Monthly Archives: February 2022

Vonjo™ (pacritinib) has received U.S. FDA approval to treat intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary (post-polycythemia vera or post-essential thrombocythemia) myelofibrosis in adults who have a platelet count below 50 × 10⁹/L.

• Vonjo is a novel oral kinase inhibitor that acts against enzymes in the body that may contribute to myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer. In myelofibrosis, scar tissue replaces healthy bone marrow and interferes with production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
• Recommended dosing is two 100mg capsules taken twice daily by
• CTI BioPharma, the manufacturer, has announced that Vonjo will be available at a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $19,500 per month.

February 24, 2022 – Jardiance® (empagliflozin – Boehringer Ingelheim) is now indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults who have heart failure.

• Initially FDA approved in 2014, Jardiance is also indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults who have type 2 diabetes, and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults who have type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
• Recommended dosing is 10mg once daily in the morning. For adults who have type 2 diabetes and require additional glycemic control, the dose can be increased to 25mg per day.

The U.S. FDA has approved Mylan’s generic for Restasis® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% single-use vials.

• Like Restasis, the generic is indicated to increase tear production when that production is believed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
• Recommended dosing is one drop in each eye twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.
• Brand name Restasis is manufactured by Allergan and first received FDA approval in 2002. It has a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $645.63 per month. Mylan’s generic is available at a WAC of $588.82 per month.