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New Drugs & Devices
burg, IL 60173 . (708) 3300230. National Sight-Saving Month. National Society to Prevent Blindness, 500 East Remington Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173. (800) 3312020 or (708) 843-2020. 9-15, National Medic Alert Week. Medic Alert Foundation International, P.O. Box 10009, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95381-1009. (800) 344-3226. 9-15, National Hospital Week. American Hospital Association, 840 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611 . (312) 280-6028 or (800) 621-9212 . 9-15, National Nursing Home Week. American
LeustatinNew for Rare Leukemia Leustatin Injection (cladribine-Ortho Biotech) is a new oncology drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as ftrst-line therapy for treating hairy cell leukemia. An orphan drug, cladribine is the third drug approved to treat the disorder-the others are alpha interferon (Intron-A -Schering-Plough, and Roferon-A - HoffmannLa Roche) and pentostatin (Nipent- Warner Lambert). The latter is approved only as a second-line treatment, but an FDA advisory committee recently recommended pentostatin for ftrst-line Vol. NS33, No. 5
May 1993
Health Care Association, 1201 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005. (202) 842-4444. 10-16, National Osteoporosis Prevention Week. National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2100 M St., NW, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20037. (202) 223-2226. JUNE
National Scleroderma Awareness Month. United Sclerodernla FOlmdation, Inc., P.O. Box 399, Watsonville, CA 95077-0399. (800) 722-HOPE or (408) 728-2202. 6-12, National Safety Week. American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 East Oakton, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187. (708) 692-4121.
therapy, as well. Cladribine has been hailed by the medical community as a significant advance for treating hairy cell leukemia because of its short dosing schedule and low incidence of the side effects often seen with multi-course cancer therapies, such as hair loss and nausea. Hairy cell leukemia currently affects about 3,000 patients-mostly men over age 50. About 600 new cases are diagnosed each year. The disease is characterized by slow or chronic proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes with hair-like projections. Before systemic therapy became available, the average survival w as 4.4 years. In
clinical trials, 89% of patients treated with cladribine showed complete or partial remission for eight to 25 months. Adverse Effects: Common side effects include fever, fatigue, and neutropenia in the ftrst two months after treatment. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the drug or its components. Dosage: The recommended dosage is 0.09 mg/kg/day given by continuous infusion for 7 consecutive days. Physicians should consider delaying or discontinuing the dnlg if neurotoxicity or renal toxicity occurs. Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established. Pregnancy: Category D. The dnlg has the potential to cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. It should be administered to pregnant women only if the beneftts justify the risks. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether the dnlg is excreted in human mille How Supplied: In 10 mL (l mg/mL) single-use vials, set of seven vials. Storage: Store between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F). Protect from light. For More Information: Call (800) 325-7504 for product information. Call (800) 553-3851 for information about third-party reimbursement for the drug. Call (800) 447-3437 for information about fmancial assistance for patients who cannot pay for the dnlg.
m
Prescription Drug Notes Ortho-Cept (Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation) is a new oral contraceptive containing 0.15 mg of de sogestrel and 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. For more information: (800) 682-6532. Ondansetron HCI injection (Zofran-Cerenex Pharmaceuticals, division of Glaxo Inc.) is now available in a single 32-mg dose to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. A recent study found that the single 32-mg
dose "yields significant statistical improvements in treatment failure " as compared with the three 0.15 nlg/kg doses initially approved in 1991. For more information: (919) 248-2100. Isoniazid injection (Nydrazid Injection- Bristol-Myers Squibb) has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for re-entry into the pharmaceutical market for treating tuberculosis. FDA had asked the company to reintroduce isoniazid injection, which had been discontinued in 1992, because no other injectable form of the drug is available. The injection is typically used in combinaAMERICANPHARMACY
PHARMACY NEWS
NEW DRUGS & DEVICES
Continued/rom preuiolls page
tion therapy and is useful for patients unable to take oral dnlgs. For more information: (800) 321-1335.
NewOTC Products The Health Patch is a transdermal analgesic patch containing methyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, tocopherol (Vitamin E) acetate, I-menthol, and dl-canlphor. It is designed to relieve muscle and joint discomforts. Manufacturer: Tokuhon Corporation, distributed by American Body Care, Inc., (800) 7524325. DennaFlex topical anesthetic is a fast-drying gel containing lidocaine to soothe pain and itching of minor cuts, insect bites, and rashes.
Manufacturer: Zila Pharmaceuticals, (800) 922-7887. Dramamine II tablets contain meclizine HCI to relieve motion sickness. According to the manufacturer, the new product causes less drowsiness than the original formula of dimenhydrinate. Manufacturer: The Upjohn Company, (800) 253-8600 or (616) 329-8244. Psorcon Cream 0.05%, a topical corticosteroid, contains diflorasone diacetate for treating moderate to severe dermatoses that require a drying effect, such as nummular eczema. It is available in tubes of 60 g, 30 g, and 15 g. Manufacturer: Dermik Laboratories, (215) 454-8000.
