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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Drug Updates

Subcategories:AnalgesicsBiologics/DMARDs

Mesoblast Cell Treatment Shows Promise in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—Mesoblast Ltd. on Monday said its experimental stem-cell treatment led to significant improvements of symptoms and disease activity in patients whose rheumatoid arthritis had stopped being helped by widely used biotech medicines, according to data from a mid-stage trial. Treatment with the Australian company’s mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) product, MPC-300-IV, was deemed well tolerated with…

U.S. Panel Backs Approval of Abuse-Resistant Opioid Painkiller

Reuters Staff  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—A U.S. advisory panel on Thursday recommended approval of Egalet Corp’s long-acting opioid painkiller, Arymo ER (morphine sulfate), saying it dulls pain and could deter abuse by addicts seeking a quick high. The panel recommended that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approve the drug and said it deters, but does not eliminate,…

Cephalon, U.S. States Reach $125 Million Settlement Over Generic Drugs

Sarah N. Lynch  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Cephalon has reached a $125 million settlement with 48 states in connection with its alleged efforts to delay generic versions of its blockbuster sleep disorder drug modafinil (Provigil) from entering the market, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Thursday. The settlement with Cephalon, now owned by Teva Pharmaceuticals, comes a little more…

Humira Found Partially Effective against Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Gene Emery  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – The anti-inflammatory drug adalimumab can provide significant relief for about a quarter of people who suffer from a moderate-to-severe case of the chronic skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa, according to two 36-week trials. But the drug – which would cost over $104,000 per year for the weekly injections used in the…

Generic TNF-Alpha Inhibitors Comparable to Established Brands

David Douglas  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Biosimilar tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors appear equivalent to the branded original versions, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. As Dr. G. Caleb Alexander tells Reuters Health by email, “biologic treatments represent a rapidly growing proportion of prescription drug expenditures and thus there is enormous interest in whether or not biosimilar products…

Methotrexate with Step-Down Glucocorticoid Remission Induction Works in Early RA

Reuters Staff  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Methotrexate with step-down glucocorticoid remission induction (COBRA Slim) is an effective, safe and feasible initial treatment strategy for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers from Belgium report. Patients with early RA should be treated rapidly, intensively and to target, according to current guidelines, they note in a paper online July 18…

Secukinumab Inhibits Structural Joint Damage in Active PsA

  |  

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory arthritis characterized by structural damage to the joints, has been associated with reduced health-related quality of life, disability and reduced life expectancy. The joint changes in PsA are characterized radiographically by a combination of erosive and proliferative bone changes, including erosive joint destruction, fluffy periostitis and pencil-in-cup deformities. Radiographic…

EMA Flags Faulty Generic Drug Data, Backs Sales Halt

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended suspending sales of some generic drugs after a review found that data collected by a contract research company in India for their approval was unreliable. The EMA’s list included drugs made by some of the top generic drugmakers, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan NV and Novartis AG’s Sandoz….