The FDA has approved spinosad 0.9% suspension (Natroba – ParaPro) for topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients ≥4 years old. It is available only by prescription.

Radium Ra 223 dichloride (Xofigo – Bayer), a radiotherapeutic drug, has been approved by the FDA for intravenous treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer with symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.

The FDA has approved a 1% cream formulation of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin (Soolantra – Galderma) for topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Ivermectin is available in the US in tablets (Stromectol, and generics) for treatment of onchocerciasis and other worm infestations and as a 0.5% lotion (Sklice) for treatment of head lice.

The FDA has approved delafloxacin (Baxdela – Melinta), an anionic fluoroquinolone antibiotic, for oral and parenteral treatment of adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs), including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is the first fluoroquinolone to be approved for treatment of MRSA.

Grepafloxacin (Raxar - Glaxo Wellcome), a once-daily oral fluoroquinolone, is now being marketed for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, uncomplicated gonorrhea, and nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis.

Axitinib (Inlyta – Pfizer), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of one prior systemic therapy. It is the fourth oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor to be approved for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

The FDA has approved the antiparasitic drug ivermectin in a 0.5% lotion (Sklice – Sanofi Pasteur) as a single-use topical treatment for head lice in patients ≥6 months old. Oral ivermectin (Stromectol – Merck) is effective for treatment of head lice resistant to other therapies, but it has not been approved by the FDA for this indication.

An article published in the New York Times on May 1, 2015 listed the 10 drugs on which Medicare Part D spent the most in 2013. The most costly ($2.53 billion) was the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium), which has recently become available generically.

The nasal spray formulation of the corticosteroid fluticasone furoate is now available over the counter (OTC) as Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (GSK) in the same strength as the prescription product (Veramyst) for treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. It is the fourth intranasal corticosteroid to become available OTC.

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to copanlisib (Aliqopa – Bayer), an intravenously administered phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior systemic therapies. Follicular lymphoma is a common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Copanlisib is the second PI3K inhibitor to be approved for this indication; idelalisib (Zydelig), which is administered orally twice daily, was the first.