New Devices
AccuMeter Cholesterol Self-Test is the first home test kit for blood cholesterol. The test, available without a prescription, gives results in 15 minutes. Manufacturer: Chem Trak Inc., distributed by Whitehall Laboratories, (202) 8358828. Dr. Joseph's Original Footbrush, designed for people who have trouble bending, can be used to clean the feet and apply medication. The 24" bnlsh has side-mounted bristles and a replacePhoto depicts the professional able sponge tip. Manuversion of the AccuMeter, which facturer: Maddak Inc. has been approved for over-the(800) 443-4926. counter distribution.
AMERICAN PHARMACY
PRACTICE TRENDS
Nearly Half of PPOs Offer Managed Pharmacy Programs In 1991,44% of the nation's preferred provider organizations (PPOs) had managed pharmacy programs, according to the 1992 Marion Merrell Dow Managed Care Digest, PPO Edition. PPOs owned by insurance companies were the nlost likely to have managed pharnlacy programs, with 79% offering them. In contrast, only 5% of PPOs owned by physicians and medical groups offered managed pharmacy programs. Larger PPOs-those with more than 500,000 eligible employees-were more likely than were smaller plans to offer managed pharmacy programs. The percentage of PPOs that used dnlg formularies increased from 12% in 1990 to 15% in 1991, the report says. PPOs owned by hospital pharmacies had the highest percentage of formularies at 39%, followed by PPOs owned by insurance companies at 21%. Forty percent of PPOs with managed pharmacy programs contracted with networks of preferred pharmacy providers in 1991. Of these, 56% contracted with retail pharmacy chains to dispense pharmaceuticals to
their eligible employees. Pharmacy cards were offered by 53% of the PPOs that had managed pharmacy programs in 1991. Types of PPOs frequently using card programs were plans owned by insurers (80%), plans owned by third party administrators (70%), hospital alliances (67%), and joint ventures of hospitals and physicians (67%). Forty-two percent of PPOs with managed pharmacy programs contracted with mail order pharmacies in 1991. These arrangements were most common among PPOs owned by insurance companies (78%) and least common among those owned by independent investors (l0%). Mid-sized PPO plans of 100,000 to 999,999 eligible employees, and PPOs established before 1989, were the most likely to contract with mail order pharmacies in 1991.
Hospital Pharmacy Hours and Staffing Grow In the average hospital in the United States, the central pharmacy was open longer and pharmacists and technicians as a group worked more hours in 1991 than the previous year, according to the 1992 Lilly Hospital Pharmacy Survey. May 1993
Vol. NS33, No.5
LeustatinNew for Rare Leukemia Leustatin Injection (cladribine-Ortho Biotech) is a new oncology drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as ftrst-line therapy for treating hairy cell leukemia. An orphan drug, cladribine is the third drug approved to treat the disorder-the others are alpha interferon (Intron-A -Schering-Plough, and Roferon-A - HoffmannLa Roche) and pentostatin (Nipent- Warner Lambert). The latter is approved only as a second-line treatment, but an FDA advisory committee recently recommended pentostatin for ftrst-line Vol. NS33, No. 5
May 1993
Health Care Association, 1201 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005. (202) 842-4444. 10-16, National Osteoporosis Prevention Week. National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2100 M St., NW, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20037. (202) 223-2226. JUNE
National Scleroderma Awareness Month. United Sclerodernla FOlmdation, Inc., P.O. Box 399, Watsonville, CA 95077-0399. (800) 722-HOPE or (408) 728-2202. 6-12, National Safety Week. American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 East Oakton, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187. (708) 692-4121.
therapy, as well. Cladribine has been hailed by the medical community as a significant advance for treating hairy cell leukemia because of its short dosing schedule and low incidence of the side effects often seen with multi-course cancer therapies, such as hair loss and nausea. Hairy cell leukemia currently affects about 3,000 patients-mostly men over age 50. About 600 new cases are diagnosed each year. The disease is characterized by slow or chronic proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes with hair-like projections. Before systemic therapy became available, the average survival w as 4.4 years. In
clinical trials, 89% of patients treated with cladribine showed complete or partial remission for eight to 25 months. Adverse Effects: Common side effects include fever, fatigue, and neutropenia in the ftrst two months after treatment. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the drug or its components. Dosage: The recommended dosage is 0.09 mg/kg/day given by continuous infusion for 7 consecutive days. Physicians should consider delaying or discontinuing the dnlg if neurotoxicity or renal toxicity occurs. Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established. Pregnancy: Category D. The dnlg has the potential to cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. It should be administered to pregnant women only if the beneftts justify the risks. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether the dnlg is excreted in human mille How Supplied: In 10 mL (l mg/mL) single-use vials, set of seven vials. Storage: Store between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F). Protect from light. For More Information: Call (800) 325-7504 for product information. Call (800) 553-3851 for information about third-party reimbursement for the drug. Call (800) 447-3437 for information about fmancial assistance for patients who cannot pay for the dnlg.
