Pharmacy Bulletin 03-12-21

Pharmacy Bulletin 03-12-21

We share important prescription drug information to help you stay informed about updates concerning particular prescription medicines.

VativoRx Bottle update

Drug Shortage – bupivacaine/epinephrine injection

The drug shortage of bupivacaine/epinephrine injection products is ongoing. These products have been unavailable for at least 90 days. March 8, 2021

Drug Shortage – Ethyol® (amifostine)

The drug shortage of Clinigen’s Ethyol (amifostine) injection is ongoing. Ethyol has been unavailable for at least 90 days. March 8, 2021

Azstarys™ (serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate) – New drug approval

KemPharm announced the FDA approval of Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate), for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 years of age and older. March 2, 2021

Azopt® (brinzolamide) – First-time generic

Teva launched an AB-rated generic version of Novartis’ Azopt (brinzolamide) 1% ophthalmic suspension. March 8, 2021

Hysingla™ ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) – First-time generic

Alvogen launched an AB-rated generic version of Purdue Pharma’s Hysingla ER (hydrocodone) extended-release tablets. March 4, 2021

Actemra® (tocilizumab) – New indication

Genentech announced the FDA approval of Actemra (tocilizumab), for slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adult patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). March 4, 2021

Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) – Indication withdrawal

Merck announced the voluntary withdrawal of the Keytruda (pembrolizumab) indication for treatment of patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one other prior line of therapy. March 1, 2021

Lorbrena® (lorlatinib) – Expanded indication

Pfizer announced the FDA approval of Lorbrena (lorlatinib), for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test. March 3, 2021

Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) – Indication withdrawal

Roche announced the voluntary withdrawal of the Tecentriq (atezolizumab) indication for patients with prior-platinum treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). March 8, 2021

Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) – New indication

Kite, a Gilead Company, announced the FDA approval of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. March 5, 2021