BREAKING NEWS

FDA Approves Doptelet for Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Thrombocytopenia
Drug indicated for use prior to surgery to boost platelet counts
Aimovig Gets FDA Nod for Preventive Treatment for Migraine
Novel drug is a first-in-class treatment that reduces migraine occurrence
FDA Approves First Non-Opioid Treatment for Managing Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms in Adults
Lucemyra indicated for up to 14 days as part of a long-term treatment plan
FDA Approves First Epoetin Alfa Biosimilar For The Treatment Of Anemia
Agent can also be used perioperatively in some patients to reduce the need for transfusions
More U.S. Kids Overdosing on ADHD Drugs
Incidence increased 61% over a 14-year period
Fingolimod Receives FDA Nod to Treat MS in Children
First drug approved to treat MS in patients as young as 10 years old
U.S. Joins Whistleblower Case Against Insys Over Kickbacks
Six states will also participate in the litigation
FDA Approves First-Line Use of Daratumumab for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Drug used in combination with bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone
Study Upends Conventional View of Opioid Mechanism of Action
Scientists find new molecular target for developing safer pain medications

P&T TV

Perspectives on the Opioid Crisis With Dr. David B. Nash

Dr. David B. Nash, Dean of the Jefferson College of Population Health, talks about the national opioid emergency with Lyn Chesna, Managing Editor of P&T. Dr. Nash describes how population health professionals, big pharma, and nonprofit organizations, such as the 1889 Foundation and the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, are addressing the issue. 

April 2018 interview

P&T May 2018
Table of Contents

Features

Compounding Law Five Years Later
FDA Implementation Slow, Industry Criticism Significant
The FDA is making progress but is still laboring to address safety concerns about compounded drugs, an issue taken up by the Drug Quality and Security Act in 2013.
Pharmacotherapy of Gaucher Disease: Current and Future Options
The clinical manifestations of Gaucher disease, a rare genetic lysosomal storage disorder, are debilitating, and the neuronopathic forms of the disease are fatal. The authors describe the current and investigational therapies for treatment.
Health Care & Law
Sterile Compounding Needs Risk Management: Access, Reconstitution Or Preparation, and Administration
Appropriate risk management strategies must be employed for compounding and administering sterile products. We review the new credentialing, regulatory, and related legal aspects of gaining and maintaining compliance for these processes.
Evaluation of Physician Prescribing Patterns For Antibiotics in the Treatment of Nonnecrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Through a retrospective chart review, researchers found a substantial opportunity for clinical pharmacists to guide appropriate treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.
P&T Committee Drug Prioritization Criteria: A Tool Developed by a Saudi Health Care System
A Saudi group describes their universally applicable tool developed to prioritize and optimize formulary considerations at their large institution.
Meeting Highlights
American College of Cardiology 2018
Key sessions reported on findings in noncardiac surgery, pharmacological agents in the setting of acute coronary syndromes, and cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy.

Departments

Medication Errors
Life-Threatening Errors With Flecainide Suspension in Children
Errors with flecainide suspension in children
Prescription: Washington
White House Report on Drug Prices Is a Detailed Road Map
White House report on drug prices is a detailed road map
Drug and Device News May 2018
Approvals, new indications, regulatory activities, and more
Pharmaceutical Approval Update May 2018
Vancomycin hydrochloride for oral solution (Firvanq) for C. difficile-associated diarrhea and enterocolitis caused by S. aureus; dexamethasone intraocular suspension 9% (Dexycu) for the treatment of inflammation after eye surgery; and apalutamide (Erleada) for prostate cancer
Drug Forecast
Olaratumab (Lartruvo): An Innovative Treatment for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Olaratumab (Lartruvo): an innovative treatment for soft tissue sarcoma
Research Briefs May 2018