Pharmacy

Evolving customer relationships is top of mind for drug companies

Vouchers, bargains and other marketing teasers inspire members to try less-expensive generics

Recent approvals and new indications

Data allow MCOs to evalutate their pharmacy services and which drugs should or should not be covered

Consumers spent less on prescription drugs in the first quarter of this year

It might be unfair that Americans pay the highest prices for drugs, but the alternative isn't palatable either

Recent surveys indicate a gap in the clinical trial process.

Although expensive and time-consuming, drug studies must satisfy the information needs of multiple stakeholders

Is one type of health plan inherently more cost-efficient than other -- or does it simply attract healthier members? It&s not easy to answer that question, but the effort pays off for employers who want the most for every benefit dollar they spend. Here&s one employer&s long journey to a more realistic purchasing process.

Inflation might be hard to overcome, but coordinated care and home delivery could offset costs

In-house pharmacy management empowers members to control their spending

There's an old fable about mortality where a man is granted one wish by a prophet. The man says, "I want to know where I'm going to die." Astounded, the prophet asks, "Why would you want to know that?" The man responds, "Because then, I'll never go there."

Minnesota Blues Get Serious About Smoking Cessation; the cost of insuring the uninsured; and the FMLA case of Byrne v. Avon Products Inc.

FDA officials are interested in encouraging more OTC switches

The state and manufacturer work to find solutions for access to medicines

OIG wants PBMs to disclose discounts offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers

Discouraging adverse selection important issue for Medicare plans

Decision to cover self-administered injectables under medical or pharmacy benefit specific to individual plans.

HMO industry is currently in a state of flux or transition

FMCP model urges plans to think outside the cost silo when making formulary decisions

Americans support more regulation of healthcare

Instances of out of network physicians joining a network are likely to be case-specific

While Medicare tries to work out arrangements for a pharmacy benefit, Medicaid has it fairly well figured out. Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) have designed pharmacy benefits that meet the needs of their members and provide some cost savings.

With a forte for everything from anthropology to accounting to medicine, it's understandable if today's pharmacy directors feel like every piece of the managed care equation is in their hands at any given time.

With new coalitions and programs similar to commercial plans, states are keepinga handle on Medicaid drug spending

Congress rejects White House Medicare pharmacy plan while moving forwardwith its own reform strategy

The launch of OTC antihistamines helps plans cut costs, but skeptics argue that accessibility will suffer because of cost barriers

GAO report touts effectiveness of PBMs, which might be key to crafting a Medicare drug benefit

GAO report touts effectiveness of PBMs, which might be key to craftinga Medicare drug benefit

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) patient safety goals, early-stage cancer survivors at work, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2001 Health Spending Report