Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.   

Heart attack patients see no benefits from stopping long-term beta-blocker therapy

Should patients stay on beta-blockers more than one year after a heart attack? The team behind the ABYSS clinical trial explored that very question, presenting its data at ESC Congress 2024.

Insulet Corporation, a Massachusetts-based medical device company focused on diabetes technology, announced that its Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is now cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage type 2 diabetes (T2D).

FDA clears first automated insulin pump for type 2 diabetes

Insulet's Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System was already cleared to help patients manage type 1 diabetes. 

TCT 2023 crowd

CRF announces late-breaking clinical trials for TCT 2024

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation has announced 10 late-breaking clinical trials and 15 late-breaking clinical science sessions for TCT 2024 in Washington, DC. Topics will include TAVR and other structural heart procedures, artificial intelligence and much more. 

Medicare coverage for weight loss drug semaglutide could cost up to $145B per year

Medications that target obesity are not typically covered by Medicare. When the FDA approved semaglutide as a way to treat certain cardiovascular risks, however, CMS said Medicare coverage was on the table. 

HeartMate 3 LVAD abbott

No aspirin, no problem: FDA approves key update for Abbott heart pumps

Patients have typically been told to take aspirin and an oral anticoagulant following treatment to help combat the risk of blood clots. Now, they can skip the aspirin altogether.

pharmaceutical drug approval process

Drugmaker to ‘challenge’ FDA after only receiving tentative approval for inhaled PAH treatment

An exclusivity agreement is stopping Liquidia Corporation from gaining full FDA approval of its new inhalation powder for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The company said it is disappointed with the agency's decision and plans to "take quick action."

money business cash flow dollar

White House unveils lower prices for popular heart, diabetes drugs after Medicare negotiations

Apixaban, empagliflozin, rivaroxaban and sacubitril/valsartan are just some of the medications included in this initial round of Medicare price negotiations. Their new prices were reduced by 56%, 66%, 62% and 53%, respectively. 

Tandem Diabetes Care is recalling a recent update of the mobile app for its t:slim X2 insulin pump due to repeated software issues that may cause the pump to shut down unexpectedly. The FDA has said this is a Class I recall.

Patient risks persist for insulin pump caught in Class I recall

A software update for the pump's mobile app was expected to fix ongoing battery issues, but the problem remains. 

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.