LATEST NEWS

Stroke Survivors Regain Movement With Video-Game Device
Inexpensive, Wearable Therapy Increases Arm Mobility, Reduces Stiffness
New Class of Drugs Could Halt Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth
PARG Inhibitor Exploits Weakness, Kills Cells
Saracatinib Receives Orphan Drug Designation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pre-clinical Trials Showed Drug Inhibits Fibroblast Activity and Collagen Deposition
FDA Approves Tecentriq for Adults With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Atezolizumab in Combination with Chemotherapy is the Only First-line Cancer Immunotherapy for ES-SCLC
New Drug May Prevent Recurrence, Improve Survival in Ovarian Cancer
Synergistic Effects Seen When Combined With Cisplatin in Mice
Johnson & Johnson Hit With $29 Million Verdict in Talc Cancer Case
California Woman Claimed Asbestos in Talc-Based Powder Caused Her Mesothelioma
New Generic Valsartan Approved
FDA Prioritizing Review of ARB Applications to Help Mitigate Drug Shortage
Rate of Dementia Deaths in U.S. Has More Than Doubled Since 2000, CDC Says
National Statistics Report Factors In Race, Ethnicity for the First Time
Experimental Drug Limits Muscle Damage from Heart Attack
Small-Molecule Drug Blocks Oxidative Stress Signals
Guardian Pharmacy Services Ordered to Halt Production of Compounded Drugs
Purportedly Sterile Products Made in Unsanitary Conditions, Judge Says
FDA Issues Alert About Surgical Staplers and Implantable Surgical Staples
41,000+ Medical Device Reports of Deaths, Serious Injuries, and Malfunctions in 7 Years

P&T March 2019
Table of Contents

Features

Health Care & Law
Forensic Analysis in Drug Litigation Finds Most Errors Occur with Commonly Used Therapies and Practices
In the complex setting of obstetrics and reproductive medicine, the medication-related injuries leading to the most litigation involve some of the most commonly used drugs, rather than the newer, more complicated therapies. The authors present a number of cases illustrating how sophisticated treatment of high-risk pregnancies can be jeopardized by a simple negligent act.
Lowering the Boom on High Drug Prices
HHS Plans Not a Boon to Some Players
The Trump administration’s multipronged effort to use regulatory tools to lower drug prices includes old and new initiatives. But opposition from some players is evident in each instance. Some of that opposition may be based on sound reasoning, some of it may be based on self-interest. The author discusses advertising, protected-class drugs, what’s next for rebates, and more.
Droxidopa for Hypotension of Different Etiologies: Two Case Reports
Droxidopa is indicated for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by primary autonomic failure. Sometimes, it is trialed in other uses as a last-line agent. Two cases add to the existing literature demonstrating that droxidopa may have varying effects in treating orthostatic hypotension caused by diabetes-related autonomic dysfunction and non-neurogenic etiologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Routine Use of Vitamin K in the Treatment of Cirrhosis-Related Coagulopathy: Is it A-O-K? Maybe Not, We Say
The authors attempt to put into perspective the unique coagulopathic imbalances seen in patients with cirrhosis, as well as the relative utility of administering vitamin K to patients simply because they present with elevated INRs. Five case reports exemplify the variability in response to vitamin K in these situations.
Meeting Highlights
The 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition

We report on two presentations on β-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, three presentations on chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and others on perioperative oral anticoagulation, sickle-cell anemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Departments

Medication Errors
Paralyzed by Mistakes – Reassess the Safety of Neuromuscular Blockers in Your Facility
Neuromuscular blockers have been inadvertently administered to patients who were not receiving proper ventilatory assistance, causing death or permanent injuries.
Prescription: Washington
Do GPOs Play a Role in Drug Shortages? Long-Standing Allegations Disputed by The GPOs
What role, if any, do group purchasing organizations play in drug shortages?
Drug and Device News March 2019
Approvals, new indications and formulations, and safety issues
Pharmaceutical Approval Update March 2019
Inbrija (levodopa inhalation powder) for oral inhalation for the treatment of “off” episodes in Parkinson’s disease; Ultomiris (ravulizumab) injection for treating adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; and Yupelri (revefenacin) inhalation solution for the maintenance treatment of patients with COPD
Drug Forecast
Meropenem–Vaborbactam (Vabomere™): Another Option for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Meropenem-Vaborbactam (Vabomere) for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Research Briefs March 2019

Industry announcements

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