Roche Wins FDA Panel Vote with Actemra for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The first Interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor to offer new therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis.

On July 29th Roche announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee of the U.S. FDA by a 10-1 vote recommended approvial of Actemra® for reducing the signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

“Based on the strength of the data presented, and the positive recommendation by the committee, we are hopeful that the FDA will approve Actemra for the treatment of RA and provide a new option to patients who are not achieving adequate symptom relief with current therapies,” said Kenneth Bahrt, MD Global Medical Director, Autoimmunity with Roche.

The committees vote was made after Roche presented results from five phase III clinical trials.

To read the full release, go to www.roche.com

The Southwest Viral Hepatitis Summit

November 13th thru the 14th, the Hepatitis Foundation International will be putting on the Southwest Viral Hepatitis Summit in Las Vegas, NV.

The event will be held at The Orleans Hotel.

HFI has been at the forefront of Hepatitis awareness and support.

For more information on this event contact HFI at (800) 891-0707

Nexavar® Extends Advanced Liver Cancer Survival

Median survival improved by nearly 3 months.

These randomized trial findings, initially released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, represent the first effective therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

“It really opens a new era of hope,” said Lewis R. Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In an accompanying editorial.

One of the main problems has been toxicity, particularly since patients often have other underlying liver disease. Dr. Roberts said.

Treatment-related Adverse events were more frequent with Nexavar (80% vs 52% placebo).

“Increased adverse events is one of the most crucial reasons that a qualified Specialty Pharmacy is a necessity in patient management.” said Stephen C. Vogt, PharmD, CEO of BioPlus Specialty Pharamcy.

“The management of adverse events can mean the difference between a achieving a therapy goal, and wasting a treatment.” For more information on Nexavar or to seek help in obtaining your treatment, go to www.cancerrxassist.com or call (866)845-8668

Industry-Related Articles

The New York Times—Title: The Middleman’s Markup. Article questions the ethics of insurance companies that manage prescription drug benefits (PBMs) involvement in also having pharmacies.

Wall Street Journal—Title: FDA Probes Drugs’ risk for youths. This article addresses the recent and ongoing investigation by the FDA into whether drugs for Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease heighten the risk of cancer in youths and adolescents.

BioPlus, Independent Nationwide Specialty Pharmacy Services

376 S. Northlake Blvd
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Phone: 888-292-0744
Fax: 800-269-5493

Overview of Prescription Coverage

Managed care companies are still struggling with the rising costs and utilization of Specialty Drugs.

Why is this still a challenge? There are many answers, one of which is the counterproductive use of the PBM (Prescription Benefit Manager) as the pharmacy provider.

Nearly all Managed Care organizations use a PBM to administer their Prescription Benefits. However, these PBM’s are also operating as Mail Order pharmacies.

Is this a problem? Not necessarily. Mail order pharmacies are great resources for medications that are needed long term and where compliance is not going to be a challenge. However, Specialty Medications require special care, care that helps patients adhere, comply and achieve the desired therapeutic outcome.

PBM’s are paid to manage the members benefit, whether the member is on medication or not.

So the necessity of compliance is in question. If a patient receives 90 days of drug the patient looks to be compliant to the managed care company for those 90 days. However, with the highest rate of non-compliance falling in the first 90 days there is a greater chance of non-compliance, which leads to increased MD visits, alternate medications and even hospitalization. Who provides the best VALUE for specialty drug care?

BioPlus Outstanding Reviews

BioPlus 2nd Quarter surveys are in and the results are high praises from physicians offices across the country.

BioPlus has achieved 100% good or excellent rankings by physicians and patients.

With physicians noting our service level to be a key to their practice management.

INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE US TO REVIEW?

If you are seeking information or have a topic that you would like us to review or research or have an idea that you would like to share that can help the community, please drop us a line at info@bioplusrx.com.

BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy has been dedicated to chronic illness care for over 20 years.

Our goal is to provide the best care and resources we can to all those seeking assistance.

From patients and their families to prescribers and their staff to healthplans and manufacturers.

So, please share your comments, ideas or stories with us. You never know who you may be helping!

Here’s to a healthier tomorrow!