Monday, January 10, 2005

IN BRIEF: THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing to cover Merck & Co. Inc.'s pharma name Emend (aprepitant) when used in combination with two other anti-emetic drugs to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. According to CMS, trial results have shown that Emend is more effective for this indication when it is used along with other anti-emetic drugs. CMS plans to cover the pharmaceutical brand drug if it is used with a 5-HT3 antagonist and dexamethasone in patients who do not respond to standard drugs intended for these nausea and vomiting symptoms.