News

Drugs will be provided to health plan members on clinical trials free of charge.

In a big move for patients who take blood pressure medication on a regular basis, FDA last week approved the first generic versions of 4 drugs that contain the blood pressure-lowering medication olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar, Daiichi Sankyo).

As part of efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, Cigna removes prior authorization from medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

Wide variation exists in practice-level statin prescribing for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

A recent survey suggests suggest a lack of access to appropriate commercial payer arrangements is causing health systems to explore alternatives.

Consumers are demanding transparency in the prices of drugs. Here’s how they are getting it.

New data presented at the 25th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Vienna, Austria, this week shows that secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) has long-lasting skin clearance in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Anthem Blue Cross recently launched a year-long diabetes prevention program to educate, treat and support its qualified California members who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Do copay assistance program offer a long-term solution for patients? Experts weigh in.

As the healthcare profession continues to face challenges with antibiotic resistance, drugmakers are developing novel antibiotics that will be effective against some of the worst infections. One drugmaker submitted New Drug Applications (NDAs) for approval of IV and oral delafloxacin (Baxdela) to FDA.

Soon after FDA granted accelerated approval for atezolizumab (Tecentriq, Genentech) to treat bladder cancer, the agency okayed the drug to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Cancer care has made great strides in the U.S., but effective care is still too expensive and inaccessible for many Americans. Now, payers and providers at Highmark, Allegheny Health Network and Johns Hopkins are launching a new model that could change cancer collaboration.

The precision medicine effort could dramatically change patient care, but will it be effective?

A new cancer database, the Genomic Data Commons, aims to make research more accessible

We asked executives how they feel about the future of healthcare. Here’s what they said.

With the presidential election quickly approaching, here’s your chance to know where your peers stand on key issues.

A new Commonwealth Fund study explores cost-sharing reduction plans and marketplace coverage.

Payers have a direct interest in preserving independent physician practices andhelping all physicians regain the Joy of Medicine.

Advances in technology are creating new opportunities for health insurers to move beyond the role of payer to trusted partner in the protection and extension of our health and independence as we age.

A majority of oncology drugs-particularly older cancer drugs-had price hikes in 2015, according to a study. Plus, Ariad Pharmaceuticals raised the price of its chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) drug ponatinib (Iclusig) for the fourth time this year to around $199,000 a year, according to The Street.

FDA tentatively approved the abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for generic quetiapine fumarate extended-release tablets (brand Seroquel XR, AstraZeneca) to treat schizophrenia and manic/mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

The advantages of using an advanced clinical decision support system fall into four general “reducing” categories. Here they are.

It’s time for stakeholders to cooperate in order to limit the wasted spending on prescription medications and chart a path to collectively improving value derivation.

Consumers want more, and it’s time to deliver. Here’s how health insurers can retain current members and attract new ones.

MCOs are going to have to step up their efforts to impact the growing opioid epidemic in this country.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reduced the amount of almost every Schedule II opiate and opioid medication that may be manufactured in the US by 25% or more.

As Mylan continues to face criticism over price hikes on its EpiPen epinephrine injection, the company agreed to a $465 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and other agencies for overcharging on the EpiPen.

It’s time to step back and assess how the election could impact the managed care industry.

Executives need to increase awareness in the category and ensure prescribers are aware of CDC guidelines for opioid prescribing and the prescription drug monitoring programs.

Faced with a proliferation of oncology treatments, payers have started using oncology pathways. But what do these programs look like, and are they really working?