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Diplomat Gets Contract For Lung Treatment

FLINT (WWJ) -- Diplomat, the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy, has been chosen as a distributor for Bethkis tobramycin inhalation solution, a treatment of chronic bacterial lung infections caused by P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients.

Bethkis was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2013 with a product launch this fall by Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals. Diplomat has access to dispense Bethkis immediately.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, more than 30,000 children and adults are living with cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease, with 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. This defect causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that alters normal processes in the lungs and leads to chronic bronchial infections. Inhaled tobramycin is recommended to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations for cystic fibrosis patients aged 6 or older experiencing moderate to severe lung disease and showing P. aeruginosa in cultures of the airways.

Per manufacturer's instructions, Bethkis is administered as a concentrated solution delivering 300mg of nebulized tobramycin in only 4mL, twice daily in alternating 28-day cycles. It is marketed by Cary, N.C.-based Cornerstone Therapeutics Inc.

Diplomat focuses on medication management programs for people with specialized, long-term medical needs, including cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis and many other serious or chronic conditions. More at www.diplomatpharmacy.com.

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