-thinning medicine.

Vital Care, APCI enter into agreement

The American Pharmacy Cooperative (APCI), a Bessemer, Ala.-based independent community pharmacy buying group with more than 1,200 members in 20 states, has entered into a cooperative marketing agreement with Vital Care, Meridian, Miss. The purpose of the agreement is to make it possible for members of APCI to evaluate the practicality of getting into the home infusion and specialty market with a Vital Care franchise.

FDA warns consumers not to use Triaminic vapor patch

The FDA is warning consumers not to use the Triaminic Vapor Patch marketed by Novartis Consumer Health due to reports of serious adverse events associated with accidental ingestion by children. The patch contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.

SAMHSA: More now use pain relievers nonmedically

More people initiated nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers in the past year than initiated use of marijuana or cocaine. This finding comes from a new report from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that extracted data from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

More Web sites sell controlled substances, study finds

A total of 185 Web sites now sell controlled substances, up from 154 in 2004, according to a survey by the National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse (CASA). Only 11% of the sites require a prescription. Of the 165 sites that don't require an Rx, 30% advertised that no script was needed, 60% offered on-line consultations, and 10% didn't mention a prescription.