Drug Topics - November 12, 2007 - (Page 17)

17 Tasigna gets agency nod for resistant Ph+ CML Exerting their effect by targeting the Bcr-Abl protein, which is produced only by cells containing the abnormal Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, nilotinib capsules (Tasigna, Novartis) have been granted an accelerated approval for the treatment of Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in adult patients resistant or intolerant to prior ther- Tuesday 10/30/07 N.J. drug price registry goes live The New Jersey State government unveiled its registry of drug prices for the 150 most prescribed medications last week. Users can search by drug name, town, or zip code to find how the prices compare at pharmacies. Users can access the information by telephone or at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/njpdr. Similar registries already exist in New York and Michigan. Compliance has not been a problem for state pharmacists, since the prices are taken from the usual-and-customary prices that pharmacies are already reporting to the state Medicaid board. Immunization tracking system expanded Medication Pathfinder Network, a provider of medication therapy management services, has enhanced its Web-based software’s immunization tracking and reporting capabilities. The improvements will allow pharmacists in clinical and ambulatory settings to monitor vaccines provided to patients from virtually anywhere there is an Internet connection. In addition, the system can create reports that can be transmitted to the patients’ primary care providers. apy that included imatinib (Gleevec, Novartis). During clinical trials, nilotinib produced responses in 40% of Ph+ CML patients who were resistant or intolerant to prior therapy. According to Novartis, the new drug will be available within days of its approval. Wyeth recalls some cough, cold drugs because of dosage cup Wyeth Consumer Healthcare has initiated a voluntary recall and replacement program for all U.S. retail outlets that sell several Robitussin products and Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Chest Congestion. The program involves removal of existing products with a dosage cup that does not have a half-teaspoon mark, which is the recommended dose for children age two to under six. This action is specific to the dosage cup and not related to the medication itself. For children age two to under six, the company is advising consumers not to use these medicines until the replacement products with the new cups are available. The replacement products with the new dosage cups are expected to be available beginning in early November. Packaging for the replacement products will be marked to indicate that the new dosage cup is included. The recall and replacement program for these products does not affect other Robitussin and Dimetapp cough and cold products. For more information on the recall and replacement programs, call (900) 762-4675 or visit www.Dimetapp. com or www.Robitussin.com. Blood loss prophylactic associated with higher mortality Bayer’s Trasylol (aprotinin injection) can reduce bleeding in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, a new study has found that patients on the treatment also had a higher death rate than patients who received either aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid. For this reason, Bayer has halted the trial and issued a new guidance to health professionals. The guidance states that Trasylol should be used only according to its labeling. More information can be found on www.trasylol.com. Insurers assist wildfire evacuees trying to get their Rxs Several insurers announced numerous ways they are helping California wildfire evacuees get their prescriptions. UniCare said that a one-time override for a 20-day supply of medication will be set up so that UniCare policyholders in the affected counties can continue their medication without interruption. This temporary policy will be in place for members living in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Santa Barbara counties. Medco advised Southern California members that if they do not have access to necessary medications or if they are unable to receive medication by mail at their usual address or need im- http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/njpdr http://www.drugtopics.com/drugtopics/Community+Pharmacy/More-states-create-retail-drug-plan-enrollment/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/376024 http://www.trasylol.com http://www.Dimetapp.com http://www.Robitussin.com http://www.Dimetapp.com

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Drug Topics - November 12, 2007 Contents Drugs Often Associated with Errors Wanted: More Convers to Drug Decision Tools MSRA Takeoff Raising Alarm Bells U.S. Still Volnerable to Drug Counterfeiting Strange Rx Stories: Are You Stupid? Are Students a Squandered Opportunity The Week at a Glance

Drug Topics - November 12, 2007

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