Entries by Administrator

Top patient safety concerns of 2024

Challenges transitioning new clinicians from academic training to professional practice tops ECRI’s 2024 list of top 10 patient safety concerns for 2024 released by one of the nation’s largest patient safety organizations. ECRI researchers compiled the report by drawing on evidence-based research, data, and expert insights.

Opdivo to face direct competition with Keytruda and Padcev combination in bladder cancer space

Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo was recently granted FDA approval in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as a first-line treatment for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. With this approval, Opdivo positions itself to compete with Merck & Co’s immune checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda in combination with Astellas and Pfizer’s Padcev, a nectin-4-directed antibody-drug conjugate, according to GlobalData.

FDA approves label expansion for Wegovy

On Friday the agency approved a label expansion for Wegovy based on a supplemental New Drug Application for the indication of reducing risks of major adverse cardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack (myocardial infarction) or non-fatal stroke in adults with either overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease.

For women using GLP-1 receptor agonists on oral birth control pills, Evofem suggests contraceptive gel could help prevent unintended pregnancy

Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, is skyrocketing in the United States, with more than nine million prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and similar diabetes and obesity drugs written during the last three months of 2022 alone. Zepbound weekly prescriptions hit 25,000 in December 2023, just one month after it was approved to treat obesity. These drugs may make oral birth control pills less effective at certain points in the dosing schedule, making an unintended pregnancy more likely.

FDA clears first OTC continuous glucose monitor

The Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System is intended for anyone 18 years and older who does not use insulin, such as individuals with diabetes treating their condition with oral medications, or those without diabetes who want to better understand how diet and exercise may impact blood sugar levels.