May/June 2015

Recently published data from a survey of commercial health plans reveal the latest trends and emerging strategies in oncology management.

This activity provides information for pharmacists regarding current and emerging therapies to slow disease progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Proposed regulations call for the use of closed-system transfer devices by health care professionals who handle hazardous drugs.

Afinitor (everolimus) is approved for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.

Anticipated near-term specialty drug approvals include new therapies for cancer, orphan conditions, high cholesterol, and asthma.

Mobile adherence apps are a great boon to patients who face the responsibility of taking oral chemotherapy drugs as directed without in-person supervision by clinicians.

Pharmaceutical companies and clinical oncology teams are collaborating to harness large sets of patient data, paving the way for more informed and individualized decision-making about treatments.

As oncology spending rises, insurers and manufacturers are looking to specialty pharmacy programs to maximize the effectiveness of cancer therapies.

There are several key factors a specialty pharmacy must consider when deciding whether to participate in a limited distribution network.

New drug approvals include therapies for patients with breast cancer, thyroid cancer, neuroblastoma, and multiple myeloma.

Cost containment of medications for the treatment of cancer is an area of increasing concern for specialty pharmacy stakeholders.