Pediatrics

Washington, D.C. - Last month, the House approved legislation that would make it easier for Americans to obtain prescription drugs from Canada and other countries, similar to action it took last year. This time the legislators voted overwhelmingly to add to FDA's 2005 budget bill a provision that blocks FDA from enforcing a ban on drug reimportation. The drug import language is not expected to survive House-Senate negotiations on a final FDA spending bill, but it allows members of Congress to portray themselves as import advocates at election time.

NATIONAL REPORTS-MCOs are expected to soon treat pediatric drug costs in a similar manner to which they treat drug spending overall, according to industry experts.

Second-generation antihistamines bestfor mild allergies; plans curb use of leukotriene modifiers

To his co-workers, Mark is an outgoing, healthy, 34-year-old young manwith a friendly personality (although they've noticed he does miss workoften). What they don't know is that Mark suffers from Type A hemophilia,chronic pain, addiction to painkillers and recently was diagnosed with HIV,most likely contracted from factor 8 transfusion he received as a teenager.

New medical devices, FDA actions and first-time generics

MCOs are familiar with carve-outs and will increasingly use them for transplants and more

The pharma and medical technology pipelines are expected to have a bigger impact on trends in 2005.

The second generation of treatment for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders offers fewer side effects, but costs are much higher

Overweight members tally up disproportionate medical costs, but DM programs prove to be effective in lifestyle makeovers

Plans offer the personal touch of these special caregivers

Sources: Atlantic Information Systems; Managed Care Week

Access induces demand of new medical innovations

All too often, the fundamentals of a sport, industry or discipline are learned at the early stages but then forgotten as an individual advances in knowledge and sophistication. And that, according to Joe Anderson, is the problem that has caused so many healthcare headaches over the years.

By bringing scientific evidence forward and applying it to specific cases in healthcare, independent review organizations (IROs) are helping to shape standards of care for plans nationwide.

A recent "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter issued by Wyeth outlines the potential risks associated with the company's antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor and Effexor XR) when the drug is administered in the pediatric population. The letter, dated August 22, 2003, cites data from clinical studies in pediatric patients (aged 6­17 y) and details changes that have been made to the labeling for venlafaxine. Venlafaxine has been prescribed off-label in the pediatric population despite never being approved by FDA for use in children or adolescents.

First combination therapy for treating hepatitis C in children

Approved as monotherapy for pediatric epilepsy

As prescription drug spending grows, employers ? who pay a large part of the bill ? want to know if they are getting their money's worth. A critical review of scientific literature on some common diseases provides the answer.

Large cases generate four out of every five dollars in direct medical expenditures. Doesn't it make sense to pay special attention? Here's how it's done.

Approved for pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia

Long-term treatment of 384 adults ADHD patients with atomoxetine (Strattera, Lilly) showed that 67% responded with at least a 30% improvement and 40% had at least a 50% improvement.

Educational pregnancy programs targeting minority members and those with risk factors help deliver optimal outcomes

Physician plan executives tap into daily experiences to serve even the tiniest of members

After attending the delivery of a baby in a community hospital in Louisville, Ky., Dr. Larry Cook paused for a moment in the hallway, still in his green hospital scrubs. The new baby's grandmother, a woman in her 50s, beaming with joy, approached Dr. Cook and threw her arms around him instinctively. Hugging him she said, "Dr. Cook, 21 years ago you attended the delivery of my daughter and provided her newborn care. And just now, you've attended the delivery of her child."

Consumers want massage therapy and acupuncture, but plans insist that there be a financial or therapeutic benefit.

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

MCOs are on the front lines to deliver benefits, curb Medicare and Medicaid spending

Pilot results in total savings of $1.50 per member per month, which couldadd up to millions in the long run

Initiatives that promote industry competition remain key to modernizingthe nation's healthcare system

Go beyond traditional medical coverage and offer your members services that save time, cost and effort