BREAKING NEWS

FDA Approves Trelegy Ellipta for COPD
First once-daily, single-inhaler triple therapy for the disease in the U.S.
Antidepressants Linked to Elevated Death Risk, Study Finds
Such drugs often block the serotonin that other organs need
Xhance Nasal Spray Approved to Treat Nasal Polyps
Proprietary delivery system deposits proven steroid deep into the nose
FDA Puts Two More Cancer Drug Trials on Partial Hold
Patient deaths related to other combination therapies concern the agency
Clinicians Devise Guidelines for Handling CAR T-Cell Side Effects
Detailed procedures aim to protect patients from promising treatment’s toxicities
Venclexta/Rituxan Combo Slows CLL Progression
PFS worse with bendamustine and rituximab in new study
FDA Approves Solosec for Bacterial Vaginosis
Single-dose oral therapy treats leading gynecological infection
Somatuline Depot Approved to Treat Carcinoid Syndrome
Injection is also approved for GEP-NETs
FDA Approves Mvasi (Bevacizumab-awwb)—The First Biosimilar for the Treatment of Cancer
Approval based on totality of evidence from global development program showing Mvasi is highly similar to Genentech’s Avastin

P&T TV

Dr. David B. Nash Talks About Our Health Care Challenges

Dr. David B. Nash, Dean of the Jefferson College of Population Health, talks with P&T Editor Steve McIver about health care reform, value-based treatment, the opioid crisis, telehealth, vaccinations, and our less-than-healthy lifestyles—issues that call for hard work by governments, professions, industry, and every American.

August 2017 interview

P&T September 2017
Table of Contents

Features

U.S. and States Ramp Up Response to Opioid Crisis
Politicians in both parties and at all levels of government have raised what many call the opioid crisis to a level of public attention it has never seen before. This article reviews the approaches, including prevention, treatment, and medication-assisted therapy, being taken by federal and state authorities to combat the abuse of opioids.
EHRs: The Challenge of Making Electronic Data Usable and Interoperable
Despite massive effort and investment in health information systems and technology, the promised benefits of electronic health records (EHRs) are far from fruition. The author presents the legislative programs that encourage the implementation of EHRs and explores the barriers hampering interoperability.
Health Care & Law
Focusing on Basics, Including Drug-Use Policy, Remains Important for Today’s P&T Committee
Over the past few years, P&T committees have been evolving to deal with care at expanding sites within an organization, across a larger system, or involving multiple organizations. The authors consider one aspect of this expansion—medication system failures—that requires the attention of P&T policy.
Alternative Pharmacological Management of Vasopressor Extravasation in the Absence of Phentolamine
Phentolamine, the current standard of care for vasopressor extravasation, is often unavailable for use. This review seeks to synthesize the available data in order to recommend alternative pharmacological options when the drug is not available.
Meeting Highlights
ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer
This year’s annual ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer paid particular attention to the influence of primary tumor sidedness in colorectal cancer as it affects prognosis and treatment outcomes to meet the growing interest in this theory.

Departments

Medication Errors
“Wrong Patient” Insulin Pen Injections Alarmingly Frequent Even With Barcode Scanning
“Wrong patient” insulin pen injections alarmingly frequent
Prescription: Washington
Hospitals Press FCC to Expand Health Care on the Airwaves
Hospitals press FCC to expand health care on the airwaves
Drug and Device News September 2017
Approvals, new indications, regulatory activities, and more
Pharmaceutical Approval Update September 2017
Sarilumab (Kevzara) for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis; valbenazine (Ingrezza), the first approval for tardive dyskinesia; and cerliponase alpha (Brineura) for late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type-2 disease
Drug Forecast
Reslizumab (Cinqair)
Reslizumab (Cinqair), an interleukin-5 antagonist for severe eosinophilic asthma
Research Briefs September 2017