Trends-in-MedicineLynne Peterson,
Senior Writer
Trends-in-Medicine has no financial connections with any pharmaceutical or medical device company. The information and opinions expressed have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable and in good faith, but no liability is assumed for information contained in this newsletter.
Copyright© 2004
No articles may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
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The Safety of AstraZeneca's Crestor - Quick Pulse
Summary: A consumer group has filed a petition with the FDA asking the agency to remove AstraZeneca’s Crestor (rosuvastatin) from the market. Public Citizen charged that there have been post-marketing cases of life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and damage and kidney failure or damage at even the lowest approved doses. To try to determine the likely effect of this action on prescribing practices, 12 cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) were interviewed -- and most wer very concerned.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy for Menopause: How Doctors and Patients are Reacting - Quick Pulse
Summary: Obstetricians/gynecologists and family practice doctors were interviewed to determine the initial reaction of doctors and patients to the news that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has stopped the estrogen-only (ERT) arm of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Neither patients nor doctors appear very concerned, and little impact on estrogen use is expected.
American Academy of Pain Medicine
Summary: Johnson & Johnson’s Topamax and Allergan’s Botox both appear promising for headache pain. There is substantial interest in Abbott’s sustained release Dilaudid and Vicodin, though hydrocodone is moving to Schedule II, which will make it harder for doctors to prescribe. Sales of Cephalon’s regular Actiq are expected to grow, but a new sugar-free formulation is viewed as a marketing gimmick. Endo Pharmaceuticals has a winner in LidoDerm; doctors like it, and it appears to work in some low back pain patients. Endo’s generic oxycodone will have to overcome the negativity associated with OxyContin abuse and diversion. There is interest in Skye/Endo’s depot morphine, but it may take time to catch on. New data on Elan’s Prialt may satisfy the FDA, but it is not generating excitement among pain doctors who remain concerned about the side effects, even with lower doses and slower titration. Ligand’s Avinza continues to gain popularity.
HealthCare Information and Management Systems Society
Summary: Healthcare IT spending is starting to increase – the early stages of a new spending ripple. However, 2004 hospital budgets are up only 6% from 2003, with future increases expected to be in the same range. PACS is taking off, and interest in CPOE is high, but CPOE may lag as hospitals prepare for it by implementing advanced clinical systems. Sources are hopeful there will be federal government dollars behind the rhetoric of Bush administration officials. There is more interest in integration than interface engines, and hospitals want enterprise-wide solutions more than a patchwork of “best of breed” systems. CIOs implementing Siemens’ Soarian are all very enthusiastic about it and not concerned about roll-out delays. Kodak may be the company to watch. It is about to make a big push in healthcare IT, especially PACS.
Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards
Summary: Most pharmaceutical companies have not applied to be direct sponsors of Medicare-Approved Prescription Drug Discount Cards, but they are offering discounts and even free drugs to some Medicare beneficiaries. Pharmas support for the discount cards are viewed by some experts as a political trade-off for Congress not imposing price controls. Pharmas also are trying to build brand loyalty, drive volume and capture market share as a prelude to the full Medicare drug benefit that begins in 2006. For pharmas, the discount card programs are loss-leaders – or just plain black holes. There is real concern among experts that the cards will be a flop, but that may not be obvious until after the presidential election in November 2004. Meanwhile, health plans and PBMs also want to be approved card sponsors, and some are making private labeling arrangements.
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