Occurrence and Characteristics of Hospitalizations During First-Line Chemotherapy Among Individuals with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Objective: Choosing chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) requires balancing clinical effectiveness and risk of complications. This study characterized real-world inpatient/emergency department (ED) hospitalizations during first-line chemotherapy among individuals with mCRC.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from medical and pharmacy claims.

Treatment Patterns by EGFR Mutation Status in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in the USA: A Retrospective Database Analysis.

Introduction: Targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target the sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are recommended for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most patients with NSCLC who test positive for the EGFR mutation and receive TKIs develop resistance to these drugs. Questions remain regarding which treatment sequence is optimal for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC, and few studies have evaluated patterns of TKI treatment use in NSCLC, irrespective of EGFR mutation status, in a real-world setting.

Treatment patterns and cost-effectiveness of first line treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in Medicare patients.

Aim: To assess the cost-effectiveness of first-line pemetrexed/platinum and other commonly administered regimens in a representative US elderly population with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: This study utilized the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry linked to Medicare claims records. The study population included all SEER-Medicare patients diagnosed in 2008-2009 with advanced non-squamous NSCLC (stages IIIB-IV) as their only primary cancer and who started chemotherapy within 90 days of diagnosis.

Enhancing the Budget Impact Model for Institutional Use: A Tool with Practical Applications for the Hospital Oncology Pharmacy.

Background: The cost of cancer care is increasing, and tools are needed to understand the economic impact of new drugs on the hospital pharmacy budget.

Objective: To develop an interactive budget impact model (BIM) through a collaborative effort of industry, academia, and modeling experts to evaluate the use of a new agent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); this BIM included an institutional module specific to the needs of practices that purchase medications for use in institutional settings.

Methods: Treatment regimens, doses, duration of therapy, toxicity, and cost data are from published sources.

Accuracy and precision of manufacturer-supplied liquid medication administration devices before and after patient education.

Objectives: To compare the accuracy and precision of a manufacturer-supplied dropper versus a pharmacy-supplied syringe when measured by a trained student pharmacist and to evaluate patients' ability to accurately measure a prescribed amount of medication with these devices before and after counseling on their use.

Methods: This was a two-phased study with a pretest/posttest design of 125 community pharmacy patrons of Virginia community pharmacies. Deliverable volume was measured by a student pharmacist for nystatin suspension and digoxin elixir using the manufactured-supplied device.