The FDA approved Zykadia (ceritinib) for the treatment of patients with metastatic, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ceritinib is an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks proteins that promote cancer cell growth. The drug is approved for the treatment of patients with late-stage NSCLC who were previously treated with crizotinib, the first and only other ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved by the FDA.

The first generic versions of Celebrex (celecoxib) capsules, a treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute pain, and other conditions, have been approved by the FDA, according to a press release by the agency.

The FDA approved the use of Tafinlar (dabrafenib; GlaxoSmithKline) plus Mekinist (trametinib; GlaxoSmithKline) as a new combination therapy for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma that is unresectable or metastatic.

The FDA approved Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate), a new antibacterial drug, for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) associated with certain susceptible bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus such as methicillin-resistant strains and methicillin-susceptible strains, as well as various Streptococcus species, and Enterococcus faecalis. The drug is available for intravenous and oral use.

The FDA approved the use of Otezla (apremilast), a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, on March 21, 2014, for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

The FDA approved Eloctate, antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc fusion protein, for adults and children who have hemophilia A.

The FDA approved Arzerra Injection (ofatumumab; GlaxoSmithKline) in combination with chlorambucil, for the treatment of previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for whom flu­darabine-based therapy is considered inappropriate.

In a recent interview with Inside Pharmacy, Alexandra Jung, Principal, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, LLP, and former Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Walgreens, discussed trends in healthcare delivery and the multistakeholder approach to patient care.

Community pharmacists often measure how many prescriptions are dispensed in a given day or week.

The reality about disruptive innovation is that other disruptions come along, I was told recently in an interview.