More than four in ten (42 percent) of cancer cases in the United States are linked to risk factors associated with cancer, such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, ultraviolet radiation and physical inactivity, according to a new study conducted by the American Cancer Society. The results of the...

Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a new treatment option available to them following the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to approve Novo Nordisk's rapid-acting mealtime insulin Fiasp (insulin aspart).  The drug is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the approval of Pfizer’s drug Sutent (sunitinib malate) as an adjuvant treatment for adults at a high risk of experiencing a return of renal cell carcinoma following the removal of a kidney.  Adjuvant therapies are treatments...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first once-daily, two-drug single pill treatment for certain patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Approval for Juluca (dolutegravir and rilpivirine) was granted to ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist in HIV owned by...

A new treatment option is available to certain patients with hemophilia A following the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Genentech’s drug Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh). The medication is approved for treatment of patients with hemophilia A who have developed Factor VIII...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee has voted 16-0 to approve semaglutide as a once-weekly treatment to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk submitted the application in December 2016 under the FDA’s Prescription drug user Fee Act...

Around 49 million American adults were still using tobacco products in 2015, according to new data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products.  The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new once-daily single inhaler triple therapy for treatment of certain adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Trelegy Ellipta (furoate, umeclidinium, vilanterol) is indicated for patients on a fixed-dose combination...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first continuous glucose monitoring system for adult patients with diabetes. The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System enables patients to make decisions about their treatment without needing to calibrate using fingerstick...

The 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held on October 28th, 2017 has been hailed as the most successful yet, retrieving record quantities of unused medication. Run by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the events highlight the importance of proper disposal of unwanted drugs and provide...

Zelboraf (vemurafenib) has been approved for treatment of adult patients with a rare cancer of the blood. It is the first medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD).  ECD is a rare blood cancer originating in the bone...

Overweight or obese Americans are at a higher risk of developing cancer, according to the latest Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 13 different types of cancer are associated with obesity, yet figures suggest more than half of Americans are...

The majority of medication available over-the-counter or with a prescription comes with a risk of side effects, whether minor irritations or more serious health concerns. Each year, emergency rooms across the United States deal with more than 700,000 visits as a result of adverse drug events,...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into improved packaging, storage and disposal strategies to address the opioid abuse epidemic in the United States. In a statement released at the end of October, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, reaffirmed the regulatory body's...

Patients in the United States who suffer from mantle cell lymphoma have a new treatment option available following the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) decision to grant accelerated approval to Calquence (acalabrutinib). The AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals drug was granted Priority Review,...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its decision to recognize the capability of eight regulatory authorities in Europe, which it states will lead to greater efficiency in ensuring the safety of medicines and pharmacy products.  Inspections of manufacturing facilities by...

Scott Gottlieb, MD, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, has outlined the FDA's plans to tackle the nation's opioid abuse epidemic. Speaking to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hearing, he described opioid addiction as the "biggest crisis facing public health...

Depression and anxiety is more commonly diagnosed in patients suffering atopic dermatitis than among the rest of the US population, a recent survey by the National Eczema Association (NEA) suggests. October is Eczema Awareness Month, during which the NEA is highlighting the impact of eczema on...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the indication of Stelara (ustekinumab) for adolescent patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Janssen Biotech, the manufacturer of the drug, described the approval as a "significant milestone" in the treatment of young people with...

Pharmacies across the country recently offered free "brown bag" medication reviews as part of National Check Your Meds Day. The awareness-raising event was established by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) and Consumer Reports and this year took place on Saturday, October 21st....