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Drug pipline
Your costs can change dramatically when new medications come to market. So we keep careful watch on new drug
launches, as well as on medications expected to gain approval in the next several months.
The Pipeline Report contains some of the initial assessments of recent and upcoming medication launches from expert analysts around the industry. We try to capture some of the variables that will determine the ultimate impact of a new drug, including whether a medication represents a substantial advance in the science, its relative place within its therapeutic class and other market dynamics.
This report contains only a few of the most prominent new medications. If you would like to view a more extensive, more clinically-oriented list, please click here to download the from If you have questions about our strategies or programs related to the new medications, please contact your OptumRx Non-specialty medications
Medication Name/
Manufacturer
Eliquis® (apixaban) Bristol-Myers Squibb
Anti-clotting drug. Oral tablet used to reduce the risk of stroke and dangerous blood clots Therapeutic Use
in patients with atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem1 Current Status
• Eliquis is expected to be widely available in the U.S. by the end of January 20133 Medications
• Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat, affects approximately5.8 million people in the U.S.3 Potential Market
• 15% of strokes in the U.S. are attributable to atrial fibrillation 3• Eliquis is described as a new blockbuster drug with potential sales of approximately $4billion within 5 years 4 • In clinical trials, fewer patients with atrial fibrillation taking Eliquis suffered strokes compared to those taking warfarin, a standard treatment5• Apixaban has been available in Europe since May 2011 6 1. Forbes. FDA Approves Eliquis (Apixaban) For Stroke Prevention In AF. 12/28/2012.
2. FDA News Release. FDA approves Eliquis to reduce the risk of stroke, blood clots in patients with non- valvular atrial fibrillation. Dec. 28, 2012 3. Business Wire via The Motley Fool. UPDATE: With Multimedia: U.S. FDA Approves ELIQUIS® (apixaban) to Reduce the Risk of Stroke and Systemic Embolism. 01/02/13 4. FierceBiotech. Pfizer, BMS face a delay on FDA's megablockbuster decision on apixaban. March 1, 2012.
5. FierceBiotech. ELIQUIS® (apixaban) was Superior to Warfarin for the Reduction of Stroke or Systemic 6. Heartwire. Apixaban approved in Europe for use after hip/knee surgery. May 20, 2011.
1st Quarter, 2013 Issue 2
Medication Name/
Manufacturer
Uceris™ (budesonide) Santarus, Inc.
Extended release oral tablets for patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, Therapeutic Use
a type of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) characterized by chronic or recurringinflammation.1 Current Status
• Commercial launch of Uceris expected in March 20131 Medications
• Approximately 1.4 million people in U.S. suffer IBD3 Potential Market
• Affects mainly the working-age population (peak onset is between age 15- 30, but canoccur anytime)3 • IBD is one of top five most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in the U.S.
• Overall health care cost for IBD more than $1.7 billion3 1. Business Wire.FDA Approves Uceris. Jan 15, 2013 2. EPG Online. FDA approves Uceris (Santarus) for mild to moderate Ulcerative Colitis. Jan. 16, 2013.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Page last updated: July Medication Name
Nesina ® (Alogliptin)Takeda
Oral tablet for the management of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) in Therapeutic Use
addition to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control.1 Current Status
• Commercial launch is expected in the summer of 20131 Nesina joins the general class of DPP-4 inhibitors Medications
• Onglyza™ (saxagliptin)• Tradjenta™ (linagliptin)2 • Type 2 diabetes affects about 24 million Americans and accounts for more than 90percent of diabetes cases diagnosed in the United States1 Potential Market
• Takeda is positioning Nesina to replace the sales of Actos (Pioglitazone), also byTakeda. Actos achieved peak sales of nearly $4.5 billion before its patent expired inJanuary, 20121 • Nesina is the 4th DPP 4 inhibitor introduced to the market2 1. The Burrill Report. Takeda Wins Diabetes Approvals. February 01, 2013.
2. FierceBiotech. Takeda grabs long-awaited U.S. approval for diabetes drug Nesina. January 25, 2013.
3. Drugwatch. As Actos Profit Falls, Takeda Wins Approval for New Diabetes Drugs. January 30th, 2013.
1st Quarter, 2013 Issue 2
Medication Name/
Manufacturer
Invokana (canagliflozin) Johnson & Johnson
Therapeutic Use
Oral, once-daily medication to treat type 2 diabetes in adult patients.1 • FDA Advisory Committee voted to recommend approval on Jan 10, 20131 Current Status
• Final FDA decision expected by March 31, 20131 • If approved, Invokana would be the first in a new class medicines known as SGLT2 Medications
• In testing was compared against existing drugs Januvia® (sitagliptin) and glimpiride2 • Type 2 diabetes affects about 24 million Americans and accounts for more than 90 Potential Market
percent of diabetes cases diagnosed in the United States3• Analysts predict Invokana’s peak sales could reach $1 billion2 • If approved, Invokana would be the first in a new class medicines known as SGLT2inhibitors.1• SGLT2 stands for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, a new class of drugs that cause a substantial increase in the amount of glucose that flows out in the urine. A potentialadvantage of this class is that they work independent of insulin, which could make iteasier to combine SGLT2 inhibitors with other drugs.5• In testing is compared against existing drugs Januvia® (sitagliptin) and glimpiride.2 1. The PharmaLetter. FDA panel backs J&J diabetes drug Invokana (canagliflozin). 11 January 2013.
2. Pharmafile. Janssen’s diabetes drug Invokana recommended. Jan 11, 2013.
3. The Burrill Report. Takeda Wins Diabetes Approvals. February 01, 2013.
4. OneMedPlace. PDUFA: March 31 – Invokana. Feb 7, 2013.
5. Pharma Times. SGLT2 inhibitors under spotlight at US diabetes meeting. June 12, 2012.
1st Quarter, 2013 Issue 2

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