1. Cone Health Family Medicine
News You Can Use…
Jennifer Otter, PharmD
Pete Koval, PharmD
Cone Health Family Medicine
August 2017

2. New Drug Approval
Vosevi® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/ voxilapreviar) for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Indicated for adult patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1-6 w/out cirrhosis or w/ mild cirrhosis
Vosevi is the first medication approved for HCV patients “who have previously been treated w/ sofosbuvir or other HCV drugs that inhibit NS5A”.
7/13/2017 AP.org

3. New Drug Approval
Tremfya® (guselkumab) is an IL-23 inhibitor monoclonal antibody
Indicated for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
$9,684 per dose ($58,100/year – cash price)
Comparable to Humira® ($59,200/yr)
7/13/2017 AP.org

4. New Generic Approval
Effient® (prasugrel) has been approved by the FDA in a generic formulation
Effient is indicated for acute coronary syndrome to be managed with PCI to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events
However, it will not be available generically until December 2017
7/12/2017 FDA.gov

5. New Indication Approval
Fycompa® (perampanel) is an AMPA Glutamate Receptor Antagonist Anticonvulsant
Indicated for adjunctive use for partial- onset seizures and primary generalized seizures in with epilepsy 12 years of age or older
New indication: can now be used as monotherapy
7/26/2017 FDA.gov

6. Drug Removed From Market
Endo Pharmaceuticals agrees to pull abuse-deterrent extended release formulation of oxymorphone (Opana ER) from the market after FDA’s June recommendation
A significant shift in the route of abuse (nasal administration to injection) was observed after the product’s reformulation
Medscape.com, 7/6/17

7. New Study
Patients taking Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) have 25% increased risk of death than patients taking H2 blockers
Study published in BMJ Open Journal
Expect to see 1 extra death for every 500 people taking PPIs for one year
Researchers found a “graded” relationship between PPI use and risk of death (longer use equates to higher risk)
7/3/2017 CBSNews.com

8. New Study
2 New Studies Show Negative Impact Of NSAID Use in Vigorous Exercise
One study published in Emergency Medical Journal found that ultramathoners using NSAIDs were 18% more likely to experience AKI than non-users
Second study showed that NSAIDs may impair muscle repair after strenuous exercise
7/5/2017 NY Times.com

9. New Study
Adding 2nd medicine to treat depression may be better strategy than switching medications
Researchers at Yale University found that 29% of patients who took the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (Abilify®) for 12 weeks, along with their original antidepressant, achieved nearly total remission of their depression symptoms
JAMA July 11, 2017