LATEST NEWS

Will the Bili-ruler Rule?
Novel, Low-cost Device Highly Accurate at Screening Newborn Jaundice
New Extragenital Tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
First Devices Cleared for Diagnostic Testing Via Throat, Rectum Specimens
Nasal Spray Approved for Seizure Clusters
First New Medication for Seizure Clusters in More Than Two Decades
New Transportation Method for Life-saving Vaccines
Mode Delivers Antivirals Safely, Cheaply to Remote Regions
Aflibercept Injection Approved for Diabetic Retinopathy
Averts Disease Worsening, Reduces Potential for Blindness
Antibiotics Can Increase Nerve Damage Potential by 47%
Risk May Remain for 6 Months After Treatment
New Monotherapy Approved for HCC Patients
FDA Removes Boxed Warning With Drug’s Fifth Approval
CDC, Regenstrief Agree: Opioid Guideline Misapplied
Overeager Use of Recommendations Creates Problems
Breakthrough Retinal-Imaging Device Aids Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Artificial Intelligence Enables Platform to Detect Amyloid PET Status
New Adjuvant Treatment for HER2-positive Early Breast Cancer
Kadcyla Cut Risk of Recurring Disease by Half Compared to Herceptin
Blood Cells Could Accelerate Drug Discovery for Mental Health Disorders
May Lead to Personalized Treatment for Schizophrenia, Other Illnesses

P&T May 2019
Table of Contents

Features

Are Hospital Prices a Bigger Problem than Drug Prices?
Congress Doesn’t Know, Doesn’t Care
What lies behind the growth of rising hospital prices? Many factors–including the impact of hospital mergers and the industry’s complicated relationship with Congress.
Virtual Reality in Pharmacy: Opportunities for Clinical, Research, and Educational Applications
VR in pharmacy has huge potential: drug design and discovery, pharmacist education, patient counseling/behavior modification, and more. Today’s technology is more affordable, flexible, and portable, and eminently suitable for therapeutic purposes. But despite VR’s compelling features, challenges remain, such as validating clinical efficacy, cost/accessibility issues, technical capabilities, and consumer acceptance.
Meeting Highlights
American College of Cardiology 68th Scientific Session and Exposition

We report on two sessions on atrial fibrillation, two on heart failure, two on hypertension, and one each on endocarditis and ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Reframing Alzheimer’s Disease
Guided by a New Research Framework, the Field is Poised For Greater Precision and Promising Horizons
This in-depth article on the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. reports on the optimism of cutting-edge leaders in Alzheimer’s disease research. The author examines key considerations such as the status of biomarker tests, and the search for new biomarkers; securing an accurate definition of the disease; risk factors; clinical trials and non-pharmacological studies.
Health Care & Law
Regulatory and Legislative Disparities With Cannabis Present Challenges to P&T Committees and Health Care Providers
Increased cannabis use has brought about a sea change in policy and attitudes toward regulation, and a multitude of rules that vary widely between states. The disparity has stymied any effective response to the problems surrounding access to cannabis products for those in need. Health care providers and practitioners, as well as P&T committees, must carefully undertake decisions on rational drug use, whether or not their patients are using cannabis while under their care.

Departments

Medication Errors
Is an Indication-Based Prescribing System in Our Future?
Indication-based prescribing has many potential benefits, including preventing errors by reducing medication choices and assisting with medication reconciliation.
Prescription: Washington
FTC Gives Generics Victory On “Pay for Delay”
How easy is it for generics to enter the market? It could be easier with legislation that opens up the field for generic competitors, but it is unlikely that such a bill will ever be introduced.
Drug and Device News May 2019
Approvals, new indications and formulations, and safety issues
Pharmaceutical Approval Update May 2019
Cablivi (caplacizumab-yhdp) for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Egaten (triclabendazole) for fascioliasis; and Spravato (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression
Drug Forecast
Treatment of Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes: A Focus on Cannabidiol Oral Solution
Cannabidiol oral solution for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes
Research Briefs May 2019

P&T TV

Politics, Healthcare Costs, and Access: A Toxic Brew?

In the latest interview with P&T, Dr. David Nash discusses the prospects for bipartisan legislation on reigning in prescription costs; eliminating drug shortages; and opaque hospital charges, along with the latest report from the Pharmacy Quality Alliance on access to care. He also discusses the need for value-based contracting, and his own personal plans vis-à-vis the Jefferson College of Population Health.

April Interview

Industry announcements

More industry announcements