6 Top Primary Care Happenings This Month

Two pharmaceutical companies recently announced -- and then dialed back or renounced -- plans to increase the price of their newly acquired drugs. Details here:

New York Times

New York Times Mobile

Drug Topics ©focal point/Shutterstock.com

Treatment-resistant major depression in older people is widespread and potentially life-threatening. This NIH-sponsored trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of augmentation therapy with the antipsychotic agent aripiprazole (Abilify) in 181 patients with treatment-resistant depression who had not achieved pre-trial remission with venlafaxine XR (Effexor).

Lenze EJ, et al. The Lancet. September 2015 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00308-6.©morrison/Shutterstock.com

The approval of flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women met with a mixed review. Here’s a small sampling.

Flibanserin: More than Just a “Pink Viagra”

Evaluation of Flibanserin: Science and Advocacy at the FDA

First Female Sexual Dysfunction Drug: What to Know Before Prescribing

Mechanism of action of flibanserin, a multifunctional serotonin agonist and antagonist (MSAA), in hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

©Romanenia/Shutterstock.com

Here's a study of the cardiovascular effects of empagliflozin (Jardiance). In 7020 high risk adults with comorbid T2 diabetes and CV disease, who were randomly assigned to 10 mg or 25 mg of empagliflozin or placebo once daily and followed for a mean of 3.1 years. Empagliflozin recipients had significantly lower rates of the primary composite CV outcome and of death from any cause when study drugs were added to standard care.

Zinman B, et al. NEJM. Sept 17, 2015. ©Sebastian Kaulitzsky/Shutterstock.com

Two diabetes drugs have just received FDA approval.

Tresiba (insulin degludec): a once-daily new-generation basal insulin analogue

Ryzodeg 70/30 (insulin degludec and insulin aspart): a long-acting insulin analog and rapid-acting human insulin analog combination.