UPDATE ON DRUGS

Class Name/Company Approval Dates and Comments

Antiviral Agent
Zoster Vaccine Live

Zostavax®


Merck

The US FDA approved this new vaccine in May 2006 for the
prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in individuals 60 years of age
and older. It is given as a single dose by injection.

Rosacea
Doxycycline, 40mg

Oracea®


CollaGenex
Pharmaceuticals

The US FDA approved this product in May 2006 for the
treatment of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of
rosacea in adult patients.

Antiaging Agent
Hyaluronic Acid
Dermal Filler
Juvéderm® Gel
Allergan
The US FDA approved this dermal filler in June 2005 for the
treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Juvéderm® should only
be administered by a trained and qualified health care provider.

Immunomodulatory
Agent
Mycophenolate
Mofetil
CellCept®
Aspreva
Pharmaceuticals/Roche
The US FDA granted orphan drug designation for this
immunosuppressive agent in June 2006 for the treatment of
pemphigus vulgaris.

Oncologic Agent
Suberoylanilide
Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA)
Zolinza®

Merck
The US FDA accepted a New Drug Application for this
investigational histone deacetylase inhibitor in June 2006 for the
treatment of advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This NDA
has been granted priority review.

Vaccine
Quadrivalent Human
Papillomavirus
Recombinant Vaccine
Gardasil®

Merck
The US FDA approved this vaccine in June 2006 for the
prevention of cervical cancer and vulvar and vaginal precancers
caused by HPV types 16 and 18 and to prevent low-grade and
precancerous lesions and genital warts caused by HPV types 6,
11, 16 and 18.

TNF-blocking Agent
Adalimumab

Humira®

Abbott

The European Medicines Agency approved this tumor necrosis
factor (TNF)-blocking agent in June 2006 for the treatment of
severe ankylosing spondylitis.

Drug News


Antipsoriatic Agent
Twelve-week data were recently published* from a multinational, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
efalizumab (Raptiva®) 1.0mg/kg once weekly when compared with placebo. Investigators found
that efalizumab produced significant clinical improvements and was generally well tolerated
among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
*Dubertret L, Sterry W, Bos JD, et al. Br J Dermatol 155(1):170-81 (2006 Jul).

Treatment
Resistance
According to a recent study of Welsh school children published in the Archives of Disease in
Childhood*, four out of five head lice are resistant to common treatments containing pyrethroids
(permethrin and phenothrin). Whether this pattern is reflected elsewhere will depend on how head
lice treatments are used. However, they suggest that where resistance develops, a newer silicone based
lotion might be a suitable alternative.
*Thomas DR, McCarroll L, Roberts R, et al. Arch Dis Child [Epub ahead of print] (2006 June 14).