m
Prescription Drug Notes Ortho-Cept (Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation) is a new oral contraceptive containing 0.15 mg of de sogestrel and 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. For more information: (800) 682-6532. Ondansetron HCI injection (Zofran-Cerenex Pharmaceuticals, division of Glaxo Inc.) is now available in a single 32-mg dose to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. A recent study found that the single 32-mg
dose "yields significant statistical improvements in treatment failure " as compared with the three 0.15 nlg/kg doses initially approved in 1991. For more information: (919) 248-2100. Isoniazid injection (Nydrazid Injection- Bristol-Myers Squibb) has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for re-entry into the pharmaceutical market for treating tuberculosis. FDA had asked the company to reintroduce isoniazid injection, which had been discontinued in 1992, because no other injectable form of the drug is available. The injection is typically used in combinaAMERICANPHARMACY
PHARMACY NEWS
NEW DRUGS & DEVICES
Continued/rom preuiolls page
tion therapy and is useful for patients unable to take oral dnlgs. For more information: (800) 321-1335.
NewOTC Products The Health Patch is a transdermal analgesic patch containing methyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, tocopherol (Vitamin E) acetate, I-menthol, and dl-canlphor. It is designed to relieve muscle and joint discomforts. Manufacturer: Tokuhon Corporation, distributed by American Body Care, Inc., (800) 7524325. DennaFlex topical anesthetic is a fast-drying gel containing lidocaine to soothe pain and itching of minor cuts, insect bites, and rashes.
Manufacturer: Zila Pharmaceuticals, (800) 922-7887. Dramamine II tablets contain meclizine HCI to relieve motion sickness. According to the manufacturer, the new product causes less drowsiness than the original formula of dimenhydrinate. Manufacturer: The Upjohn Company, (800) 253-8600 or (616) 329-8244. Psorcon Cream 0.05%, a topical corticosteroid, contains diflorasone diacetate for treating moderate to severe dermatoses that require a drying effect, such as nummular eczema. It is available in tubes of 60 g, 30 g, and 15 g. Manufacturer: Dermik Laboratories, (215) 454-8000.
New Devices
AccuMeter Cholesterol Self-Test is the first home test kit for blood cholesterol. The test, available without a prescription, gives results in 15 minutes. Manufacturer: Chem Trak Inc., distributed by Whitehall Laboratories, (202) 8358828. Dr. Joseph's Original Footbrush, designed for people who have trouble bending, can be used to clean the feet and apply medication. The 24" bnlsh has side-mounted bristles and a replacePhoto depicts the professional able sponge tip. Manuversion of the AccuMeter, which facturer: Maddak Inc. has been approved for over-the(800) 443-4926. counter distribution.
AMERICAN PHARMACY
PRACTICE TRENDS
Nearly Half of PPOs Offer Managed Pharmacy Programs In 1991,44% of the nation's preferred provider organizations (PPOs) had managed pharmacy programs, according to the 1992 Marion Merrell Dow Managed Care Digest, PPO Edition. PPOs owned by insurance companies were the nlost likely to have managed pharnlacy programs, with 79% offering them. In contrast, only 5% of PPOs owned by physicians and medical groups offered managed pharmacy programs. Larger PPOs-those with more than 500,000 eligible employees-were more likely than were smaller plans to offer managed pharmacy programs. The percentage of PPOs that used dnlg formularies increased from 12% in 1990 to 15% in 1991, the report says. PPOs owned by hospital pharmacies had the highest percentage of formularies at 39%, followed by PPOs owned by insurance companies at 21%. Forty percent of PPOs with managed pharmacy programs contracted with networks of preferred pharmacy providers in 1991. Of these, 56% contracted with retail pharmacy chains to dispense pharmaceuticals to
their eligible employees. Pharmacy cards were offered by 53% of the PPOs that had managed pharmacy programs in 1991. Types of PPOs frequently using card programs were plans owned by insurers (80%), plans owned by third party administrators (70%), hospital alliances (67%), and joint ventures of hospitals and physicians (67%). Forty-two percent of PPOs with managed pharmacy programs contracted with mail order pharmacies in 1991. These arrangements were most common among PPOs owned by insurance companies (78%) and least common among those owned by independent investors (l0%). Mid-sized PPO plans of 100,000 to 999,999 eligible employees, and PPOs established before 1989, were the most likely to contract with mail order pharmacies in 1991.
Hospital Pharmacy Hours and Staffing Grow In the average hospital in the United States, the central pharmacy was open longer and pharmacists and technicians as a group worked more hours in 1991 than the previous year, according to the 1992 Lilly Hospital Pharmacy Survey. May 1993
Vol. NS33, No.5