BREAKING NEWS

FDA Approves Vosevi for Hepatitis C Patients Who Failed Earlier Treatments
New single-tablet regiment indicated for genotypes 1 to 6
WHO Urges Action Against HIV Drug Resistance Threat
The problem could undercut years of progress
Three Things President Trump Is Already Doing to ‘Let Obamacare Fail’
A couple of other steps may be waiting in the wings
Scientists Say Some Activities Might Slow Cognitive Decline
Physical activity, blood pressure control, cognitive training all help
Hospitals Aren’t Buying Into Value-Based Care
Still, some facilities are dipping a toe into the water
FDA Approves Nerlynx to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer Returning
Adjuvant therapy for HER2-positive tumors indicated after Herceptin treatment
Independence Blue Cross Cutting Pay for Some Doctor Procedures by 50%
The move is an effort to spread the sharing of risk
New Pain Medication Shows Less Abuse Potential in Study
NKTR-181 is a first-in-class investigational opioid to treat chronic pain
Senate Efforts to Undo PPACA Appear Doomed for Now
Neither replacing nor repealing the act have the votes they need
Paratek Antibiotic Hits Endpoints in Phase 3, Teeing Up NDA
Paratek is planning to submit an application in the first quarter of 2018

P&T TV

SIRT for Liver Cancer: Similar Efficacy, Less Toxicity Than Sorafenib

Valérie Vilgrain, MD, of Hôpital Beaujon Service de Radiologie in Paris, describes results of the SARAH trial. Selective internal radiation therapy provided efficacy similar to sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma but with considerably fewer adverse events.

European Association for the Study of the Liver International Liver Congress, April 2017

P&T July 2017
Table of Contents

Features

Letter to the Editor
Continuing the Debate: Branko Furst’s Alternative Model And the Role of the Heart
Drug Industry Groups Oppose FDA “Quality Metrics” Plan
Raising their voices in nearly unanimous opposition, pharmaceutical manufacturers and their suppliers have mounted a campaign to dissuade the FDA from launching a voluntary program in 2018 that is aimed at reducing drug shortages.
Cancer Immunotherapy, Part 2: Efficacy, Safety, and Other Clinical Considerations
This article, the second in a series of three, provides an overview of the efficacy and safety of cancer immunotherapies ranging from monoclonal antibodies to vaccines, including additional clinical considerations regarding immune checkpoint blockers.
Heart Failure: A Class Review of Pharmacotherapy
A recent guideline update for the treatment of heart failure has created the need for a new look at the medication classes and trials related to the disease. The authors focus on pharmacological options available for treating the problem.
Pharmacovigilance Forum
Drug-Induced QT Prolongation And Torsades de Pointes
Torsades de pointes (TdP)—an uncommon but life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia—is almost always drug induced. The authors describe the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of TdP.
Meeting Highlights
Seeking Solutions to the Opioid Crisis
At an event focusing on population-health approaches to the opioid epidemic, discussants agreed that better coordination of care, community involvement in finding solutions, and more consistent use of improved pain-control options are required.

Departments

Medication Errors
Strengthen Your Resolve: No Unlabeled Containers Anywhere, Ever!
Strengthen your resolve: no unlabeled containers anywhere, ever!
Prescription: Washington
Significant Change Coming in 2018 in Tiering Exceptions Policy for Part D
A significant change in tiering exceptions policy for Part D is coming in 2018
Drug and Device News July 2017
Approvals, new indications, regulatory activities, and more
Pharmaceutical Approval Update July 2017
Niraparib (Zejula) for recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer; ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) for relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis; and dupilumab (Dupixent) for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
Drug Forecast
Eluxadoline (Viberzi)
Eluxadoline (Viberzi) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Research Briefs July 2017