Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders
The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits
Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.
Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups
As more high-risk patients undergo PCI, what is the best antiplatelet strategy following an initial event-free period of DAPT? Does it change after complex PCI? Researchers aimed to answer these questions, and many others, with new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.
FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings
Landiolol, sold by AOP Health under the brand name Rapiblyk, is an intravenous treatment designed to start working right away.
FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug
Acoramidis, a selective transthyretin stabilizer being sold under the brand name Attruby, is now the second ATTR-CM medication to gain FDA approval.

Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease linked to cardiovascular benefits

New research published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases and Hypertension examined the impact medications for different non-cardiovascular conditions can have on a patient's heart health.

December 9, 2022

Alternative therapies for heart failure: Health experts detail the good, the bad and the unknown

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association examined the potential impact of many therapies, including fish oil supplements, lily of the valley and yoga.

December 8, 2022

High copays keep many heart failure patients from filling needed prescriptions

Researchers examined data from more than 900 patients, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

December 1, 2022

Regulatory Roundup: Updates on Medtronic and LivaNova recalls, FDA-cleared AI models, a new heart valve and more

Read our recap of some of the biggest FDA-related stories that impacted cardiology in the last month.

November 30, 2022

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

FDA approves world’s most expensive drug, a hemophilia B treatment expected to cost $3.5M

The single-dose gene therapy can help patients reduce their risk of bleeding events and discontinue factor IX prophylaxis therapy.

November 23, 2022

ADHD medications and CVD: Lessons learned from a new meta-analysis of nearly 4 million patients

The new study, published in JAMA Network Open, should help ease any concerns patients may have about regularly taking ADHD medications.

November 23, 2022

Early catheter ablation superior to medication when treating ventricular tachycardia storm

VT storm is associated with a heightened risk of death or significant complications. Early catheter ablation, it seems, is the most effective treatment option for this potentially fatal condition.

November 22, 2022

OAC use among older AFib patients is on the rise

However, researchers noted, there is still considerable room for improvement.

November 18, 2022

Pharmaceutics

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups

FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings

FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug