Specialty Pharmacy

Amid conflicting evidence, Swedish researchers have found an association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and alcohol consumption, but the benefits of regular moderate alcohol intake in reducing the risk of MS may be attenuated by smoking.

The latest lung cancer screening recommendations suggest that heavy smokers be screened for the disease annually once they reach 55 years of age.

In an important change to the prescribing information of Xeloda (capecitabine), Hoffman-La Roche, in cooperation with Health Canada, released an advisory on the potential for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis with use of the oral chemotherapy agent.

Interchangeability designations for biosimilars would make therapy substitutions easier for pharmacists, noted Steven Lucio of Novation, but the FDA has said they will not grant an interchangeability status to a biosimilar upon initial approval.

The controversial chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency theory states that constricted vasculature is part of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. A recent trial shows that the theory may be a scientific dead end.

FIT biotech, a Finnish company, expects to begin clinical trials of a vaccine for HIV-infected patients in 2014.

A study analyzing drug approvals and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) approvals suggests that most therapies with REMS are indicated for large patient populations and are approved using standard, rather than accelerated, pathways.

UCB Pharma submitted a supplement to its new drug application for lacosamide (Vimpat) that would allow it to serve as monotherapy in patients with partial-onset seizures.

Medication adherence was higher among patients who received their medication from a specialty pharmacy than from other dispensing channels.

An update to the Atlas of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) shows a modest increase in the number of patients with MS and the prevalence of MS between 2008 and 2013. The report also highlights disparities in access to treatment between high- and low-income countries.

Pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed better response to the flu vaccine if they received it at a certain point during chemotherapy.

Carfilzomib's ability to inhibit myeloma cell growth and ability to trigger a greater response in proteins associated with cell death than other therapies makes it a promising therapy for multiple myeloma patients.

Researchers in the Netherlands found that improvements in diagnostic testing, new treatments, and better management may be responsible for improvements in physical disability, anxiety, and depression ratings over the past 20 years ago in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A study published by the American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits compares dose escalation patterns of patients treated with TNF blockers.

In this OncLive video, Jatin J. Shah, MD, assistant professor in lymphoma/myeloma in the Division of Cancer Medicine at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses novel therapeutics for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

A Novartis-sponsored study found better continuation rates and higher adherence in participants receiving oral disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis.

Novartis announced a demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival in patients using LBH589 (panobinostat) with bortezomib and dexamethasone.

The ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting offers an opportunity to take the pulse of the profession and learn about new trends and concerns in health-system pharmacy.

A survey of physicians who prescribe specialty medications released by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association found that they were skeptical that all traditional pharmacies were capable of dispensing specialty medications.

Spending on specialty medications is expected to increase 30% by 2017, a report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics predicts.

Specialty pharmacy presents itself as both a challenging business model and a significant financial opportunity under the right circumstances, especially for health systems.

Despite lower costs for inpatient and outpatient appointments and surgery for patients receiving infliximab therapy, the costs to administer the therapy make it more expensive than adalimumab therapy.

Drs. Jasielec and Jakubowiak review the state of the art in selecting an optimal induction therapy regimen for patients with multiple myeloma.

A CVS Caremark report predicts further increases in specialty drug spending but suggests strategies for payers to manage costs.