Drugs

Class Labeling Changes to 9 Hepatitis Drugs

FDA has approved class labeling revisions about the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus. An agency notice says the labeling changes include:

test all patients for evidence of current or prior HBV infection before starting treatment with HCV direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs);
in patients with serologic evidence of HBV infection, monitor for clinical and laboratory signs of hepatitis flare or HBV reactivation during HCV treatment and during post-treatment follow-up; and
initiate appropriate patient management for HBV infection as clinically indicated.

The changes apply to Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Daklinza (daclatasvir); Gilead’s Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir); Gilead’s Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir); Janssen’s Olysio (simeprevir); AbbVie’s Technivie (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir); AbbVie’s Viekira Pak (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets); AbbVie’s Viekira XR (dasabuvir/ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir); and Merck’s Zepatier (elbasvir/grazoprevir).

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome