Drug Formulary Review 2004-10-01

New cholestorol treatment guidelines — reaching even lower LDL levels

Now that the National Cholesterol Education Program has updated its clinical practice guidelines on cholesterol management, one of the questions is how health care providers can reach the lower treatment goals for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for patients at high and moderately high risk of a heart attack.

Early, intensive simvastatin does not reach endpoint

Some physicians advocate early, aggressive therapy to help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. One new study, however, indicates that patients treated with high-dose simvastatin (Zocor) did not show a significant reduction in the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, readmission for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and stroke.

Rosuvastatin calcium reaches one-year mark

Rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor) just passed its one-year anniversary since being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although by reports it has generated almost $4 billion in annual sales for AstraZeneca, the approval initially brought mixed feelings for many physicians, says Peter H. Jones, MD.

‘Inappropriate meds’ still prescribed to the elderly

Many elderly Americans still are being prescribed potentially inappropriate medications, according to a study published in the Aug. 9/23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

News Briefs

Patients warned of clinical differences in thyroid meds; Higher costs affect MS patients adherence to medications; FDA issues warnings, label changes; Survey highlights importance of pharmacist/patient relationship.

New FDA Approvals

Pentetate calcium trisodium injection (Ca-DTPA) and pentetate zinc trisodium injection (Zn-DTPA) by Hameln Pharmaceuticals, GmbH, of Hameln, Germany.

Drug Criteria & Outcomes: Apomorphine Hydrochloride (Apokyn) Formulary Evaluation

Apomorphine was recognized in 1960 to affect dopamine receptors in the treatment of Parkinsons disease (PD). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated apomorphine as an orphan drug in 1991 for the treatment of hypomobility in idiopathic stage intravenous (IV) PD patients.

Audio conference: Including children in clinical research

Drug Formulary Review Archives – October 1, 2004

October 1, 2004